• 'Lovely Runner' director suspected co-stars Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok were dating in real life

    The behind-the-scenes story of the filming of 'Lovely Runner,' featuring popular actors Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, has been revealed.

    On June 29, the YouTube channel 'According to Insiders' released a video where two cinematographers, Yoon Dae Young and Shin Ki Chang, shared behind-the-scenes stories from the popular tvN drama 'Lovely Runner.'

    In the video, Director Yoon Dae Young was asked, "What kind of actor is Byeon Woo Seok on set?" He praised Byeon, saying, "He is a determined actor. There have been times when he prepared hard for a role only for the project to be canceled suddenly. He's faced difficulties for nine years, which is well-known. He has steadily progressed to this point and, as the lead in 'Lovely Runner,' he has been in constant communication with the writer, preparing diligently."

    On the other hand, Director Shin Ki Chang spoke highly of Kim Hye Yoon, saying, "In terms of acting experience, Kim Hye Yoon has much more than Byeon Woo Seok. It was admirable to see how she constantly tried to accommodate him."

    Director Yoon added, "Usually, actors are filmed individually. It's rare to film both actors together in one shot, but when they did, Kim Hye Yoon always gave a full 100% reaction to support her co-actor, enhancing the performance."

    When asked about the atmosphere on set, Director Shin said, "The chemistry between Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok was very real. The affectionate chemistry you see on screen wasn't just made up; they genuinely got along very well. It was to the point where one might wonder if something was going on between them. They were both very focused."

    Director Yoon shared, "When Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon acted, you could see in their eyes that they genuinely cared for and loved each other. It was so touching that it brought me to tears. You could feel the innocence of first love."

    When asked which kiss scene he was most satisfied with, he replied, "The kiss scene at the front door is my favorite. It felt like it took forever to film (laughs). It was a romantic comedy, but the kiss was quite long, almost melodramatic. I remember the two actors kissing for a long time."

    Regarding the most challenging scene to shoot, he said, "We filmed the seasons in reverse. We shot summer scenes in winter. It was tough dealing with the cold and visible breath. There were many scenes where the actors had to fall into water in freezing weather."

    Director Yoon added, "It was so cold that after the actors got out of the water, steam would rise from their bodies."

    On the secret to the popularity of 'Lovely Runner,' they said, "The pre-production period was long. However, the director, writer, and actors didn't waste that time. They kept reading and revising. That extensive preparation is why we were able to produce good results during filming."

    Source[1]

  • Is Jisoo’s Acting the Main Problem in "Newtopia"? - Here's Why Fans Are Worried About the New Zombie Series

    The new OTT series Newtopia has faced mixed reactions, with BLACKPINK’s Jisoo's acting and a slow storyline making viewers question if the show can survive.

    Released on the 7th, Newtopia on Coupang Play promised to offer something fresh in the K-zombie genre. The drama follows an unlikely couple, Lee Jae-yoon (played by Park Jung Min), a late-blooming soldier, and his girlfriend Kang Young-joo (Jisoo), as they fight to survive in a zombie-infested Seoul.

    The mix of zombies and romantic comedy sounded like an interesting twist, but the show hasn’t exactly hit the mark.

    Jisoo’s second lead role after Snowdrop in 2021 was highly anticipated. But many fans and critics have been concerned about her acting, especially after she received some backlash for her unclear pronunciation and awkward expressions in her previous project.

    Director Yoon Sung-hyun, aware of the concerns, said at the press preview, “Since Jisoo hadn’t acted for a long time after her last project, I was also initially worried, thinking, ‘Will she be okay?’ But Jisoo dedicated herself, doing script readings four days a week. She worked hard, and as a result, I had no doubts or difficulties. By episode 8, you'll feel that only Jisoo could have portrayed Young-joo. She did an amazing job.”

    Despite his words of praise, Jisoo’s performance still left fans worried. While she showed some improvement, her portrayal of Young-joo seemed inconsistent, lacking the calmness expected from the character. However, her "girl crush" image, with her background as a "campus goddess," did add some intrigue to her role.

    The main issue, however, wasn’t just Jisoo's acting. Newtopia also struggled with its pacing. While other recent hits like Trauma Center or Trigger grab attention right from the start, Newtopia spent too much time in the first episode on Jae-yoon’s military life and Young-joo’s personal struggles, making it feel like a waste of time. The show failed to showcase the humor and zombie elements it promised, leaving many viewers unimpressed.

    On top of that, some characters came off as annoying, like Jae-yoon’s colleague, Line Ho (Im Seong Jae), and the "unlikable" senior character Seojin-wook (played by Kang Young Seok). Even Park Jung-min didn’t do much to help the show move along, making the 57-minute episode feel even longer.

    Thankfully, the show picked up pace in episode 2, finally diving into the zombie chaos. But will that be enough to save Newtopia? With the first episode still fresh in fans’ minds, the jury’s still out on whether this K-zombie drama can find its footing and deliver the thrills viewers are hoping for.

    The remaining six episodes of Newtopia will air every Friday at 8 PM, with one episode released per week. Stay tuned to see if the series can bounce back!

    Source (1)