[INTERVIEW] Disney+ 'Big Bet' director on portraying greed and desire

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Sun, October 1, 2023 | 05:29

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEWDisney+ 'Big Bet' director on portraying greed and desire

Posted : 2023-02-03 18:05

Updated : 2023-02-05 16:49

A scene from the Disney+ original series "Big Bet" / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

By Lee Gyu-lee

Disney+'s Korean original series "Big Bet" invites viewers into the clandestine world of casinos.

Writer and director Kang Yoon-sung of the series "Big Bet" / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

According to the series' writer and director Kang Yoon-sung, the story is about money, hunger, greed and thirst.

"When I describe 'Big Bet,' I always say 'this is a story about moths flying toward the lantern that is the casino. I wanted the story to be about people, fueled with their desire, flying to and burning up in the flame like moths," he told in an interview with The Korea Times, Jan. 30.

"I met a person who runs a junket room ― a gaming room rented out to private vendors inside the main casino ― and heard stories about that world. It was a world that I knew nothing about and was curious about. I thought that viewers will also feel the same curiosity. So I started digging into it."

The series directorial debut for Kang, who helmed the 2017 hit action film "The Outlaws," revolves around a legendary figure in the Philippines' casino world, Cha Mu-sik (Choi Min-sik). The self-made, canny businessman, having made it big in a cutthroat world, has his life turned upside down when he becomes involved in a murder case. He is then led back into the gambling scene as a player betting on his life.

Part 1 premiered on Dec. 21 and part 2 is set to roll out on Feb. 15. The first season, which ended its eight-episode run on Jan. 25, starts from the life of adolescent Mu-sik before he becomes a casino mogul in the Philippines.

Although the performance from veteran actor Choi was compelling enough to fill up most of the eight-episode running time, there were criticisms of the first season's slow pace story with too much emphasis on Mu-sik's early life.

The director noted that he wanted the plot to revolve around the life of Mu-sik, adding that it will make sense in the upcoming season.

"When I started to develop the story, I felt it would just be a nail-biting story if it only centered on what happens in a casino," he said. "The story wouldn't have much strength if it didn't involve a central figure to follow. I've seen feedback that says the story is too slow. But if the viewers see the latter part of it, they will understand why Mu-sik's background narrative was necessary."

He added that the second season will be fast-paced with colorful new characters involved in the plot.

"If you liked part 1, you will enjoy part 2 even more. Part 1 was about introducing the character, whereas part 2 will pick up the pace, revolving around cases that happen between them. You will be able to see how each of them change for their own gain and see different characters intertwine with each other."

gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr