Actor Kim Jaejoong's challenges have always been solid and reliable. It's already been over 20 years! Yes, 21 years since his debut as a singer and 20 years as an actor. Throughout this time, he has never given up his position at the top, showcasing his undeniable talent as a singer and consistent acting results. This time, however, Kim Jaejoong's challenge makes one pause! It creates a fresh and curious challenge. The very Kim Jaejoong walked the red carpet at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival with a 'true occult genre film'. Directed by Japanese director Kumakiri Kazuyoshi, the Korean film <Gentleman: Whisper of the Evil Spirit> features Park Su-mudang Myung-jin (Kim Jaejoong), who is involved in the investigation of a university student's disappearance while visiting a deserted shrine in Japan, as he uncovers the identity of the evil spirit alongside his university friend Yumi (Gong Seong-ha).
That's right. The Park Su-mudang we know. But this time, it's a gentle and sophisticated young man from an art university, a new Park Su-mudang that we have never seen before. Myung-jin possesses the superpower to see spirits but refuses to use it, living a normal life until he realises and accepts his destiny. The film showcases everything about 'Kim Jaejoong's genre' that we have never seen before, including the internal conflict of a dark hero, melodramatic emotions, and one-on-one action against the evil spirit. During the interview, he even hinted at a desire for a 'series' through this work, showcasing a variety of elements. With the anticipation of meeting Kim Jaejoong ahead of the first public screening, we also heard the behind-the-scenes stories of the film.
You have been invited to the 'Mad Max' section of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. Please share your thoughts on meeting genre film fans.
I've only heard of this film festival through the media, and now I'm here. (laughs) I feel honoured to be invited as an actor. Especially since this is my first challenge in the genre, I am looking forward to showing it to my fans and many film enthusiasts.
This is a particularly exciting work for fans expecting an occult genre movie. As you mentioned, it is surprising to see you stepping away from the melodramatic characters you have shown in previous works. I'm curious about your preferences regarding the horror genre. (laughs)
I haven't watched horror films much because I've been living alone for a long time. It's scary to watch alone. (laughs) Even thrillers like <Hide and Seek> make me feel like such things could happen in reality, which terrifies me. Honestly, I get so scared that such situations even appear in my dreams. However, while filming this time, thankfully, there was nothing scary or frightening on set. But when I went to see the edited version before the final cut, it was actually very scary. (laughs) It's my movie, but I won't watch it alone.
Is there anyone you would feel more at ease watching it with? (laughs)
Of course, I think I will watch it with the fellow actors and staff I worked with. If many fans and audience members watch it together, the fear might be lessened.
This is a collaboration between a Japanese director and a Korean production company. What led you to participate in this project? I'm curious about your feelings when you first received the offer.
It was a project that brought together filmmakers from Korea and Japan, similar to a Korea-Japan co-production. I was a bit scared because we had to shoot it in just over a month. However, aside from the technical aspects, I surprisingly had no fear. Rather than thinking it would be difficult, I felt it was an incredible opportunity for me as an actor to challenge myself in this genre. Especially if the director has the directing skills and sensibility, and if a well-structured Korean production company meets, I thought we could create good synergy. I had a strong desire to work in such an environment.
In fact, your acting career has a significant connection to Japanese projects. Starting with Fuji TV's drama <Unable to be Honest> (2010), you have a lot of experience with Japanese productions. The film's background and main filming location is Kobe, Japan. I imagine your role as an actor who has experienced both environments was significant.
Everyone except me didn't speak Japanese. There was an interpreter, but when it came to conveying the director's precise direction or comments on acting, it was sometimes difficult to express emotionally even if it was translated verbally. In those moments, I played a bridging role. Especially since there was no one-to-one interpretation for the actors, I sometimes acted as an interpreter. Under the director's guidance, there could be differences in character analysis among the actors, and I played a role in those subtle points.
You took on the challenge of Park Su-mudang Myung-jin. The 'gentle and sophisticated K-shaman' Myung-jin represents a new generation's values, breaking away from the existing shaman image. It's a character with many intriguing aspects.
