Lee Dong-wook, 43, takes the lead in JTBC's new Friday series, showcasing a romantic chemistry with Lee Sung-kyung, who is nine years his junior. Despite the seemingly outdated theme of gangsters, the actors are confident in the show's unique charm, likening it to the subtle allure of 'Pyongyang cold noodles.'
On the 14th, a press conference for JTBC's new Friday drama 'The Good Guy' was held at The Link Hotel Seoul in Guro-gu, Seoul. Director Song Hae-sung, along with actors Lee Dong-wook, Lee Sung-kyung, Park Hoon, Oh Na-ra, and Ryu Hye-young, were in attendance.
'The Good Guy' is an emotional noir drama about Park Seok-cheol (played by Lee Dong-wook), the eldest grandson of a three-generation gangster family who harbors unexpected innocence, and his first love Kang Mi-young (played by Lee Sung-kyung), who dreams of becoming a singer.
Director Song Hae-sung described the drama as "a story for everyone standing at the crossroads of life. It's about characters whose lives have changed due to their chosen paths, standing again at those crossroads, moving forward through regret and choice."
Addressing concerns that the gangster theme might seem outdated, Director Song said, "The title 'The Good Guy' itself is rarely used these days. The gangster profession might evoke a sense of the '80s and '90s. Our work is like Pyongyang cold noodles—subtle and unfamiliar, but memorable once tasted."
Lee Dong-wook plays Park Seok-cheol, who wanted to be a poet but became a gangster to make ends meet. He explained his choice of the role, saying, "I've been doing genre and fantasy works for about 4-5 years and was exhausted. Creating new worlds was challenging. I was tired of flying on wires and becoming an uncle that didn't exist in the world. I chose this script because I wanted to do realistic acting."
Regarding his character preparation, he said, "I cut my hair short for the first time in a while. While there's a love story, the family story is also significant. I acted with those dynamics in mind."
Lee Dong-wook added, "The gangster role might seem old and clichéd, but I think the portrayal of a struggling gangster adds realism. The director and I agreed not to glamorize it. I didn't aim to look cool; I wanted to convey why someone would choose such a profession."
Lee Sung-kyung plays Kang Mi-young, who dreams of being a singer despite her stage fright. She shared, "I put a lot of effort into the piano and singing scenes, even if they were brief. For the first time while filming a drama, I didn't lose weight. I think I'll appear less gaunt because I was happy while filming."
On being the lead in JTBC's first Friday series, Lee Sung-kyung expressed, "The two-episode release format allows viewers to fully enjoy the fun and lingering emotions. Retro and vintage trends are about reminiscing the emotions of those times. This work is a collaboration of those emotions, and I think it will be enjoyable."
Oh Na-ra plays Park Seok-gyeong, Park Seok-cheol's sister, who returns home burdened with debt after failed marriages and business ventures. She described her character as "a troublemaker who causes many problems in the Park family, the loneliest member, impulsive and unique."
She added, "I wanted to do a nostalgic work that evokes human emotions. When this project came, I really wanted to do it. I even wrote 'The Good Guy' on a post-it and prayed for the opportunity. It was a very appealing project for me, and I believe it will resonate with viewers."
Ryu Hye-young plays Park Seok-hee, Park Seok-cheol's sister and an elite nurse. She described her character as "the youngest of the three siblings but the most mature and normal." Lee Dong-wook nodded in agreement, saying, "She's the most socialized among the siblings."
She continued, "When I first received the script, the title seemed old-fashioned. But I liked that it stuck to its guns. In today's world, individuality is respected and loved, and our charm lies in embracing that old-fashioned style."
'The Good Guy' will premiere on the 18th at 8:50 PM with two consecutive episodes.
Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr