"My Sweet Mobster" Actor Uhm Tae Goo on Challenges He Faced While Filming, His Tough Past & More

On August 7, tvN's reality show Yoo Quiz on the Block Season 4 featured a "friends special", where actor Uhm Tae Goo made an appearance.

The actor has enjoyed immense popularity after starring in My Sweet Mobster, in which he plays an ex-con, Seo Ji Hwan. Seo Ji Hwan left the world of crime and started a food distribution company that hires ex-cons, giving them a chance to start anew. But things aren't easy. He and his employees constantly face obstacles and prejudice from people who believe criminals never change.  

Yoo Jae Suk asked, "We had requested your participation three years ago, but you turned it down the very next day. The reason you declined was that you were too nervous about Yoo Quiz on the Block." In response, Uhm Tae Goo said, "I'm sorry. I was so nervous just thinking about Yoo Quiz that I felt I couldn't do it, so I said no. But this time, I wanted to express my gratitude for the drama's [My Sweet Mobster] success, and I ended up appearing because you invited me again."

Recently, Uhm Tae Goo achieved first place in brand reputation following his role in JTBC's My Sweet Mobster. When asked to convey his thanks, the actor said, "I really wanted to say thank you to those who enjoyed My Sweet Mobster. Thank you everyone." Yoo Jae Suk then said, "It seems like you can't lie. Have you told any lies recently?" Uhm Tae Goo responded, "I said I wasn't nervous when I was in the waiting room, but I was actually nervous," evoking laughter.

Talking about the drama, he said, "It was a challenge. Every project is a challenge, but this one was so different from the genres I've done before that I was scared. But I still wanted to try it, so I did. During the eight months of filming, there wasn't a single day when I felt it was easy. It was difficult to bring out the emotions."

Additionally, Uhm Tae Goo mentioned that his mother had a significant influence on his decision to appear on Yoo Quiz. He said, "I wanted to appear, but I was very scared. It was the day I had to give an answer whether or not I would appear, and I said I would do it without thinking about it because it was my mother's wish." 

During the show, Yoo Jae Suk mentioned, "I heard that there was a time when you thought about quitting acting because you felt you lacked talent," to which Uhm Tae Goo responded, "I got that thought many times." When Yoo Jae Suk asked why he felt that way, the actor confessed, "I felt like I didn't have the talent for acting. I couldn't fit in and always had a hard time adapting [on set]. I was always scared to go to the set." 

Uhm Tae Goo's brother, director Uhm Tae Hwa, recalled, "There was a time when Tae Goo had a small role in a project I was working on. He played the role of a Japanese soldier. He had a line. It was just one line, but he was so nervous that he couldn't say it. He kept messing it up. The shoot ended up being delayed, and he developed a bit of trauma towards the Japanese language. It was difficult to watch him struggle, and I hoped he'd have an opportunity to grow, but that chance didn't come easily." 

Uhm Tae Goo also shared in an interview with the production team, "No matter how much I prepared, I would just blank out and couldn't manage the nervousness. ... One day, as I was passing through a tunnel to go to the set, it felt like I was entering a grave."

Upon hearing this, Yoo Jae Suk asked, "Getting projects one after another is a blessing, but it's not like they come just because you want them to. [You have to do what you can.] That's how one makes a living, but have you ever struggled because of that?"

The actor responded, "It was so tough. So I often listened to the song you sang..." he mentioned "As One Says," which Yoo Jae Suk sang with the singer Lee Juck. He added, "It was a time when I was really struggling, and just like the lyrics say, I had nothing to do the next day, and things seemed bleak."

He then revealed, "Financially, I was struggling [a lot]. My rent was overdue for 24 months. I was very sorry, but I couldn't pay because I had no income. My landlord, who lived on the floor below mine, always encouraged me by saying, 'Times are tough, aren't they?' Whenever I managed to pay a month's rent, he  would give me vitamins."

Uhm Tae Goo added, "I lived in a rooftop room, and my landlord lived on the floor below. I worked hard at construction sites and did part-time jobs at events. I never imagined it would take 24 months to catch up on the rent, but my landlord was very understanding and kept telling me it was okay," he said. "So in return, whenever it snowed, I would always sweep it early in the morning, and if there was a package, I would place it by his door. That was the best I could do to repay him. I was so thankful [to him], and that's why I wanted to succeed quickly back then."

The movie that cemented Uhm Tae Goo's presence in the industry was The Age of Shadows (2016). He starred alongside senior actor Song Kang Ho. Uhm commented: "I was really nervous," adding, "Before The Age of Shadows, I had thoughts like, 'Should I continue in this profession?' because it didn't seem to suit me well. I thought I wouldn't be able to audition for The Age of Shadows, and it felt miraculous that I got the role. During my first scene, where I confronted my senior [Song Kang Ho], he was incredibly considerate. I worried if my intense acting might offend him, but he warmly encouraged me, which made me think about this profession more seriously." 

Uhm Tae Goo and director Uhm Tae Hwa (his older brother) have worked together on six projects.

When asked about their relationship as siblings, Uhm Tae Goo said, "We don't talk much, but it's not bad." "When I was young, I used to get beaten a lot by my older brother. But now that we've grown up, it's a bit different. I feel sorry for him too."

