Namgoong-min returns to SBS with 'Our Movie' after 3 years.
The production presentation for SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Our Movie' (directed by Lee Jeong-heum, written by Han Ga-eun and Kang Kyung-min, produced by Studio S and Beyond J) took place on the afternoon of the 10th at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul, with director Lee Jeong-heum and actors Namgoong-min, Jeon Yeo-bin, Lee Seol, and Seo Hyun-woo in attendance.
'Our Movie' is a drama depicting a love story between film director Lee Je-ha (played by Namgoong-min), who has no tomorrow, and actor Lee Da-eum (played by Jeon Yeo-bin), whose today is the last and cannot be postponed.
Lee Je-ha, the son of a great film director, had been haunted by 'sophomore jinx' since his debut work, which drew attention in the film industry 5 years ago. However, he decides to remake his father's movie for his next project and casts rookie actress Lee Da-eum through auditions. Initially, they start as a director and actress, but as the filming continues, the two gradually fall in love. The story of two people who love each other passionately and desperately as if today is the last will touch the hearts of viewers.
In particular, director Lee Jeong-heum, who is in charge of 'Our Movie,' has shown detailed and fresh direction in works like 'Manipulation' and 'Gugyeongi,' drawing interest in his melodrama challenge. As director Lee's focus on the emotional expressions of the actors and capturing momentary feelings has been revealed, expectations for 'Our Movie' are rising.
With each project causing a syndrome and sweeping the Republic of Korea, actor Namgoong-min and Jeon Yeo-bin, who has a thousand faces, meet as a film director and actress in the drama, promising a solid melodrama synergy. Joining them are Lee Seol, who has proved her presence across various genres, and Seo Hyun-woo, who has a wide acting spectrum.
On this day, director Lee Jeong-heum described the work by saying, 'Our Movie' is a drama without grand modifiers or embellished language. It's a traditional melodrama that focuses on the emotions of our characters and conveys stories of love and separation that are quietly memorable.
Through 'Our Movie,' director Lee Jeong-heum and Namgoong-min will collaborate again after 7 years since SBS 'Manipulation.' Director Lee remarked, '7 years? Or is it 8 years?' and added, 'It's been a long time since we worked together. It was my first feature film, and it was also a period when my senior was playing the lead, so we had camaraderie. I have fond memories from that time, but when we met after 8 years, my senior had become a big star, and I was still just a humble director. I worked hard to ride on his coattails.'
In response, Namgoong-min said, 'What would I be if I said this?' but also noted, 'I had a very good memory of the director. At that time, it was awkward to represent each other's positions, but we were both fresh and pure. If we worked hard with passion to get to know each other, this time, it feels like we have gained sophistication and shared each other's stories while getting to hear the director's guidance as actors. You’ll see in the footage, but while it's hard to say the directing was great, I really enjoyed working on it as it turned out so well.'
Director Lee focused on the emotional aspects in directing 'Our Movie' by stating, 'Because melodrama inherently emphasizes emotions, I aimed to tune in to points where the actors' performances could be conveyed to the viewers. This time, I made a point of filming mainly focusing on the good looks of the actors.' He added, 'In fact, there hasn't been a director who looks like this. I have a fantasy about the character Lee Je-ha. He is a figure who conveys what he needs accurately without uttering a word. I found it fun to portray a director like that and tried to present it,' mentioning that he infused his own fantasies into Namgoong-min's character.
He also conveyed, 'As Lee Da-eum is a female actor, she is a colleague but placed in a special situation. I focused on directing so that viewers wouldn’t see her with prejudice and could view her as an actress.'
Namgoong-min, playing the role of film director Lee Je-ha, mentioned his preparation for the role, saying, 'Honestly, I didn't prepare anything special. I have directed short films before, so I didn't have anything specific to prepare.' Namgoong-min shared, 'On the first day of shooting, the director instructed me to come looking handsome for the male lead, which I laughed at. Rather than preparing as a director, I think I prepared more as a man who loves someone, loving a woman.'
In particular, through 'Our Movie,' Namgoong-min, who returned to SBS after the early conclusion of 'The Thousand-won Lawyer' in three years, expressed, 'Rather than any special determination, I think I did my best not to leave any regrets, as I always do. I worked hard, and I’d like to mention the chemistry with Jeon Yeo-bin. I aimed to express love that feels realistic and understated, rather than dramatic situations or exaggeration, in a delicate and detailed manner.'
