It's a tearful bromance.
‘Drunk driving offender’ Bae Seung-woo finally steps onto the red carpet. Thanks to his ‘close younger brother’ Director Han Jae-rim, who made his dream of returning, which had been elusive, come true. He meets viewers around the world through the new Netflix series ‘The Eight Show’.
‘The Eight Show’ (directed by Han Jae-rim) tells the story of eight characters trapped in a secret space divided into eight floors, participating in a sweet yet dangerous show where ‘time accumulates to earn money’. It is a tragicomedy infused with thriller and black comedy, based on webtoons ‘Money Game’ and ‘Pie Game’ by writer Bae Jin-soo. This is Director Han Jae-rim's first series after directing films like ‘The Face Reader’, ‘The King’, and ‘Emergency Declaration’.
Bae Seung-woo plays the character ‘1st Floor Man’, who draws a random card and ends up receiving the lowest hourly wage while living in the smallest room, all while dealing with the discomfort of a limp leg, making him a constant object of pity. He is the ‘finale character’ responsible for the opening of the final episode and the twist. In contrast to the sorrow on screen, his actual return is glamorous.
In fact, the characters that carry the story are the practical protagonists: ‘3rd Floor Man’ Ryu Jun-yeol, ‘Crazy 8th Floor Woman’ Chun Woo-hee, and the brain and key holder ‘7th Floor Man’ Park Jung-min. Other characters symbolize various aspects of different groups but are flat, and it’s unclear if they require ‘irreplaceable’ acting skills. (There are so many great actors in Korea.)
In particular, Bae Seung-woo's character ‘1st Floor Man’ has a disability in one leg, making him a weak character from the start. He is disadvantaged in every aspect of survival, making him pitiful throughout. Just watching him evokes sympathy. However, his nature is kind, making him both pitiful and heartbreaking.
Bae Seung-woo naturally embodies the role as expected. He is not someone lacking in acting skills. However, it’s hard to understand why he had to be the one to take on this role, even if it meant taking on a significant risk and enduring external noise. He is just one of those characters we have seen many times before, so there’s nothing particularly special about the praise or criticism.
Perhaps that’s why casting Bae Seung-woo in this role shows the director's deep ‘affection’ and meticulous ‘calculation’. If they had to face a mountain together as a family, it feels like a solid bond where they would take the hits together.
As expected, Director Han Jae-rim mentioned at the production briefing for ‘The Eight Show’ that there was a reason why it had to be Bae Seung-woo despite the ‘predictable risks’. He stated, “I judged as a director that he fits this role very well. He is a character that evokes sympathy but is not too pathetic and is diligent, which reflects Bae Seung-woo's own diligent personality. His experience in theater also worked to his advantage.”
He added, “Personally, I have a close relationship with Seung-woo. I have seen him struggle and feel very sorry for him from up close. I hope that my feelings are well conveyed to the reporters.”
Bae Seung-woo was caught driving after drinking with acquaintances in a certain location in Gangnam, Seoul, in 2020. His blood alcohol level was at a level that would lead to license revocation. As voices calling for strong punishment for drunk driving, which is considered a potential act of murder, grow louder, the ongoing controversies surrounding celebrities and ‘drunk driving’ cannot be overlooked as a matter that can be understood and passed over with ‘usual diligence’.
As a result, Bae Seung-woo left the drama ‘Fly, Gaecheon-yong’, in which he was starring. The film ‘1947 Boston’, which he had filmed before the drunk driving incident, was released last year but failed at the box office. His participation in Ha Jung-woo's directorial work ‘Lobby’ was also cautiously discussed but fell through due to negative public opinion. This indicates that the public is not yet ready to accept him.
Bae Seung-woo bowed his head and apologized in front of reporters on the day of the production briefing, but public reaction remains cold. After his apology was reported, online comments included, “Why did Kim Sae-ron leave but Bae Seung-woo is making a comeback?”, “I don’t understand why some return and some leave when it’s the same drunk driving,” “Is an apology all it takes?”, “Using capable connections properly,” “Isn’t it just a matter of saying ‘I already filmed it, so deal with it’?” and “What kind of deception is it to cast someone knowing their past?”
Apologies should be made to the public, as well as to industry professionals, colleagues, and those who trusted him who have been harmed. The same goes for forgiveness. Making a performance of apology in one go and then placing a similar burden on someone else is quite ironic. It’s hard to gauge how genuine his self-reflection is, but he should be aware of the disappointment that still lingers in public opinion.
Another ‘drunk driving offender’, Kim Sae-ron, attempted to make a comeback through the play ‘Dongchimi’ but stepped down due to criticism that her ‘self-reflection period was too short’. Look at how the director of Netflix’s ‘The Fool of the End’ was constantly hit by the ‘Yoo Ah-in risk’. No one would question the ‘acting skills’ of either Kim Sae-ron or Yoo Ah-in. It’s a separate issue, and it cannot be easily resolved or brushed aside.
Nevertheless, Director Han Jae-rim’s casting and protective comments mentioning ‘personal connections’ suggest a lot. The ongoing legal issues faced by stars in the industry are not unrelated to this severe ‘network casting’. Many ‘controversial celebrities’ have made comebacks and are actively working. There is a stark difference between saying that the work is precious and that one does not want to be a nuisance and the actions that follow.
‘The Eight Show’ realistically depicts a microcosm of modern society. The killing point of the work is its realistic portrayal, various symbols and implications, and satire blended into black comedy. Class divisions arise, factions form, the stakes of the game rise, and peace is shattered. It constantly conveys a heavy message.
Director Han Jae-rim, who excels at setting the stage and reading the script, seems unable to read the public sentiment at all. While passing over the voices of the public, he wants the work to be loved. His attitude of making incomprehensible statements is simply perplexing. It seems he genuinely does not understand that this is not a matter that can be resolved with a simple apology.
I want to ask again who the true ‘weakness’ in the industry is and who continues to suffer. Who is perpetuating the murky bad habits? There is no separate reality version of black comedy.
‘The Eight Show’ will be released on the 17th. It consists of a total of 8 episodes.
