Um Tae-goo Addresses Controversy Over Rejected Projects

In a recent episode of the YouTube channel 'Salon Drip 2' (살롱드립2), actor Um Tae-goo (엄태구) spoke out regarding the controversy surrounding his decision to turn down certain projects. The episode, titled 'Who Says Um Tae-goo Doesn't Speak? | EP.67 with Kim Hee-won, Um Tae-goo, and Kim Seol-hyun' was released on November 26, 2024.

During the discussion, Kim Hee-won (김희원) shared insights about Um Tae-goo's casting in the project 'Lighting Store' (조명가게), stating, "There’s no reason not to cast him; he is humble, diligent, and sincere in his acting." He added that Um Tae-goo's commitment to his roles can sometimes be exhausting, noting, "He monitors his performance multiple times, like a model student."

When asked by Jang Do-yeon (장도연) whether he prefers actors who monitor their performances or those who simply go with the flow, Kim Hee-won replied that he appreciates actors who find a balance. Um Tae-goo then clarified, "It’s not always the case; this particular character required a lot of communication with the director."

Kim Hee-won recounted a recent encounter where Um Tae-goo suggested they meet again, only to suddenly announce he would not participate in the project. Um Tae-goo quickly denied this, insisting it was not true. Kim Hee-won pressed, asking if it was indeed difficult for him to prepare for the character, to which Jang Do-yeon chimed in, expressing disappointment over Um Tae-goo's decision.

Um Tae-goo explained, "After finishing the project 'The Woman Who Plays' (놀아주는 여자), I had only three days before starting 'Lighting Store.' I felt I might not be able to meet the expectations in various aspects." Kim Hee-won praised Um Tae-goo's acting skills, mentioning that he often feels inadequate and thus prepares extensively. He humorously noted that for an eight-episode series, Um Tae-goo memorizes all the lines from episodes one to eight, sometimes forgetting lines for the next day.

When asked why he prepares so thoroughly, Um Tae-goo responded, "I feel that I need to memorize what is given to me to properly prepare for the character," showcasing his professionalism while adding, "But this method is also quite challenging for me," which elicited laughter from the group.