Working in the Korean film industry for more than 30 years, veteran actor Kwon Hae-hyo has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the scene and witnessed Korean cinema’s rise as a global cultural powerhouse.

Throughout those three decades, Kwon has also developed a formidable pairing with prolific filmmaker Hong Sang-soo, appearing in 12 of his films so far. Besides starring in Hong’s films, Kwon has acted in titles like Train to Busan sequel Peninsula, crime thriller Bogota: City of the Lost and legal drama Juror 8.

Arriving at the Berlinale for the world premiere of Hong’s latest film, What Does that Nature Say to You, Kwon tells Deadline that he is drawn to Hong’s distinct long-take, pensive style, which repeatedly offers a fresh and liberating challenge for him as an actor.

“With other films, you know from start to finish what it’s going to be, but with director Hong Sang-soo,...