Taking pride in its realistic yet ambitious background and world-building, Our Blues director Kim Kyu Tae and writer Noh Hee Kyung break down the series’ overview for the anticipating viewers.
With the intriguing posters and teasers parading a collection of distinguished Korean actors and actresses, this upcoming series is set to become the new weekend haven of K-drama fans.
Moreover, two days before the premiere night, the leading actors and actresses of Our Blues took the time to impart their production takeaways and perspectives.
In particular, the press conference was attended by actors Lee Byung Hun, Cha Seung Won and Kim Woo Bin. Additionally, actresses Shin Min Ah, Lee Jung Eun, Uhm Jung Hwa and Han Ji Min were present.
In detail, the cast ensemble and production heads indulged in the queries of anticipating viewers to paint a clearer picture of their omnibus format and Jeju settings.
The Making Of Our Blues
Contrary to what viewers are probably thinking, this series was not the primary project of Director Kim and Writer Noh. In fact, according to the production heads, they are working on a series that got delayed and canceled because of the pandemic. Consequently, actor Lee Byung Hun who was supposed to be in the dismissed project, joked, asking Writer Noh if she had anything else she had written that they could produce.
Apparently, Writer Noh does not have anything else at that time. However, this is how Our Blues came to life. She then started writing to create this omnibus drama that encompasses various generations of characters.
Moreover, during the press conference, the director and writer of the series impart their creative process. Likewise, writer Noh explained the omnibus format and why she chose Jeju as the setting of the story.
“I didn’t want to force anything onto the viewers. I wanted to just let them watch and slowly immerse themselves into the emotions and stories in a more natural way.” – Director Kim Kyu Tae
“An omnibus style is something I want to try for a long time. I chose Jeju because of the close-knit representation of people. Something that represents Korea.” – Writer Noh Hee Kyung
Writer #NohHeeKyung explains the reason why she chose an omnibus drama set on Jeju island.
"An omnibus style is something I want to try for a long time. I chose Jeju because of the close-knit representation of people. Something that represents Korea." #OurBlues pic.twitter.com/zmz6ysGNEp
— kdramadiary (@kdramadiarylogs) April 7, 2022
A Walkthrough of the Production Process Part 1
The actors and actresses, along with director Kim and writer Noh, supplemented the details that the media and viewers alike are waiting for. For instance, actress and actor Han Ji Min and Kim Woo Bin shared their experiences of how they geared up as their characters.
According to Kim Woo Bin, he went to Jeju ahead of their production schedule to immerse before the shoot. On the other hand, Han Ji Min shared her experience acting as a newbie haenyeo diver.
I tried to put myself in Park Jung Joon’s shoes. I followed writer No’s script and went to jeju earlier than needed to meet with the captains, talk to them and get to know my character’s environment.” – Kim Woo Bin
Additionally, the actor said that he was nervous since it has been quite some time since his last drama. He will be playing the role of a boat Captain who will fall in love with Han Ji Min’s character.
A Walkthrough of the Production Process Part 2
Meanwhile, Han Ji Min stated that she feels intrigued after reading the script of Our Blues. According to her, she thought that portraying a Haenyeo diver was not a job she could easily come across as an actor. So she finds it a really fun opportunity. Furthermore, after filming, she said she gained more respect for the haenyeo divers after going through what they usually do.
“But when I began shooting, Haenyeo divers worked as a group; it’s better that way for their safety. Their lives could be on the line. The set was lively and bustling with Haenyeo divers. You need three-four divers to help you gear up and remove the suit after diving. And sometimes diving in the water is scary. After filming, I now have even more respect for the Haenyeo divers.” – Actress Han Ji Min
Likewise, Lee Jung Eun, who acted as Head Judge Na Geun Hee in the recent courtroom drama “Juvenile Justice,” was asked about tandem chemistry. She will be playing the role of Jung Eun Hee, the reunited first love of Cha Seung Won’s character, as well as the best friend of Uhm Jung Hwa’s character.
