Vibs

While I know this rumor won’t impact UJW in any real way, I was still taken aback by how closed-minded and insensitive some perspectives can be. It genuinely makes me wonder how people with such way of thinking manage to function in real-life.

UJW really understood his character, he’s always been a performative complainer. I do think he genuinely found the photoshoot idea ridiculous, but at the end of the day, there was no harm in going along with it, especially since it made her happy. And unlike HDS, AJW actually has a great sense of humor, so I’m sure he’ll look back on the whole thing as a funny memory. 😂
What still bothers me, though, is how some people accused her of disliking him and ruining the drama. They’re still saying those things in the drama review section. It’s so unfair to her.

This translation is not 100% accurate, so I can't say for certain whether words like 'bland' and 'boring' were actually there in her interview. I've noticed that different versions of both UJW's and AJW's interviews contain slight variations in how their answers are presented. It seems likely that UJW used a gentler tone and more considerate wording, but the translation or the reporter's interpretation may have made it sound harsher. Similarly, AJW's interview mentions they were given 'loose emotional lines,' which carries a similar sentiment to what UJW expressed. It appears that at many places in script, emotional nuances were missing and they had to rely on improvisation. AJW’s interview is much more straightforward compared to UJW’s, but in both cases, it seems they had mixed feelings about the drama. They were clearly happy about its decent ratings and overall harmonious atmosphere on set, but they also seemed disappointed (much like the viewers) with how the story developed.

I won’t pretend that I’m not deeply disappointed with how this drama declined in the second half, particularly with the characters of MKW and HDS. They were such intriguing characters, especially for a weekender drama. They had great chemistry and were genuinely easy on the eyes and hearts. It’s a shame to see their development fall apart. That said, I still hope that all the actors involved gain some career momentum from this project.

As for UJW, she seems about 75% like MKS (from the first half) in real life. The remaining 25% like her nosy behavior, her obsession with her BILs, and her self-sacrificial tendencies are not like her. As UJW said, if she were in the same situation, she would have already said goodbye to the BILs! 😉 Now that I think about it, HDS also feels about 30% like AJW in real life. He tends to be assertive, impatient, picky, and a bit prickly, but also warm at the same time. 🤣

You are welcome ! 🤗
Did you read Uhm Jiwon's interview that I posted yesterday in this thread? If not, take a moment to check it out. If you find anything noteworthy, feel free to share here.

They may have formed their own perspectives while filming the drama. You can read the full interviews of both UJW and AJW that I’ve shared here to learn more

You're most welcome! 🤗

It wasn't a big deal, though it did take a bit of time. 😬 There were so many long articles and the information was scattered all over. I tried to compile the important parts and left out bits that seemed unnecessary for the context.
I’ve also posted AJW’s interview. Ceel free to read it at your leisure! 😉

You're welcome! 🤗 It's always fascinating to read the thoughts of people involved in the making of a drama. I’ve also shared AJW’s interview above.

Here is Ahn Jaewook's interview 👇

On working with Uhm Jiwon -

She's bright. She must have been tired, but she always smiled. She always got along well with the actors and staff on set. Working with Uhm Ji-won was comfortable because we had the same goals and directions. Uhm Ji-won likely has her own thoughts about her character, but we had a lot in common. So it was easy for us to constantly discuss things. The thought that the process of Gwang-sook and Dong-seok becoming close shouldn't seem contrived. While it wouldn't be easy for them to connect too easily, I also thought that we shouldn't complicate things by adding in incomprehensible incidents. If the filmmaker asks, 'Why bother?', the viewer feels the same way." It can be difficult when your co-star and you have different interpretations of a situation. But with Ji-won, we really connected. It felt like we knew what we had to do. He continued, I trusted Uhm Ji-won's Gwang-sook and acted accordingly, and it was nice to feel that Gwang-sook trusted and relied on me. We talked a lot in the second half of the film, and we even added skinship scenes as our relationship progressed.

