Gang Dong-won Heats Up Busan "First Servant Slave Role, Grateful for Director Park Chan-wook's Advice" [BIFF]

The 29th Busan International Film Festival On-site
Opening Film 'Jeon, Ran' Press Conference

Actor Kang Dong-won is answering questions at the press conference for the opening film of the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), the Netflix movie "Jeon, Ran," held on the afternoon of the 2nd at the Shinsegae Department Store Centum City branch cultural hall in Haeundae-gu, Busan.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Actors Kang Dong-won and director Kim Sang-man jointly expressed that the delicate advice from producer Park Chan-wook was helpful during the press conference for the opening film of the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), "Jeon, Ran," held on the afternoon of the 2nd at the Shinsegae Department Store Culture Hall in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan.

"Jeon, Ran" is a Netflix film produced and written by director Park. It was selected as the opening film at this year’s Busan Film Festival, marking the first time an online video service (OTT) film has been chosen for this honor. On the day, Kang Dong-won said, “On the first day Park director came to the set, I was acting and sitting at the monitor seat when he pointed out that the word ‘Jangwon’ in my lines was actually ‘Jangeum,’ which surprised me.” Director Kim also said, “He gave shockingly detailed advice on the script’s dialogue.”

Director Kim, who entered the film industry as an art director for the movie "If the Sun Rises in the West" (1998) and directed "Girl Scout" (2008) and "Midnight FM" (2010), took the megaphone after receiving a love call from director Park. Kim has a connection with Park as he served as the art director for Park’s film "Joint Security Area JSA" (2000). Kim said, “Park gave delicate advice from the script stage of 'Jeon, Ran.' During post-production, he helped finalize the film by restoring the original intention after seeing an editing version that was somewhat mechanical. He is like a mentor.”

(From left) Director Kim Sang-man, Kang Dong-won, Park Jung-min, Cha Seung-won, Kim Shin-rok, Jin Sun-kyu, Jung Sung-il
Photo by Yonhap News

Kang Dong-won played Cheon-yeong, the body servant of Jong-ryeo (played by Park Jung-min), the only son of a powerful noble family of military origin in "Jeon, Ran." Kang explained his role as “an angelic swordsman who freely wields a sword and mimics the swordsmanship of his opponents.” He added, “There are various emotions such as anger felt while fighting several characters and joy during training.”

Kang Dong-won, who played a slave for the first time since his debut, said, “It was fun.” He continued, “When playing a nobleman, there are restrictions. I had to be careful with my speech, restrain emotional expressions, and maintain dignity and grace. Playing the role of a body servant was freeing, and I acted comfortably and without restraint.” Actor Park Jung-min, who co-starred as a warrior with complex and subtle emotions swaying between friendship and anger, said, “This is my first time coming to Busan for an opening film,” and added, “It is a film fiercely created by the production team and actors on set.”

"Jeon, Ran" will be screened at the opening ceremony of the 29th Busan International Film Festival at 7 p.m. that day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.