In a revised interpretation, Park Noo-Ri's project titled 'Gangnam B-Side' uncovers the inherent humanity amidst the ruthless surroundings.
The upscale area of Gangnam in Seoul is commonly associated with lavish displays of affluence and overindulgence, but there's a sinister side to it, as explored in the Korean drama, 'Gangnam B-Side', broadcast on Disney+. The series revolves around a nightclub scene that exploits and mistreats teenagers who lack support, with detective Kang Dong-woo, played by Jo Woo-jin, looking for his missing daughter and receiving help from the unscrupulous fixer Yoon Gil-ho, portrayed by Ji Chang-wook.
Upon reading an early draft of the script, director Park Noo-ri pondered over its intensity and violence, questioning if she could handle it. The script was written by Joo Won-gyu, who had spent time infiltrating real-life clubs to assist troubled teens.
"When I researched the writer, I discovered that he identified as a writer and a pastor, but also worked part-time as a driver to locate and aid runaway youths," said Park. "This intrigued me, leading me to delve into all his literature. Despite its gloomy tone, I detected an underlying empathy for young individuals who were socially immature, which ultimately led to our meeting. During our meeting, we realized we shared the same perspectives on the project's focus, exploring the concept of 'what constitutes the bare minimum of humanity,' rather than emphasizing controversial topics, marking the beginning of our collaboration."
Joo, as a minister, helped teenagers in shelters and correctional facilities. Eventually, he lost contact with some of them and discovered they had transitioned into working as hosts and prostitutes in Gangnam clubs. This motivated him to go undercover, offering assistance. Much of what he encountered left him disheartened.
"I've heard that situations could be more brutal in reality," said Park. "A significant portion of the series was inspired by the dark side he experienced, with a touch of creative embellishment."
Directing the series proved challenging for Park due to the need to strike a balance between intensity and realism.
"It was imperative not to allow the provocative subject matter to overshadow the story's central message, and we did not want to make viewers uncomfortable unnecessarily," said Park. "Although the plot incorporates themes such as drugs, nightclubs, and criminal investigations, the primary focus should be on the protagonists. If we neglected this focus, the story would lose its depth and emotional impact."
'Gangnam B-Side' marks Park's first foray into directing a series. Previously, she directed 'Money,' a 2019 film starring Ryu Jun-yeol, and served as an assistant director on 'The Berlin File' and 'The Unjust.' She had longed to direct a series.
"For a series, there is a broader scope for character exploration and in-depth storytelling due to its extended runtime," said Park. "While films typically last around two hours, which necessitates a stronger focus on the main character, directing a series is akin to making intensive decisions, as the viewers' attention may wane if things become tedious."
'Gangnam B-Side' offers viewers an intriguing narrative and a host of engaging action sequences. It's a visually stylish series, with bold imagery that appears to draw inspiration from pulp fiction magazines. The series features melodramatic elements, noir aesthetics, and vibrant neon lighting.
"I devoted a considerable amount of time to ensure each scene and episode left viewers eager for more," said Park.
Park learned a lot about action sequences from collaborating with Ryu Seung-wan, director of 'Smugglers,' 'Escape from Mogadishu,' and 'The Berlin File.'
"He has a complete outline of the scene in his head and offers clear instructions, which eases everyone's work," said Park. "Being part of that and gaining firsthand experience was invaluable to me."
Before directing an action scene, Park asks herself, "what motivates this particular character to engage in combat at this particular moment?" To maintain audience interest, a compelling action scene requires motivation.
"We aimed to ensure that every action scene was grounded in characters' emotions," said Park. "For example, Kang Dong-woo displays quick, intense actions focused on capturing criminals as a detective, while Yoon Gil-ho's priority is survival, which leads him to carry a weapon and aim for his opponent's weak spots. Furthermore, detailed choreography by the stunt team and the actors' commitment contributed to the success of all the scenes."
When working with actors, Park encourages their input on character development.
"Jo Woo-jin's character, Kang Dong-woo, bears a strong emotional connection to his daughter in the story," said Park. "As Jo also has children in real life, we conversed about the father-daughter relationship to enhance our understanding. Jo is brimming with ideas and is meticulous in his preparation, allowing the character of Kang Dong-woo to flourish due to his dedication."
