Actor Han Seok-kyu transforms into a former negotiator and current chicken shop owner, ringing the alarm for the ‘communication impaired era’ through his work and performance.
On the afternoon of the 8th, an online production presentation for tvN's new Monday-Tuesday drama ‘Mr. President Project’ was held. The event was attended by director Shin Kyung-soo, as well as cast members Han Seok-kyu, Bae Hyun-seong, and Lee Rae.
‘Mr. President Project’ is a dispute resolution hero drama where Mr. President (played by Han Seok-kyu), a former legendary negotiator and current chicken shop owner with a mysterious secret, navigates between illegal and legal methods to solve cases and implement justice.
On this day, director Shin Kyung-soo explained why he thought it was necessary to tell a story focused on negotiation, saying, “Last year, when I met writer Ban Gi-ri, there was a phrase in the proposal that said, ‘A drama needed for us living in the era of communication impairment and regret.’ I thought we should create a drama that could provide warm comfort to viewers through dialogue and understanding rather than anger and hatred.”
Unlike the serious roles he has played in the past, Han Seok-kyu takes on the unique role of a chicken shop owner in this project. He introduced his character by saying, “My profession has changed a lot. Unlike the national intelligence agency, police, and other professional roles I have often played, my job in this work is the most humble chicken shop owner.”
He added, “I will show through the drama the story of a person with a glamorous past as a ‘legendary negotiator’ who is now a chicken shop owner. Since I am a chicken shop owner, I am simple, like to get involved, and enjoy talking. I am a character who engages with the neighbors.”
Director Shin Kyung-soo reunites with Han Seok-kyu for the third time after ‘Deep Rooted Tree’ and ‘Secret Door’. He expressed, “I felt sorry to have him as a chicken shop owner after serving him as Sejong and Yeongjo in previous works. In my previous works, I was part of the B team, so I envied the core stories and good scenes directed by senior directors. I thought I must meet (Han Seok-kyu) someday, and I was able to meet him again.”
He continued, “What was most satisfying was that our perspectives on the story and acting were fortunately similar, so we communicated well.”
Han Seok-kyu also expressed his trust, saying, “Director Shin consistently seems to question himself about ‘why he directs,’ and I think he produces results from that. I have similar thoughts about acting, so it is really encouraging as a colleague.”
Lee Rae, who met director Shin Kyung-soo during her childhood in ‘Six Flying Dragons’, said, “I was so happy to work with director Shin for my first project as an adult. I felt comfortable being able to give opinions and receive feedback on set with the director.”
As a chicken shop owner, Han Seok-kyu had to skillfully perform chicken processing. He said, “Being the youngest, I helped my mother cook a lot since I was young, so I didn’t have much difficulty. I can imitate well,” and added, “A person who actually runs a chicken shop came to help on set, and I learned how to knead dough and coat it with flour.”
Han Seok-kyu also talked about his junior actors Bae Hyun-seong and Lee Rae, whom he met as a chicken shop owner, part-timer, and delivery person. He humorously remarked to Bae Hyun-seong, “Seeing your knife skills, you should never be in charge of the kitchen,” revealing, “The thickness of the cabbage was 1-2 cm.”
He praised Lee Rae, mentioning her motorcycle action scenes, saying, “Her skills were top-notch. She is the best in delivery.”
Bae Hyun-seong, who plays the role of Jo Philip, a new judge who comes to work part-time at the chicken shop, described his character, saying, “Philip is a friend who empathizes with others' emotions but makes rational judgments on the surface. Since it’s a chicken shop, how about the nickname ‘Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside Jo Philip’ or ‘Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside Bae Hyun-seong’?”
When asked when a person like ‘Mr. President’ is needed in real life, director Shin Kyung-soo replied, “Last winter, there was a standoff between police and farmers at Namtaeryeong, and I thought of Sejong (Han Seok-kyu). I wondered how it would have been if he had come with chicken in both hands to mediate between the two groups.”
He added, “Recently, many Korean workers have been detained in the U.S., and I thought it would be nice to have Mr. President in such situations.” This refers to the recent incident where over 300 Korean workers were detained and arrested during a crackdown by U.S. immigration authorities at a joint battery factory of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution.
Han Seok-kyu also expressed discomfort with the term ‘gapjil’ (abuse of power), saying, “There was a regrettable incident involving a franchise owner recently,” referring to a stabbing incident that occurred at a pizza franchise in Gwanak-gu, Seoul.
He stated, “It seems that extreme and sad events start not from reason but from emotions,” and emphasized, “I think it is very important how to control these emotions and how to share them with others.”
He continued, “It seems that our current society is heading towards more extreme outcomes and losing ways to communicate, and I wanted to talk about that point. I hope viewers will take some time to reflect on their feelings and emotions while watching ‘Mr. President Project’.”
The viewing points were also previewed. Lee Rae said, “There are many episodes, not just actors, so I think there will be fun in solving cases with new characters and various situations that appear in the episodes.”
Han Seok-kyu explained, “The character of Mr. President highlights a cheerful and comic side, but there are also many dark and gloomy aspects to the story. I can say that he is a character that blends all the broad emotions and characters I have learned from my experiences and senior actors. I hope you will see that side.”
‘Mr. President Project’ will premiere on the 15th at 8:50 PM on tvN.
[Kim Mi-ji, Star Today Reporter]
