The trusted actor Choi Dae-hoon has created another career-defining work.
The final episode of SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim' (written by Nam Dae-joong, directed by Lee Seung-young·Lee So-eun, planned by Studio S, produced by Studio S·Fantagio(032800)), which concluded on the 25th, recorded viewership ratings of 23.4% in the metropolitan area, 23.0% nationwide and a peak momentary rating of 27.1% (Nielsen Korea), ending with first place in ratings across all channels in its time slot for 10 consecutive episodes.
Seong Han-soo (played by Choi Dae-hoon) was placed in an extreme situation where he had to confront his friend Manager Kim (played by So Jisub) because of a plot by Joo Kang-chan (played by Joo Sang-Wook) who took his son's life hostage. Choi Dae-hoon intensively portrayed the complex emotions of hesitation at being unable to deliver a fatal blow to his friend and the desperation to save his son, heightening the tension.
In addition, the three friends' battle to do everything they could to save their children took viewers' breath away and delivered overwhelming immersion.
In addition, Choi Dae-hoon led a fast-paced development that was hard to take your eyes off with movements befitting a former taekwondo national team member and dazzling taekwondo action. In particular, Seong Han-soo's trademark aerial kick that felled Chief Nam (played by Lee Dong-ha) was the decisive finishing blow that capped the three-person action finale, completing the apex of exhilarating action and delivering intense pleasure to living rooms.
With all incidents wrapped up and returned to ordinary life, Seong Han-soo shared unchanging friendship and warm smiles with Manager Kim and Park Jin-chul (played by Yoon Kyung-ho). Seong Han-soo's characteristic witty domestic humor and relaxed timing left warm laughter and a pleasant aftertaste until the final moment.
From beginning to end, Choi Dae-hoon, who conveyed steadfastness as one of our side, carried the drama's entertainment through fatherly love and loyalty until the end.
Below is a Q&A with actor Choi Dae-hoon.
Q.
A. I really can't tell whether this is reality or not. It feels like someone else's story I've only seen on TV. I'm sure someone is constantly running a hidden camera.
Q. Seong Han-soo was a character with diverse facets as a friend, uncle and father. What did you focus on most when portraying Seong Han-soo?
A. Fusion. The fusion of the three friends. I focused on how the fused whole would devote itself to a single goal.
Q.
A. Rather than something to empathize with, I think those two emotions are ones that naturally well up "if you receive a child as such a being, if you meet a friend as such a being." I was able to enjoyably complete the assignment because I met actors who naturally evoked those feelings.
Q. The bromance chemistry of the "three middle-aged men" Manager Kim, Seong Han-soo and Park Jin-chul stood out. How was the actual on-set chemistry? How was the rapport with actors So Jisub and Yoon Kyung-ho?
A. Above all, there was a mutual respect, and I think the composition was excellent. It was a symbiotic relationship itself. Helping and filling each other.. like "wood and fire," "fire and earth," "earth and metal," "water and wood."
Q. Seong Han-soo's taekwondo uniform was one of the items symbolizing the character. You filmed almost every episode wearing the uniform. What was your first impression when you first put it on, and what changed as you continued filming? What meaning did the uniform hold for you?
A. Because it has no elasticity and does not stretch, at first the uniform was uncomfortable and difficult to wear. Like our lives, I found a way, and once I found it it became comfortable, and once comfortable I liked it, and once I liked it it became precious. The only thing not good at all is its attitude toward temperature. Colder when it's cold, hotter when it's hot. A very fiery thing. And what I was thankful for was that it made me shine.
Q. Seong Han-soo was a character who swung between playful humor and weighty sincerity. How did you balance between laughter and seriousness?
A. I consistently maintained a serious attitude. There's hardly any big smiling appearance. I am simply grateful to the viewers who generously gave sympathetic laughter points to the serious Seong Han-soo.
Q. In Choi Dae-hoon's filmography, what kind of page do you think
A. A comic. A page that seems filled with cartoon-like images. Making the impossible possible.. it will remain a comic-like page where unicorn-like beings appear.
Q. Future activity plans and final greetings
A. Thankfully, I will be able to meet you in various genres and multiple professions going forward. When things are opened, I would be truly grateful if you simply enjoy them with a generous heart. Take good care of your health in bad weather, and I will greet you again next time healthy and smiling. Words that are insufficient even if said a hundred times.. I say them once more. Thank you, everyone.<
[Photo] Provided by SBS
[OSEN]