On working with other actors -

I feel a great sense of responsibility towards them. I try to show it through my actions, not just words. But looking at the young actors in this drama, many of them have a great passion and are motivated. I think the teamwork was really good. Ahn Jae-wook also praised, "(Shin) Seul-gi has already risen to a certain level, and I think actor Lee Seok-ki, who plays the youngest member, Kang-soo, will do incredibly well. Even as a man, he is charming and cool. He looks good, and he has his own freshness. Although it is his first drama, he is not the type to be completely shy. He has passion, and I think he will become a great actor."
There aren't any older characters. That's why Gwang-sook had a hard time, because she was busy with her brothers. I filmed mostly independently from the beginning to the middle. So, Uhm Ji-won worked hard to strengthen our teamwork. I was also grateful that everyone followed along so well when we filmed together. Choi Dae-cheol in particular worked hard in the middle, acting as a bridge. There was no one particularly harsh in this drama, and everyone had good personalities

While working on this project, I had a lot of these conversations with my juniors. I'm not usually one to be picky about age, but I thought back 20 years ago. Back then, the seniors who played my parents were my age now. Back then, they seemed so distant and difficult, but it turns out they were in their early to mid-50s. No matter how much I try to make myself look younger, I wonder if today's kids see me that way. Maybe they'll look at me the same age as my seniors when I was younger.

Compared to my previous work, it was a long run, so the actors had grown closer, but it's a shame." He added, "I felt the same way, but I think the brothers are much closer. I had different schedule so I tended to film separately."

When asked if he felt lonely?

Well... I was jealous. The guys were always filming together, and I was in a hotel or on a separate set. Until the middle of the show, we were filming separately. As we got closer, we filmed together, and we made memories together, but it was difficult to share personal time. It was a shame that we missed each other.


What was the reason of drama's popularity?

This drama was not intense. I think the everyday scenes actually created a sense of relatability and I think that's why viewers liked the structure that seemed ordinary and not excessive.

About chracter of Han Dong Seok -

It was a character with a prickly exterior, but one steeped in loneliness and responsibility. From the beginning, I felt it was important to clearly show viewers who this character was. Even if it might seem artificial, I wanted to deliver on the promise of the setting and personality.
The love between Gwang-sook and Dong-seok wasn't just about the two people, but also about their circumstances and their families. I approached it carefully and worked hard to ensure the audience could naturally empathize with the story.
Gwang-sook is a character who takes the lead with courage, and my role was more like supporting her. I tried to avoid the feeling of having to lead as much as possible and tried to follow the flow Ji-won had prepared. I think that's why the emotions flowed more naturally. Without Han Dong-seok's charm, Gwang-sook's love would have been difficult to empathize with. It would have ultimately been a chain reaction of events, but thankfully, it worked out well, so I'm grateful.


What about filming a romance in middle-age?

Love exists even in middle age. It has a different depth than the love of your 20s and 30s. Even the way you look at someone has a different emotional quality than the work you did when you were younger. This isn't something you learn in school. I'm grateful that viewers have recognized that sincerity.
Even when reading the same script, actors can have different opinions, but with Ji-won, we worked well in that regard. The script only outlined the rough emotional lines, so we discussed a lot about how to express them more concretely. When I made suggestions to the director on set, he accepted almost all of them. Regarding the romantic scenes, Ahn explained, "It's important to create a space on set where the female actor can act to their fullest. In this drama, Dong-seok appears to be leading, but Gwang-sook is more spirited, so I focused on her role as a watchful and supportive person.
Ahn Jae-wook expressed his gratitude, "As an actor, I'm grateful for the love viewers give me. I think the love this time was more than I deserved. I always start a drama with expectations, but these days, my feelings about dramas are different from before, but I'm grateful that people liked it this time. People around me said they all watched it. When I do a project, not everyone around me watches it, but this time, I heard a lot of people say, 'My parents are in an uproar because of your drama.'"


About viewership -

Even if I say I don't care much about viewership ratings, do I really feel that way? Of course good numbers are nice. But these days high ratings—saying something over 20%—are no easy feat. Today's culture and lifestyles are accustomed to OTT and selective viewing. Even weekend dramas targeting older audiences aren't easy. He continued, "I'm still so grateful, but when I was talking to the people in charge, I got greedy and thought, 'Can't we get 25% viewership ratings? Can't we get 27%?' But they explained to me that they have different numbers in mind and that even these numbers are amazing. It seems like what they said was accurate (laughs)." I thought that the level of concentration can vary significantly depending on the characteristics of the medium."

On extension of drama -

To be honest, I couldn't just be happy about the extension. I was worried that it might deviate from the track the writer had in mind. I was worried that if we went further from the original destination, it might get disrupted or unnecessary stories might come in at the end and end up fizzling out. But I said I would completely follow the writer's opinion, and the writer said it was possible.


