"Wild Sing" dancer Gang Dong-won, rapper Um Tae-goo, center Park Ji-hyun attempt dramatic transformations never seen before.
On the morning of the 7th at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University entrance in Seoul, a production briefing for the film "Wild Sing" was held. Attending were lead actors Gang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo, Park Ji-hyun, Oh Jung-se, and director Son Jae-gon.
"Wild Sing" (director Son Jae-gon, distributed by Lotte Entertainment, produced by About Film) tells the story of a three-member mixed-gender dance group called "Triangle" that once swept the pop music scene but disbanded overnight after being embroiled in an unexpected incident, and their reckless challenge to seize a comeback opportunity 20 years later. It is a collaboration between About Film, the production company behind the 2019 comedy film "Extreme Job," which drew 16.26 million viewers, and director Son Jae-gon, who has built a unique comedy world with "When the Camellia Blooms."
From heartthrob to prolific actor, leading Chungmuro figure Gang Dong-won plays Hyun Woo, the Triangle leader and dance machine who boasts an unrivaled aura and picture-perfect visuals, leading the team. Um Tae-goo, a powerful actor with a strong presence, plays the Triangle's youngest storm rapper Sang-gu, who exudes unstoppable swagger, and rising star Park Ji-hyun, active across films and series, plays Domi, the Triangle's center with refreshing energy and irresistible charm, delivering unpredictable chemistry. In addition, Oh Jung-se plays self-proclaimed 'earphone boyfriend' and ballad singer Seong-gon, bringing lively comedic energy to the film.
The three actors agreed that the reason they chose the film was a "good script."
Gang Dong-won said the reason he chose the comedy genre was, "Comedy has always been my favorite. The script was so funny. It was a tightly packed comedy, and what I really liked was the very closed ending. It wasn't an open ending; I liked the ending very much. The process of heading toward the ending and the four characters' stories were so fun. That's why I wanted to try it."
Um Tae-goo said, "The script was so funny, and when I met the director, he was great. And when I heard in the meeting that Gang Dong-won senior would play Hyun Woo, that was the biggest reason for me to choose it," and Park Ji-hyun said, "From the first time I read the script I was a fan of director Son Jae-gon. I really, really enjoyed watching 'The Villain on the Second Floor.' When I read the script, I had a strong desire to portray Domi's dual nature. And I thought, 'Finally I might find a work that will quench my thirst for comedy.' When the script came to me, the two seniors had already been cast. As I read the script and immersed myself in it, it was so fun. I couldn't even imagine senior Gang Dong-won dancing and senior Um Tae-goo rapping," she laughed.
The idea of dance machine Gang Dong-won and the very introverted Um Tae-goo rapping is an unimaginable combination, and as soon as the trailer was released, internet users exploded with questions like "Did Gang Dong-won really dance?", "Did Um Tae-goo participate in production?", and "Did he get paid an enormous appearance fee?"
Earlier in 2016, Gang Dong-won drew attention with the bombastic choreography in "A Violent Prosecutor," and he is raising expectations by transforming into an idol character for the first time in 10 years.
Gang Dong-won said, "Preparing for this project made me realize how hard idol life must be. I used to think, 'They must always have it hard,' but while filming this project I came to respect them."
He continued, "I practiced headspins myself for five months. I didn't start headspinning from the beginning; I had zero understanding of hip-hop. So I didn't usually listen to hip-hop and I was more into rock 'n' roll, and I knew nothing about hip-hop until I got this script. I thought, 'How funny would it be if I did headspins?' I just thought that. I hoped it would be oddly funny. I wanted the audience to feel, 'Aw, what is that? He really worked hard...'" He added, "I didn't know the genre of breakdance at all, but they barely touch the ground with their feet. They support themselves almost entirely with their hands and arms, defying gravity. I couldn't tell if it was dance or gymnastics. It was the hardest thing I've ever learned."
Gang Dong-won said, "I usually prepare and practice a lot before filming, but I regretted that there wasn't enough time. If I had more time to practice, I think I would have done another half rotation of the headspin." Oh Jung-se added, "Whenever I went to the practice room, he was always in the headspin ready position," and Park Ji-hyun added, "That's right. Senior was always drenched in sweat, so I was worried."
Um Tae-goo said he commuted to JYP Entertainment to practice rapping. He replied, "My rap teacher was there, so I went to JYP. I went into the booth and practiced hard in there," piquing curiosity about the film. He also said, "On set I filmed with the mindset that Sang-gu had to be adorable or I would die. Watching senior Gang Dong-won practice beside me was motivating."
Gang Dong-won and Um Tae-goo reunited 10 years after "The Time I Was Afraid," but they said they still hardly spoke to each other then or now.
Gang Dong-won laughed, "I didn't talk much with Um Tae-goo back then, and even though we were in the same group this time, he is so quiet that we didn't talk much. He was the leader and I was the youngest, but that was work." Um Tae-goo confessed, "I met senior in the practice room after 10 years and was so glad. I really chose this project because senior was Hyun Woo. But he still didn't talk much, so I messaged him." Gang Dong-won agreed with a laugh, "We communicated by text."
Confident center Park Ji-hyun said, "I referenced so many idols while preparing for this project. I looked up most of the 2000s girl groups of that era, like Fin.K.L and S.E.S. As the center I wanted to explosively sing on stage and dance, but I lacked the ability, so that wasn't possible. I was so happy to vicariously experience it through this film."
She added, "We prepared for a long time to get on stage, but the shooting days weren't that long. But the seniors were so good. Senior Gang Dong-won immersed himself in the dance, and as everyone knows, the introverted senior Um Tae-goo became a completely different person on stage with real charisma," and she expressed regret, "After filming I was so disappointed in what I couldn't do. I felt like I lagged behind a bit. I'm the center, but the two of them tore it up. They even winked and stuff."
Gang Dong-won praised, "After filming started that day I later said something to Ji-hyun: 'Ji-hyun, you have a stage nature—you shine on stage.'"
Meanwhile, "Wild Sing" opens on June 3.
[Photo] Park Joonhyung, reporter
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