Netflix's upcoming horror series Dead-End Job is bringing Kim Min Ha back to the screen, but executive producer Han Jun Hee has revealed that his interest in the actress began long before she gained international recognition through Pachinko.
On October 28, the production team of Dead-End Job attended a press conference at the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel in Seoul. Director Kim Da Min, executive producer Han Jun Hee, and cast members Kim Min Ha and Lee Hee Jun were present.
During the event, Han Jun Hee shared the story behind Kim Min Ha's casting, revealing that he had been following her career even before her breakthrough role in Apple TV+'s Pachinko.
"I had been keeping an eye on Kim Min Ha and was already a fan of hers before she became famous through Pachinko. I'm really happy that we eventually had the opportunity to work together," he said.
The producer explained that he wanted to show audiences a different side of Kim Min Ha, who has often portrayed emotionally complex characters.
"In Pachinko and her previous projects, she mostly played characters with deep stories and emotional backgrounds. This time, I thought it would be interesting to see her perform like a pitcher throwing a fastball straight at the target," he shared.
He added that he suggested the idea to the director because he believed viewers would enjoy seeing Kim Min Ha take on a more direct and straightforward character.
Han Jun Hee also discussed the casting of Lee Jae Wook, who plays the main character Hyuk Joon.
According to the producer, Lee Jae Wook was chosen because of his ability to portray contrasting emotions, from fear and hesitation to determination and courage.
"I believe viewers will get to see hundreds of different sides of Lee Jae Wook in this project," he said.
Meanwhile, Go Min Si was offered a role that would allow her to show a different acting style from her previous drama Tastefully Yours. Han Jun Hee explained that although her characters in both projects share the same name, Yeon Joo, their personalities are completely different.
The producer also praised Lee Hee Jun for his acting skills and dedication to preparing for roles, revealing that he personally wanted to work with the actor.
Dead-End Job is a survival horror series about Hyuk Joon, a young man who takes unusual part-time jobs through a mysterious employment agency offering wages starting at 50 times the normal hourly rate.
However, the seemingly attractive job offers lead him into frightening and unexpected situations.
With Kim Min Ha taking on a different kind of character, Han Jun Hee hopes the upcoming Netflix series will give audiences a chance to discover another side of the actress beyond her memorable performance in Pachinko.
