It's a film that is hard to find these days, 'Come to Me'

I revisited 'Come to Me,' which was released in 1996. What captivated my attention throughout the film was not the story, but 32-year-old Choi Min-soo.

These days, no matter how much actors build muscles and wear leather jackets, they can't easily replicate the genuine masculine aura he had.

From the moment he appears on screen, there's a tension that arises even though he doesn't say much, and he overwhelms others with just a glance.

He was an actor who perfectly embodied the term 'masculine vibe.'

Interestingly, Choi Min-soo was only 32 at that time.

By today's standards, that's just the age when one starts to establish themselves as a leading actor.

Yet in the film, he already possesses the gravitas and weight of life that actors in their 50s show today.

His face has almost no fine lines, and his skin is youthful, but his demeanor and gaze feel like that of a 50-year-old man.

Why was that the case?

It was probably due to the different era.

In the 1990s, Korean men matured much faster than they do now.

They completed military service, started working, got married, and began raising children at a much earlier age.

Up until just before the IMF crisis, competition was fierce, and organizational culture was strong. This generation faced criticism from superiors, drank with clients, and often worked late into the night on Saturdays.

Life itself made people age quickly.

In contrast, what about today's 32-year-olds?

They look much younger.

They take care of their skin, exercise, and have a great sense of fashion.

However, the atmosphere has changed significantly.

It's more about friendliness than charisma.

It's more about lightheartedness than weightiness.

It's more about empathy than silence.

In today's world, a person who engages in conversation is valued more than a strong leader.

As a result, the acting styles of actors have naturally changed.

While Choi Min-soo could dominate a room with just a look, today's actors convey emotions delicately through expressions and dialogue.

This isn't to say one is better than the other.

The ideal image of masculinity has simply changed.

Watching Choi Min-soo in 'Come to Me,' his presence is immense even without dialogue.

His walking is heavy, and even the scene where he smokes carries a sense of tension.

When he smiles, he doesn't do so freely.

There's an energy within him that feels like it could explode at any moment.

That's why it's hard to take your eyes off the screen.

By today's standards, his acting might seem somewhat exaggerated.

But at that time, an actor with such an aura was the true symbol of a 'male actor.'

Not only Choi Min-soo but also actors like Park Joong-hoon, Ahn Sung-ki, Choi Soo-jong, and Dokgo Young-jae each had their own unique weight.

Among them, Choi Min-soo belonged to the most primal category.

He felt like an untamed wolf.

Today's action films are flashy.

There are many guns, great CGI, and fast editing.

Yet strangely, the tension can sometimes feel less than before.

In the past, the presence created by a single actor was the action itself.

Choi Min-soo was a prime example of that.

He looked dangerous even without a weapon, and you could feel his anger without him shouting.

That was the aura of an actor.

Looking back, the 1990s was an era that idolized the 'strong man.'

The economy was growing, organizations were hierarchical, and many protagonists in films were individuals facing the world alone.

In contrast, today is a time when cooperation, consideration, and emotional expression are important.

Company culture has changed, dating methods have changed, and the role of fathers has changed.

Thus, the masculinity expressed by actors must also change.

Still, I sometimes find myself revisiting films like 'Come to Me.'

It's not because I long for violence.

It's because the raw energy and restrained charisma that actors of that era possessed are emotions that are hard to find in today's films.

At 32, Choi Min-soo was an actor who made you forget his age.

He was young but not light, rough but not pretentious.

That's why even after nearly 30 years, his power to dominate the screen remains unchanged.