Korean Actor Go Seung-hwan Reflects on Happiness and Life Lessons

On the February 5 episode of tvN's entertainment show, 'You Quiz on the Block' (유 퀴즈 온 더 블럭), actor Go Seung-hwan (구성환) shared his thoughts on happiness during a special segment titled 'Life Reversal.' After 20 years in the industry, he is experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

During the show, host Yoo Jae-suk (유재석) brought up an article titled, 'Why Are We So Enthusiastic About Go Seung-hwan and Byun Woo-seok?' Go Seung-hwan, feeling a bit embarrassed, responded, 'Please don’t do that.' He reflected on the previous year, noting that Byun Woo-seok's (변우석) breakout success with 'The Great Escape' in May coincided with his own rise in recognition from 'I Live Alone' (나 혼자 산다), which led to them being compared.

He humorously remarked, 'While we are in completely different leagues, both Byun Woo-seok and I are not in our twenties anymore, and we both hit our potential in our thirties.' Yoo Jae-suk added that the audience's admiration stems from their genuine, relatable personas, which resonate with viewers.

Yoo Jae-suk expressed admiration for Go Seung-hwan's perseverance over two decades, stating, 'Surviving in this industry for 20 years is no easy feat.' However, Go Seung-hwan clarified, 'I never endured; I just lived each day joyfully. Meeting seniors like you today is part of the fun in this journey. I never felt like I was just holding on.' He emphasized that if he had merely endured, he wouldn't have lasted 20 years in this field.

He also shared insights on personal growth, stating, 'As I age, I’ve learned to let go of envy, jealousy, and greed.'

Addressing rumors about being a chaebol (wealthy family member), he clarified, 'There were absurd comments claiming my father owned four buildings, including one where actor Joo Seung-woo lived. In reality, my father worked at a small company and has only one modest villa in Cheonho-dong. I don’t know why my home was portrayed that way on the show; it’s only 18 pyeong.'

Go Seung-hwan also opened up about a pivotal moment in his life that shaped his outlook on happiness. He lost his mother to terminal stomach cancer when he was in the second grade, which left a profound impact on him. 'It was a shocking experience at a young age. I often wondered why my mother was in the hospital while others were enjoying life. It made me realize that people can disappear at any moment,' he shared.

This early trauma led him to prioritize joy in his life, stating, 'I thought about happiness and how I wanted to live each day fully. I traveled and didn’t focus much on studying. Now, I’m happily living with my father, mother, and sister at home.'