So Ji-seob Failed Casting Twice… “I Thought I Knew Him Well,” Says “Kim Bu-jang” Director [Eks’s Interview ②]
(Xports News reporter Yoon Hyun-ji) (Continued from Interview 1) Director Lee Seung-young of 'Kim Bu-jang' revealed the behind-the-scenes story of So Ji-sub's gold gift.
On the morning of the 30th, an interview with director Lee Seung-young of SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Kim Bu-jang' was held at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. 'Kim Bu-jang' is a revenge action drama about a father who is 'the most ordinary in the world' becoming 'the most dangerous man in the world' to reclaim his one and only daughter.
'Kim Bu-jang,' which ended on the 25th, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 23% and a peak of 27.1% (based on Nielsen Korea), achieving a strong finish. It also ranked No. 1 for three consecutive weeks in the non-English TV show category of Netflix's official site Tudum Global Top 10, receiving great love both domestically and internationally.
Director Lee Seung-young said, "In the first week, when it surpassed 10%, So Ji-sub called me early in the morning. I asked if he was calling because it had gone over 10%, and he said he wanted to talk if it exceeded 10%. I think the actor accepted it humbly and gratefully, but he contacted me again in the second week. When it passed 20%, I remember hanging up and saying, 'This is probably the last call, right?' (laugh)."
He added, "Overall, what made the team proud was that we did not receive the result in a flashy way; we were bewildered, but we accepted it humbly, which was good."
The director also said he discovered a new side of So Ji-sub, saying, "So Ji-sub has a lot to be praised for, such as 'his action is cool' and 'he acts well as a father,' but I was surprised while filming with him."
He continued, "In 2019 and 2024, I wanted to cast him in other projects, but I failed. For a director to cast an actor means they do a lot of research. So I thought I knew the actor well, but while filming episode 1 of 'Kim Bu-jang,' I was so surprised to see such deep details that I kept saying I was sorry." He added.
He went on to say, "I saw many new sides of him. So at the wrap party, I decided to rewatch So Ji-sub's previous works. I told him I would check whether those traits were his original self or whether he had made progress and deeply researched the father role for the first time, and he laughed."
The director said that So Ji-sub was also deeply moved by the staff of 'Kim Bu-jang.'
He revealed an anecdote: "When we were filming episodes 4 to 6, whenever it rained, the actors' clothes froze, the ground froze, and it was a poor and difficult situation. After each shot, we sprinkled calcium chloride on the ground, and the filming team covered things to block the rain, so it was hard and difficult to shoot, but not a single person frowned. So Ji-sub said this left a strong impression on him, and that he was proud to be part of this set."
He added, "I think he had also given gold in a previous work, and a staff member who worked with him on two consecutive projects said, 'It sounds like a phrase written by someone who was truly moved; it's different from last time.' It seems So Ji-sub was moved by the staff." (Continued from Interview 3)
Photo = Xports News DB, SBS
This article was translated and republished by KOTourLive from 엑스포츠뉴스. Copyright of the original belongs to the publisher. View original
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