On working hours -

Now that we strictly adhere to working hours, it's so much better than when I used to film dramas in past. In the past, you could just think of the main leads staying up all night. But now, I actually like it because I have more time. It was nice to know when I'd finish even if I started early in the morning. In the past, I'd film until I finished filming," and "Nowadays, I have more free time, and I have time to talk about the project. I have time to talk about the direction I want the drama to go in."


About end of year award ceremony -

Of course, it would be nice to receive such a gift, whether personally or as a team. But I don't think I'm in a position to talk about awards.
Rather than expressing excitement about the ceremony, he didn’t hold back in criticizing KBS. "I told KBS, 'I hope there will be more dramas by the end of the year that are truly loved by audiences. Hasn't KBS only released a handful of works over the past 7–8 months? Some did well, and some didn’t.'"
"How pitiful is a drama without viewers? I hope we can create a culture where more fresh and interesting projects are released so we can compete in a healthy and positive way."
He added, "At year-end awards, instead of the usual 'Who will win?', I hope we reach a point where there are so many great works that the question becomes, 'Who should win?' Low ratings mean the content just isn’t engaging. And from the network's perspective, when results are poor, the response is often, 'Let’s not make another drama.' Recently, there have been far fewer productions, and it’s a harsh reality. Many actors are sitting idle. I truly hope we see more original and compelling dramas moving forward.

What was your family's reaction after watching the drama?

I think my wife enjoyed it. We don't talk about each other's work in detail. She doesn’t get jealous when I have romantic scenes. We both kiss and hug other people on stage. If you can’t handle that, then you shouldn't be working in this field. We are really happy to have seen my drama first time with my 10-year-old daughter. That's why it's so meaningful to me. She found it enjoyable. But when romantic scene with Ma Kwang-sook comes on, she screams, Oh no ! and pulls her hair. She doesn't know what to do. Hahaha. My wife asks, "Do you like it?" and I say, 'Do you think I'd do it if I liked it?'" he laughed.


What was the hardest part of being an actor?

When you do a project or activity, you receive love and attention from viewers and audiences. That builds your recognition and career as an actor, but everything else is difficult. For example, during a concert, you perform on stage to cheers, but the stress of preparing before going on stage and the finishing touches afterward are all difficult. The moment you step off stage, you don't know what else to prepare for. It's challenging because you're constantly interacting with people. You get hurt a lot, and you wonder if there's something wrong with you or if you're lacking. Everyone works hard, but finding love of audience in that environment isn't easy.


Was there a moment when you particularly felt the drama's popularity?

When I went to Kim Jong-min's wedding in April, all the famous guests were sitting around me. Yet, as soon his relatives saw me, they reached out and said, 'The chairman is here,' regardless of who was next to me. It was hilarious how everyone called me 'chairman'. My colleagues were shocked, saying, '(Ahn) Jae-wook hyung, is this all you can say?' We all laughed until our stomachs dropped.

This is your first weekend drama in nine years, since KBS 2TV's 'Five Children' in 2016. What prompted you to appear in it?

Writer Koo Hyun-sook asked me to appear on the show through the production company, saying, 'I've seen a lot of your previous work.' I was curious about what it was about me that made her want me. I also liked the character's setting and the story, so I decided to appear. I enjoyed the collaborative relationship we shared, and I made cherished memories meeting Uhm Ji-won and the other cast members. I also noticed how drastically different the working environment was. Before, weekend drama leads only had time to shower briefly. Now, we have strict working hours, so the environment has improved significantly. Knowing when filming would end and when it would begin was a truly wonderful memory.


Do you tend to speak up for juniors on the set?

Yes. I do speak up a lot on set. It's my project. I feel a lot of responsibility. It's a time when I have to feel that responsibility. It's better to show them firsthand than to just talk things out. I have to speak up myself so that the other juniors can see me and grow." "All the juniors I worked with were motivated and had a great sense of humor. We all had great teamwork. Uhm Ji-won must have been going through a tough time, but she brightened up the set. I filmed the early scenes almost independently, but she had to discuss her family relationships with her juniors, so it must have been even harder. I want to tell her she worked hard.


Han Dong-seok initially appears cold, but later becomes a meddler, even living with his ex-mother-in-law, Park Jung

Actually, there were parts I didn't understand. So I talked a lot with director Choi Sang-yeol. I relayed the on-set feedback to the writer and asked her to reflect it. Han Dong-seok is actually a very ordinary person, but people around him misunderstood him as being picky and prickly. I thought he had little joy left after losing a wife, and he built a high wall around himself to hide his shortcomings. That part is similar to how I feel in real life. People around me say I seem a bit picky. That's why I was even more drawn to Han Dong-seok. If he were just picky, it wouldn't have been like that. There's a loneliness inside him that piqued my curiosity. I tried to express that. I also found it amusing how Gwang-sook suddenly breaks down that plastic wall. When Han Dong-seok develops feelings for Gwang-sook, he suddenly falls for her. I felt that part was entirely possible."

