'Main Co' Woo Do-hwan: "Chose based on the set rather than the script... 'Bloodhounds 2' delay brought an opportunity"[Interview ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Woo Do-hwan revealed that he spent time leaning on and learning from senior actors, including Hyun Bin, on the set of 'Made in Korea'.

On the 28th, we met with actor Woo Do-hwan at a café on Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss his work in Disney+ original series 'Made in Korea Season 2'.

Woo Do-hwan portrayed Baek Ki-hyun from the first release of the Disney+ original series 'Made in Korea' last December through its second season released on the 9th, showcasing a dense performance that highlighted his presence. In Season 2, he returned as Baek Ki-hyun, promoted to major in the Security Agency after nine years, leading an expanded narrative.

Although about half a year has passed since filming concluded, Woo Do-hwan still found the 'Made in Korea' set vividly alive. He reflected, "It hasn't been even half a year since filming ended, so I still feel some regret. Until recently, I met frequently with seniors and the director. There are truly many good memories."

Especially this work was a set that made Woo Do-hwan, who has led projects as a lead actor for over a decade, reflect on himself once again. He said, "I think it was a set that was absolutely necessary for me. It's been a very long time since I filmed in a set with so many seniors. I believe this is the first time since 'Master'."

He continued, "It brought back memories of working alongside senior actors when I first debuted. After leading projects as a main role for over ten years, I think I wanted to take a moment to look back at myself. It was a time where I learned a lot from seniors and could rely on someone. I believe it can be called a turning point in my acting career."

In the drama, Baek Ki-hyun is the younger brother of Baek Ki-tae (played by Hyun Bin). Woo Do-hwan also revealed that playing someone's "younger brother" after a long time was a special experience.

He laughed and said, "When I was a rookie, I often played the role of a younger brother, but I debuted with roles like a thug or a murderer. It was nice to play someone's younger brother this time. It was also good that there was someone on set I could call 'older brother,' and it was even better because that person was senior Hyun Bin."

Since he had always been at the center of projects, taking responsibility for the drama, being able to let go of pressure and watch over seniors was a great learning experience. Woo Do-hwan explained, "It's true that I always felt burdened while leading the drama. But this time, by watching others carrying that burden, I learned 'this is how you can work through it.'"

He added, "I even wondered how I would have handled such a large set if it were me. I was able to closely observe how seniors led the set and their know-how."

Interestingly, 'Made in Korea' was not a project Woo Do-hwan chose based on reading the script from the beginning. He revealed that he joined the project by chance while continuing filming of the movie 'Tropical Night' and preparing for Netflix's 'Bloodhounds'.

He recalled, "At that time, Kim Won-guk (CEO) kept telling me about a big project called 'Made in Korea' with director Woo Min-ho. Then I heard they had started filming, and I thought there was no role for me, so I was busy preparing for 'Bloodhounds'."

He continued, "But when the filming schedule for 'Bloodhounds 2' was delayed a bit, they asked if I could join since my part in Season 1 wasn't very large. I immediately said yes. It felt like such an opportunity came during a time when I had free time."

What moved Woo Do-hwan were the people he would work with rather than his own screen time. He emphasized, "After reading the Season 1 script, I knew 'Baek Ki-hyun is this kind of kid.' Rather than choosing based on the script, the set itself was too good. The opportunity to work with these seniors and the director was what made me want to do it."

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*This content was translated by AI.