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Actor Cha Seung-won plays killer Lim Sang in Disney+ drama “The Tyrant.” Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
Veteran actor portrays stoic yet clumsy hitman in ‘The Tyrant’ 
By Baek Byung-yeul
Actor Cha Seung-won, starring as a hitman in Disney+’s new drama “The Tyrant,” reflected on his journey in the entertainment industry and his contentment with his current phase, which he no longer considers his “prime.”
“I think my prime has already passed. The word prime suggests you continue to attract people’s attention, but I think I’ve passed that age. Rather than being in my prime, I want to continue my job without making anyone uncomfortable,” the 54-year-old actor said during an interview with The Korea Times at a café in Seoul, Wednesday.
“However, I’m enjoying the present where I act with satisfaction. In fact, I seem to have more projects than before. It may not be my prime, but it’s not bad at all.”
Cha’s acting career began in the late 1990s after debuting as a model in the late 1980s. The actor expressed his desire to continue working with various directors and show new sides of himself to the audience.
“It’s very pleasing to be chosen by directors I haven’t worked with before. I want to be an actor who constantly receives calls from diverse directors. I hope they find new facets of me,” he said.
“The Tyrant,” which was released through the streaming service Wednesday, follows four individuals in a deadly chase to recover a final sample from a secret government project. Named Tyrant, the project aims to create super humans.
Actor Cha Seung-won / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
In the four-episode action thriller, Cha portrayed Lim Sang, a hitman tasked with removing obstacles related to the Tyrant program. His character is depicted as a highly skilled assassin with a stoic demeanor, contrasting sharply with his clumsiness in everyday situations.
To prepare for the role, Cha underwent extensive physical training to convincingly handle and fire a shotgun with one hand.
“I practiced loading with one hand a lot. Director Park Hoon-jung gave me the direction to try shooting with one hand. But the gun was very heavy, so it was difficult,” he said. “I portrayed a character who demonstrates agile and precise movements while shooting and killing, yet appears clumsy in other situations.”
Cha first collaborated with Park, the director, in the 2020 film, “Night in Paradise.” He praised the director for motivating him to showcase more of his acting abilities, expressing gratitude for uncovering new facets of his performance.
“The director trusts me a lot, which drives me to put in more effort. The chemistry between us creates a pleasant tension, and I’m very grateful for his guidance,” Cha said.
Versatile presence
Apart from his work in films and dramas, Cha is also well-known for his appearances on entertainment shows, including tvN’s “Three Meals a Day.” Since 2015, he has been showcasing his cooking skills in the countryside alongside other celebrities.
“‘Three Meals a Day’ holds a special place in my heart. I don’t think appearing in entertainment shows is a hindrance to my acting career,” he said.
Through the show, Cha has enhanced his popularity by showing himself cooking a variety of dishes while traveling around rural areas. He is currently filming a new season of this show, where he appears alongside popular trot singer Lim Young-woong.
“There are tens of thousands of emotions I’ve felt while doing ‘Three Meals a Day.’ I believe acting is about studying people, and I feel honored to be part of a show that encompasses all human emotions,” Cha said.
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