Was there any physical strain on him after his long hiatus from acting?

I didn't feel it at all. It was because of the 52-hour workweek. I used to find that incredibly difficult. Now, I can't deviate from the set's ten-plus-hour schedule, so I felt very comfortable. In fact, I was worried about Gwang-sook a lot. Her role was very demanding.


Wad viewership ratings stagnate as it progressed due to a somewhat lower dopamine level?

It's very regrettable. In fact, I talked with Uhm Jiwon about what ideas she might have. I said that anyone can look at the script and decide whether it's fun or not, just looking at the writer and director. Rather than saying that we should quickly film the script that came out late, I hope that before the script is out, whether the actors or the production company have good ideas, we can discuss them and create something that can be of help to the writer." I think the writer had a hard time too. I felt like it was a bit difficult after the middle part. The script also slowed down. Should she shoulder that stress alone? Gwang-sook and Dong-seok pair felt a bit disappointing when the middle part went to the end. They needed to gain some momentum to be more swept up in something, but I think it went too loosely, losing some of the tension and being too comfortable.


Did you junior trusted and followed you?

There aren't many people who trust and follow me. (laughs) I don't think the younger actors approach the project any differently just because it's a weekend drama. They just work hard at what's given to them. It's only when someone like (Choi) Dae-chul says, 'Hyung, it's so comfortable,' compared to before." He added, "After being cast, I realized I was quite senior but our juniors definitely have good sense and intuition, so they did well in their respective positions."


About positive response recieved for drama -

Since I was always on set, I don't have enough tangible experiences. Then, when I was out and about, young kids asked me for autographs, so I thought, 'Are the kids watching it too?' But I heard a lot of stories about how their parents were really into the drama. Adults in their middle years and older all liked it, and people around me said, 'Even middle-aged love can suddenly touch your heart.' They said it was nice to see it after a long time."
He continued, "The atmosphere was definitely different from before. Many people who loved this drama said that, with everyone's lifestyles having changed, it was nice to have a drama that the family could watch together for the first time in a while."

Here is Ahn Jaewook's interview 👇

On working with Uhm Jiwon -

She's bright. She must have been tired, but she always smiled. She always got along well with the actors and staff on set. Working with Uhm Ji-won was comfortable because we had the same goals and directions. Uhm Ji-won likely has her own thoughts about her character, but we had a lot in common. So it was easy for us to constantly discuss things. The thought that the process of Gwang-sook and Dong-seok becoming close shouldn't seem contrived. While it wouldn't be easy for them to connect too easily, I also thought that we shouldn't complicate things by adding in incomprehensible incidents. If the filmmaker asks, 'Why bother?', the viewer feels the same way." It can be difficult when your co-star and you have different interpretations of a situation. But with Ji-won, we really connected. It felt like we knew what we had to do. He continued, I trusted Uhm Ji-won's Gwang-sook and acted accordingly, and it was nice to feel that Gwang-sook trusted and relied on me. We talked a lot in the second half of the film, and we even added skinship scenes as our relationship progressed.

On working with other actors -

I feel a great sense of responsibility towards them. I try to show it through my actions, not just words. But looking at the young actors in this drama, many of them have a great passion and are motivated. I think the teamwork was really good. Ahn Jae-wook also praised, "(Shin) Seul-gi has already risen to a certain level, and I think actor Lee Seok-ki, who plays the youngest member, Kang-soo, will do incredibly well. Even as a man, he is charming and cool. He looks good, and he has his own freshness. Although it is his first drama, he is not the type to be completely shy. He has passion, and I think he will become a great actor."
There aren't any older characters. That's why Gwang-sook had a hard time, because she was busy with her brothers. I filmed mostly independently from the beginning to the middle. So, Uhm Ji-won worked hard to strengthen our teamwork. I was also grateful that everyone followed along so well when we filmed together. Choi Dae-cheol in particular worked hard in the middle, acting as a bridge. There was no one particularly harsh in this drama, and everyone had good personalities

While working on this project, I had a lot of these conversations with my juniors. I'm not usually one to be picky about age, but I thought back 20 years ago. Back then, the seniors who played my parents were my age now. Back then, they seemed so distant and difficult, but it turns out they were in their early to mid-50s. No matter how much I try to make myself look younger, I wonder if today's kids see me that way. Maybe they'll look at me the same age as my seniors when I was younger.

