(Following interview ②) Actor Lee Heejun revealed a deep bond with Park Hae-soo.
Recently at the BH Entertainment building in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, a wrap-up interview was held with Lee Heejun, the lead actor of ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Scarecrow'.
'Scarecrow' is a crime investigation thriller set in 1988 Kangseong, in which a detective investigating a series of murders unexpectedly forms a cooperative relationship with a man he loathes.
In the drama, Lee Heejun, who plays prosecutor Cha Si-young of Mu Won District Prosecutors' Office, Kangseong branch, previously mentioned Matt Damon and Ben Affleck when asked about the chemistry with Park Hae-soo, who plays Detective Kang Tae-Ju of Kangseong Police Station and with whom his character clashes. Lee Heejun added jokingly, "When I made that joke I didn't know this work would be so beloved."
He said, "Our agency's CEO was worried. When we were cast, the director didn't cast us because we were from the same agency but because each fit the role, and Park Hae-soo and I have worked together on several projects. Some of those did not receive attention or love. The CEO said, 'If the two of you are cast and the response is poor again this time, it might be better for you not to work together anymore.' He said it could be the last project because of image, but I remember saying, 'So what. We can keep doing well. I like working together.'" He added, "Right now the CEO really likes it. Hae-soo and I exchanged messages recently, and he said, 'I want to grow old doing projects with you,' so I said, 'Let's do about 10 more.' I think it would be nice to grow old together."
Park Hae-soo and Lee Heejun, who are also members of the same agency, have continued their relationship since their theater days and have worked together in several productions including 'The Legend of the Blue Sea', 'Chimera' and 'Bad Guy'. When asked about Park Hae-soo, Lee Heejun said, "He's a younger brother I love very much. In the 'Hyel's Club' video you can see a bit of Hae-soo's real self. He's really cute and playful. He is a younger brother who keeps me laughing. So whenever we have drinking gatherings, I always call Hae-soo. I'm happy and joyful when I'm with Hae-soo," showing his affection.
He confessed, "There are things about him you can't predict, and there are parts I respect as an actor. When a script is not fully understood or has gaps, Park Hae-soo just charges in. He has a style of acting first and seeing later. I try to discuss and fill those things with the director even a little, and I think I'm lacking the boldness to throw myself into gaps right away. I always learn a lot when I watch Hae-soo. I think I should imitate and take many of the strengths Hae-soo has, but it's not easy."
He continued, "The good thing about working with Hae-soo is that we've been together since our theater days, so we can practice whenever we have time, without worrying about what the other thinks. If it takes 10 minutes to set the lighting, we might say, 'Do you remember that line from episode 9? Let's try that,' and practice. There's no feeling of 'What if I'm worse than you?' or 'I want to do better than you.' We trust each other and want the other to do better. That seemed to have a big effect. Because we're able to talk about acting with each other frankly, the parts where we consider and help each other seem to appear in the scenes and episodes. I really like acting together because I can see parts where we try to help each other act better. I want to work together again."
When asked about Cha Si-young's emotional line, who betrays Kang Tae-Ju in the story yet tries to help him, Lee Heejun explained, "He must be lonely and need friends. It seems he really likes a friend named Tae-ju. He really likes him, but his unconscious desire for recognition or lack of affection acts, and something more important than that emerges. For that, he might abandon that friend. It seems to change in an instant. But he likes that friend, wants to be with him and be close to him, and when circumstances change it can change at any time."
However, contrary to viewers' expectations who anticipated a 'collaborative investigation between the hated parties,' Cha Si-young ultimately walks a path opposite to Kang Tae-Ju through irreversible evil acts. Lee Heejun also confessed, "I watched the drama up to episode 4 and, liking it, met and ate with the director with the intention of appearing. The content up to episode 4 felt like I took the hit instead of the knife and grew closer to Tae-ju, saying, 'I thought you were my brother.' I expected these two to join forces to catch the criminal stylishly, or even if they couldn't catch the criminal, to work hard together until the end. Usually dramas proceed that way. I thought that was normal and of course would happen, and I met the director, but I was surprised when I heard the backstory."
He added, "After hearing the story beyond episode 4, I felt thrilled because it wasn't the usual flow. I think viewers will feel the same. So I also think it's the more interesting part. It seems like the more appropriate choice and it's also reality. I think it's closer to reality that characters with such trauma and upbringing can't suddenly say, 'Let's get along now.'" He spoke frankly. (Continued in interview ④.)
[Photo] BH Entertainment
[OSEN]