Can actress Lee Si-young's first drama return after her divorce, 'Salon de Holmes', become the next successful ENA IP following 'New Recruit'? Director Min Jin-ki, who also succeeded with 'New Recruit', expressed confidence that it will be an "IP that will be a breakthrough in the industry."
On the 16th at the Stanfort Hotel located in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, a production presentation for ENA's new Mon-Tue drama 'Salon de Holmes' (written by Kim Yeon-sin, directed by Min Jin-ki and Jeong Hyun-nam) took place. The event was attended by the main cast, including actors Lee Si-young, Jeong Yeong-joo, Kim Da-som, Nam Gi-ae, and the director Min Jin-ki, who discussed the work.
Scheduled to air after 'Tastefully Yours', 'Salon de Holmes' is a comic romance action drama set in the Gwangseonjugong Apartment, featuring four women, including a former ace detective, an insurance king, and a queen of part-time work, banding together to punish villains in the apartment. Lee Si-young takes on the role of Gong Mi-ri, reminiscent of a detective like Holmes, Jeong Yeong-joo plays the character Choo Kyung-ja, a female version of Ma Dong-seok in Gwangseonjugong, Kim Da-som portrays Park So-hee, the 'queen of part-time work' who rides her motorcycle around the neighborhood, and Nam Gi-ae plays Jeon Ji-hyun, a social butterfly with keen insight, promising dynamic chemistry among the characters.
'Salon de Holmes' is especially garnering expectations as the latest work from director Min Jin-ki, acclaimed for the 'Blue Ghost' and 'New Recruit' series. His trademark playful character play and comedy are anticipated to unfold in the light-hearted backdrop of an apartment, not a military setting.
To this end, a large cast of comedic support will appear, including actors Oh Dae-hwan, Jeong Sang-hoon, Lee Soo-ji, as well as comedians Kim Jun-hyeon, Kim Geum-soon from 'When Life Gives You Tangerines', Kim Min-ho, Kim Hyun-kyu, Lee Sang-jin, Lee Chung-goo, and Kim Hee-soo from the 'New Recruit' series will make special appearances. The chemistry with the 'Salon de Holmes' members is highly anticipated.
Director Min Jin-ki explained the project by saying, "It's a story about Gong Mi-ri, an ordinary housewife who has lived in a villa for a long time, moving into an apartment and dealing with everyday issues alongside the other housewives in the apartment."
He continued, "The original work is a bestseller novel that entertained many readers, so the foundation of the original is solid. According to reports, 11.2 million households in Korea live in apartments. That means 60-70% of the population resides in apartments. The appeal of this drama lies in the story of detectives and housewives emerging from the apartment space and the thrill of solving incidents together."
Additionally, he noted, "Although there have been many woman-led dramas like 'Silent Sales' lately, what is appealing is that female performers are active. Unlike other genres, this tale of fighting close-to-home villains is relatable. It's a drama infused with stories of our neighbors."
Lee Si-young introduced her character by stating, "Gong Mi-ri is simply a curious housewife. She finally accomplishes her dream of owning an apartment and meets friends and older sisters who resonate with her while defeating villains that can easily be found around her. I enjoyed the comedic aspect of it, along with the added thriller elements. That was attractive."
Jeong Yeong-joo stated, "Choo Kyung-ja is a former detective. She left her well-paying job due to personal reasons and transitioned into a full-time housewife, during which she meets her sparkling friend Gong Mi-ri and showcases her strength and sense of justice. There are many instances where she finds it hard to act even though she feels a strong desire to do so, but she embodies the thrilling aspect by actually taking action."
Kim Da-som explained, "Park So-hee is the 'queen of part-time work' in the neighborhood. She juggles five part-time jobs a day and serves as the information hub of the apartment. Rumors suggest she is a wealthy landowner, obsessed with making money at a young age, but in reality, she is a 20-something unmarried mother with a sick son. Her son becomes her motivation and reason for life, pushing her to work hard, which moved me and prompted me to take on this role."
Nam Gi-ae mentioned, "In this woman-led drama, I play the eldest sister. Jeon Ji-hyun is the owner of a small supermarket inside the Gwangseonjugong Apartment complex. To keep the small supermarket alive, she has to build close relationships with others in the community, making her a well-known figure. She is very proactive and eager to help with everything."
Director Min Jin-ki, returning to woman-led dramas after a long time, stated, "'New Recruit' is set in the military, while 'Salon de Holmes' is set in an apartment, so there are similarities in terms of where the character play occurs. However, 'New Recruit' features 20-something soldiers, whereas 'Salon de Holmes' focuses on housewives. One difference is that 'New Recruit' is based on hyperrealism, so it has a more significant spatial basis. 'Salon de Holmes' includes elements of suspense, thriller, and catharsis from solving incidents. In directing this blend of genres, I prioritized ensuring that not only the four main characters but also the numerous characters residing in the apartment are relatable yet bring a fantasy-like fun to the show."
He added, "In 'New Recruit', the actors wore one outfit and were shaved, leaving little to worry about, but in 'Salon de Holmes', housewives wear pretty clothes which enhances their appearance. A viewer will likely think, 'Why do our neighbors look so great?' and feel a 'I want to be like them' sense of inspiration."
