Na Mun Yeong’s (Lee Bo Young) life is turned upside down after the sudden disappearance of her husband Cha Seong Jae (Lee Mu Seung). As Mun Yeong begins to investigate the truth, she faces some dark secrets and shocking truths about her husband. Who does she trust? Her openly friendly neighbor Ha Yeon Joo (Lee Chung Ah) or the mysterious Do Jin Woo (Lee Min Jae), who may very well hold the key to the many mysteries surrounding her life. (Also Read: Exclusive: Hangyeom BL on making his acting debut in Jazz for Two and composing music for Bollywood)
SLL’s latest investigative thriller, HID, is an adaptation of the Welsh hit Keeping Faith, and is directed by Kim Dong Hwi, known for his previous works such as Tale of Nokdu and Fight for My Way. The show’s lead actors, Lee Mu Seung and Lee Min Jae, spoke exclusively to The Hindustan Times about getting into their characters and how happy they are to be a part of a Bollywood film when given the opportunity.
What attracted you to Lee Mu Seng
Lee Mu Seung (Maestra, Blood Free) plays Cha Sung Jae, a loving and devoted family man, but who seems to have a calculating and forbidding personality beyond his innate personality. Lee Mu Seng admits that it was the mysterious aspect of his character and the entertaining script that kept him engaged.
“I like different genres, and the mystery thriller is one of my favourites. When reading the script of Hide, I was attracted by the fast-paced development of the story and the duality in Cha Seong Jae. I prepare myself for a challenge by getting close to my characters, understanding their state of mind, body language. With Sung Jae, there are many aspects to his personality, so the task is to express his emotions, and how can one play the role of this complex person.
He credits his co-star Lee Bo Young for the liveliness she brought to the set and making his job easier. “She’s a very positive person, and when the set is a happy place, it provides great synergy between all the actors to bring out their best.”
Lee Min Jae on the charm of his role
Lee Min Jae (Crash Course in Romance) plays Jin Woo, a young man who may well hold clues to the maze in which the characters find themselves.
“I was thrilled with the diverse shades of my character in the narrative. I also think that this kind of style has the power to excite the audience and arouse their curiosity. So the allure of playing Jin Woo was further enhanced by the character’s deep story. I read the script several times, and realized that his background story mainly focused on how he was in life and the circumstances around him. Also, my seniors on set Bo Young, Mu Seung and Chung Ah Sunbaenim (Senior in Korean) gave me the freedom to bring my own interpretation of Jin Woo and were very encouraging of me,” says Lee Mon Jae.
On matching expectations and choosing different styles
Lee Mu Seung, who will next be seen in season 2 of Gyeongseong Creature starring Paek Seo Joon and Han So Hee, says the script is most important to him when it comes to choosing projects.
“The most important thing of value is the script, what is its message and whether it will appeal to the audience. Since K-dramas are enjoyed by many countries and audiences, exceptions for global audiences also need to be taken into account. Stories that have universal appeal work best.
Lee Min Jae, 24, will next be seen in Season 2 of the critically acclaimed school action drama Week Hero Class. He says that multidimensional characters are what attract him.
“I’m interested in characters that have multiple elements. I find peeling the layers interesting, and it also helps me hone my skills. I look forward to being a part of genres like period drama, melodrama, zombies, noir, so that I can be able to show diverse aspects of myself as an actor.
On working in Indian films
Lee Min Jae revealed that it was Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots that is her most memorable Bollywood film till date.
“It stuck with me for a long time and resonated deeply, it had a powerful message. I also love Indian food, especially curry, and am looking forward to traveling to India.”
His co-star, Lee Mu Seng says, “I hear about Indian films through different platforms. If opportunity arises, it would be good to work together.”
Following the thrilling journey in HID, SLL’s current roster includes the comedy dramas Frankly Speaking and The Atypical Family, both of which are currently available on Netflix. Available on Hyde Wiki.