Compared to my previous work, it was a long run, so the actors had grown closer, but it's a shame." He added, "I felt the same way, but I think the brothers are much closer. I had different schedule so I tended to film separately."

When asked if he felt lonely?

Well... I was jealous. The guys were always filming together, and I was in a hotel or on a separate set. Until the middle of the show, we were filming separately. As we got closer, we filmed together, and we made memories together, but it was difficult to share personal time. It was a shame that we missed each other.


What was the reason of drama's popularity?

This drama was not intense. I think the everyday scenes actually created a sense of relatability and I think that's why viewers liked the structure that seemed ordinary and not excessive.

About chracter of Han Dong Seok -

It was a character with a prickly exterior, but one steeped in loneliness and responsibility. From the beginning, I felt it was important to clearly show viewers who this character was. Even if it might seem artificial, I wanted to deliver on the promise of the setting and personality.
The love between Gwang-sook and Dong-seok wasn't just about the two people, but also about their circumstances and their families. I approached it carefully and worked hard to ensure the audience could naturally empathize with the story.
Gwang-sook is a character who takes the lead with courage, and my role was more like supporting her. I tried to avoid the feeling of having to lead as much as possible and tried to follow the flow Ji-won had prepared. I think that's why the emotions flowed more naturally. Without Han Dong-seok's charm, Gwang-sook's love would have been difficult to empathize with. It would have ultimately been a chain reaction of events, but thankfully, it worked out well, so I'm grateful.


What about filming a romance in middle-age?

Love exists even in middle age. It has a different depth than the love of your 20s and 30s. Even the way you look at someone has a different emotional quality than the work you did when you were younger. This isn't something you learn in school. I'm grateful that viewers have recognized that sincerity.
Even when reading the same script, actors can have different opinions, but with Ji-won, we worked well in that regard. The script only outlined the rough emotional lines, so we discussed a lot about how to express them more concretely. When I made suggestions to the director on set, he accepted almost all of them. Regarding the romantic scenes, Ahn explained, "It's important to create a space on set where the female actor can act to their fullest. In this drama, Dong-seok appears to be leading, but Gwang-sook is more spirited, so I focused on her role as a watchful and supportive person.
Ahn Jae-wook expressed his gratitude, "As an actor, I'm grateful for the love viewers give me. I think the love this time was more than I deserved. I always start a drama with expectations, but these days, my feelings about dramas are different from before, but I'm grateful that people liked it this time. People around me said they all watched it. When I do a project, not everyone around me watches it, but this time, I heard a lot of people say, 'My parents are in an uproar because of your drama.'"


About viewership -

Even if I say I don't care much about viewership ratings, do I really feel that way? Of course good numbers are nice. But these days high ratings—saying something over 20%—are no easy feat. Today's culture and lifestyles are accustomed to OTT and selective viewing. Even weekend dramas targeting older audiences aren't easy. He continued, "I'm still so grateful, but when I was talking to the people in charge, I got greedy and thought, 'Can't we get 25% viewership ratings? Can't we get 27%?' But they explained to me that they have different numbers in mind and that even these numbers are amazing. It seems like what they said was accurate (laughs)." I thought that the level of concentration can vary significantly depending on the characteristics of the medium."

On extension of drama -

To be honest, I couldn't just be happy about the extension. I was worried that it might deviate from the track the writer had in mind. I was worried that if we went further from the original destination, it might get disrupted or unnecessary stories might come in at the end and end up fizzling out. But I said I would completely follow the writer's opinion, and the writer said it was possible.


On working hours -

Now that we strictly adhere to working hours, it's so much better than when I used to film dramas in past. In the past, you could just think of the main leads staying up all night. But now, I actually like it because I have more time. It was nice to know when I'd finish even if I started early in the morning. In the past, I'd film until I finished filming," and "Nowadays, I have more free time, and I have time to talk about the project. I have time to talk about the direction I want the drama to go in."


