Director Lee Jae-hoon, who directed JTBC's new Saturday-Sunday drama 'Sacred, Divorce', shared the secret behind the casting.
'Sacred, Divorced' features actors Cho Seung-woo (playing the role of Shin Seong-han) who need no qualifiers, Han Hye-jin (playing the role of Lee Seo-jin) who made a comeback to the small screen after a long time, Kim Sung-gyun (playing the role of Jang Hyeong-geun) showing a wide acting spectrum, and Jung Moon-seong (playing the role of Jo Jeong-sik), who has become a major player. ) are playing the main roles, raising expectations for acting synergy. Accordingly, we asked director Lee Jae-hoon about the synchronization between the actors and each character.
Director Lee Jae-hoon said, “I remember the writer and the production team all being happy the moment Cho Seung-woo was cast. I heard a lot of people around me saying that it was a perfect match for the script and original work, but to be honest, I tried hard not to sympathize with those reactions. “The reason is that I planned to create the character Shin Seong in accordance with the actor who will play the lead role, rather than deciding on a clear picture first.”
He continued, “In that respect, Jo Seung-woo was a very welcome protagonist, but at the same time, it was also a burdensome mission. “I met actor Cho Seung-woo, who I met with the director’s assignment to differentiate him from the powerful character Hwang Si-mok of ‘Secret Forest,’ and he had already completed not only the homework but also the review of the study.” He also recalled the time they worked together, saying, “During the process of creating the character, I gave a variety of opinions that I thought deeply about, and the process of taking some and choosing better ones was very enjoyable.” He added, “The hairstyle, glasses, and even the clothes that were different from before were all his ideas. “Looking back now that filming has been completed, there was something divine in the well-wishes of people around me that I had not seen before, but is now very clear,” he said, expressing satisfaction.
Regarding what it was like to meet Kim Sung-gyun and Jeong Moon-seong, “My personal favorite part of the script was these three friends. The close and warm relationship between Shin Seong (played by Cho Seung-woo), Jang Hyeong-geun (Kim Sung-gyun), and Jo Jeong-sik (played by Jeong Moon-seong), friends in their 40s, was very endearing. The moment the title role was decided, the script was delivered to actors Kim Seong-gyun and Jeong Moon-seong, who were considered first, and they all expressed their intention to join, and I thought to myself, “That’s it.” He recalled the moment of joy.
He added, “All three actors were the same age, so I expected natural chemistry as friends, and the result was even more than that. The kind of friendly vibe that comes from being the same age seeped into the lines. We were giggling and laughing during rehearsal, and before we knew it, filming was over. “The staff naturally expected an interesting scene when these three people got together and were satisfied with the results.”
In addition, “I am also the same age as the three friends in the drama, so we empathized with each other and laughed at the jokes and pranks that friends in their 40s can make, creating an atmosphere on set like real friends. This sense of comfort and fun was captured on screen. “I think Kim Sung-kyun’s friendly yet heart-touching acting and Jeong Moon-seong’s witty sense are well combined,” he said, expressing satisfaction.
Lastly, director Lee Jae-hoon explained that the character of Lee Seo-jin, played by Han Hye-jin, is not an easy character. Director Lee Jae-hoon said, “I think it must have taken quite a bit of courage to decide to make a comeback after a long time. “We attempted to use and at the same time subvert the upright image that the actor had, and as a result, we were able to create many very impressive scenes.”
He added, “Especially with her facial expressions and acting in the courtroom, it was a moment when I felt certain that it was right to cast actress Han Hye-jin. He expressed his deep trust, saying, “This is a role where I can clearly show my career as a young woman who experienced the top position, and now I have experience as a wife and mother.”
‘Sacred, Divorce’ will premiere on March 4th at 10:30 p.m.
Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr