When he was an undergraduate in the Department of Theater and Film at Hanyang University (HYU), he did not know anything about the major or the curricula. “To be honest, I was not that interested in the Department of Theater and Film,” said Hwang. However, he found out that he had a gift for acting during his freshman year. “When I was a freshman, Professor Choi Hyung-in, who is renowned for her act teaching skills in the field of theater and film spoke highly of my acting in front of my peers. This helped me realize I had a knack for acting,” he said.

 

From that point on, he wanted to become an actor and the university provided a stepping stone to achieving that dream. “We learned theories in class and put them into practice by performing. This was continuously repeated throughout the semester. This endless cycle of practicing helped me to be where I am now. I personally think the biggest advantage was being able to meet people who were walking the same path I was,” said Hwang. 

 

While the university helped him acquire the knowledge needed for acting, it was on the film site where he was able to learn what acting actually was. His most memorable role was playing Mr. Lee in Modern boy, a movie depicting romance and terror in the Japanese colonial era. “When Park Hae-ill, a famous actor in Korea, rehearsed with me, his emotions of anger felt authentic. Only then was I able to grasp the concept “Immerse oneself in the character”, that I had repeatedly heard in lectures,” said Hwang.

 

When he does not have work, he must do other jobs to make a living;building stages, at a construction site. During this period of unemployment, he has conflicts about whether or not he is on the right path. Although the life of an actor is not easy, he always reaches a positive conclusion that he will do what he wants during his lifetime. “Even if I I end up as a mediocre actor, I am going to continue what I am doing now. I get a lot of support from my friends who are in the same field and sympathize with me,” said Hwang.