When we say shaman, there is a traditional image that comes to mind for the audience. However, Myung-jin is an ordinary young man from an art university who is not engaged in such activities at all. In fact, he possesses a superpower given to him by his grandmother, and he could make a lot of money if he used that ability, but he doesn't even know where his ability could be useful. He is a friend who has no desire to live well by mobilising that ability. So he lives a normal life in a shabby house until he encounters an incident and begins to realise and change his abilities. Myung-jin doesn't have extensive knowledge, but he believes in the existence of spirits, so when he faces an incident, he instinctively has the ability to respond immediately.
In breaking away from the existing shaman image, the visual setting and changes were necessary for the character.
It is very different from the image of shamans commonly seen in Korea. The bells and such may seem similar, but they will also appear new. Especially during the rituals, the forms and prayers are different, which adds an interesting element.
Were there any works or figures you referenced while creating the character? What points did you focus on while developing the character with the director?
The incidents Myung-jin encounters are important. The story involves the boyfriend of someone he once loved being murdered, leading to a strangely tangled narrative. While expressing the pain of watching someone he once loved suffer, he also cannot hide the awkward feelings that arise from meeting an old lover after a long time. If I had to describe it, he is a tsundere character. (laughs)
Not only is there a struggle with his identity, but there will also be action expected in the process of solving the incident while taking care of the melodramatic emotional line.
There is a scene in the latter part where I fight the evil spirit one-on-one. Myung-jin's emotional expression becomes bold and intense in the latter part. I think the audience will definitely be surprised, thinking, 'Wait, a Korean shaman does that kind of action?' (laughs) Not only the action but also the emotional range is wide. In that one scene, the emotions fluctuate at least four or five times, making the audience curious about Myung-jin's psychology. We filmed this scene in one take, so it required a lot of focus and energy. We got the okay cut in just two tries, but it was challenging, so I think you can look forward to the explosive power in the latter part. (laughs) It’s a scene that I hope the audience will definitely keep an eye on.
Not only the difficulties of filming the action scenes in the latter part but also the abandoned house as the main stage must have made the filming location challenging.
The set was really painful. I felt a damp sensation as if I was truly in the film's background. I remember feeling very exhausted after filming, catching a cold and having body aches during the shoot. These energies will likely make the film's situations feel more real. (laughs) I believe that eerie atmosphere will be conveyed to the audience.
The occult genre, which was previously perceived as minor, has recently gained a lot of response from audiences not only in Korea but also in the global horror film trend. I expect this work to continue that trend.
I hesitate to inflate expectations too much, but (laughs) I believe you can trust that the occult horror genre has been created with the sensibility of the Japanese director. I guarantee that the feeling of frustration, like swallowing a sweet potato while watching a horror film, has been reduced. (laughs) The film is filled with elements that show meaningful connections, even with just one location or one insert cut, which have a significant impact on the flow of the film. Ah, if you watch the film, you will definitely be curious about Myung-jin's past. While filming, I thought this work would be great if it could be developed into a series. I believe it is a film that can unfold more stories as a series.
Also, with the recent release of your 20th-anniversary album 'Flower Garden', you are firmly showing a good presence as a singer. I feel that your acting career is now quite substantial as well. Recently, the film <Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War> (2004) was re-released for its 20th anniversary, and I recall the buzz around 'Finding Kim Jaejoong' as you appeared as a member of the excavation team. You have been consistently active as an actor. Soon, the MBN drama <Bad Memory Eraser> will also be released. I feel that both your stage activities and your acting are now running on multiple tracks. How would you evaluate your current self?
I don't like to lean towards one side of my activities. For example, I've been a singer for about 21 years now, and sometimes people suggest that I focus on other areas. They give me advice out of support for new appearances, but I tend to choose a different path. There is a common misconception that a singer's life is short, but I think I should show my presence as a singer as much as possible. I want to work hard so that my juniors can gain courage by seeing a senior who has been consistently on stage. Of course, I want to work hard on my acting as well. What I've felt while working is that the risks of balancing acting and singing are decreasing over time. I am someone who has no preconceived notions or biases, so I have a lot of things I want to do. I want to continue to experience and do a variety of things.
Cineplay's Lee Hwa-jeong, Guest Reporter