“In this drama, my character has not moved from Jeju at all. She was born and raised there. So director Kim suggested that I be familiar with the Jeju dialect. I got the script a little bit earlier ahead of everyone else and wondered on the markets to familiarize myself.” – Actress Lee Jung Eun
Sentiments & Perspectives of the Casts Part 1
Since the series will be like an anthology of episodes chronicling the diverse stories of the characters, the casts reminisced the emotions and moments they had and felt.
In particular, Actor Lee Byung Hun said that his key takeaway in this series is that:
“Living life itself means trying to forget those scars and trying to overcome those scars. It’s a repetition of those two actions. Those parts will show through all of the characters in this drama.”
What is more, this is the first time actress Shin Min Ah took on the role of a mother. Thus she described her experiences and challenges. She admitted that she felt the pressure of depicting her character’s emotion, dwelling on her pain, and being a mother of a child.
“I had an understanding of her character and her mindset. I felt her pain. And her will to overcome that pain. Those two were what I thought were exciting for me to depict and I wanted to take on this challenge. Seon Ah’s character was the biggest reason why I took on this piece. Her emotions and her personality were relatable for me. Her compassion and appealing personality are what made me decide to take this role.”
– Shin Min Ah
Sentiments & Perspectives of the Casts Part 2
Actor Cha Seung Won was also asked about his first time working with writer Noh and Director Kim. He answered during the press conference that there was no reason for him not to accept the project. When the production heads told him the names of the casts, he asked them back because he was surprised.
“I couldn’t believe that all of these actors would gather to be in one drama. So there was really no reason for me to turn it down. I liked it a lot. Throughout filming and even after filming, and even during events like these, I felt happy and satisfied for the first time in a long time.”
– Cha Seung Won
Moreover, when he was asked about parts of his role in the series that resonated with him, he answered that he finds the drama classic. He added that deep emotions could be found in the drama. Despite not personally supporting his relatives abroad in real life, he seemingly resonates with his character’s feelings as it supports his family abroad.
Correspondingly, this series also marks the return of Uhm Jung Hwa in a TV drama. The actress shared during the conference how delighted she was to be a part of the series, and how she resembles her character who is a loyal friend because of her good heart.
“This is a first time in a while for me to be in such a great drama, so I am very honored and happy. I have a bucket list item in my acting career which is to appear in a piece written by writer Noh. When I first received the scenario, my heart raced. That’s how excited and happy I was.”
– Uhm Jung Hwa
On Chemistry & Synergy
What is more, this is actor Lee Byun Hun’s third drama with actress Shin Min Ah. Hence, they were asked about their chemistry this third time around. He answered that this is the first time their characters both like each other since, in the first two projects, their characters had a sibling relationship and a one-sided love relationship.
“Through filming this series, I found that there’s a profound depth in Shin Min Ah and her acting. And I can say that we have a very good synergy.” – Lee Byung Hun
“I felt like I met three different people. Maybe because we had very different roles before. But I can say that I felt slightly more comfortable with him.” – Shin Min Ah
More importantly, to wrap up the session, writer Noh explained that the title of the series was inspired by the music genre “blues”. She said that she wants the series to convey a story of celebration despite the pain in the lives of the characters.
Moreover, she compared the trajectory and premise of the drama to music. How it heals and as an analogy of how a person’s life goes on. On that note, she emphasized how the story of “Our Blues” is focused on hope, not pain.
“Experiences do not become pain and scars. But it becomes another step towards hope. So focusing on that, I didn’t have much pain writing this series. I had much fun with it becuase I want all living things to be happy.” – Writer Noh Hee Kyung
Don’t miss the first broadcast of tvN’s new omnibus drama “Our Blues”. Episodes will be available on Netflix.
If you wish to know more about this upcoming drama, check out these articles:
“Our Blues” Wheedles An Arresting Romance Between Han Ji Min and Kim Woo Bin
Photos: Netflix
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