Actors Park Min-young, Park Hee-soon, and Joo Jong-hyuk have returned as 'con artists.'
On the 1st, a production presentation for TV CHOSUN's new weekend mini-series 'Confidence Man KR' (written by Hong Seung-hyun, directed by Nam Ki-hoon) was held at the Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Director Nam Ki-hoon and actors Park Min-young, Park Hee-soon, and Joo Jong-hyuk were in attendance.
'Confidence Man KR' is a caper drama about three con artists with versatile abilities seeking revenge against the villains of our time. With an exciting storyline that cleverly exploits loopholes in the social system, it heralds the birth of a 'K-caper' that playfully subverts the grammar of the existing crime genre. The original 'Confidence Man JP' was also released as a film in Japan and aired as a special project for Fuji Television's 60th anniversary. As such, there is interest in whether this Korean remake, featuring various actors, can achieve domestic box office success.
Director Nam Ki-hoon, who has delivered explosive directorial prowess across genres from 'Casino,' 'Kiss Sixth Sense,' 'Oh My Baby,' to 'Voice 3,' collaborated with writer Hong Seung-hyun, who has been recognized for his perceptive talent in works like 'Criminal Minds' and 'Cheoyong 1, 2.'
Director Nam Ki-hoon said, "There is an original work, and we adapted it with a Korean patch as a Korean caper film. Focusing on Park Min-young, the trio resolves one incident at a time while unfolding a mysterious backstory. We concentrated on the reasons for their cons when we transformed it into a Korean version. I tried to incorporate Park Min-young's past in a way that feels Korean. I believe that is the distinctive point."
Since it is a caper drama, the message is important. Director Nam Ki-hoon noted, "Villains appear in each episode, and I tried to incorporate themes relevant to the times. Through them, I aimed to address social issues. There is a story about piecing together a puzzle as the episodes progress. If you focus on that aspect, it will be an interesting drama."
In particular, 'Confidence Man KR' demonstrates an unprecedented approach by confirming a simultaneous launch across various platforms, including global OTT services such as Amazon Prime Video, Coupang Play, and TV CHOSUN. The global OTT 'Amazon Prime Video,' which is broadcast in over 240 countries, decided to produce it as an 'Amazon Original Drama,' while Coupang Play and TV CHOSUN, which boasts a solid viewership, successfully built a 'Global Mega Universe' that expands infinitely worldwide.
Director Nam Ki-hoon stated, "As we proceed with immersiveness in our unique style, I think we've become a global standard. We believed that what we were doing, being Korean, was the most global approach. It feels like a comprehensive gift set. Episodes 1 and 2 are different from episodes 3 and 4. I wondered if one work could encompass this much content, and we aimed to show a myriad of visuals in this project."
Park Min-young, Park Hee-soon, and Joo Jong-hyuk complete the thrilling catharsis lineup of 'Confidence Man KR,' signaling the launch of a 'K-caper' that is sure to turn the world upside down. Director Nam Ki-hoon explained, "I felt that there is a reason behind Park Min-young's success in this project. She handled her role intelligently, allowing us to lean on her. Park Hee-soon established criteria; I wondered who could have done it if he hadn't. I believe Joo Jong-hyuk will thrive through this project. Without these three actors, we could not have made it to the end."
Park Min-young, who rose to prominence as the undisputed 'Romantic Comedy Queen' through works like 'What's Wrong with Secretary Kim,' 'People of the Meteorological Administration: The Cruel History of Workplace Romance,' and 'Marry My Husband,' plays the role of the con artist leader Yoon I-rang, who possesses an IQ of 165 and a genius mind in the top 1%. Transforming into a striking character as a con artist in a 'caper drama,' she aims to achieve a new life character.
Having made her comeback after about a year and a half since 'Marry My Husband,' Park Min-young remarked, "As a leader among con artists, I plan and assign roles while boasting a high IQ. While I have a sociopathic vibe, I also wanted to portray a character with a deep inner story. I faced challenges in transforming, but I worked hard on this shoot. The success of any project is unpredictable. This is my first project with Amazon Prime, and it's an opportunity I couldn't miss. Each actor wanted vibrant and distinctive roles, and this time, I've taken on a more dynamic and proactive approach. In 'My Husband,' I was often on the receiving end, but now I feel an allure in reversing that dynamic."
