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| From left, Cha Tae-hyun, Gong Hyo-jin, IU and Kim Soo-hyun pose during a press conference at the Raum in Gangnam, Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap |
By Kim Jae-heun
Star-studded Korean drama "The Producers" is drawing extraordinary attention with only three days until its premiere on Friday at 9:15 p.m.
Top actors and actresses, Kim Soo-hyun, Cha Tae-hyun, Kong Hyo-jin and IU will star in the first ever drama produced by the entertainment department of Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).
"I was curious about the difference between the entertainment department's drama and the drama department's product, but there seems to be no big distinction," said Cha during a press conference, Monday, at the Raum in Gangnam, Seoul.
Cha, who has been acting since 1995 rose to stardom after appearing in the box office hit comedy "My Sassy Girl" in 2001. The veteran actor said he felt comfortable in his role as a producer of reality show "Two Days and One Night" in the drama, which is an actual program that he is currently participating in.
Kim, the star of the successful drama "My Love from the Star" that reignited the "hallyu" wave, is ready to play another silly character after his flawed North Korean spy role in the film "Secretly, Greatly."
"I tried to relax and feel less burdensome in this piece," said Kim. "Through the Producers, I was able to act more naturally, like myself."
Actress Kong did not take long to decide to take the role in the soap opera. She found the script hilarious, which she said was one of the funniest she has ever come across in her 16-year career.
A month and half of shooting for the 12-episode drama was another merit.
"I felt a little tired after participating in the play Educating Rita," Kong said. "This drama came less burdensome not only because of its short shooting period, but also my character's casual role.
"Tak Ye-jin (Kong's character) is one of the pickiest people I've played but, she isn't involved in any emotional scenes. Tak barely cries in a scene," Kong said.
The singer-songwriter and actress IU did not find acting as a top singer too difficult as she is a one in real life.
"I felt my character was a person who I could become in two years," said IU. "I referred to a couple of my colleagues such as Krystal (a member of girl band f(x)), HyunA (solo diva and a member of girl band 4Minute) and Girls Generation. They have all the charisma that my character Cindy shows in this drama."