He also stated, "In 'New Recruit', the comedic elements were crucial. I usually cast supporting roles myself, and I hope the 'New Recruit' friends do well during filming. We filmed 'Salon de Holmes' first, and then last year we filmed 'New Recruit', and since those friends have been facing financial difficulties, I proposed collaborating with them."
Lee Si-young mentioned, "Throughout my time playing Gong Mi-ri, I felt happy. This is a character I haven't played in a while, and just being on set made me feel good. It seems that Gong Mi-ri and I share similar emotional aspects. Contrary to how I might think, I can be a bit timid and reserved. As I get older, I lean towards a protective tendency rather than a proactive one, while Mi-ri is the opposite. She confronts challenges head-on. Therefore, while acting, I also experienced a sense of catharsis and aspired to be like her."
In the midst of this, Lee Si-young is introducing 'Salon de Holmes', her first work since experiencing her divorce. She explained, "I have faced personal issues, so of course there were parts I was worried about. Of course, I was a bit passive, but fortunately, my personal matters seemed not to affect my work and I'm thankful to the colleagues and director for their support. I genuinely think it's fortunate that this drama has a cheerful nature. Although it's a drama filmed before my personal matters arose, we're all promoting it together. I hope many people will love it as much as they anticipate."
The phrase 'female Ma Dong-seok' might be a burden for Jeong Yeong-joo. How did she handle it? The boxing national representative Lee Si-young commented, "It's a character I want to take on. I also gained weight while filming 'Salon de Holmes'. It appears that Director has appreciated the humorous parts about me when we look at the screen. There is someone with better physicality than I do, and when the older sister lifted a car, everyone on set acknowledged her strength. I'm grateful to have worked with her."
Jeong Yeong-joo responded, "I was pleased with my character's name, Choo Kyung-ja, so I said 'Let's go', but I think the director liked my physique and thigh size enough to cast me. I once mentioned wanting to try being a 'female Ma Dong-seok'. I said that seriously, but they took it lightly. In the gym where I train, I was encouraged to build my physique as well. Focusing on 'female action', graceful lines, and beautiful movements; however, due to my image, they seem cautious about force or raw strength. Korea's genre has arrived at a point where it is not limited to that anymore. I feel happy to deliver good news about starting a strong female character era for other actors as well. I hope viewers enjoy it while watching this drama."
The eldest sister Nam Gi-ae commented, "Lee Si-young did a great job setting the mood and leading the group. Jeong Yeong-joo feels more like an older sister than I do. I'm a bit passive and tend to remain quiet. Kim Da-som is so humble that she doesn't seem like an idol star. She trails the older sisters well and adeptly handles her responsibilities. I often think that if I can merely follow along, it would be enough, as they treat me very well as an older sister and senior. I genuinely hope there will be a season 2 after this one."
Meanwhile, Director Min Jin-ki remarked, "The structure of production costs is rising, and due to the few men who can ensure the profitability, I believe the number of projects is decreasing. Woman-led dramas inevitably face ups and downs. For the woman-centered genre to activate further, more works that viewers can enjoy need to come out, and in this respect, I think 'Salon de Holmes' is a very suitable work."
He further explained, "Living in an apartment brings a different feeling from seeing a chaebol's mansion, which I believe will resonate with viewers. This drama will appeal to female viewers, unlike other romance dramas. I'm grateful to ENA for scheduling it and Artists Company for their investment."
Meanwhile, Director Min Jin-ki revealed a behind-the-scenes insight about casting for woman-led stories. He shared, "When I cast, I focus solely on who can bring the best performance for each role in the project. When I envisioned Gong Mi-ri, I thought of someone possessing detective qualities, tenacity, and a cuteness balanced with a tough demeanor – and the only actor who came to mind was Lee Si-young. I believed she was the best actor to bring comedy to life at her age, alongside her good athletic tendencies and capability for action."
He also mentioned, "Regarding Jeong Yeong-joo, I wanted to create a female Ma Dong-seok character, and even though Ma Dong-seok is continuing in the Crime City series, he has invited her to maintain that character for life. Jeong Yeong-joo's hands are incredibly attractive, holding a strong and tough male-like quality, making them apt for delivering punches convincingly. Her physicality trained through musicals and performances will help her excel in action."
In relation to Kim Da-som, a former member of girl group Sistar, he expressed surprise, stating, "I didn't know she was from Sistar. While I was aware of the group, I didn't recognize her as a member." He elaborated, "I thought she appeared quite beautiful among others. I believe I can draw out her charm. I see this work not as Kim Da-som from Sistar but as an actress who will break out into a fully realized role."
Additionally, Director Min Jin-ki stated, "Nam Gi-ae is regarded as the warm mother figure that both the public and the actors acknowledge. Since all our actors possess charisma, we needed someone who could embrace them warmly, leading to casting Nam Gi-ae. Ultimately, even though I sit next to her, if they agree to partake in season 2, I believe season 2 is possible. I am confident if continuity in casting occurs. I've planned everything for the latter part of this season. I think it could serve as a breakthrough for the challenging industry, similar to 'New Recruit'."
Lastly, Director Min Jin-ki stated, "For any drama to succeed, women need to be on the move. This is a drama for women, by women, and about women. It's a different feeling than 'New Recruit'. Please enjoy it. I hope viewers experience catharsis through the stories of various human characters residing within our neighborhood of 1,800 households."
'Salon de Holmes' will premiere tonight (16th) at 10 p.m. on ENA.
[Photo] OSEN reporter Lee Dae-seon.
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