Kim Jae-wook Praises Rookie Actress Hong Hwa-yeon in New Drama 'Secret Audit'

Born in 1983, actor Kim Jae-wook has praised rookie actress Hong Hwa-yeon, born in 1998, with whom he shares the screen in the new drama.

Director Lee Soo-hyun, known for his work on 'Shooting Stars', 'Beneficial Fraud', and 'That Guy is a Black Dragon', revealed the casting behind-the-scenes for 'Secret Audit'.

On the 20th, an online press conference for tvN's new weekend drama 'Secret Audit' was held, hosted by Park Kyung-lim. Attendees included actors Shin Hye-sun, Gong Myung, Kim Jae-wook, Hong Hwa-yeon, and director Lee Soo-hyun, who shared various stories.

'Secret Audit' is a 'close-knit audit romance' that depicts the tense cooperation between charismatic audit manager Joo In-ah, who harbors a secret, and ace employee No Gi-jun, who is suddenly demoted to the PM (Public Morality) detection department.

Kim Jae-wook plays the role of Jeon Jae-yeol, the executive vice president of Haemu Group. He teased, "I have a lot to say, but I've been told to avoid spoilers. There's a lot hidden in the story," raising curiosity. Regarding his chemistry with Hong Hwa-yeon, he said, "Jae-yeol and Ah-jung appear as a vice president and secretary duo, and it will be portrayed very interestingly. I liked the costumes, lighting, and the tension and atmosphere when the two are together."

Kim Jae-wook added, "When I first met actress Hong Hwa-yeon, she had a pure and childlike vibe. Park Ah-jung is characterized as sexy, chic, and known as the most beautiful in Haemu Group, but Hong Hwa-yeon in real life felt very pure. I was curious about how she would portray the character, but after seeing her transformation, I found her to be an impressive actress. She created the relationship between Jae-yeol and Ah-jung well. Please look forward to it."

Hong Hwa-yeon takes on the role of the mysterious secretary Park Ah-jung. She shared, "The director wanted a 'chic cat-like vibe' at the beginning. My actual personality is more like a dog, so I worked hard to tone down my friendliness and liveliness."

Upon hearing Kim Jae-wook's praise, Hong Hwa-yeon said, "Seeing him walk out of the vice president's office, I felt like a really cool cat was walking. I used that image as a reference for my acting direction. The atmosphere from my modeling days was also impressive, and I learned a lot from observing that." She added, "I gained great confidence when a senior with a keen sense of fashion complimented how well the clothes suited me."

Regarding the on-set atmosphere, she said, "Senior Shin Hye-sun always treats me warmly when we meet after a while, and senior Gong Myung often jokes around to ease the tension. Senior Kim Jae-wook frequently complimented my outfits and style, making the filming set always enjoyable," she smiled.

'Secret Audit' premieres on the 25th and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM on tvN.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr