Film fact (from a media nerd):
The breathing technique used by Akin to help Jin cry in Ep. 1 of Top Form is a real-life acting method. It's formally known as the Outside-In/ ALBA Method.
It's a branch of method acting where the actors initially perform the body's actions to certain emotions in order to trigger said emotion. To illustrate: if an actor wants to cry, they must trigger the body's distress functions through movement. They take quick, panicky breaths to mimic a body in distress, which then increases their heart rate. This then triggers the body's natural reaction to calm the heart: deep slow breaths, then-- crying (crying forces the lungs to take in more air, and the high oxygen intake helps the heart re-establish rhythm. It's all very nerdy and scientific but it works 😅)
(Notice how at the start of the teaching at the bridge scene, Akin visibly shortens his breaths and widens his eyes while looking at Jin. He then gradually slows down his breathing, then touches Jin's chest to physically order the other to follow his movements, which Jin does).
It's actually harder to do than the common Inside-Out Method, which requires actors to tap into the emotion of the character first before expressing the action (e.g. crying would require you to think lonely thoughts, or place yourself in the shoes of your character in order to push the tears needed for the scene). Newbies are recommended to do the Inside-Out Method first because they don't have the experience to be instinctual with their body's reactions (the Alba Method requires that you MEMORIZE what a body does when feeling certain emotions. Senior actors, borne from years of doing complex scenes, have these actions mastered). Once a new actor gains enough experience, they'll be able to switch to the Outside-In/Alba (and get to do all sorts of roles).
But the Inside-Out is not reserved for newbies. Some prolific actors stay within the Inside-Out Method because that's what works for them. Regardless, both the Outside-In/Alba and Inside-Out are branches of Method Acting-- a very difficult (and controversial) technique which requires actors to physically and/or emotionally embody their character in its extremes in order to make their performance believable. Some method actors are stellar, some lackluster. There are about a dozen other acting techniques aside from Method Acting that actors can choose from.
Famous Hollywood Inside-Out Method Actors (based on interviews): Heath Ledger, Al Pacino, Natalie Portman
Famous Hollywood Alba Method actors (based on interviews): Benedict Cumberbatch, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody
Famous BL actors who practice the Inside- Out Method (based on how they describe their performance in interviews):
Off Jumpol and Gun Atthaphan
And based on current interviews, our very own beloved Boom Raweewit is an Inside-Out actor. He studied the source materials, discussed the character with cast and crew, and even wrote the character's motivations for each scene to help fully immerse in the role. See the Black Honey Cut interview for reference.
Next, famous BL actors who practice the Alba Method (based on how they describe their performance in interviews):
Ohm Pawat and Nanon Korapat
(I used this gif to make us all cry)
And based on current interviews, our resident heartthrob Smart Chisanupong describes his technique as Alba-adjacent. He describes his portrayal of Jin based on action-reaction: what body movements would show anger, happiness, or arousal to the audience, and what actions would trigger the same reactions from his acting partner. See the Black Honey Cut interview for reference.
Adversely, famous BL actors who REJECT Method Acting based on their interviews (and do Presentational Acting instead, where they completely separate the character from themselves and their real-life personas)
Up Poompat and Poom Phuripan
Bonus (although I know this is quite long already):
The Alba Method may be indirectly responsible for causing Jin's infatuation with Akin 😅
The Alba method is NOTORIOUS for triggering "sham love" reactions from its practitioners and fans. Sham love in media refers to two things: 1) the audience believes that actors may have fallen in love for real because their actions come off as very natural onscreen, or 2) the actors THEMSELVES think they've fallen in love with their costars because their body's reactions mimic that of attraction or arousal.
Our brains, though infinitely complex, may sometimes be quite foolish. Our body's actions help our brain logically conclude what's occurring around it, so it in turn can order the body to react and fix any issues.
In Jin's case, an elevated heartbeat, dilated pupils, and a skin-on-skin contact-- these are all bodily reactions to arousal. Crying, funnily enough, is also a bodily reaction to arousal. 😅 Sexual activity increases the heartbeat, and the body's reaction to calming our heart is to increase oxygen intake and release accumulated body heat-- all achieved through crying. It doesn't help that Jin instantly found Akin captivating when they first met.
So in teaching Jin the Alba Method, Akin may have inadvertently triggered Jin's arousal 😅
(I was going to analyse Akin's swordfight with Johnny and how that triggered Johnny's attraction for Akin, but it awakened my anger for Johnny even more, so, never mind).
Edit: I made the Johnny retrospective. Click here if you're interested.
This is so long but thank you for coming to my Ted Talk 😅🤣 I'm a Broadcast Media grad and I do some work behind the scenes, so I found it fascinating how the show expertly inserted this method for a touch of realism. And now you also know why I love Top Form so much 😅 Stay kooky folks!
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