Park and Jo have collaborated previously on 'Money.'
"On the other hand, for Ji Chang-wook's character, Gil-ho, and Kim Hyoung-seo's character, Jae-hee, both predicted that they led very challenging lives, which allowed me to discuss their characters with the respective actors," said Park. "The actors also perceived their characters as having pitiful lives, and this led to the incorporation of additional details into the scenes showcasing their pasts."
Ji Chang-wook has tackled morally complex roles before, such as his portrayal of a police officer in "The Worst of Evil," but he's primarily known for playing good guys. As Gil-ho, he's a man with limited options, leading a predatory lifestyle that leaves him constantly wounded and battered. Despite his exploitation of others, Gil-ho holds a valuable respect for human life.
In Park's view, "Ji Chang-wook's reputation as a righteous and moral character has evolved, leading me to ponder the breadth of his acting abilities. I wanted to contrast his heroic image with a sinister side, allowing viewers to see both facets. Gil-ho is a character that embodies a melancholy and suffering existence rather than just outright aggression."
For the first leading role in his career, Jo Woo-jin, known for appearances in "Narco Saints," "Happiness," and "Mr. Sunshine," as well as the film "Harbin," was cast as Kang Dong-woo.
"I envisioned Kang Dong-woo as a compassionate detective with an appealing human side," said Park. "Jo Woo-jin brings a natural charm and warmth, and he remains considerate and attentive towards others. His character perfectly embodies the humanity and allure I was aiming to convey. Moreover, I was excited to see this young actor step up to his first lead role and lead the project from its inception to completion."
Ha Yoon-kyung portrays the corrupt yet principled prosecutor Min Seo-jin, a role vastly different from the one she held in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo."
"I first encountered her in 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo,' where she expertly portrayed a character with a radiant personality," said Park. "Her bright, compassionate eyes intrigued me. However, when lost in thought, I notice her expression transitioning to a somber emptiness. This duality mirrored Min Seo-jin, who remains at the intersection of ambition and conviction, grappling with uncertain choices. Seo-jin is significantly more restrained in her emotional expression compared to the other characters, whose goals are fiercely single-minded. I believe her performance brought the character to life."
The antagonists in "Gangnam B-Side" may be wealthy and powerful, but they are monstrous in their deeds. Despite being victims, characters such as Jae-hee, played by Kim Hyeong-seo, exude a certain humanity.
"Characters like Jae-hee, Gil-ho, and others in similar circumstances are barely holding on, with little to lose," said Park. "Having been treated inhumane themselves, they understand the cruelty of life. As a result, they often lend a helping hand to those in need, even if it means jeopardizing themselves."
For Park, "Gangnam B-Side" is all about human dignity.
"At its core, our story revolves around individuals fighting to protect what matters most to them," she said. "For some, this may be family, friends, loved ones, or even an ideology. By exploring the journeys of these struggling individuals, I hope to prompt viewers to contemplate, 'What is the minimum standard for humanity? Are we living in a society where even a basic level of human dignity is assured?'"
"Gangnam B-Side" will be released internationally on Disney+ and in the U.S. on Hulu.
- The acclaimed actor Ji Chang-wook, known for his roles in Korean dramas, will portray the unscrupulous fixer Yoon Gil-ho in the series 'Gangnam B-Side', available on Disney+.
- Director Park Noo-ri was intrigued by writer Joo Won-gyu's dual background as a pastor and nightclub driver, leading to their collaboration on the Korean drama 'Gangnam B-Side', streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
- Jo Woo-jin, who gained fame for his roles in "Narco Saints" and "Happiness", took on his first leading role as detective Kang Dong-woo in 'Gangnam B-Side', aiding Park Noo-ri in delivering an emotional and powerful series on Disney+ and Hulu.
- Kim Hyeong-seo, known for her role in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo", brings a complex character to life in 'Gangnam B-Side', showing the humanity of a victim forced into a nightclub lifestyle on both Disney+ and Hulu.
- 'Gangnam B-Side', now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, tackles the theme of human dignity, focusing on struggling characters fighting to protect what matters most to them, as seen in performances from stars like Ji Chang-wook, Jo Woo-jin, and Ha Yoon-kyung.
