A Thrilling Chase: The Latest Film "MASTER"

Tomoki Yuma - Editor's Great Demon King (hereinafter, Yuma)I saw the film "MASTER," which is currently showing. The thrilling story development and good pacing made it so engaging that I lost track of time. This is your first time playing a detective, how was it?

Kang Dong Won (hereinafter, Dong Won)The role of Detective Kim was very masculine and macho, unlike any character I've played before, so it felt very fresh. I trained for several months before filming to build my physique, and I even asked a professional boxer to coach me for the fight scenes with the criminal.

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YumaIt was a great role, conveying both strength and suppleness. The meticulousness required to track down an intelligent criminal, and the tough mentality needed to confront a great evil. The contrast was also striking.

Dong WonThank you. Currently, for my role in the film I'm shooting (the live-action remake of "Jin-Roh," scheduled for release next year), I've lost about 10kg since filming "MASTER." I even have abs right now (laughs).

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YumaThis was also your first time co-starring with Lee Byung Hun, wasn't it? His villainous role was even better than I expected, and the contrast with your detective character was even more pronounced. How was it working with him?

Dong WonHe's an actor recognized not only in Korea but also internationally for his high acting skills, so I was filled with anticipation when it was announced we'd be co-starring. Even after filming began, I was inspired by his exceptional concentration and his approach to acting. Working with someone for the first time is always a joy for me.

YumaWhat was the most challenging part or what did you pay the most attention to in your acting or character preparation?

Dong WonPerhaps it was changing my vocal tone to play a detective involved in intellectual crimes. I made it lower and faster-paced. A way of speaking with little inflection, a cool delivery unaffected by emotion. Maintaining that same tone throughout the dialogue was challenging. But by sticking to it until the end, I learned a lot, and it became a great foundation for future projects.

YumaIndeed, your coolness was evident throughout. Also, your interactions with Kim Woo Bin, who played the other key figure, the genius hacker, were excellent. It was my first time seeing him; he has a very unique facial expression.

Dong WonWoo Bin has excellent diction, so his lines are delivered very clearly. We filmed in Manila for a month, and we shared similar hobbies, so we had a good time together through sports, like swimming and playing tennis in teams.

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YumaIt felt like you two were close, or that your feelings were in sync, which seemed to emanate from the film. How was the filming in Manila?

Dong WonActually, it was my first time staying abroad for a month for filming. The hotel was far from downtown, and there wasn't much to do around there, so I spent most of my time at the hotel pool or gym, outside of shooting.

YumaSo, the only enjoyment was food (laughs). Did you like Filipino cuisine?

Dong WonI actively tried local foods and came to like them quite a bit. The barbecue in Manila was delicious, and a sour soup called "Sinigang," made with pickles and pork, was tasty like kimchi jjigae. Also, there's a large Korean community in Manila, so I went to Korean restaurants quite often.

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YumaThe scenes in Manila, with bridges and roads closed off, and the intense action and car chases, were spectacular. Of course, you had stunt doubles, right?

Dong WonFor the scene where I roll around on the road, yes, there was a stunt double, but I did things like hanging onto the car myself. I actually sustained some serious injuries; fragments from an explosion embedded themselves in my face and neck in about seven places.

YumaWhat?! In cases like that, do you have an ambulance or medical staff on set?

Dong WonYes. I was immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance and had the wounds stitched. But what was a bit funny was that instead of bandages or gauze, they used a band-aid with star illustrations, the kind for children's scrapes. I have a photo, I can show you.

Yuma(Looking at the photo on his phone) Oh, it's kind of cute. For such a serious injury, is that all? It felt like that (laughs).

Dong WonExactly. There was one spot where a long, thin fragment had pierced deeply, and it was quite painful, but that was all they used (laughs).

Page02.I want to be an actor who can do action until around age 50!

I want to be an actor who can do action until around age 50!

YumaThis film has so many fascinating characters that we could talk endlessly, but your interactions with the older madam, who is like the dark boss, were also great. Her presence was immense!

