Park Min-young plays con artist in K-caper series 'Confidence Man KR'

Actors Park Hee-soon, left, and Park Min-young pose during a press conference for TV Chosun's series "Conficence Man KR" at Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of TV Chosun

Park Min-young, who proved her popularity overseas with last year's "Marry My Husband," is now setting her sights on the global stage, taking on the caper genre with a Korean twist in "Confidence Man KR," Amazon Prime Video’s first original series produced here.

Premiering Saturday, the series is a Korean remake of the popular Japanese drama "Confidence Man JP." It casts Park in one of her most dynamic roles yet — Yoon Yi-rang, a brilliant con artist with an IQ of 165, placing her in the top 1 percent of the population. Armed with charisma and wit, Yi-rang leads audiences into a riveting tale of heists and clever trickery.

"It's Amazon Prime's first original work in Korea, so I thought this is an opportunity I can't miss," she said during a press conference at Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul, Monday.

"As an actor, I’ve always yearned for roles that are lively, vibrant and dynamic, with plenty of physical action. This role finally allowed me to lead and showcase even more energetic acting than before."

Reflecting on her previous works, the 39-year-old contrasted her new role with her hit drama "Marry My Husband."

"In [that drama], my character suffered quietly, but in here, I get to fight back, which is incredibly appealing."

Scenes from the new drama "Conficence Man KR" / Courtesy of TV Chosun

Fresh take on caper genre

The drama tracks the exploits of three exceptionally skilled con artists who set out to outwit and punish modern-day villains. Their clever schemes and relentless drive blur the lines between crime and justice, exploring timely questions about morality and retribution in contemporary society.

The original "Confidence Man JP" captivated audiences in both small and large screens and its Korean remake promises a uniquely Korean twist.

What sets "Confidence Man KR" apart is its reimagining of the classic caper. By infusing traditional crime genre elements with Korean humor, sensibilities and cultural context, the series hopes to open a new era of the "K-caper" genre.

"The original was outstanding, but when adapting it to a Korean version, we focused on the motivations behind each con," director Nam Ki-hoon said.

"More than just makeup and disguises, the series presents a multitude of situations — giving it the feel of a gift set. We worked hard to showcase just how many different scenes and stories could be packed into a single show."

Actor Park Hee-soon plays James, the spiritual anchor of the Confidence Man con team.

"I've played a lot of serious roles so far, so I've been eagerly awaiting a chance to try comedy and was interested in transforming my image. This project was the perfect opportunity to satisfy both desires, which is why I chose it," Park Hee-soon said.

In Korea, the drama will premiere on Saturday on TV Chosun and Coupang Play and globally, it can be watched in 240 countries and regions, excluding Korea, through Amazon Prime Video.