Powered by a relatively young talented cast, the lead stars and director of All Of Us Are Dead graced the media conference earlier today.
Director Lee JQ, Park Ji Hu, Yoon Chan Young, Cho Yi Hyun, Lomon, Yoo In Soo, Lee You Mi and Lim Jae Hyuk expressed candid and interesting insights about their new project.
Conveying their happiness for their respective roles, the cast are all grateful to be part of a well-made series.
After a round of character introductions, Park Ji Hu introduced All Of Us Are Dead in quick words.
“It is a series that tells the story of students trapped at a school that is overrun by a zombie virus, and we struggle to stay alive until help arrives.”
As a widely regarded story, the lead cast takes turns expounding their thoughts about the script and the series.
Revealing she read the original webtoon, Lee You Mi was familiar with the character she will be playing.
“I had always been curious about this particular character. So I thought it was a great honor and I really had to jump into the role because I was just so happy. I’m very excited.”
Accordingly, Lomon praised the outstanding script which made a deep impression on him.
“For me, when I first read the script, I was completely immersed in the story. I cried and laughed together with the script. The script was extremely intriguing and I just really wanted to be a part of it. And when I heard who the director was, I felt like I have to be here.”
Distinct Flavors Featured In All Of Us Are Dead
Acknowledging the amount of K-Zombie content that has since dominated not just the local but international scene, Director Lee posits what sets All Of Us Are Dead apart from this widely-growing genre.
He explains how stories about zombie virus outbreaks often featured adults. Relaying its uniqueness to have been set in a school where young adults would confront a challenging task further entices how the story progresses.
“We often say things like “some adults are childish”. But I wanted to look into what kind of choices – and I felt that it would be extremely interesting and intriguing to look at the choices that these young adults make. And I felt like it could bring a new kind of meaning to the zombie genre.”
Responding to the challenge of adapting a legendary webtoon, Director Lee admitted that the cast and crew felt the pressure and responsibility.
“We met with the original creator, writer Chun. And we talked a lot about bringing the story to life. And we wanted to tell the story of what kind of hope people should carry as we live our lives. What it means to be human. So, while it’s going to be a wildly entertaining show, we also wanted to create a drama series that leaves you with food for thought as well.”
Supporting Director Lee’s words, Lim Jae Hyuk adds the differentiating factor of the series.
“When you watch other zombie content, you either have guns or you have these weapons or you watch these large-scale zombie wipe-out scenes with soldiers involved. But our series is not something like that. It happens within a school. So what we have at our hands is like school supplies – desks or chairs.”
Likewise, Yoo In Soo remarked the topics discussed in the series are timely.
“All of Us Are Dead apart is not only focus on the entertainment factor. But it also really looks into a story and also a subject matter, the virus, which I think can resonate with so many of us, especially today. I feel like in that way, it’s very unique.”
Quipping an exciting spoiler, Cho Yi Hyun commented on the fast-paced story.
“Compared to the existing zombie series or content, they’re all really great, but I pride ourselves in that it’s become a lot more faster, a lot more exciting, too. And I think that you’re going to be seeing very unique, speedy zombies in All of Us Are Dead.”
Get A Peek At The Valiant and Vibrant Characters
Providing random and relevant details about their characters, the main cast described their roles.
First, Park Ji Hu with her stunning doll-like face is dubbed as “baby angel”. At the time of filming, she was actually 19 years old, and in junior high school.
She reveals going to the filming set after coming from her regular school. As the youngest, she received pieces of advice from her seniors who were all nice to her.
Sometimes, she also teased them by calling them, aunties or uncles.
Affirming her playfulness, Lim Jae-hyuk admitted being one of the receiving ends of her antics. They were often asked if they already had a meal. And he will respond accordingly.
Utilizing school things to thwart the zombies, musical instruments were also used. Cho Yi Hyun who used the drums in one of the scenes reckoned how she was so into it. Director Lee affirmed that she was like doing a shaman ritual.
