Han Ga-in, a major YouTuber, returns to her acting career after eight years... 'Shinbyeong 4' director reveals the story of "one and a half years of effort" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Shinbyeong 4' returns with special support from actress Han Ga-in.

On the afternoon of the 24th, a production announcement for ENA's new Monday-Tuesday drama 'Shinbyeong 4: Sabotage' (hereinafter 'Shinbyeong 4') was held at The Saint in Sindorim-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul. Director Min Jin-ki and actors Kim Min-ho, Kim Dong-jun, Lee Hyun-kyun, Lee Won-jeong, Oh Dae-hwan, Nam Tae-woo, and others attended the event.

The 'Shinbyeong' series originated from YouTuber Jang Bbi-jju's web animation and launched as a live-action adaptation in 2022. It is a hyper-realistic comedy depicting the story of soldier Shin Byeong, nicknamed "Gun-su-jeo," who enlists at a place where all kinds of people—good guys, bad guys, and strange ones—are gathered.

This 'Shinbyeong 4' will reach viewers one year after last season's third installment. It features the second half of dynamic military life as Private First Class Park Min-seok (played by Kim Min-ho), who has been promoted and faced increased worries, returns to his former rank alongside Corporal Choi Il-gu (played by Nam Tae-woo), a mysterious new recruit, and the appearance of a battalion commander who will cause a sensation.

Director Min Jin-ki, who pioneered the new genre called 'Gunteonts' (military content), has directed all four seasons consecutively. Writer Yoon Ki-young joined after season 3, while Kim Dan, who worked on season 1 of 'Shinbyeong,' also returned to enhance the quality. Additionally, the original cast members Kim Min-ho, Kim Dong-jun, Oh Dae-hwan, Nam Tae-woo, Kim Yo-han, Lee Chung-gu, Jeon Seung-hoon, Kim Hyun-gyu, Jo Jin-se, and Lee Su-ji have returned to guarantee even more upgraded entertainment. The performances of new faces Lee Hyun-kyun and Lee Won-jeong are also expected to add to the anticipation.

Notably, Han Ga-in makes a special appearance in 'Shinbyeong 4,' ensuring rich viewing content. Due to lead actor Kim Dong-jun's striking resemblance to Han Ga-in, her actual special appearance was ultimately realized. Kim Dong-jun revealed the casting story: "'In 'Shinbyeong 3,' Han Ga-in made a special appearance via photo. After that, I had several opportunities through her YouTube filming. She mentioned, 'If we make 'Shinbyeong 4,' shall I visit you?' That's how it happened."

He continued, "After long discussions with the director, I ended up filming with her. They did an excellent job." He added, "But the weather that day was particularly harsh. The sun was out, yet it was raining. Despite this, she remained as beautiful as ever. That was the biggest episode. Her beauty doesn't depend on the weather."

Kim Dong-jun repeatedly expressed admiration: "(Han) Ga-in was truly beautiful. She is a real beauty. Since I became accustomed to her appearance during filming, I even asked staff members, 'Do we really look alike?' Everyone nodded in agreement."

He then joked, "I sincerely thank Ga-in. We haven't held the wrap-up party yet, but among ourselves, there was an unspoken thought that she should attend a dinner gathering. Many people missed seeing her during the special appearance filming. Those who did see her said, 'We finally saw a goddess descend from heaven with our own eyes.' So many requests were made to create another opportunity to meet her at a dinner event. I will handle this carefully and won't burden her." His remarks drew laughter.

Han Ga-in's special appearance in 'Shinbyeong 4' has garnered even greater attention as it marks her return to acting after eight years. Her last drama was OCN's 'Mistress,' which aired in 2018. Recently, she has been active as a YouTuber under the channel 'Free Woman Han Ga-in,' nearing 500,000 subscribers.

Director Min Jin-ki praised her return: "I heard Han Ga-in is appearing in a drama after eight years. Seeing her on set again for the first time in so long, the atmosphere at our filming location suddenly felt like it had turned into an advertisement shoot. I particularly noticed that the male staff members' faces lit up. It was clear, 'It's really Han Ga-in.' Her acting was excellent. She perfectly embodied a character suitable for our episodes in many ways."

He further added, "Creating this casting took about one and a half years of process and effort. Personally, I felt a great sense of accomplishment thinking, 'We finally did it.'"

Additionally, Director Min Jin-ki stated about 'Shinbyeong 4': "This season features the longest number of episodes and the most storylines in the series' history. It seems to be a season where sitcom-style humor is doubled. With the arrival of a mysterious recruit and an extraordinary battalion commander, conflicts among various characters unfold. Moreover, it includes 24 diverse episodes that resonate with all active and former military personnel in South Korea."

Explaining the subtitle 'Sabotage,' he said: "I added this subtitle to emphasize that 'Shinbyeong' seeks new stories. 'Sabotage' originates from the French word for clogs, 'sabot.' Historically, it refers to actions taken by workers in the past who deliberately used clogs to engage in work stoppages. We applied this concept metaphorically to military boots. The story follows soldiers wearing military boots who, for their own reasons, obstruct various organizational activities or unite despite obstacles, growing through diverse experiences. These 24 episodes are condensed into a 12-part series, each lasting 60 minutes. This 'Sabotage' serves as the fundamental driving force that sustains the narrative. Through metaphor and symbolism, we believe 'Shinbyeong 4' will offer unique entertainment with meanings distinct from previous seasons."

The first episode of 'Shinbyeong 4' will air at 10 p.m. on the 24th.

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*This content was translated by AI.