In an interview with Sports Seoul, actor Son Suk Ku shared that he plans to take an extended break after wrapping up his current commitments.
Known for his remarkable streak of hit projects including The Outlaws 2 (2022), D.P. (2021–2023), My Liberation Notes (2022), The Comments Army, Big Bet, A Killer Paradox (2024), and the upcoming Heaven Is More Beautiful (2025) and The Ninth Puzzle, Son Suk Ku has been one of the most prolific and talked-about actors in recent years.
"I'm still working right now, but once I finish what I’ve already committed to, I plan to take quite a long break," Son Suk Ku revealed. "In the past, I was focused on appearing in as many works as possible. I’ve learned a lot through that experience, but now I feel it’s time to focus on more meaningful expressions.”
He added, “Producing a large number of works takes a tremendous amount of time and energy. I think it’s the right moment to explore different ways of performing and bring about change.”
In Disney+'s The Ninth Puzzle, Son Suk Ku plays detective Kim Han Saem, a character quite distinct from his previous role as Jang Nam Gam in Netflix’s A Killer Paradox. While both roles are detectives, their styles diverge significantly—one is an intense pursuer of serial killers, while the other supports a profiler with calculated insight.
“The key isn’t creating differences, but discovering them,” he explained. “Han Saem exists somewhere between reality and fantasy. I worked hard to strike the right balance without going too far in either direction.”
According to Son Suk Ku, he dedicated himself completely to The Ninth Puzzle, turning down other projects during filming. “People kept asking what I was doing, and I’d always answer, ‘Just this.’ It’s a tightly constructed mystery, so I didn’t want to stand out in a distracting way. The director Yoon Jong Bin has a clear vision and extensive experience, so all I had to do was trust him and focus.”
Though often spotlighted as a leading man, Son Suk Ku said he does not crave “one-top” status. “In the early 2000s, it was common to see male-centered projects. I was never cast as the number one lead in that sense,” he noted. “The Comments Army was probably the closest to that, but even then, I was drawn to it because of the ensemble—Kim Sung Cheol, Hong Kyung, Kim Dong Hwi. I believe that synergy comes from working together.”
He also expressed deep admiration for veteran actress Kim Hye Ja, with whom he starred in Heaven Is More Beautiful. “I try to visit her whenever I start a new project. Her sincerity in acting inspires me. She’s someone whose life and acting are seamlessly intertwined.”
As he prepares for his hiatus, Son Suk Ku is also working on writing a screenplay. “Whether people liked my projects or not, if they watched, they’re my number one fans,” he said gratefully. “I do have dreams and plans during this break—mainly to take on new challenges I haven’t explored before.”
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