MOVIE
Kim Dong-wook Praises Co-Stars Ha Jung-woo, Gong Hyo-jin, and Lee Ha-nee in 'The Neighbors Upstairs'
On the 1st, Kim Dong-wook, who stars in the movie 'The Neighbors Upstairs', was interviewed at a café in Sogyeok-dong, Seoul.
'The Neighbors Upstairs' tells the story of a downstairs couple (Gong Hyo-jin & Kim Dong-wook) enduring a mundane marriage, who are drawn into the lives of their noisy upstairs neighbors (Ha Jung-woo & Lee Ha-nee) after a dinner invitation. Ha Jung-woo not only stars but also directs the film. Kim Dong-wook plays Lee Hyun-soo, the husband in the downstairs couple, whose relationship with his wife Im Jung-ah (played by Gong Hyo-jin) has grown distant.
Discussing his on-screen chemistry with Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Dong-wook said, "We talked a lot about what it would be like when a couple becomes familiar and comfortable with each other, or even neglectful, after a long relationship. Instead of drawing from what we've seen elsewhere, we focused on what it would truly be like."
This film marks the first time Kim Dong-wook has worked with Gong Hyo-jin. He remarked, "The most remarkable thing about Gong Hyo-jin is that even though it was our first time acting together, it didn't feel like it. It felt as if we had been working together for months. She truly listens and communicates, which is very important to her as an actress. From the first shoot, there was no discomfort at all."
Kim Dong-wook was initially surprised by Gong Hyo-jin's realistic acting style, saying, "At first, I thought it was an NG (no good take), but she kept going. Watching the monitor, I realized those moments brought out raw performances. I understood why she's known for her hyper-realistic acting. She's honest in her expression."
Having worked with Ha Jung-woo on five projects, including a special appearance in 'Hijacking', Kim Dong-wook shared, "I don't know much about his preparation process as an actor, but on set, he comes across as a very intuitive actor."
This is Kim Dong-wook's first time working with Ha Jung-woo as a director. He commented, "As a director, he was more meticulous than I expected. I was amazed at how thoroughly he planned everything." He added, "We did as many readings as four or five typical projects combined. I personally did nine or ten readings. Considering other actors did the same, the director must have done even more."
Kim Dong-wook noted, "The script had a lot of dialogue, so the director emphasized the importance of actor chemistry. We frequently revised the script during discussions. If the tempo or flow seemed off, we'd make changes and do another reading." When asked if this was tiring as an actor, he nodded vigorously and replied with a smile, "I'll answer with laughter," drawing laughter from others.
The film features many scenes of characters conversing at a table or on a sofa. Kim Dong-wook shared, "Initially, it was hard to adjust to suddenly hearing 'cut' while acting face-to-face. I wondered if my acting was off. But then I realized it was often due to someone else's NG. It took some getting used to."
When asked who made the most NGs, he responded with a mysterious laugh, "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha," which amused everyone.
Having worked with Lee Ha-nee in drama, theater, and now film, Kim Dong-wook discovered new facets of her. He said, "Lee Ha-nee has a unique rhythm and energy. Her serious yet quirky and bold tone is impressive. Watching her on the monitor, I was amazed by the character tone she captured. I thought I knew her well, but I realized there were many aspects of her as an actress that I didn't know."
'The Neighbors Upstairs' is set to release on the 3rd.
Reported by Kim Ji-won, TenAsia bella@tenasia.co.kr
