Actor Cho Bok-rae expressed admiration for his co-star Heo Sung-tae's incredible enthusiasm for promoting their film, 'The Informant.'
On October 27, Cho Bok-rae, who stars in the movie, met with reporters at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.
'The Informant' is a crime action comedy about a demoted ace detective, Oh Nam-hyuk (played by Heo Sung-tae), and an informant, Jo Tae-bong (played by Cho Bok-rae), who accidentally get involved in a big scheme. Cho Bok-rae plays the role of Jo Tae-bong, a master of cunning.
Cho, who shares an alma mater with director Kim Seok, received the script and encouraged Heo to "read it well." Cho remarked, "I didn't expect it to grow this big when I recommended it, as it was initially planned on a small scale. It feels like a dream. I think it's thanks to Sung-tae's incredible influence that the film is gaining attention even overseas."
Recently, Heo Sung-tae has been actively promoting the film through various means, including dance challenges on social media and YouTube, and appearances on entertainment shows. Cho commented, "I've never seen an actor so dedicated to promotion. His efforts have boosted the team's morale. We're all inspired to do our best in promoting the film, thanks to him."
Heo Sung-tae, who previously worked in the overseas sales department at LG Electronics and the planning and coordination office at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, is applying his corporate experience to marketing the film. Cho noted, "It's clear that someone with a corporate background approaches things differently. His marketing strategies are fresh and innovative."
Cho added, "Every morning, I wake up to messages from Sung-tae. I imagine the marketing team must be exhausted," he laughed. When asked if he could match Heo's promotional style, Cho replied, "I don't think I could do it like him, but I've learned a lot and will incorporate it in my own way."
Both actors, known for their scene-stealing roles, take on main characters in this film. Cho admitted, "I was concerned about how we would promote the film with us as leads, but Sung-tae's unique approach has been remarkable."
Cho described Heo as an instinctive actor, contrasting his own more cautious style. He shared, "Heo is naturally shy and took a while to speak informally with me. In overseas interviews, he even referred to himself as a 'nerd.' Despite this, his dedication to promotion has been surprising."
'The Informant' is set to release on December 3.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr