Actors Jung Geon-joo and Choi Hee-jin reunited after 6 years through the KBS one-act play 'Around the Corner'.
On the afternoon of the 3rd, an online press conference for KBS2's one-act play 'Around the Corner: Drama Special 2024' (hereinafter 'Around the Corner') was held via YouTube, attended by PD Lee Hae-woo, Jung Geon-joo, and Choi Hee-jin.
'Around the Corner' is a melodrama depicting the journey of a man, Won Seo-hu (played by Jung Geon-joo), who is good at navigation, and a woman, Seong Eun-ha (played by Choi Hee-jin), who is bad at navigation, as they search for her father captured in a road view.
When asked how he came to direct 'Around the Corner', PD Lee Hae-woo replied, "When I first read the script, I was very drawn to the two characters. Although they have different approaches, I found it appealing that they invest a lot of time and effort in starting and concluding their relationship. I thought it would be great to create a one-act play filled with such characters, so I contacted the writer."
The lead actors, Jung Geon-joo and Choi Hee-jin, also stated that they decided to participate after reading the script. Jung Geon-joo said, "After reading the script, I felt a warm healing emotion, so I said I would definitely participate," while Choi Hee-jin mentioned, "The lines were so beautiful. In particular, the lines spoken by Seong Eun-ha resonated with me, and I felt like I was speaking them myself, which made me want to take on the challenge."
So, what is the synchronization rate between the characters in the drama and their actual personalities?
Jung Geon-joo replied, "The character I played, Won Seo-hu, is someone who struggles to express emotions. He has experienced the pain of separation but lives while suppressing that pain. However, I tend to express myself a lot and have a lot of energy, so I think it's about 30% similar."
On the other hand, Choi Hee-jin said, "Seong Eun-ha, who is a pharmacist, is a positive and mature friend. Since my values and the way I try to live brightly are similar to hers, I think the synchronization rate is about 70%. However, she feels a bit deeper in thought than I am."
The two, who debuted together in the 2018 drama 'A Flower-Like Ending', are now collaborating for the second time through 'Around the Corner'.
Choi Hee-jin expressed, "I was very nervous about meeting again after our debut work. I wondered if the chemistry we had back then would still be alive, and it was. I remember it was amazing and thrilling how we naturally created chemistry in scenes without words."
In response, PD Lee Hae-woo said, "I knew that the two had worked together before, and I thought it would be nice to show a different side of them as time has passed. The shooting schedule for the one-act play is tight, but since Jung Geon-joo and Choi Hee-jin know each other well, the process of creating chemistry was smooth," expressing his satisfaction.
Finally, Choi Hee-jin stated, "The highlight of 'Around the Corner' is the fresh growth. The director said it feels like a drama that builds up 0.1 at a time, and I think our emotions gradually accumulate to become comfort and healing at some point. I believe it will be warmer and more comforting than any other drama."
Meanwhile, 'Around the Corner' will air on the 3rd at 10:45 PM.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