Speaking of being immersed at the moment, Lomon was also impressed in one scene that she cried all throughout.
“In the scene, I have to watch the closest friend of mine – someone in real life as well – I have to say goodbye to this particular character due to the circumstances. So I think it kind of mixed up with my character’s emotions and also my personal emotions. A sense of gratitude as well.”
Meanwhile, Yoon Chan Young committed to his role seriously by ensuring only Onjo’s (Park Ji Hu) nametag sticker is the only one attached on his phone. That made his close friend Yoo In Soo adorably jealous especially when he stuck his nametag but found out later that he removed it.
The two often go to karaoke sessions singing love ballads. So when they were coaxed to do an impromptu duet stage, they oblige. Unfortunately, they sang out of tune so they got a teasing from moderator Park Kyung Lim to go for more karaoke moments.
Fortunately, a true singer is present at the press conference. Lim Jae Hyuk, a singer-songwriter, presented a serene tune that he also composed and will be featured in the series.
Lastly, aiming to perfect her villainous role, Lee You Mi confessed to surveying people in the set to assess if her actions would be hated immensely.
A Survival Thriller Set In School
Billed as teen-zombie survival series, Director Lee acquaints viewers with the preparations to stage the realistic emotions of the series.
Relaying the space as an integral element of the story, the four-story school building can be considered another member of the main cast.
The director shares doing test shootings and rehearsals to bring out the realistic and intense vibe of the scenes.
Aside from that, the lead characters also went on intense training. Yoo In Soo confesses how he threw up after the first session. Interestingly, as sworn friends, he saw Yoon Chan Young also doing the same.
Lomon who pretended he was okay at that moment admits to being down for days and even getting acupuncture treatment.
Aware of how the male leads struggled with the training, Director Lee is thankful since he was warned by the action director of needing a double. But the young actors endured well especially Yoon Chan Young.
Responding To Questions From Media People
When Director Lee was asked about what sets apart All Of Us Are Dead from the previous K-Zombie content and what makes him proud about it, he gives a sound response. Remarking the process of zombie transformation makes the characters unable to hurt or kill them. Thus drawing an emotional standpoint.
“When you look at the zombies, the different details from the zombie choreography, we had a choreographer and someone who was an actor, so these two created an amazing synergy in bringing the zombies to life. And I pride myself in our show that the details of the movements of the zombies have been upgraded significantly.”
Answering the most likely survivor in a zombie apocalypse event, both Yoo In Soo and Yoon Chan Young were voted by their fellow cast members.
Discussing the creative freedom he received from Netflix, Director Lee agreed he was able to express his ideas at a level he wanted them to be expressed.
“For the creators, the staff, the cast, Netflix is extremely respectful of everybody and all of our opinions. So the amount of support we were provided and the fruitful discussions, it was all very helpful and conducive to a creative environment.”
Director Lee also leaves a message about sensitive topics covered in the series including unlimited competition, the concept of losers and winners, and school violence. Urging adults to be mindful of their actions and selfishness.
“Well, problems that happen within a school, I don’t think that’s confined to a school. Whatever happens within a school, there are perpetrators, there are victims. That’s exactly what happens in our society as well.
Wrapping up the event, the cast and director invited viewers to witness the series when it premieres this Friday.
All Of Us Are Dead is ready to give a riveting zombie story on January 28 exclusively on Netflix!
All Photos/Videos Courtesy of Netflix
abbyinhallyuland extends gratitude to Netflix for the media coverage invite to the press conference
The lead cast of #AllOfUsAreDead expressed happiness and gratefulness for being part of the series.✨#ParkJiHu #YoonChanYoung#ChoYiHyun #Lomon
🔗https://t.co/aG18kIp4FL pic.twitter.com/MqC9jQU8Wo
— kdramadiary (@kdramadiarylogs) January 26, 2022
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