Lee Dong-wook Discusses His Role in 'The Good Guy' and Avoiding Glorification of Gangsters

Actor Lee Dong-wook emphasized that he avoided glorifying gangsters in his portrayal.

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. The event was attended by director Song Hae-sung and actors Lee Dong-wook, Lee Sung-kyung, Park Hoon, Oh Na-ra, and Ryu Hye-young.

'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 with an unexpected tender heart, and his first love Kang Mi-young (played by Lee Sung-kyung), who dreams of becoming a singer.

Director Song Hae-sung addressed concerns that the gangster theme might seem outdated, saying, "The title 'The Good Guy' itself is not commonly used these days. I think the gangster profession might give off an 80s or 90s vibe," adding, "Our work is like Pyongyang cold noodles. It's bland and unfamiliar, but it becomes memorable as you watch it."

Lee Dong-wook joked about being cast as a gangster, saying, "I thought if it was Lee Dong-wook, it would be more forgivable and easier to empathize with."

Lee Dong-wook plays Park Seok-cheol, who wanted to be a poet but unwillingly became a gangster to make a living. 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 a significant part. I acted while considering these dynamics."

Lee Dong-wook stated, "The gangster role can seem old and cliché. However, I think the portrayal of a struggling gangster adds realism," adding, "The director and I repeatedly said that glorification was not an option. I didn't aim to look cool. I acted in a way that made viewers question why he chose such a profession."

'The Good Guy' will air two consecutive episodes on the 18th at 8:50 PM.

Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr