JTBC’s weekend drama, Lost, is all set for a unique healing comfort on September 4.
Ahead of the launch date, lead cast Jeon Do Yeon and Ryu Jun Yeol together with Director Heo Jin Ho graced the press event to discuss their latest work.
Treading on stories of ordinary people striving hard to get by in life, they realize nothing to hold on to their life’s downward path. Jeon Do Yeon takes the role of a woman who lost her way without having a chance to do something to evade it.
Meanwhile, Ryu Jun Yeol portrays a man at the twilight of his youth who feels incompetent to do something. Together, they confront agonizing moments of healing that would raise sympathy.
Lost marks as comeback dramas for both Jeon and Ryu after five years. Notably, the series is the first drama of award-winning director, Heo Jin Ho. He is recognized for his sound melodramas such as Christmas in August, Dangerous Liaisons, April Snow and The Last Princess.
Penning the screenplay is writer Kim Ji Hye who has brought laughter and emotion through varied works including Wish, My love My Bride and Architecture 101.
At the virtual press conference, Director Heo relays his thoughts about his first drama project. He shares how he is used to working on a film as soon as the script is completed.
However, for the drama, he was curious and frustrated because the script was not out yet. He smartly quips how he started the project with ample courage
“I didn’t know I would be doing a drama. I didn’t have the courage or confidence, but I got the script and wanted to do it. I have the courage to do it. I liked it. This time, there was a freshness of creating while imagining what the roles would be like.”
When asked about the casting process, he had never thought about making, until reading the first four episodes written by Kim Ji-hye. While reading, he visualized Jeon and Ryu as protagonists in his mind, and fortunately, they both agreed to participate.
‘It’s a really good script. I felt confident that I wanted to try it. I thought of Jeon Do-yeon and Ryu Jun-yeol. Actually, it is difficult to work with an actor I first thought of. The timing has to be right and I have to like the script, so I was very lucky.”
Jeon Do Yeon on Finding A Meaningful Project
Jeon Do Yeon portrays the role of a ghost writer Bu-jeong, who aspires to be a writer herself. Even though she is committed, she continues to fail and gradually loses her motivation in life. Jeon said she had been questioned by others if she could ever possibly comprehend the feeling to be a failure.
She is a woman who has done her best but has lost her reason for living. Jeon’s passionate performance is highly-awaited. “I feel nervous and pressured about playing this character,” Jeon said, “so I often look around and care about everyone.”
For her role, she delves on a wide range of emotional changes that go back and forth between loss of injustice, anxiety, emptiness and loneliness. Jeon confesses how deeply moved she was in her new character.
“The criterion for choosing my work is always the script. I have been waiting for a long time to avoid a heavy and dark story, but it was not easy. I chose this work because it is a story that seeks to find the light.”
Admitting the pressure of coming back to a new drama since The Good Wife, the actress acknowledged feeling nervous. She relays feeling concerned about her previous dramas. But her new work led her to see the world from a different perspective, thereby giving her a lot of strength.
She also remarks how she didn’t expect Ryu to accept the project. “I thought actors would prefer grand stories, especially after watching his performances in Money, but he surprised me, she said.”
Ryu Jun Yeol On Being Happy For His New Drama
Suiting up as Kang-jae, a service operator who wants to become rich is the latest addition to Ryu Jun Yeol’s portfolio. Kang Jae is a man who takes risks in order to escape poverty and better his economic standing.
He dreams of a wealthy life and wanders in search of shortcuts. Through Kang-jae, who lost his direction in front of a steep uphill road without achieving anything, Ryu sets out to another memorable character.
“There was a moment when Kang-jae felt that what he thought was the right answer might be wrong if there is no feeling of growing, awakening, and moving forward. At that time, he is a lost character.”
He also spills the reason why he chose Lost as his small-screen return project. Ryu believes every work by Jeon would be great, so he couldn’t wait to say yes, even before reading the script. “If Jeon is joining the team, do you need another reason? Of course, I would be a part of it!”
When asked about work experiences with Jeon, Ryu replied, “After heartbreaking scenes with her, I have reflected several times about how to polish my performances further”.
“Like Jeon Do Yeon, the screenplay is the most important thing for me. but I decided right away because they were two people who had always done works that I had seen and enjoyed before my acting debut. I didn’t choose the work, but it happened somehow. Now, I’m happy to finally give an answer to those who have been curious. There is a charm that only dramas have. I am looking forward engage with more people.”
Lost focuses on a woman who has lost her way in life amid failures, and a man who is afraid of wasting life without achievements. In a dark reality, how can they heal each other?
Starting from September 4th (Saturday), iQiyi original series Lost will be updated every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 pm (SGT) as in Korea on iQiyi International app and iQ.com.
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PR Source: iQiyi
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