Fifties Professionals, which features idols in their late 40s and early 50s, meets viewers.
On the 21st, at MBC in Sangam, Mapo-gu, Seoul, a production press conference was held for the new Friday-Saturday drama Fifties Professionals. Director Han Dong-hwa attended the press conference along with actors Shin Ha Kyun, Oh Jung-se, Heo Sung-tae, Kim Shin-rock and Lee Hak-ju to talk about the series.
Fifties Professionals depicts the story of three men who, though they may look ordinary, once had some swagger and are moved again by fate, promising a salty action comedy about real pros who have lived 50% of their lives — beaten down by the world and rusted in body, yet still loyal and driven by instinct.
On the day, director Han Dong-hwa described Fifties Professionals as a comeback project. He said, It is a work that depicts getting back up amid frustration and heartbreak through action, comedy, melodrama and human elements. Among those, we strove to differentiate the comedy, and added, I tried to make a B-grade sensibility comedy that is not forced, serious yet poignantly funny. With a good script, passionate acting from the actors and the crew's efforts, I think a fresh work has come out.
Fifties Professionals tells the story of former National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent Homyeong, who headed to Yeongseon Island over an item that was the key to a passenger ship operation that failed 10 years ago; North Korean operative Jesun, who lost her memory in an unfortunate accident; and mobster Beomryong, who chased after Homyeong.
About the appeal of the work, director Han Dong-hwa said, It's similar to what I mentioned at the start. Seeing them, you can't help but be entertained. So we were ambitious. There is restrained comedy, humanism, and nevertheless quite a bit of action. We tried a B-grade black comedy feeling that is very well made for terrestrial broadcasting, and because it unfolded without feeling forced, I hope people notice that. It's a work you can watch while smiling these days, and every character is endearing.
With high-intensity action acting expected given the nature of the characters, Shin Ha Kyun smiled and said, I worked hard, and Oh Jung-se said, What I worried about first was that there are many action scenes in the story flow, so I didn't want to be a burden. I trained in rehabilitation for more than six months and, with the help of the director and the stunt team, was reborn as a human weapon.
Heo Sung-tae also said, I was lucky to be able to do what I could this time. In terms of acting, I think Heo Sung-tae's true self is captured in Fifties Professionals. At times he has charisma, and he's a character with a clumsy charm, so I enjoyed acting and felt at ease showing myself. It felt like I could encompass a composite of the images I've shown so far.
When asked whether he focused more on comedy or action, director Han Dong-hwa answered, Because these people are older, focusing on action could lead to injuries, and aren't they acting monsters? I don't know much about black comedy, but it's a quite difficult genre. If acting ability doesn't support it, it's hard. I tried to focus on comedy.
Shin Ha Kyun, Oh Jung-se and Heo Sung-tae are actors of similar ages, raising expectations for unique chemistry. Shin Ha Kyun said, The relationships in the drama are of rivals. The process in which the three blend for a goal will be the point. From that, the comedy and character setting will likely come out interestingly.
He added, Oh Jung-se is always new. He always shows characters in new ways, so you think, oh, he can do this too — always new. Heo Sung-tae is quiet but on set prepares a wide variety of performances in completely different ways. I learned a lot from the two juniors and they are grateful colleagues.
Oh Jung-se revealed, Basically each has their own story, and there's a point where the three come together. I hope the three come together quickly — when is the next scene? I've been waiting to see them come together and bicker, show friendship, or whatever the content may be.
Heo Sung-tae said, One reason I was quiet was that during rehearsals I didn't want to get in the way seeing the two others' acting. I often watched their profiles and backs from behind privately. Seeing that makes me wonder how they can do that; despite worrying about injuries they don't show it, they enjoy themselves and come up with new ideas. Watching them enjoy talking about acting, it was an honor to be able to join in and act.
Lee Hak-ju chimed in with a laugh, I'm not sure if senior Heo Sung-tae thought he was talking to himself, but he told that to me. I also remember sharing that sentiment.
They said the three lead characters were kept in mind from the script development stage. Director Han Dong-hwa said, When creating the characters Homyeong, Jesun and Beomryong in the initial script, I consulted with the writer about who would be good to cast. The three of us — the writer, the producer and I — miraculously came up with the same three names. We decided to write and propose them regardless of success, and thankfully the three accepted, so it worked out. The three were optimized for black comedy and poignant comedy. It went ahead exactly as written in the first script without going elsewhere, he said with satisfaction.
However, Fifties Professionals is also the follow-up to 21st Century Grand Madam, which recently recorded high buzz and ratings and concluded. Along with expectations that it may inherit high viewership, there will likely be pressure because the predecessor has been suffering from controversy over historical distortion recently.
Director Han Dong-hwa said, The previous work had very good ratings and many issues, and added, I think we have our own charm. We tried to show that, and with many dramas out there, I hope people focus on the characters and color unique to our drama.
Kim Shin-rock, with an expectant response, said, I read the script and I was excited — the scenes of these three actors in their 50s are pleasant and not stressful. I think it will be a fun weekend evening to heal after work, regain energy, laugh, have conversations and drink.
Also expressing hoped-for results, Shin Ha Kyun said, I'd be grateful if many people watch. More than that, I hope what we wanted to tell, the cheerfulness and joy we worked for, come through, and director Han Dong-hwa said, These members are a hero team. Because the hero teams are strong, the villains had to be set up well. With remarkable people like Kim Sang-kyung, Kwon Yul and Hyun Bong-sik appearing, we'd be happy with double-digit ratings.
Meanwhile, MBC's new drama Fifties Professionals premieres on the 22nd at 9:50 p.m.
[photo] Min Kyung-hoon reporter
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