Actor Chen Yu-yen Discusses Character Development for Role in 'Paradise in Service' [Exclusive Interview]

In the film 'Paradise in Service,' actor Chen Yu-yen portrays 'Da-xiong,' a troubled youth raised in an orphanage. To embody the character's physical presence and sense of menace, Chen underwent a significant transformation, gaining 10 kilograms by consuming 3,500 to 4,000 calories daily and focusing on specific forearm training.

Chen noted that his desire to play the character stemmed from the contrast between his own upbringing and Da-xiong's life. Despite the distance between their personal histories, Chen identified with the character's profound longing for family connection. To internalize the role, he hand-copied the script multiple times, including scenes involving his character, effectively memorizing the nuances through repetition.

Director Tsai Yin-chuan assisted Chen with emotional scenes by tapping into the actor's real-life bond with his mother. During production, Tsai observed Chen carrying a handmade accessory from his mother, which she used to guide his performance in portraying the isolation of an orphanage resident longing for home. Chen noted that while the emotional scenes were intense, the challenge lay in refining subtle physical movements, such as the character’s swagger, to make them appear natural rather than performed.