He continued, 'The partner is so important, and I thought that to express that, exchanging glances is crucial. While working with actress Jeon Yeo-bin, I was pleasantly surprised by how hard she worked, and I received good energy enough to reach a turning point in this drama. So it seemed like I acted more naturally on set, as if I were genuinely in love. I hope viewers will focus on those aspects.'
Thus, Namgoong-min meets viewers in 'Our Movie' as director Lee Je-ha, following his roles as director-general in SBS's 'Stove League' and as Cheon Byeon in 'The Thousand-won Lawyer.' When asked what kind of image director Lee Je-ha has, Namgoong-min responded, 'This person isn't someone who is decisive in expression nor anything like that. He is a person with a deep heart. I think I portrayed that well, but I would like viewers to share their thoughts on it. Personally, I feel quite like Lee Je-ha. It's ambiguous until the end. I feel like it will be very different from what I've done until now, but in terms of how it will be presented, I think I need to receive evaluations.'
Jeon Yeo-bin also praised her chemistry with Namgoong-min, saying, 'In fact, it's not an ordinary feat for a senior to receive awards at 3rd parties.' She continued, 'As a junior actor, I had respect for him, and I really liked director Lee Jeong-heum's 'Gugyeongi.' I was really curious about the relationship between the two upon hearing that they were meeting again.'
She added, 'Even while reading the script, I heard my senior's voice as the character Lee Je-ha. I could imagine it and wanted to confirm it with my own eyes. My heart started to flutter. I thought director Lee Jeong-heum's melodrama direction would be very fresh. I had this persistent thought that he would create a melodrama we haven’t seen anywhere else.'
Furthermore, Jeon Yeo-bin shared, 'I think I tried to capture that feeling, and Lee Da-eum felt like a sunny person. The moment the sun rises is beautiful, but even as it sets, it remains beautiful—just like Lee Da-eum. Even during the production, thanks to this character, my heart was getting healthier. I think I focused more on portraying life, vitality, and the present rather than just showing some aspects of a terminally ill person.'
In 'Our Movie,' Jeon Yeo-bin, who plays a terminally ill actress, explained, 'The role I've taken on is Lee Da-eum, a friend of mine. We frequently say, 'See you later, next time.' Lee Da-eum is aware of her genetic disease, clearly realizing the finiteness of life. So she was someone who lived her life fully and tried to love with all her might. Rather than expressing something through Lee Da-eum, she felt like a person vividly alive within the script, which made me feel embarrassed.'
Jeon Yeo-bin expressed, 'I think I tried to embody those feelings, and I see Lee Da-eum as a sunny person. Just like the sun, which is beautiful when it rises and remains beautiful when it sets—she is like sunshine. Furthermore, even during the project, thanks to this friend named Lee Da-eum, my heart became healthier. I think I was focused on being immersed in acting, prioritizing living and the vitality of the present over showcasing the death of a character.'
'Our Movie,' however, is somewhat different from the genres traditionally pursued in SBS's Friday-Saturday drama block. There are concerns about whether the traditional melodrama 'Our Movie' can maintain popularity in a format where genre works are popular. Regarding the competitiveness of 'Our Movie,' Namgoong-min remarked, 'The Friday-Saturday slot has its characteristics, and historically, it tends to perform well in ratings. If you ask whether we have that competitiveness, I would say we absolutely do not. It's not sensational, without any deception, and there are no directorial tricks aimed at raising dopamine levels. But I don’t know.'
Namgoong-min also stated, 'I don't have a particular reason, but I feel that we all did our best in our respective roles. Although it may not match the characteristics of that slot, I believe we expressed the theme of the drama sufficiently as all the directors, writers, actors, and staff did their utmost. There might be challenges if the ratings relied on sensational levels, but if it does well in ratings irrespective of that, then that's also significant.'
Seo Hyun-woo added, 'Although it may not be a dopamine-inducing drama, it seems it will be a lyrical and long-awaited genre appearing on Friday-Saturday. I'm not comparing it with other works, but maybe it's the right time to easily dive into emotions as we enter summer. I believe that sentiment is our drama's strength.'
As the presentation ended and they were wrapping up, Namgoong-min said, 'Everyone, I have returned to SBS after 3 years. Please look forward to 'Our Movie;' I'm confident in it.' and urged viewers to tune in.
Meanwhile, SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Our Movie' is set to premiere on the 13th (Friday) at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo] Choi Kyu-han, reporter.
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