"Hyun Bin's gaze is desolate and lonely"... Director Woo Min-ho reveals the charm he spotted 20 years ago in "Main Co Season 2" [★FULL INTERVIEW]

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Director Woo Min-ho, who directed Disney+ "Made in Korea" Season 2, demonstrated his status as a "master of period dramas" by wrapping up one season and planning the next.

Recently, Director Woo Min-ho met with StarNews at a cafe on Samcheong-ro in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to share candid thoughts about the work following the conclusion of the Disney+ original series "Made in Korea Season 2."

Disney+'s "Made in Korea" is a story set in 1970s South Korea, where chaos and leap forward coexisted. It follows "Baek Ki-tae" (played by Hyun Bin), a man who tries to reach the pinnacle of wealth and power by using the nation as a profit model, and Prosecutor "Jang Geon-yeong" (played by Jung Woo-sung), who chases him to the brink with terrifying determination, as they face massive events that span the era. Following the release of Season 1 in December last year, Season 2 was released nine months later and received widespread acclaim.

Director Woo Min-ho, known for works such as "Inside Men," "The Department of Namsan," "The King of Drug," and "Harbin," took on his first series direction with "Made in Korea." While "Made in Korea" Season 2 was loved as a well-made drama, controversy arose over the final ending, which depicted a scene where younger brother Baek Ki-hyun (played by Woo Do-hwan) appears to shoot Baek Ki-tae with a gun.

Regarding this, Director Woo Min-ho stated at the beginning of the interview, "Baek Ki-tae did not die." Director Woo Min-ho said, "I spent about three years working closely with actors and staff on 'Made in Korea,'" adding with a smile, "This is not the end."

When asked if "Made in Korea" would continue, Director Woo Min-ho replied, "Yes. Season 3 is coming out. We have been preparing for a while. We started preparing even before making Season 2." He explained, "Baek Ki-tae returns. Baek Ki-tae is definitely alive. If Baek Ki-tae had died, I would not have saved Pyo Hak-su either." He continued, "I could not let go of Baek Ki-tae. In the original script, Baek Ki-tae was supposed to die, but while filming, I found myself unable to let him go. So, instead of directing it as Baek Ki-tae dying with a gunshot, I directed it as him disappearing from that era with the sound and then returning." He added, "He will appear again in an era that needs Baek Ki-tae."

Earlier, Director Woo Min-ho had expressed his desire to tell a story set against the backdrop of the civilian government. He stated, "(Regarding the civilian government) it is not certain, but there will be an era that needs Baek Ki-tae." He explained, "The gunshot at the end of the film is not Baek Ki-hyun's gunshot, but the gunshot of the era. That era began with a gunshot and ended with a gunshot. I found that sad and hollow. While directing, I wanted to see Baek Ki-tae win, but I could not. History must be changed. Because Baek Ki-tae represents the KCIA (Central Intelligence Agency), I could not depict his victory in order to portray the collapse of the KCIA after the the 26th incident at that time," expressing regret.

Director Woo Min-ho has worked with Hyun Bin for three consecutive works, from the film "Harbin" to "Made in Korea" Season 2. Hyun Bin is also the protagonist of "Made in Korea" Season 3. In particular, Hyun Bin is loved by the public for his new image, having won the Best Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for Director Woo Min-ho's film "Harbin."

Director Woo said, "If you watch Season 2 and then rewatch Season 1, you can clearly see that Hyun Bin looks older in Season 2. He feels more mature. If Season 1 was like a field job, in Season 2 Baek Ki-tae has become an administrative role, and the actor captured and portrayed those characteristics well. I often thought that actor Hyun Bin performed even better in Season 2," revealing his affection. Director Woo confessed that he had wanted to work with Hyun Bin for about 20 years. He said, "I have been paying close attention to Hyun Bin since the drama 'World of the Married.' Of course, he has built a good career, but he was an actor with strong star power. Because of that star power, his acting ability was actually less visible. But I definitely wanted to work with that actor so that others could see the acting ability I had seen. So I really wanted to work with Hyun Bin." He added, "I like Hyun Bin's gaze. There is something desolate and lonely about it. I felt I could draw out various emotions from that gaze. Coincidentally, as Hyun Bin got married and had a child, his career was transitioning, and the works we did together seemed to fit well. That is why the public seems to be responding so positively. We really clicked from 'Harbin' to 'Main Co.'"

Director Woo Min-ho said, "While filming 'Made in Korea' Season 2, a coup occurred. I thought a military coup would never happen again, but I was shocked by that scene. I realized that such history could repeat itself. So while making this work, I wanted viewers to feel what I felt: that the history of tragedy can repeat itself." He explained, "Human essential desires, betrayal, and love are driving forces that move people in any era. 'Main Co' shows how hollow it is to shout about patriotism in that era." Director Woo said, "Just looking at the protagonists, you wonder why they think they are patriotic while hating each other. They practice patriotism in different ways, but they hate one another."

Finally, Director Woo Min-ho added, "I have made many period dramas. I make them because I am attracted to the genre, but fear always outweighs confidence. Making a few does not give me confidence. On the contrary, because I have made them, I know what is more scary, so my fear is greater. Nevertheless, the charm of period dramas is that great."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original