[Summary] Yeon Woo-jin Shedding 'Romantic Comedy' Image: "Boldness = Honesty, Another Face of Melodrama"

Movie 'Inmin-eul Wihae Boksuhara' Production Report
Actor Yeon Woo-jin as Soldier
Radical Melodrama Transformation

Yeon Woo-jin. Photo by JNC Media Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "I wanted to show the hidden aspects of melodrama such as precariousness, shock, and death."

On the morning of the 27th, at the online production briefing for the film Serve the People (Director Jang Cheol-su), Yeon Woo-jin said, "I wanted to show a different kind of melodrama from the image I have portrayed, which focused on beauty and tranquility."

Yeon Woo-jin, who debuted in 2009 with the film Are We Friends?, has been loved as the "Prince of Romantic Comedy" through dramas such as Introverted Conservative, Marriage, Not Dating, Another Miss Oh, and Queen for Seven Days.

Recently, Yeon Woo-jin has been challenging himself with new acting styles. After showing another side through thrillers Priest and Search, he returns with a bold love scene in the film Serve the People.

In the film, Yeon Woo-jin plays Mugwang, a model soldier dreaming of success. He meets Su-ryeon (Jian), the wife of the division commander, and feels the insurmountable barrier of social status, yet struggles with dangerous temptation.

He said, "Mugwang conflicts between personal beliefs, goals, and forbidden desires. I tried to follow that emotional line well."

He did not hesitate to undergo a physical transformation to become a soldier. Yeon Woo-jin said, "I lay on the beach in my hometown Gangneung, receiving sunlight without applying anything, or tanned my skin through tanning. I showed my natural look without makeup," adding, "I also lost 5 to 6 kg to create a lean image."

The film is a new work by director Jang Cheol-su, known for The Murder of Kim Bok-nam and Secretly, Greatly. Based on a novel by a Nobel Literature Prize nominee, it depicts a forbidden story that shook the 21st century.

Yeon Woo-jin said, "During the nine years of preparing for this work, I wanted to be part of it because of the trust I received," adding, "The director gave me a shirt similar to a military uniform and asked me to join."

Director Jang said, "Shock is honesty. Because it is honest, it appears shocking. This is not simply an erotic work but a piece where all emotions between men and women are expressed," explaining. He continued, "While directing the film, I always tried to push the limits of expression, and this work is no different. Watching the actors, I was fired up. When the scenes I anticipated while reading the original work were completed, it was thrilling and joyful."

The film will be released next month.