He continued, "The time I felt the most sorry was when my brother used his own money to make an independent film. He stayed up all night to film, and I would see him dozing off while saying 'Action!'" He recalled, "During the filming of Ingtoogi: The Battle of Internet Trolls, whenever it rained, I worried about the production costs of my brother's film. He barely had any income and had to bet everything on that one film. I felt sorry for him." 

He also said, "When I was filming My Sweet Mobster, Concrete Utopia was released. I was worried [if it would do well or not], but fortunately, the movie did well. It gave me strength seeing my brother succeed." 

In another interview, Uhm Tae Goo candidly spoke about his introverted personality, his thoughts on his first rom-com and more.

On August 5, an interview with the actor took place at a café in Gangnam, Seoul. For the meeting, Uhm appeared in a natural look, seemingly without any makeup. He wore a plain khaki T-shirt, black shorts, sneakers, and glasses.

Although he is highly professional when acting, Uhm Tae Goo's real personality is very quiet and reserved, to the point where he might go an entire day without saying a word. Regarding this, Uhm remarked, "This personality can be a bit frustrating when working. It would be easier to act if I could interact well with others," expressing his regret.

He also reflected on his past appearance on the variety show House on Wheels, saying, "After appearing on House on Wheels, many people surprisingly viewed this flaw of mine in a positive light. It made me think that this side of me isn't necessarily bad, giving me strength and courage. When I made an appearance on House on Wheels, I didn't have work for eight months and hadn't met anyone, so I kind of froze."

Regarding his appearance on Yoo Quiz on the Block, he said, "I decided to appear because I wanted to express my gratitude to my fans. Fortunately, I have just finished projects and press conferences, so I felt a bit more at ease. I wanted to speak more comfortably, but it's a shame I couldn't. I spoke a lot during the one-on-one interview, so I feel even more sorry towards Yoo Jae Suk and Jo Se Ho [the show's hosts]. There were many moments where I stammered, but if I get another chance, I think I'll be able to do better naturally."

Here is an excerpt from the Q&A the actor had with the local reporters:

What are your thoughts on the ending?

I'm grateful to the viewers who enjoyed the drama. Seeing all the comments online makes me realize the drama's popularity.

It was your first attempt at a romantic comedy. How do you feel about it?

It was challenging to elevate things on set compared to usual. With so many lines to memorize, learning them was tough, and there were parts that were awkward to portray. I tried my best to get through it without extending the filming time due to my own issues.

What made you decide to take on this challenge?

Having worked on darker projects, I wanted to try something brighter. The script for My Sweet Mobster came at the right time, and it was so sweet and enjoyable that I wanted to challenge myself with it. When I first read it, I found it cute, and I wanted to express those aspects well.

How was the chemistry with your partners Han Sun Hwa and Kwon Yul?

Since I worked with Han Sun Hwa in the past, the biggest advantage was that we could act comfortably without any awkwardness in the beginning. She is an excellent actress with great focus and quick reflexes. While I sometimes have to do multiple takes when I get lost, Han Sun Hwa manages to nail it in just one or two takes. I think she is amazing. As for Kwon Yul, because we have previously worked together on a film, we became closer this time, and we supported each other a lot."

What do the Thirsty Deer members mean to you?

"They were always fun and kept things lively when Seo Ji Hwan was down. It was reassuring and comforting to see them on screen."

What did you focus on while acting?

This is something I always think about and want to accomplish in every project — I always strive to express genuine emotions. I wanted to convey sincerity this time too. I kept reading the script, asking myself, 'Why does the character say this?' and analyzed the character over and over again. Comedy acting is really challenging, so I tried to be as sincere as possible."

How did you feel about the international reaction?

I didn't really feel it, but recently, Indonesian fans sent me a letter, flowers, and snacks. That made the international popularity [of the drama] feel more real."

Have you experienced any kind of change since My Sweet Mobster?

Professionally, not much has changed yet. However, appearing on Yoo Quiz on the Block felt a bit different. I decided to participate to give back to those who liked the show.

What significance does My Sweet Mobster hold for you?

It was a grateful opportunity to show a different side of myself.  Because of this, I feel that it has provided more comfort and strength to the viewers who watched and appreciated it.

You're known as a shy guy in the entertainment industry. Has your shy nature made it difficult to work in the field?

It’s still not easy, but it was even more challenging at the beginning. I tried to overcome it, but it made me more awkward. ... Being awkward and not fitting in made acting difficult, but House on Wheels had a significant impact. After filming, I was frustrated for not being able to speak well, but although the editing helped, many people ended up liking that aspect of me. So, I thought that this side of me wasn't entirely bad, which became a source of strength and courage. Since then, I’ve heard that I've become brighter during shoots."

What does acting mean to you?

It's my profession, so I think I need to do it well. It seems more difficult to deal with the pain of not doing well later on than to face it immediately at the moment. I feel that to avoid embarrassment, I need to be sincere in the moment. This way, I can feel reassured and pleased with how well it was expressed when I look back later.

How do you want to live as a person?

Since being an actor is a profession where many people watch you, I want to live my life in a way that reflects my true self.

Are there any projects you want to try?

I'm not confident, but I'm thinking about doing a rom-com again in the future. I also want to try melodramas, like the film Christmas in August. I really want to do a good and enjoyable project. I'm looking forward to and waiting for such opportunities.

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