So you helped get “Crying Fist” produced?

That’s right. After watching the documentary, I circulated the idea among my producer, manager and other staff. They were touched, feeling the same thing that I had, and so we all agreed to make a movie based on the documentary at the bar one night (laughs). This is how Kang Tae Sik was born. I thought this story should be made into a movie by someone.

So how about being an actor for this movie?

I’m an actor more than anything. So once the film started shooting, I went back to being an actor. I’m not a person who intended to produce a movie, but an actor who wants to be Kang Tae Sik. I have to immerse myself in the character.

How long did it take for you to get into shape as a boxer?

Around six months. I used to box from time to time, and, you know, I was boxing in “Old Boy,” too. So boxing is not something new to me. But the real matter was how I could embody a boxer inside myself.

People unconsciously or consciously represent their occupation. People really do. It is like a person’s scent. Once they are involved in a certain job for a long enough time in their life, that experience is manifested through their manner, gestures and even personality. Eventually, we can guess what their job is.

So I wanted to look like a boxer, talk like a boxer and move like a boxer because Kang Tae Sik has boxed for more than 15 years. That can’t be achieved by a director. It’s all up to the actor. I tried to deliver Kang Tae Sik’s years of boxing in his walking, talking, breathing and pausing.

In one scene, Kang Tae Sik visits his son’s class and does a presentation on boxing, and you really seem like a boxer who hasn’t known anything else except that in his life.

Actually, that was all improvised. I thought the scene in the son’s classroom would be very important to show something about Kang Tae Sik and the relationship between father and son. In the script, there’s only the setup, but no dialogue. I just got onto the set with the camera rolling, and I kept talking, talking and acting.

So were you satisfied with the result?

It looks good (laughs). But satisfied? No. I guess other actors are the same as me [and are never satisfied].

Then what happens when you receive criticisms for your work?

I don’t remember. I try to forget any criticisms as soon as possible (laughs).

You’ve played such diverse characters, in comedy, action and drama. Are there any specific kinds of characters you like to play?

Every character is a challenge. There are so many diverse personalities that attract me and back stories that interest me. I’ve only just lived a few characters through movies. Every character is interesting to me, and I wish I could play them all. But there’s nothing special I want and no particular genre that I prefer.