South Korean actor Shin Seung-ho is taking on a transformative new role as Father Do-un in the upcoming film "Only God Knows Everything," marking a significant departure from his previous work. The actor describes this priest character as one of his most challenging roles to date, requiring a completely different approach that emphasizes restraint and internal conflict rather than explosive emotional displays.
"When I first read the script, I thought this wouldn't be an easy film to watch," Shin revealed during a recent interview. He explained that Father Do-un is a complex character who demands careful balance between revelation and restraint. "Do-un is a character who has much to show, but at the same time, there are many aspects that require restraint and patience. That difficulty worked positively for me and gave me a chance to learn a lot."
This role represents a dramatic shift for Shin, who has previously been known for portraying characters with intense emotional outbursts. The actor acknowledged that this subdued approach was largely unfamiliar territory for him. "Looking at my filmography, this was an area I had little experience in, which made it more appealing. In the end, it became a very positive project for me," he said.
"Only God Knows Everything" marks Shin's second collaboration with director Baek Seung-hwan, following their previous work together on "Double Patty." While Shin praised the director's character, he emphasized that his decision to join the project was primarily driven by the strength of the screenplay. "I personally think of him as a director of great character, but my decision wasn't based on personal ties. The strength of the script drew me in. It's hard to sum up in one word, but it was powerful writing."
To authentically portray a Catholic priest, Shin undertook extensive preparation despite his Protestant background. "I didn't know much about Catholicism, so I tried to see the human side by meeting priests directly," he explained. The actor sought to understand not just the religious aspects but also the daily realities of priestly life. "When I first put on the cassock, I felt a vague sense of reverence – and also realized some of its inconveniences in daily life."
Rather than conducting formal research interviews, Shin chose a more personal approach to understanding his character. "We shared meals and talked about daily life, and through that I could observe their everyday side," he said. This casual interaction with actual clergy members provided him with insights into the human aspects of priesthood that formal research might have missed.
The filming process presented several particularly challenging moments for Shin. One of the most difficult scenes involved blood splattering across Father Do-un's face, which carried deep symbolic meaning beyond its visual impact. "The blood had to spatter in a visually impactful way," Shin recalled. "Because the meaning of a clean face being tainted was so important, we repeated the take more than ten times. After wiping and reapplying over and over, I felt drained. But in the end, I was satisfied with how it came out."
Another demanding sequence featured an intense church scene with veteran actor Yoo Sung-joo. Shin approached this scene with high ambitions, wanting to convey more than simple aggression. "My part in the scene was clear, but my ambition was big," he explained. "I didn't want it to be just about ferocity. I wanted to capture the burden Do-un carried and the pity surrounding him."
The film's conclusion deliberately leaves Father Do-un's ultimate choice unresolved, creating an ambiguous ending that Shin believes strengthens the overall narrative. "Whether he chooses revenge or remains faithful is left open," Shin noted. "I didn't aim for it, but my ambiguous expression ultimately gave the ending more power." This open-ended approach reflects the actor's belief that the film shouldn't provide easy answers.
Shin resisted defining a single message or interpretation for the film, preferring to let audiences draw their own conclusions. "I wasn't looking for the right answer," he said. "It's a film that allows multiple interpretations, and that's what made it fascinating." This philosophy aligns with the complex moral questions the film explores.
In addition to "Only God Knows Everything," Shin recently appeared in "Omniscient Reader," giving him two theatrical releases during a challenging period for the Korean film industry. The actor expressed gratitude for having both films reach theaters despite difficult market conditions. "I'm just grateful these films were released in theaters," he said. "Of course, there can be regrets about box office scores, but in the end, I'm happy to have shown my face and met audiences."
"Only God Knows Everything" was released in South Korean theaters on August 22, offering audiences the opportunity to see Shin Seung-ho's transformative performance as the morally conflicted Father Do-un.
