Director Kim Won-seok of 'Bokssak Sogasseuda' mentioned the production cost of 60 billion won.

On the morning of the 5th, a production presentation for the Netflix original series 'Bokssak Sogasseuda' was held at the Grand Ballroom on the 3rd floor of the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Attendees included director Kim Won-seok, lead actors IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon.

'Bokssak Sogasseuda' unfolds the adventurous life of a 'rebellious troublemaker' named Ae-soon (played by IU) born in Jeju in the 1960s and a 'foolish iron' named Kwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum), through the four seasons. Writer Lim Sang-chun, known for her heartfelt stories that resonated with audiences in works such as 'When the Camellia Blooms' and 'Fight for My Way,' has collaborated with director Kim Won-seok, who provided empathy, comfort, and encouragement through works like 'The Man from Nowhere,' 'Signal,' and 'Misaeng,' raising expectations. It is reported that approximately 60 billion won has been invested, with a stellar ensemble of actors including IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon likely to resonate deeply across generations.

IU plays Ae-soon from her teenage years to her twenties, while Moon So-ri takes over the role as an adult. Interestingly, Moon So-ri plays the daughter that Ae-soon has after marriage, allowing IU to portray both roles.

Director Kim Won-seok noted regarding the 60 billion won production cost, "Honestly, I don't know much about the budget, but it is true that a lot went into it. If the production cost is too high, it doesn't help with publicity. It seems to be a unique feature of our country. Usually, viewers tend to worry more about the budget and might say, 'With that budget, you could make a few better dramas.'"

He continued, "As a director making dramas that require significant budgets, I believe there should be enough fun corresponding to the production cost. It should be enjoyable enough that the expense doesn't feel wasteful. With that in mind, I tried to make it fun to watch," adding that "significant funds were invested in filming and related expenses. Our drama incurs a considerable cost just for constructing open sets, which I believe you all are well aware of. Basic costs include the art expenses and those for open sets that change as we move from the 1960s to the 2020s. Additionally, to achieve realism, efforts were made to create lifelike situations. There are also considerable costs involved in making it feel like you are present on the scene."

Meanwhile, 'Bokssak Sogasseuda' will be released on March 7 and consists of a total of 16 episodes, with four episodes released each Friday over four weeks.

[Photo] Reporter Ji Hyung-jun

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