Seo Kang-joon has returned. With the charm of 'mixed genres' including comedy, action, and thriller, 'Undercover' Seo Kang-joon has started to 'target' the home theater.
On the afternoon of the 20th, the production presentation for MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Undercover High School' was held at the Golden Mouse Hall in Sangam. Attending the event were Seo Kang-joon, Jin Ki-joo, Kim Shin-rok, Jeon Bae-soo, Kim Min-joo, Park Se-hyun, and director Choi Jung-in.
'Undercover High School', which has garnered attention as Seo Kang-joon's comeback project after his military discharge, is a drama that depicts the chaotic adventures of a National Intelligence Service agent who disguises himself as a high school student to track down the whereabouts of Emperor Gojong's missing gold bars. The script is written by Im Young-bin, who has been recognized for his solid writing skills through 'Sketch' and 'The Great Show', and directed by Choi Jung-in, who has garnered a hot response from viewers with 'Crazy' and 'Flowers Bloom at Night', raising expectations.
Regarding the reason for choosing 'Undercover High School' as his comeback project, Seo Kang-joon said, "The world has changed a lot. There are many more things to do. During my time in the military, I realized that the world had changed, and I thought I should adapt quickly and present an interesting work." He added, "'Undercover High School' is a drama with many genres. It is a work where various genres are exquisitely mixed. It is indeed a work that can be watched lightly, but it also has hidden messages that make you think about various things while providing entertainment. I thought, 'Let's do it without regrets' and chose the project with the mindset of 'no matter what the outcome is, whether it goes well or not, let's not regret it'."
Director Choi Jung-in, who is in charge of directing 'Undercover High School', explained the reasons for casting each character. Regarding Seo Kang-joon, he said, "Since the character Haeseong is a handsome NIS agent, his appearance was the first pass. While filming, I felt that the actor has a genuine charm. I think his honesty matched well with the charm of the character Haeseong and was well reflected in his acting. The authenticity felt in his expressions and movements, everything felt like he was living in that moment, which was attractive."
Regarding Jin Ki-joo, director Choi Jung-in said, "I fell in love with her the first time I met her," adding, "The loveliness that Jin Ki-joo possesses is something that cannot be imitated. Her innate charm is her greatest appeal." He explained, "If the character Haeseong has a fantasy aspect, Su-a needs to express the grounded reality, and in that sense, Su-a and Haeseong synced well."
He continued, "Kim Shin-rok has a very intelligent charm. Although she is a different character from Myung-joo, I think she resembles her in terms of intelligence. I actually received a lot of help on set. Jeon Bae-soo was the mood maker on set. The character matched well with Jeon Bae-soo, making it a pleasant experience. When I first met Kim Min-joo, I was surprised by how beautiful she was, and the second time I thought she was a highly perceptive actress. I was amazed at how much she showed growth in every episode. After 'Flowers Bloom at Night', I wanted to work with Park Se-hyun again. It was a difficult role for Yujeong, but I was the first to send a love call."
Seo Kang-joon plays Jeong Haeseong, who is given a special mission to find the whereabouts of the missing gold bars and goes undercover in high school. At his first official event after his return, Seo Kang-joon expressed his admiration, saying, "I learned a lot today." He mentioned that many things have changed during his time in the military, and regarding the biggest change, he said, "There are many new slang terms in the drama. I learned a lot of new things. I couldn't understand any of it. When I saw the students, there were actual high school students and adults, and I thought they looked really young, and I wondered why there was such a difference."
Regarding his feelings about becoming an 'undercover NIS agent' and wearing a 'school uniform', Seo Kang-joon said, "I felt a bit embarrassed. I wondered if it was okay to wear this now, but since I am an adult in the drama, I thought I shouldn't be embarrassed. I decided to enjoy it, and it turned out to be nice."
Jin Ki-joo plays Oh Su-a, a temporary teacher at Byeongmun High School. Regarding her reason for choosing the project, Jin Ki-joo said, "I think I was a bit exhausted. I was waiting for a work that I could watch comfortably and without worries, and this work gave me that feeling." She confessed, "As I was captivated by it, I found myself laughing and feeling tense. I thought viewers would feel that charm too, and I felt that I could heal a lot through this work."
She continued, "There is a reason why Su-a must become a regular teacher in the drama. Due to the teacher's sense of duty and social environmental factors, she faces a dilemma where she cannot fulfill her sense of duty. Through this role, I wanted to express the dilemmas that a newcomer to society might face during that period."
Jin Ki-joo also mentioned her acting chemistry with Seo Kang-joon. She said, "Every time I saw Seo Kang-joon on set, I was in awe. He is truly a veteran, and it was reassuring. He naturally became the leader of the undercover team. There were many action scenes, and he had a lot to handle alone, but he never showed any signs of being flustered or struggling. I felt like I had to trust and follow him."
Seo Kang-joon commented on Jin Ki-joo, saying, "I know what kind of loveliness Jin Ki-joo possesses. I thought she would be someone who could be forgiven for anything." He added, "I was inspired by seeing how my acting changed honestly depending on how I acted, realizing she is a good actress."
Director Choi Jung-in pointed out the charm of 'Undercover High School' as its 'mixed genre'. He stated, "There is no genre that doesn't fit in," and expressed, "I think it is a work that has more charm than just a detective or thriller."
When asked if he is confident in continuing the well-made lineage of MBC's Friday-Saturday dramas, director Choi Jung-in replied, "We put a lot of effort into casting, and while filming, it felt like I was watching the actors act without thinking about the actual shooting. I felt grateful because there were many fun scenes." He added, "I think viewers will have the same thoughts when they watch. Our target viewership rating is set at 12%."
Seo Kang-joon declared that he is betting on the overall journey of 'Undercover High School' for the viewership ratings. He said, "I might have said this while being tipsy on 'Sad Brother', but if the ratings exceed, I will go. I think I have to. I will send everyone off. All the staff," which drew cheers from the audience.
Seo Kang-joon expressed his confidence in 'Undercover High School', stating, "There are various genres such as action, comedy, and human elements that are exquisitely mixed and well blended. Above all, it is my long-awaited return, and you will be able to see a new side of me."
Jin Ki-joo emphasized the charm of the drama, saying, "If you immerse yourself in the complex genres, you will be able to see the message of the drama." Kim Shin-rok added, "When the director shouts good energy on set, all the actors and staff radiate good energy while filming. I expect that energy and good vibes will be conveyed."
Meanwhile, 'Undercover High School' will premiere on the 21st at 9:50 PM.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
