The Defects is set to start with the character of Yum Jung-ah, who has a duality in her personality, along with the 'new actor' Kim Jinyoung (Dex).
On the 21st, a production presentation for the new ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'The Defects' (written by Ahn So-jeong, directed by Oh Ki-hwan) took place at the Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Director Oh Ki-hwan, actors Yum Jung-ah, Won Jina, Choi Young-jun, and Kim Jinyoung (Dex).
The Defects is an action thriller depicting the desperate survival and revenge of children who barely survive at the brink of death after being abandoned by their adoptive parents. Based on the webtoon that won the 'Best Creativity Award' at the International Content Market SPP 2017 and recorded over 51 million views, it has garnered the interest of both original fans and drama enthusiasts.
Director Oh Ki-hwan said, "It all started with the phrase about refunding a child. In Greek mythology, human desires are depicted, and I thought the original story of The Defects could tell a broad story about humanity in Korea, which is why I decided to direct. Filmmakers often direct dramas, and I treated The Defects as if it were eight films. The content is almost like a movie. I invested a long time thinking of it as writing a movie script, and I even pushed for the kind of work that one would do for a film in the field. I thought the music should also be more like film music rather than typical drama music, as it deals with all human emotions, and I believe I brought extreme cinematic devices into the drama."
In particular, Director Oh Ki-hwan noted, "While filming with precious children, I made sure to communicate with the parents of the child actors to avoid any harm, ensuring a regulated time. I monitored the children's conditions and tried not to cross any lines. I believe I did my best in my own way. I also think the child actors are very talented, which should bring joy to the viewers."
Above all, The Defects grabs attention with its glamorous casting. Leading actors Yum Jung-ah, Won Jina, and Choi Young-jun, along with versatile all-rounder Kim Jinyoung (Dex), enhance expectations. The intense casting combination that transcends generations has become a topic before the broadcast and hints at the arrival of a high-quality thriller that will hit this summer in 2025.
Yum Jung-ah plays the role of Kim Se-hee, the chairwoman of a major hospital and operator of a charitable foundation. Outwardly respected as a celebrity doctor, she is actually the head of an illegal adoption trafficking organization, conducting the 'The Defects' business under a warped belief that only superior genes should survive. Yum Jung-ah is set to captivate viewers with this groundbreaking character she has never showcased before.
Yum Jung-ah said, "The character I portray is a devil. Not a person but a demon, who acts wickedly due to complexes about their environment from childhood. I thought it would be interesting to portray a person with a duality, and I really enjoyed acting that way." She laughed and added, "If I were a surgeon, I would have asked my husband who works in the medical field a lot of questions, but since he is a psychiatrist, I couldn't ask much. Although we are both at the same hospital, I didn't inquire too much."
Won Jina plays Kim Ah-hyun, a character who was refunded after being adopted but dramatically survived. As the leader and spiritual support of the surviving children, Ah-hyun engages in a desperate struggle for revenge and survival, encountering unexpected truths along the way. Making her first foray into the action genre with The Defects, Won Jina is expected to showcase a different and bold charm.
Won Jina said, "During my debut interviews, I mentioned that I wanted to do action, and I am happy to have this experience so quickly with such a great piece. I thought I had good agility, but it was completely a different level. It requires not only hard work on my part but also trust among us, which made it more engaging than I thought. I approached the filming with joy and a lot of tension."
Furthermore, Won Jina added, "Even in genres other than action, actors need to work hard to manage their conditions while filming. Since my debut, I have been preparing by exercising a lot. This time, since we incorporated many technical aspects, I spent time training with the stunt team. I practiced the basics and prepared while understanding them. While the movements are important, the synergy in action is crucial, and establishing trust and friendship among the actors was important. So we made a strong effort to bond as well."
Choi Young-jun plays the role of Woo Tae-sik, an underling of the illegal adoption trafficking organization who secretly rescues and protects refunded children. Feeling guilty about handling the children, he teaches them how to survive. Choi Young-jun, known for his deep acting skills through various works, is expected to bring depth to the story with his weighty presence.
Choi Young-jun said, "The children have expressions that show they trust me, so I have to act accordingly. However, I'm guilty of my role in trying to save these kids. It's frustrating until the process of getting hurt physically comes along because I feel like a sinner."
Rising star Kim Jinyoung plays the role of Jeong Hyun, the human weapon raised by Kim Se-hee (Yum Jung-ah) and the actual operator of the illegal adoption trafficking organization. Jeong Hyun is expected to lead a tension-filled narrative as he absolutely obeys Se-hee's orders and effectively runs the organization. The chemistry between the promising actor Kim Jinyoung and the trusted Yum Jung-ah is also highlighted as a major point of interest.
Kim Jinyoung said, "I personally think that you only understand the reason you want to act when you start acting, and I felt that it fit well with my own style as a person beyond Dexter. I like to focus deeply when doing something, and being an actor means consistently exploring and developing a character, which I found appealing. I'm grateful to be doing this with great actors and my director. I also feel guilty that the person Kim Jinyoung might be a flaw among the talented actors, but I try my best to compensate for those feelings while filming."
Kim Jinyoung shared, "It's said that if you act with someone skilled, both of you will be good, but I couldn't empathize with that until I worked with Yum Jung-ah, Won Jina, and Choi Young-jun and realized its truth. Even the other kids are seniors to me, which allowed me to achieve an intense level of immersion in every scene. I am grateful yet sorry because it was truly exhausting. The action I perform acting-wise is different from actual physical action. I genuinely express myself, but when doing action scenes with the delicate Won Jina, I had to exert real strength. There are scenes I feel are quite realistic, including parts where I actually hit someone. I believe I could really exert myself with Choi Young-jun during some performances, to the point that I experienced a bit of a blackout while doing so. It was so exhausting that I struggled to breathe, but Choi Young-jun accepted my efforts well, which makes me excited."
Choi Young-jun remarked, "Kim Jinyoung is incredibly fast. There was a scene filmed at night where something really flew towards my eye, and there was no time to dodge. This is how it should be done. It's better to practice more and make it as realistic as possible, but her athletic sense is terrific, so it's all so fast and powerful. She really throws a person."
Director Oh Ki-hwan commented on casting Kim Jinyoung, saying, "I didn't know much about the entertainer Dex, but I met with the actor Kim Jinyoung based solely on her acting. I chose her because of her potential as an actress. Over the long shooting period, the Kim Jinyoung at the start and the one at the crank-up point were clearly different. I can say I cast her after seeing the potential for growth," and added, "I made the first suggestion. When we had a deep conversation in the meeting, I saw that potential, and Kim Jinyoung also had a favorable impression of the script, thinking we matched well."
Meanwhile, the new ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'The Defects' will premiere on the 21st at 10 p.m.
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