Dong WonShe is an actress named Park Jung-ja, who primarily works in theater and is very famous in Korea. From our first meeting, she welcomed me warmly, and thanks to that, I even adjusted my acting tone slightly afterward. Their relationship was originally more distant, but I thought it would be okay to make it more casual, like a mentor-apprentice relationship. She's also an actress I'd wanted to work with for a long time, so it was a learning experience.

YumaAlso, about one of the costumes in the film. When you chase the criminal and land in Manila, you're wearing a cream-colored linen suit, right? What brand is that? It really captured the feeling of arriving in the subtropical Manila!

Dong WonIt was custom-made for this film. The costume designer is a top creator in Korea, and we've worked together on other films, including "Kundo: Age of the Rampant" (released in Korea in 2014).

YumaBy the way, what are you filming now?

Dong WonAs I briefly mentioned earlier, I'm currently filming the live-action remake of Mamoru Oshii's animated film "Jin-Roh." I've already finished "Golden Slumber," based on the novel by Kotaro Isaka, which is scheduled for release during the Lunar New Year in February next year. I've filmed three movies this year; the remaining one is "1987," which will be released in Korea in December. It's a documentary-style film about the student movement that led the democratization movement in South Korea. I have a special appearance, playing a symbolic role in this movement.

YumaWhere in Korea are you filming "Jin-Roh"?

Dong WonThe film set is in Daejeon, about two hours from Seoul. Like "MASTER," this film seems to have many action scenes. I'm not entirely confident about how long I can continue doing action myself (laughs).

YumaNo, I think you're still good for a while. Please keep doing action until around age 50. It's demanding, but please try not to get injured again (laughs). But with such a busy work schedule, it must be hard to find time to enjoy your hobby of fashion.

Dong Won...I really don't have time. I only manage to check SISE's collections, and it's a shame I don't have time to look at anything else. However, I've recently become interested in art and architecture, and I've started looking into them more.

YumaWhat kind of art genres are you interested in? Have you bought any pieces?

Dong WonNo, when I buy art, I'm the type to do thorough research first, so I haven't reached that point yet. I'm more interested in modern art and am looking at works by various artists.

YumaJust looking is enjoyable, isn't it? The architecture of galleries can also be very elaborate, which is also fun to admire. This summer, I went to "MUSEUM SAN," built by Tadao Ando in Wonju, Gangwon Province, for a shoot. South Korea has a very high level of passion for art.

Dong WonIt certainly feels like there's momentum. Personally, I've always liked Mid-Century and Scandinavian design for architecture and interiors. Scandinavian design, in particular, is simple, with beautiful forms and lines, and it doesn't get old. The more I look at it, the more I like it.

YumaAre there any places in Tokyo that have caught your eye recently?

Dong WonThere's a reservation-only yakitori restaurant in Azabu-Juban that was incredibly delicious. All the dishes were good, but the tamago kake gohan (rice with raw egg) served at the end was exquisite. In Korea, we don't have a custom of eating raw eggs, so I was deeply impressed.

YumaI can just imagine how delicious it must have been!

Dong WonAlso, a friend took me to a tempura restaurant in Ginza, and that was also incredibly delicious. However, they only accepted cash, and my friend who offered to treat me only had a card. So, in the end, we had to pool all the cash from everyone present to pay. Does this kind of thing happen often in Tokyo? (laughs)

YumaIt happens sometimes. With places like that, you get a feeling during the meal, like, 'Wait, they don't take cards here, do they?' Be careful, as even high-end restaurants in Tokyo sometimes don't accept cards. Beware of 'Tokyo dinner common occurrences' (laughs).

GANG DONG-WONG
Born in 1981. Debuted as a model in 2000, and transitioned to acting in 2003 with the TV drama "The Woman Who Wants to Marry." Since then, he has consistently been at the forefront of the industry. After completing his military service, he has passionately portrayed diverse characters in films such as "My Lovely Week witholic," "The Priests," and "A Violent Prosecutor." With new films scheduled for release next year, he is one of South Korea's leading actors. "MASTER" is currently a major hit, showing at TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku and other theaters.

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