Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
INTERVIEW Bae Doona finds contagious charm in romantic comedy ‘Virus’
Actor Bae Doona / Courtesy of BY4M Studio
By Baek Byung-yeul
Actor Bae Doona, known for her intense performances in genres like thriller drama “Stranger” and zombie period drama "Kingdom,” is making a refreshing return to the romance genre after almost a decade with the upcoming quirky comedy "Virus."
"After the mellow 'Air Doll’ (2009), I mainly did disaster and somewhat dark genre works. I actually missed a soft, warm and bright story," Bae told The Kore Times during an interview at a cafe in Seoul on Wednesday.
"I think the virtue of a movie is to make the audience feel good and laugh for no reason. I had a longing for such a movie. That's when I encountered 'Virus.'"
"Virus" presents a whimsical premise — what if a virus makes people fall in love uncontrollably? Bae plays Taek-sun, a woman infected with this peculiar virus, leading to unexpected entanglements with researcher Soo-pil (Son Suk-ku), her former classmate Yeon-woo (Chang Ki-ha) and Lee Kyun (Kim Yoon-seok), the only expert seeking a cure.
Bae expressed her delight in revisiting a lighter genre after a while after a while, especially with a film that had its own journey of endurance. "Virus" was completed shooting in 2019, but its release was delayed due to reasons including the pandemic.
"It was so refreshing to see the completed film at the recent technical screening. It had been so long since filming, and watching it felt like seeing myself through a third person's eyes. I appeared so bright and laughed a lot, something I haven't often portrayed in recent projects that were often serious or dark," she said.
"The symptom of this virus is feeling good, so I smiled a lot in the movie, and it looked good to me. I also looked younger, which was a bonus."
Actors Bae Doona, right, and Kim Yoon-seok in a scene from “Virus” / Courtesy of BY4M Studio
The decision to star in "Virus" was significantly influenced by the opportunity to work with veteran actor Kim Yoon-seok, she added.
"The biggest reason I chose this project was my long-standing desire to work with Kim Yoon-seok," Bae said.
Their on-screen chemistry proved to be a highlight for Bae.
"I experienced a thrilling immersion in my acting when I worked with Kim Yoon-seok. Before filming, I watched many of his films, such as ‘Running Turtle’ (2009), ‘Punch’ (2011) and ‘C'est Si Bon’ (2015) and always wondered how his movies could be so engaging. And I was able to observe his energy on set,” she said.
Bae described the dynamic between her character and Lee Kyun as a unique aspect of the film.
"While it's hard to define 'Virus' as a typical romantic comedy, it's like a fairy tale for adults where the chemistry between the actors is vital. Kim Yoon-seok's character, Lee Kyun, feels like a guardian to the infected Taek-sun. Our rhythm in the scenes was so important,” she explained.
Actors Bae Doona, right, and Chang Ki-ha in a scene from “Virus” / Courtesy of BY4M Studio
Bae shared high praise for her co-stars in 'Virus,' noting the strong chemistry that emerged naturally on set — an essential element for a film centered around a contagious love virus.
"Working with Son Suk-ku was so much fun. We first acted together in 'Sense8' around 2016 and then again in 'Matrimonial Chaos.' Having built that rapport over time made filming very enjoyable, and we were both comfortable in our roles," she said.
About Chang, primarily known as a musician, Bae noted, "Chang Ki-ha was wonderful. I believe singing is also a form of acting — whether you're expressing emotion on stage as a singer or in front of a camera as an actor, the essence is the same. He was incredibly natural, seemingly unaware of the camera,” she said.
When asked about her approach to working with fellow actors, Bae emphasized collaboration and mutual respect.
"Anyone who works with me will likely find it hard to dislike me," she laughed. "I am very diligent, never late, and I follow the director's instructions faithfully. My priority is always the success of the project I join rather than trying to stand out individually. I try to ensure that the atmosphere on set doesn't create a divide between lead and supporting actors,” Bae said.
Looking back on her extensive career, Bae, who made her acting debut in 1999, credited her growth to working with esteemed directors and supportive colleagues.
"I've been fortunate to work with many great directors and have grown through the support of people who cherish each other. Since my mother was a stage actor, these values of mutual respect among artists have long resonated with me."
“Virus” will hit theaters on May 7.