Actor Ryu Seung-ryong (54) expressed his respect for director Kang Yoon-sung (54), with whom he collaborated for the first time in the Disney Plus original drama ‘Fine: Country Bumpkins’.
Ryu Seung-ryong, who starred in ‘Fine: Country Bumpkins’, which ended on the 13th, said about director Kang, “It seems that a work worthy of applause has come out. If it weren't for director Kang, it wouldn't have been completed like this.”
In an interview with Maeil Business Star Today on the 18th after the finale, Ryu Seung-ryong repeatedly praised director Kang.
“He is a director who always keeps his ears open and actively communicates with the actors. He treats everyone equally on set without discrimination,” he said, adding, “He is not indecisive and reflects opinions quickly. His adaptability is also considerable. That's why I felt the need to say ‘Kang Yoon-sung, Kang Yoon-sung’.”
Ryu Seung-ryong mentioned that after enjoying director Kang's previous work on Disney Plus, ‘Casino’, he sent a direct message on social media saying, “I’m watching it well.”
That became a connection. At that time, director Kang replied, “Thank you so much. I hope we can work together on a project next time,” and immediately cast Ryu Seung-ryong in the lead role of ‘Fine: Country Bumpkins’. Ryu Seung-ryong shared that he had no idea that he was being prepared for the role.
Ryu Seung-ryong said he had many discussions with director Kang during filming, explaining, “Since there are many characters, I said that the distribution of screen time and focus should be balanced. I also tried to act in a way that did not compromise those aspects. It was a feast of characters.”
After the conclusion of the work, viewers had mixed reactions. Unlike the original, where all characters met their demise, the fate of the characters remained ambiguous. Some say this is a grand plan by director Kang for a potential Season 2.
In particular, Ryu Seung-ryong, who was thought to have died in an accident, reappeared in a post-credits scene, raising questions. In the interview, Ryu Seung-ryong confirmed, “It’s true that I survived. The fire CG seemed more intense than expected.”
He speculated, “For Oh Gwan-seok, who can do anything for his family, is there a punishment worse than losing the family, which is the driving force, engine, and heart of life? If the family survived, I think they would face a more tragic ending if Season 2 were to be made.”
Regarding the production of Season 2 of this work, he said he has not heard anything yet. However, Ryu Seung-ryong's mind was already on Season 2. “I imagined a lot with my fellow actors about what we could do in Season 2. It was so fun and fulfilling that I felt sad it was ending.”
While the direction of Season 2 of ‘Fine: Country Bumpkins’ is a point of curiosity, the production of Ryu Seung-ryong's Disney Plus debut and hit work ‘Moving’ Season 2 is also a major focus. In this regard, Ryu Seung-ryong hinted, “I understand that filming for Moving 2 will start in the first half of next year. I haven’t seen the script yet.”
Finally, Ryu Seung-ryong said, “I think ‘Fine: Country Bumpkins’ is the best drama of the year. It’s a work I filmed without regrets. Although we ultimately did not find the treasure, I believe viewers will feel like they found a treasure through the quality of the work.”
‘Fine: Country Bumpkins’ depicts the story of hardworking country bumpkins who are deceived and deceive each other in order to claim a treasure ship buried under the sea in 1977. It is a collaboration between director Kang Yoon-sung of ‘Casino’ and ‘The Outlaws’ and writer Yoon Tae-ho, who wrote ‘Misaeng’ and ‘The Insider’.
In the drama, Ryu Seung-ryong played the role of ‘Oh Gwan-seok’, a character who will go to any lengths for money.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
