'Wanted' Shin Hyun-jun: "First time playing two roles in 36 years... Should have received double the appearance fee" [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Shin Hyun-jun shared his thoughts on taking on the challenge of playing two roles for the first time in his 36-year career.

On the 29th, a press screening for the film 'Wanted' (directed by Shin Jae-ho) was held at Seoul Yongsan-gu CGV Yongsan i-Park Mall. Director Shin Jae-ho, along with actors Shin Hyun-jun, Kim Byung-man, and Bae Woo-hee, attended the event and shared various stories.

'Wanted' is a doppelganger collaboration comedy in which ordinary citizen 'Hyun-jun', caught up in an unexpected commotion due to a criminal named 'Cheol-gu' who looks exactly like him, joins forces with the police and gets involved in a chase where he is both chasing and being chased.

Director Shin Jae-ho stated, "This time, I wanted to make an entertaining film. Since my previous work was somewhat dark, I wanted to create a comfortable comedy that audiences could watch without any burden."

He continued, "I felt the cast composition was excellent, centered on senior actor Shin Hyun-jun, a master of Korean comedy. Actress Bae Woo-hee has worked with me before on a short-form drama, and actor Kim Byung-man also has a past connection from a film appearance."

He added, "Above all, I have always been a huge fan of Shin Hyun-jun's films. I was confident that if these actors came together, we could certainly make a very entertaining movie."

This work is also drawing attention as Shin Hyun-jun's first attempt at playing two roles in 36 years since his debut. He said, "I have played many roles since I was 21, but this is my first time playing two roles. The contrasting characters were fun. With comedy, action, and romance all included, it was an interesting shoot and a work that taught me a lot."

He continued, "Filming in Taiwan was hot and difficult, but I remember it as a sweet and fierce shoot. What I want to tell my junior actors is that I wish they could receive double the appearance fee for playing two roles. While doing action scenes, I joked with the production team that I might have made a mistake in the contract."

Shin Hyun-jun also mentioned his romantic scenes with Taiwanese actress Regina Lei. He said, "I met her on the set in Taiwan and was waiting in the waiting room. When she came in to greet me, I was supposed to say 'Nice to meet you,' but she said 'I'm sorry.' She said she felt sorry because she had to do a romantic scene and felt she was too old."

He added, "After watching the film, I thought, 'There is no age in movies.'"

He then laughed, "We had to film a kissing scene just a few days after meeting, and it was awkward. I asked the translator to tell the actress that female actors are often surprised during kissing scenes. Usually, there is no rehearsal for kissing scenes; you close your eyes and kiss. I told her that my lips wouldn't touch first, but my nose would. She was flustered."

Kim Byung-man joins 'Wanted' as the detective 'Byung-man', adding his signature vibrant action and cheerful energy.

Regarding his participation in 'Wanted', he said, "Actually, I joined because of (Shin) Hyun-jun. This is the third film I've made with Hyun-jun, and we have also worked together on a drama. If he calls, I don't even read the script."

He continued, "The script is a problem I have to solve, and I tried to work it out in my own way. Since I started as a comedian, I tried to restrain myself from doing too much ad-libbing, fearing it might lead me astray."

He added, "I love Hyun-jun's films. Just hearing that he is making a movie, I call and ask, 'Do you have a spot for me?' My original dream was to be an actor, but 'Law of the Jungle' kept me traveling overseas and prevented me from pursuing it. I am now studying hard to become an actor."

Kim Byung-man said, "You might have expected huge physical gags or action from me, but I couldn't do much. I couldn't do many ad-libs either, fearing people would call me a comedian, so I participated seriously. I still feel a bit thirsty for more."

Bae Woo-hee plays the passionate detective 'Woo-hee', who relentlessly tracks down the case. Regarding the character, he explained, "When I first read the script, I thought the character was very angry. When I received the offer, I immediately sensed what kind of image was wanted. I thought I needed to show a surprising charm by having a rough personality for someone who doesn't seem like that, so I tried to act as recklessly as possible according to the script."

Especially regarding the filming of 'Wanted', Kim Byung-man revealed, "It was so much waiting that I thought, 'Can we really rest like this?' The waiting time was both terrifying and difficult. If you keep doing something, you don't realize how hard it is, but when you just sit still, you think a lot, 'Why did I come here?'"

He continued, "On the other hand, I learned a lot from seeing Hyun-jun's passion. Even after overnight shoots, I never saw him with a non-smiling face. He kept making jokes. Seeing him continue to talk about the movie even in the midst of that, I felt, 'This is truly someone who loves movies.'"

Shin Hyun-jun stated that his love and passion for movies are the driving force that moves him. He added, "Whether I was an audience member who loved movies before my debut or now, my feelings toward movies remain the same. Even as time passes, I think the passion in my heart is no different from when I debuted."

He also emphasized, "I have been very fortunate to meet Director Im Kwon-taek, the late Ahn Sung-ki, the late Kim Soo-mi, and senior Kang Su-yeon frequently, and their words are deeply engraved in my heart. I want to love movies even more and show my juniors the same dedication, working silently and doing my best in one place, just like them."

Meanwhile, 'Wanted' is scheduled to be released on June 10.

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*This content was translated by AI.