Kwon Hae Hyo Is A Blind Master Craftsman Grieving A Long-Buried Truth In New Film “The Ugly”
The upcoming film “The Ugly” has offered a deeper glimpse into Kwon Hae Hyo’s character!
“The Ugly” follows the story of Im Dong Hwan (Park Jung Min), the son of Im Young Gyu (Kwon Hae Hyo)—a blind man who has become a skilled seal artisan—as he investigates the mysterious death of his mother, whose body was secretly buried for the past 40 years.
Kwon Hae Hyo takes on the role of Im Young Gyu, a blind artisan revered as a living miracle for his extraordinary ability to carve intricate seals despite his lack of sight.
The newly released stills highlight two strikingly different sides of the character: one shows Young Gyu deeply focused on his craft, relying solely on touch to carve with astonishing precision; the other captures him grieving at the funeral of his wife, whose remains were discovered 40 years after her disappearance.
Taking on his first-ever role as a blind character, Kwon Hae Hyo shared about the role, “Im Young Gyu is a character who poses a question to the audience—whether it is possible for someone who was born blind to create something as beautiful as a seal. I wanted to portray a character that could make that feel believable, and I saw that as my responsibility as an actor.”
The film also marks a highly anticipated reunion between Kwon Hae Hyo and Park Jung Min, who last worked together in the 2019 film “Tazza: One Eyed Jack.” In “The Ugly,” Park Jung Min not only plays Im Young Gyu’s son but also takes on the role of Young Gyu in his youth. Reflecting on their collaboration, Park Jung Min shared, “Kwon Hae Hyo carefully monitored the scenes I filmed first, matching even the smallest gestures and eye movements. Watching his performance was truly awe-inspiring—it made me wonder where such depth and interpretation come from.”
“The Ugly” is set to hit theaters in September.
In the meantime, watch Kwon Hae Hyo and Park Jung Min in “Tazza: One Eyed Jack”:
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