Actors Han Seok-kyu, Yoon Kye-sang and Choo Ja-hyun join forces for Netflix's Gwandang.
On the 21st, Netflix confirmed production of the new series Gwandang (working title) and revealed the casting of Han Seok-kyu, Yoon Kye-sang, Choo Ja-hyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Jong-soo and Ko Doo-shim.
Gwandang is a noir that tells the story of three families — the Bu, Yang and Go clans — who clash to protect their families and clans over control of Jeju. The intriguing title Gwandang comes from Jeju dialect meaning relatives who perform ancestral rites together. More than a simple kinship, the Jeju-specific social relationship of mutual support and reliance within the local community is symbolized by "gwandang." Within this unique structure, attention is focused on how the stories of the three representative Jeju families — the Bu family, which organized its clan by controlling pig farming and horse racing industries and manipulating Jeju, the Yang family of Jeju City expanding power through real estate development, and the Go family of Seogwipo, which once flourished with casino businesses — will unfold as they fight bloody battles for their respective interests.
The cast leading Gwandang raises expectations. Han Seok-kyu, a representative actor of the Korean film renaissance who has delivered intense immersion with delicate, restrained acting in dramas such as Shin's Project, The Intimate Betrayer, the Romantic Doctor Kim Sa-bu series, Secret Door and Deep-rooted Tree, will play Bu Yong-nam, the head of the Bu family and the "gwandang" leader. Bu Yong-nam is a figure who must protect his family and clan amid conflicts among the three families over Jeju land. Expectations are high for Han Seok-kyu's portrayal of Bu Yong-nam, given his ability to convey a character's narrative and inner life with his eyes, breath and subtle expressions in every work.
Yoon Kye-sang, who has shown a wide spectrum through the Netflix series In an Empty Forest, the drama The Winning Try, The Day of Kidnapping and films such as Malmoi and The Outlaws, plays Bu Geon. Bu Geon, the second son of the Bu family and the half brother of Bu Yong-nam and Bu Yong-seon, is someone who struggles to maintain his position within the family. Interest is growing in how Yoon Kye-sang, who has infused characters with their lives in his own way in every role, will complete Bu Geon's narrative.
Choo Ja-hyun, who showed explosive acting in the Netflix series Suriname, the dramas Gyeonwoo and the Fairy, Little Women, The Green Mothers' Club and the film While You Were Sleeping, has been cast as Bu Yong-seon, another central figure of the Bu family. Bu Yong-seon, with a bold personality and decisive action, is one pillar of the Bu family. Choo Ja-hyun, who raised the completeness of each work by immersing herself in her characters' situations, is expected to show a new side through Bu Yong-seon.
Yoo Jae-myung and Kim Jong-soo were cast as Yang Gwang-ik of the Yang family and Go Dae-su of the Go family, respectively, raising credibility at the center of the conflict over Jeju's hegemony alongside the Bu family. Yoo Jae-myung, who showed overwhelming presence with solid acting in works such as the Netflix series Bandits: The Sound of the Sword, the drama Polaris and films Harbin and Firefighter, plays Yang Gwang-ik, the head of the Yang family of Jeju City and a figure positioned opposite Bu Yong-nam. Yoo Jae-myung will portray Yang Gwang-ik — who bides his time and seeks opportunities to bring down the Bu family — with weight, heightening the tension.
Kim Jong-soo, who showed deep performances in the drama Pine: Low Lifers and the films Bogota: Land of Final Opportunity, Smuggling and Hunt, will play Go Dae-su. Go Dae-su, who leads the Go family of Seogwipo, once enjoyed a heyday but is now in decline and lying low. Kim Jong-soo will vividly portray Go Dae-su as he changes to pursue his family's interests amid rising turmoil.
Finally, Ko Doo-shim, who has moved audiences across generations through the dramas Our Blues, When the Camellia Blooms and Dear My Friends, joins Gwandang (working title) as Dae-pan halmang. A native of Jeju and a member of the Jeju Go clan, Ko Doo-shim's participation in another work set in her hometown after Our Blues, which was also set in Jeju, has drawn significant attention. Expectations for Ko Doo-shim's even deeper performance are rising, and curiosity is growing about what kind of character Dae-pan halmang will be.
Gwandang (working title), which raises expectations with its intense story set in Jeju and a trusted cast, will be directed by Choi Jung-yeol, who directed the series Vigilante and the films Start-Up and Glory Day. Choi Jung-yeol, who maximized genre appeal and narrative distinctiveness, raises curiosity about how he will portray Gwandang (working title), in which regional characteristics and human relationships are densely gathered. In addition, veteran production staff who worked on the Netflix series Squid Game, Hunting Dogs, Suriname and the films The Age of Shadows, The Spy Gone North and My Daughter is a Zombie will join, promising a well-made work where direction, production and casting form the best combination.
Gwandang, which heightens anticipation with the story of three families unfolding from Jeju's unique regionality and a powerful casting lineup that adds synergy to the work, will be released on Netflix.
[Photo] Provided by each agency.
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