Actor Seo Beom-sik, Known for 'Hope' Cameo, Still Delivers Wreaths; Son's Generosity Brought Him to Tears

South Korean actor Seo Beom-sik (서범식) unexpectedly shot to fame after his appearance in the film “Hope.” His iconic scene, where he rides in on a white horse to rescue a distressed Jo In-sung (조인성), became a classic moment in the movie, drawing overnight attention from audiences. However, despite his newfound popularity, his real life saw little change; on days without filming, he continued to earn a living by delivering floral wreaths. A heartwarming story also emerged about his eldest son, who gave his father 20 million won (approximately 15,000 USD) saved from his part-time job to help with living expenses.

On December 11, the YouTube channel “One Mic” released an exclusive interview with Seo Beom-sik, titled “The Man Who Rode a White Horse to Save Jo In-sung: First Solo Interview with Seo Beom-sik, Star of ‘Hope’s’ Famous Scene,” attracting significant online attention.

In “Hope,” Seo Beom-sik played Hyun-ho, the leader of a fishing village association. In a brief yet memorable scene, he galloped in on horseback, pulling a crisis-stricken Jo In-sung onto his horse to rescue him. After the film's release, netizens dubbed him “the fishing village big brother on a white horse” and “the uncle on a white horse,” making him an unexpected topic of conversation.

However, outside of acting, Seo Beom-sik’s life remains very low-key. Although his recognition significantly increased after the movie, with more people recognizing his face and name, he continues his wreath delivery job whenever he isn't filming.

Seo Beom-sik revealed that he drove the same truck he uses for wreath deliveries to the interview. He explained that because acting work doesn't guarantee a stable income, he has been juggling acting with part-time delivery of congratulatory and condolence wreaths for years to cover household expenses.

Recalling the most heartbreaking moment in his acting career, Seo Beom-sik shared his eldest son’s story. His son worked part-time while studying, diligently saving 20 million won (approximately 15,000 USD), and then gave the entire sum to his father to help with family living expenses.

Seo Beom-sik recalled that as a father, accepting his son's hard-earned money was incredibly difficult, but seeing his child prioritize family first made him feel both pained and deeply moved. He admitted that this gesture remains unforgettable to him.

Beyond his son, Seo Beom-sik also spoke about the years of support from his wife and children. He stated that the path of an actor never guarantees a stable income, and without his family’s quiet support, he might have given up acting long ago. Reflecting on his family’s unwavering companionship, he emotionally remarked, “I am a truly fortunate person.”

Seo Beom-sik, who has persevered in his acting dream despite financial pressures, has finally had his name recognized by audiences thanks to “Hope.” Although he still relies on wreath deliveries for a living, his brief yet powerful horseback riding scene in the film successfully captured audience attention, making him a standout “scene-stealing” supporting actor in the movie.

The film “Hope,” directed by Na Hong-jin (나홍진), tells the story of Beom-seok, the police chief of Horpo Port near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), who confronts a series of unbelievable realities after learning of a tiger sighting in the area. The movie features a cast including Hwang Jung-min (황정민), Jo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon (정호연), and Eum Moon-suk (음문석). Seo Beom-sik, with his short yet impactful horseback riding scene, successfully became an unforgettable “scene-stealing” character.