Namkoong Min Returns to SBS with New Drama 'Our Movie'

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm back on SBS after three years. I'm confident. Please look forward to it."

Actor Namkoong Min made this bold statement at the production presentation of SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Our Movie', held on the 10th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by director Lee Jung-heum and actors Namkoong Min, Jeon Yeo-bin, Lee Seol, and Seo Hyun-woo.

'Our Movie' tells the story of a love that cannot be postponed between a film director with no future, Lee Jae-ha (played by Namkoong Min), and an actress living her last day, Lee Da-eum (played by Jeon Yeo-bin).

Director Lee Jung-heum described 'Our Movie' as "a drama without grandiose embellishments or rhetoric. It focuses on the emotions of the characters, delivering a traditional melodrama that is calm yet memorable in its portrayal of love and separation."

This marks the second collaboration between director Lee Jung-heum and Namkoong Min since 'Falsify' (2017). Director Lee reminisced, "'Falsify' was my debut feature drama, and Namkoong Min was just starting as a lead actor, so there was a sense of camaraderie. It was a joyful experience back then. When we reunited after eight years, he had become a mega-star, while I'm just a director. I'm hoping to ride on his coattails."

Namkoong Min, jokingly referring to himself as a star, shared, "I have fond memories of our first meeting. We were both fresh and pure back then, full of passion and effort. This time, there's a sense of maturity within that passion. We shared and listened to each other's thoughts during filming."

Namkoong Min plays Lee Jae-ha, a once-promising director who falls into a sophomore slump after being hailed as a genius following his debut. On returning to SBS dramas after three years, Namkoong Min said, "Rather than having a special resolution, I always strive to leave no regrets." He revealed that he decided to join 'Our Movie' just two days after reading the script, although initially, he had declined the offer.

Director Lee clarified, "To fact-check, the production company gave Namkoong Min the script, and he initially declined after three days. I personally called him and asked him to read the revised version, which he found compelling enough to accept within two days."

Namkoong Min explained, "The drama didn't seem to fit into any particular category or have the optimal conditions for a drama. But the revised script was so intriguing. Director Lee, as the captain, provided direction, and the script became excellent. It's a traditional melodrama with sophistication and an inexplicable allure. I value intuition when choosing projects, and this one was captivating and enjoyable."

Namkoong Min emphasized his chemistry with Jeon Yeo-bin, stating, "The romance in 'Our Movie' is not about dramatic situations but realistic and understated romance, making the partner crucial. Eye contact with the other person is important, and working with Jeon Yeo-bin was surprising. I received good energy while filming, acting naturally as if truly in love on set. Yeo-bin is an actress I want to work with, and as a person, she's lovely. I miss her when we're not together."

Jeon Yeo-bin expressed her admiration for Namkoong Min, saying, "Winning three awards is no ordinary feat. I respected him as a senior. As a senior and as a person, my love for Lee Jae-ha naturally emerged. He seemed to find that endearing. He respected me as an equal co-actor and encouraged me when I lacked confidence, making me feel supported. The emotions layered naturally without any forced elements."

Jeon Yeo-bin plays Lee Da-eum, an actress with a terminal illness inherited from her mother. She described her character as "someone who lives life to the fullest and loves deeply. Instead of trying to express something, she was a person vividly alive within the script. Seeing her strive to live made me feel ashamed at times. I focused more on life than death, rather than portraying a terminal patient."

In the competitive weekend mini-series landscape, Namkoong Min commented on the show's competitiveness, "If you're asking about competitiveness, it's nonexistent. There's nothing provocative, no tricks, and no dopamine-inducing scenes or direction. The director, actors, and all staff worked hard. If the ratings are based on provocative content, it might be challenging. However, if the outcome of a non-provocative work is good, it means we've achieved something great, so we'll take pride and confidence in that."

He added, "I'm not sure about the ratings, but the work itself turned out as well as I imagined."

'Our Movie' premieres on the 13th at 9:50 PM.

Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr