Writer So Hyun-kyung and actor Choi Ho-jin have teamed up once again. The viewership Avengers are set to launch into the living room with ‘Brilliant Days’.
On the afternoon of the 6th, a production presentation for KBS2's new weekend drama ‘Brilliant Days’ was held at The Saint in Sindorim, Seoul. Director Kim Hyung-seok and actors Jung Il-woo, Jung In-sun, Yoon Hyun-min, Choi Ho-jin, Lee Tae-ran, Shin Soo-hyun, Son Sang-yeon, and Park Jung-yeon attended.
‘Brilliant Days’ tells a family melodrama story about the shared experience of different generations regarding the "brilliant days" that everyone has, whether in the present, past, or future. This is the second collaboration between writer So Hyun-kyung, who received much love with a viewership rating close to 45.1% for ‘My Golden Life’, and director Kim Hyung-seok.
Director Kim Hyung-seok stated, “I thought about the charm points of our drama. Nowadays, there are many variations to capture viewers, but this is a program that has warmth, tears, and affection as a genuine adult drama. I hope you take a lot of interest in it.”
He continued, “The reason I took on this project is that I have great respect and trust in writer So Hyun-kyung. I was pleased when the script came out. So now, I am approaching the filming with a mindset of researching how well I can truly integrate So Hyun-kyung's delicate script.”
Additionally, Director Kim Hyung-seok shared, “When the project proposal came out and we discussed the work, writer So Hyun-kyung asked if it would be okay to work with senior Choi Ho-jin again. The combination of Choi Ho-jin and So Hyun-kyung has a different meaning. There are many great fathers who are admirable, but senior Choi Ho-jin has a feeling that others cannot express. I confirmed that in ‘My Golden Life’, and I hoped it would become a trilogy about fathers by writer So Hyun-kyung.”
He added, “The difference from the previous work is that we discussed the conflict between the 88,000 won generation and the macho generation a lot with the writer. There were many discussions during that process, and I hope this work will spark discussions. Nowadays, it seems that people are filled with hatred because they don’t know each other well. I hope this work will lead to controversial discussions. I am confident it will be such a work.”
Choi Ho-jin, who plays the role of Lee Sang-cheol, said, “I met writer So Hyun-kyung by chance, and there must be a reason we keep working together. I don’t usually read comments, but after ‘My Golden Life’, the comment that stuck with me was that the synergy between writer So Hyun-kyung's professional spirit and actor Choi Ho-jin's path was good from the viewer's perspective. I think that’s right.”
He continued, “A professional is a professional. A professional is different from an amateur. Isn’t it said that you don’t eat someone else's money for free? Writer So Hyun-kyung has a penetrating power that persistently digs into the drama. That’s why a series is not something anyone can write. Others who write mini-series also struggle and put in effort, but a series is not something anyone can write. Writer So is suitable for that.”
Furthermore, he said, “The relationship between a father and son, and the relationship between a father and the eldest son are different. I am also the eldest son. My father has passed away, and it’s quite strange. A daughter and father can have affection and tenderness, but the eldest son seems to fight and have oppositions because he resembles his father. This time, I suggested we express that with writer So Hyun-kyung. I understand how all eldest sons in this world feel, as I am also the eldest son. I don’t know how it will be expressed, but we will have to see as the drama progresses.”
Choi Ho-jin also mentioned his father-son chemistry with Jung Il-woo.
Choi Ho-jin said, “I am very fortunate as an actor. I have a bad personality, but the colleagues around me have good personalities. When I first met Jung Il-woo, he approached me without any awkwardness, which made me comfortable. He suggested we eat together first, but I couldn’t treat him because I didn’t have money. Just kidding. The juniors around me have come close, so I am filming comfortably. I filmed with Jung Il-woo without any hesitation.”
Jung Il-woo responded, “While preparing with senior Choi Ho-jin, I thought a lot about my relationship with my father. I play the role of the eldest son in the drama, and I am also the eldest son. I want to get closer to my father, so I ask senior Choi Ho-jin a lot. He quickly opens his heart to me and gives me a lot of acting advice, leading me well, and I am learning a lot while filming. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude.”
Jung Il-woo plays Lee Ji-hyuk, a capable man who clearly distinguishes between work and personal life, while Jung In-sun plays the warm and cheerful Ji Eun-ho, and Yoon Hyun-min plays the perfect tall uncle Park Sung-jae. Along with them, veteran actors with deep acting skills like Choi Ho-jin, Lee Tae-ran, Ban Hyo-jung, Yoon Joo-sang, Kim Hee-jung, Park Sung-keun, Kim Jung-young, and newcomers like Shin Soo-hyun, Son Sang-yeon, and Park Jung-yeon will join forces.
When asked about his feelings on his first weekend drama challenge, Jung Il-woo replied, “My previous work, ‘Eagle 5 Brothers’, received a lot of love and high viewership ratings, so I feel grateful rather than burdened. I hope to receive good energy and carry the baton well. I returned to KBS after 16 years, and this is my comeback work after 3 years. There is pressure, but I had a longing for acting.”
He continued, “I have a connection with writer So Hyun-kyung through ‘49 Days’, and I think it’s a precious opportunity that she has given me, so I am filming with my life on the line. In the beginning, I had a meeting with the director, and while discussing the character Ji-hyuk that the director and writer had in mind, I increased the synchronization rate. Now, I am acting as Ji-hyuk. Please keep an eye on me.”
Jung In-sun said, “I play the role of Ji Eun-ho. She is a cafe manager and interior designer. A woman who knows how to go straight for work and love. I have taken on a lively and easy-going character,” and added, “Although she is a candy character, I worried whether it would be typical, so I talked a lot with the director. I am thinking about whether a friend named Jung In-sun has ever properly performed a candy character. I will do my best to portray a classic candy character that transcends the typical in my life.”
Yoon Hyun-min stated, “I play the role of Park Sung-jae in ‘Brilliant Days’. He seems like a son from a wealthy family, but I think he is a lonely man with many stories. I will show many aspects through my acting,” and added, “When I first met Jung Il-woo, our characters are best friends in the drama. I spent a lot of time with Il-woo before filming to avoid any awkwardness from the first shoot. I remember the first scene we shot on the first day, the director said we looked like real friends.”
When asked about the target viewership rating, Director Kim Hyung-seok said, “I want to break our record, but reality is not like that. It would be a lie to say I have no greed. I hope it becomes an interesting drama. I will work hard with the goal of a 30% viewership rating. This work is a sufficiently good drama. After it ends, there may be regrets, but I believe it will be a good drama.”
Lee Tae-ran, who has appeared in many popular weekend dramas in the past, said, “It’s different from when viewership ratings were at 50%. If it reaches 30%, it will be similar to that time. I hope it goes well. The actors are also preparing hard. As an Avengers team, the writer and director are all excellent. I am excited that I can expand my spectrum as an actor.”
Choi Ho-jin commented on the viewership ratings, saying, “It is said that you do your best and leave the rest to fate. That’s something even heaven doesn’t know. The good records from the past should be buried with that. The results will be told by the viewers.”
It remains to be seen whether ‘Brilliant Days’ can showcase the power of weekend dramas following its predecessor, ‘Eagle 5 Brothers’, which recorded a peak viewership rating of 21.9%.
‘Brilliant Days’ will premiere on the 9th at 8 PM.
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