Park Min-young stated, "This is my first time in an episodic black comedy with so many transformations. Initially, I approached it cautiously, but as the confrontational dynamics evolved, it intensified, culminating in a scene reminiscent of Bruno Mars. I truly felt I couldn't manage it there. Everyone showed high-quality transformations, so that aspect will likely be a viewing point."
Park Hee-soon, who gained recognition for his irreplaceable acting skills across genres spanning 'My Name,' 'Squid Game 2, 3,' 'Moving,' and 'Trolley,' will appear as the chic gentleman James. With a range of charm from nuanced sensibility to captivating humor, he is expected to captivate television audiences in his role as James.
Park Hee-soon, who plays James, mentioned, "As soon as I arrived from Venice, I ran from the airport, wondering if this is what an idol's life is like. James is the oldest among the trio. I expect you to look forward to the fun project we created together," adding, "Having taken on many heavy roles in the past, I sought a comedic role. This project fulfills both desires, which is why I chose it."
Joo Jong-hyuk, recognized for his solid acting skills in works like 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo,' 'Trigger,' and 'No Secrets,' has transformed into the quirky and charming character Myung Gu-ho, showcasing a unique appeal. With fresh visuals and adorable charm, attention is drawn to his impressive filmography in 'Confidence Man KR.'
Joo Jong-hyuk shared, "I was attracted to the chance to play a variety of roles in one project. The makeup team and I did more than 10 to 15 different looks. I dressed as a woman, and within the narrative, I'm viewed as female. I learned how long makeup takes and how challenging it can be." He particularly added, "I felt like I did everything except AI in terms of makeup. It instilled confidence in me, allowing me to enjoy the experience."
'Confidence Man KR' also offers another layer of enjoyment with its lineup of special guest appearances that rival the main cast. Starting with Song Ji-hyo, it will feature Kim Bo-sung, Yoon Chae-kyung, Rowoon, Oh Na-ra, Kim Sun-young, and Lee Yi-kyung, enriching 'Confidence Man KR.' Director Nam Ki-hoon said, "We proceeded with casting based on character alignment, independent of personal relationships. After that, we actively reached out through connections and social gatherings, and they graciously accepted."
In particular, Park Min-young reunites with Lee Yi-kyung, who stirred controversy as the 'trash husband' in 'Marry My Husband.' Park Min-young noted, "The reason I recommended Lee Yi-kyung was a single line in the script. It said, 'A man who is self-absorbed while singing 'Emergency Room' by izi in the restroom,' and I wondered who could portray that. I thought Lee Yi-kyung could handle it because he's specialized in comedy and would take part in an episode focused on humor. He readily agreed. Although we filmed for six months due to scheduling, it felt like he should have been at the wrap party. While he played a trash husband in the previous work, this time he portrays a very nice younger brother, and the chemistry was great. It feels like the past's grime has been washed away. We plan to provide a genuinely refreshing twist."
Joo Jong-hyuk pointed out the relational dynamics between himself, Park Min-young, and Park Hee-soon as a key viewing point. Park Hee-soon also highlighted the ensemble of the trio as a key observation point, stating, "The transformation into alter egos is entertaining, and this might be a project optimized for meme creation. Given that there are many characters and exaggerated actions, it could lead to numerous memes and short clips." Park Min-young remarked, "Director Nam Ki-hoon allows the actors to play freely, so we make ad-libs, swear, and smoke cigarettes. You can expect to see the trio's distinctive approaches." Director Nam Ki-hoon added, "In addition to the ensemble of the three, I believe the villains appearing in each episode will be quite a spectacle."
The new weekend mini-series 'Confidence Man KR' on TV CHOSUN will premiere on the 6th at 9:10 p.m. and will be simultaneously released on Coupang Play.
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