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MANILA, Philippines — Park Bo-young sheds her pretty image and goes down and dirty for her upcoming Disney thriller that asks a 150 billion won–worth question.
Bo-young is known for starring mostly in romance titles with a slight twist, such as “Strong Woman Bong Soon,” “Abyss,” and “Doom At Your Service.”
The Korean actress, however, veers away from her usual light-hearted romances into her first crime genre project, starring in an ensemble cast directed by “Confidential Assignment” director Kim Sung-hoon.
The actress told reporters at last Wednesday’s global press conference held in South Korea and online for overseas media about her preparation for the role.
“First of all, the director told me he wanted me to lose a little weight. He [director Kim] said he wanted my face to look a bit thinner, so I lost some weight throughout the filming. And he also said he wanted me to wear almost no makeup,” the actress said in Korean.
Bo-young plays Kim Hee-ju, an airport screening agent whose life turns a thrilling turn when she comes into possession tons of gold bars worth 150 billion Korean won (P6 billion).
The actress added that Hee-ju is a character who did not grow up happily.
“Park Bo-young not only did the gunfight scenes, but she also shoveled to hide the gold bars — truly. She did everything she could. She did everything that was intense… I think you will be able to see a completely new side of her, having shed the previous image of the actress Park Bo-young,” the director said.
Hee-ju is not the only character faced with the 150 billion won question. “Gold Land,” as its title suggests, tests its characters’ morals and limits when faced with temptation.
Kim Sung-cheol plays Jang-wook, who discovers that gold is in Hee-ju’s possession. There is also Lee Do-gyeong, her boyfriend, and the intriguing casting of Lee Kwang-soo as the series’ antagonist, Director Park.
Kwang-soo is a familiar face to fans of the well-loved comedy-reality TV show “Running Man.”
This is not his first foray into villain roles after wreaking havoc in “The Manipulated,” another Disney+ series starring Ji Chang-wook and EXO’s D.O.
He described his character as someone with “so much greed” that it sets him apart from other antagonistic roles he has played. Kwang-soo also quipped that he enjoyed playing a villain in “Gold Land” because he likes doing action sequences and his character is skilled in fighting.
Like Kwang-soo, Bo-young also revealed a first in “Gold Land” that drew her to the project.
“It was a genre that I wanted to try. I had a meeting with director Kim and he told me that people would think that I’m the type who wouldn’t want to seize gold and just return it. So if someone who isn’t the type to chase their desires ends up chasing their desires then people would feel differently about this story. That’s why I wanted to be part of this show,” the actress said. — Kathleen A. Llemit
Credit belongs to: www.philstar.com
