Unfolding the narrative of a vindictive and desperate heroine, Netflix’s series My Name premieres on October 15.
At the recent Netflix press conference, the ensemble cast of My Name, along with its director, voiced their experiences about the preparations and behind-the-scenes of the series.
The said event was attended by director Kim Jin Min, as well as main cast Han So Hee, Park Hee Soon, Ahn Bo Hyun, Kim Sang Ho, Lee Hak Jo and Jang Ryul.
My Name portrays the terrible truth of a retaliation-seeking woman named Ji Woo (Han So Hee). She joins the police force to apprehend the murderer of his father.
Director Kim Jin Min encapsulated the drama about Han So Hee’s encounters with all of the characters while she treads on a poignant path to avenge her father’s death.
“This is a story of someone seeking revenge to sum it up and of course sitting here and is So Hee. Her character meets all of these different characters while she walks a solemn path of seeking revenge for her father’s death. It’s also a journey of her finding herself so I want to also emphasize that it’s truly an action series.”
A Superb Script Translated To Thrill-Bending Story
Han So Hee ruminates on the character she is about to play while reading the script and discovers that navigating an action sequence is a new experience for her.
“Director Jin Min said the sole mission of my character is revenge. And, her very desperate and determination was something I could really feel off the pages of the script. Of course there’s a lot that goes into it like a character’s appearance or the lines but something that you do with your physical body. Something that I can show off through the action scenes – that was a new challenge for me. So, I wanted to really take on that challenge and I felt very drawn to My Name.”
Park Hee Soon subsequently remarked that the mood of My Name is something familiar to a men’s world. However, a female protagonist embodies all of the complex emotions necessary to convey the story’s intensity.
“Well, when you think of the dark noir, it’s very macho so to speak it’s a men’s world. When I read My Name, I felt like it was very original because the main character is female and all of those complicated feelings that come from unfolding her journey as well as the very dynamic characters have so many dimensions. I could literally feel the passion heats up in that story. I felt like there was really hot blood that was underneath the story that was unlike anything we’ve seen before and of course director Kim Jin Min who did an amazing work in directing.”
Similarly, Ahn Bo Hyun shows admiration for the work of PD Jin Min. He also read the script in one sitting and was genuinely intrigued by how the outcome would play out.
Han So Hee’s Never-Before-Seen Role
A line from the teaser “I threw away my future and my name all for revenge” demonstrates Ji Woo’s desperation. She is consumed with the idea of vengeance after witnessing her father’s death at a young age.
Besides this, Han absorbs her character’s pain as her heart “aches for her”. She interestingly admires the determination and fortitude Ji Woo carries.
On the other hand, she discussed the distinctions between her undercover identity as Oh Hye-jin and her true self.
“I would say that to Ji-woo, her approach to revenge is more one dimensional. She just runs for it without thinking about anything else. But Hye-jin, she’s more strategic and she approaches it in more detail. So, I would say that she’s less emotional than Ji-woo and more reasonable.”
Correspondingly, Hee Soon addressed with the audience his part as Moo-jin, one of the lead cast members. Where he serves as the gang’s leader. He is also a close friend of Ji-woo’s father, who assists her on her journey.
In addition, he noted that Moo Jin possesses a chilling charisma. He is the kind of boss that fully trusts his people and never allows a second chance.
Defining The Action Scenes of My Name
In describing the drama’s nickname, Han So Hee refers to it as “life” due to the risks imposed on the characters’ lives. Meanwhile, Park Hee Soon alludes to it as “emotional action” considering the absence of computer graphics.
Apart from this, Ahn Bo Hyun explains that My Name is a “fast-paced action” because viewers will watch a person fall to the ground in a blink of an eye.
Kim Sang Ho describes it as a “long take action scene” whereas Lee Hak Joo and Jang Ryul regard it as a “self-served action”.
A Well-deserved Kudos To The Martial Arts Director
Director Kim extended his appreciation on behalf of the martial arts director for a job well done. Likewise, he expressed gratitude for the stunt doubles for enduring such hardship.
“Because of that effort that all of those people put in that was why the cast was able to be very comfortable in all of the sequences. Because they did such an amazing job in making all of the sequences doable and safe. They made sure that no one got hurt because 99% of the action was all done by the cast themselves. They were able to do that because of the amazing team.”
He emphasized that if he was unable to fully express the actions on the screen, he will bring harm to a significant number of people.
“I just cannot thank them enough when they went through so many sleepless nights. And the public is well aware of how action sequences are made these days because they’ve seen a lot. What I can really take pride in My Name is the fact that they probably did more percentage of the action than any other action film or series you’ve seen out there before. I’m just really grateful for that and I am very thankful to the cast.”
In response to press questions, Director Kim outlines the show’s greatest charms. To begin, he hadn’t worked on an action script in a long time and desired to do it again.
Later, he claimed that composing the script was extremely time-consuming and that it was dense with information. Following that, he stressed his decision to cast Han So Hee as the main protagonist.
Director Kim lauds her growth for transitioning from a melodramatic actress to a physically strenuous role.
When questioned about the films or shows that inspire Han So Hee, she referenced Netflix’s Old Guard and Atomic Blonde. Conjointly, she posited that it motivates her to see female leads win their opponents’ fights.
Experience the life-taking and self-serving action of My Name only on Netflix, commencing on October 15!
All Photos/Video Courtesy of Netflix
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