Song Joong-ki says 'Descendants of the Sun' belongs to audience, not actors

By Chung Joo-won SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean actor Song Joong-ki, the hero of KBS 2TV's mega-hit series "Descendants of the Sun," said he is open to any criticisms, for the drama belongs to the audience and not the actors. The star actor, 30, beamed confidence all throughout the 1-hour question-and-answer session in a press conference arranged by his talent agency Blossom Entertainment at a hotel in central Seoul on Friday. "I am aware that there are different thoughts and criticisms (about Descendants of the Sun). I give my unconditional acknowledgment to such feedback, because, after all, the drama belongs to the audience," he said. The heartthrob hit the jackpot with the military medical rom-melo drama, owing much to his lead character Yoo Si-jin, a charming soldier in the South Korean special forces. Yoo is a handsome, humorous and loyal lover of female surgeon Kang Mo-yeon played by South Korean top actress Song Hye-kyo. The drama's final episode was greeted with a stunning 38.8 percent of viewers in South Korea, according to media researcher Nielson Korea. On the dark side, however, he faced criticisms that the plots are unbelievable -- with Yoo solving numerous life-threatening crises -- and certain lines too cheesy. The actor countered that the die-hard, seemingly immortal characteristic of Yoo is a great booster of the rom-melo genre. "I don't contest feedback that some lines are cheesy. But I think it is the actor's job to act out such lines without being cheesy," he said. With the international broadcast of "The Descendants of the Sun," Song ran in news headlines at home and overseas, earning the title "the ideal husband of Asia." Song said he did not realize the level of his popularity outside his home country until he went to Hong Kong for a magazine photo shoot. "The photographer and I went out on the streets in Hong Kong for the photo shooting. That's when I was thrilled to find out that our drama was loved so dearly by global fans." He was amused by his title as the ideal husband of Asia and many related episodes about his female fans from foreign countries. Song did not consider Yoo as his avatar, or persona, in terms of personality. Rather, he thought his character is closer to a fantasy than a real character. "I think I am a conservative, not-so-cool kind of guy. But acting out Yoo Si-jin, I learned a lot about how women love to be treated. The character explains about why female fans are so into this character. I particularly learned a lot about what women want to hear from their men, boyfriends and husbands." With the success of his drama, all sections of domestic news reports -- from entertainment to business, politics and social affairs -- put him under spotlight. "I am happy to be cited in many news articles in different sections. That makes another reason to study diverse subjects." Song said he achieved his original goal of participating in diverse roles and genres -- a goal that he will continue to pursue. The actor revealed an extraordinary insight about worries that his immense popularity may undermine his initial passion since his rookie days. "I think an actor should not adhere to his original mindset. A larger container needs larger fillings -- the original mindset must change." Song caught many news reporters by surprise when he said he does not deserve the title of "hallyu actor," a term for a South Korean actor who has a large following overseas. "Many people call me a hallyu star, but I don't subscribe to such a label. I am only an actor whose global recognition instantly rose with a single drama. I think such a title is for someone like actress Song Hye-kyo, for her continued overseas activities. I learned a lot from her." Song Joong-ki said the heroine and co-star of "The Descendants of the Sun" is a great senior actor who helps her acting partners act with comfort and stability. He said the actress is one of his role models. Towards the end of the press conference, the South Korean actor thanked the fans of "Descendants of the Sun." "I will make all efforts to keep my true colors as an actor," he said. jwc@yna.co.kr (END)