About end of year award ceremony -

Of course, it would be nice to receive such a gift, whether personally or as a team. But I don't think I'm in a position to talk about awards.
Rather than expressing excitement about the ceremony, he didn’t hold back in criticizing KBS. "I told KBS, 'I hope there will be more dramas by the end of the year that are truly loved by audiences. Hasn't KBS only released a handful of works over the past 7–8 months? Some did well, and some didn’t.'"
"How pitiful is a drama without viewers? I hope we can create a culture where more fresh and interesting projects are released so we can compete in a healthy and positive way."
He added, "At year-end awards, instead of the usual 'Who will win?', I hope we reach a point where there are so many great works that the question becomes, 'Who should win?' Low ratings mean the content just isn’t engaging. And from the network's perspective, when results are poor, the response is often, 'Let’s not make another drama.' Recently, there have been far fewer productions, and it’s a harsh reality. Many actors are sitting idle. I truly hope we see more original and compelling dramas moving forward.

What was your family's reaction after watching the drama?

I think my wife enjoyed it. We don't talk about each other's work in detail. She doesn’t get jealous when I have romantic scenes. We both kiss and hug other people on stage. If you can’t handle that, then you shouldn't be working in this field. We are really happy to have seen my drama first time with my 10-year-old daughter. That's why it's so meaningful to me. She found it enjoyable. But when romantic scene with Ma Kwang-sook comes on, she screams, Oh no ! and pulls her hair. She doesn't know what to do. Hahaha. My wife asks, "Do you like it?" and I say, 'Do you think I'd do it if I liked it?'" he laughed.


What was the hardest part of being an actor?

When you do a project or activity, you receive love and attention from viewers and audiences. That builds your recognition and career as an actor, but everything else is difficult. For example, during a concert, you perform on stage to cheers, but the stress of preparing before going on stage and the finishing touches afterward are all difficult. The moment you step off stage, you don't know what else to prepare for. It's challenging because you're constantly interacting with people. You get hurt a lot, and you wonder if there's something wrong with you or if you're lacking. Everyone works hard, but finding love of audience in that environment isn't easy.


Was there a moment when you particularly felt the drama's popularity?

When I went to Kim Jong-min's wedding in April, all the famous guests were sitting around me. Yet, as soon his relatives saw me, they reached out and said, 'The chairman is here,' regardless of who was next to me. It was hilarious how everyone called me 'chairman'. My colleagues were shocked, saying, '(Ahn) Jae-wook hyung, is this all you can say?' We all laughed until our stomachs dropped.

This is your first weekend drama in nine years, since KBS 2TV's 'Five Children' in 2016. What prompted you to appear in it?

Writer Koo Hyun-sook asked me to appear on the show through the production company, saying, 'I've seen a lot of your previous work.' I was curious about what it was about me that made her want me. I also liked the character's setting and the story, so I decided to appear. I enjoyed the collaborative relationship we shared, and I made cherished memories meeting Uhm Ji-won and the other cast members. I also noticed how drastically different the working environment was. Before, weekend drama leads only had time to shower briefly. Now, we have strict working hours, so the environment has improved significantly. Knowing when filming would end and when it would begin was a truly wonderful memory.


Do you tend to speak up for juniors on the set?

Yes. I do speak up a lot on set. It's my project. I feel a lot of responsibility. It's a time when I have to feel that responsibility. It's better to show them firsthand than to just talk things out. I have to speak up myself so that the other juniors can see me and grow." "All the juniors I worked with were motivated and had a great sense of humor. We all had great teamwork. Uhm Ji-won must have been going through a tough time, but she brightened up the set. I filmed the early scenes almost independently, but she had to discuss her family relationships with her juniors, so it must have been even harder. I want to tell her she worked hard.


Han Dong-seok initially appears cold, but later becomes a meddler, even living with his ex-mother-in-law, Park Jung

Actually, there were parts I didn't understand. So I talked a lot with director Choi Sang-yeol. I relayed the on-set feedback to the writer and asked her to reflect it. Han Dong-seok is actually a very ordinary person, but people around him misunderstood him as being picky and prickly. I thought he had little joy left after losing a wife, and he built a high wall around himself to hide his shortcomings. That part is similar to how I feel in real life. People around me say I seem a bit picky. That's why I was even more drawn to Han Dong-seok. If he were just picky, it wouldn't have been like that. There's a loneliness inside him that piqued my curiosity. I tried to express that. I also found it amusing how Gwang-sook suddenly breaks down that plastic wall. When Han Dong-seok develops feelings for Gwang-sook, he suddenly falls for her. I felt that part was entirely possible."

Was there any physical strain on him after his long hiatus from acting?

I didn't feel it at all. It was because of the 52-hour workweek. I used to find that incredibly difficult. Now, I can't deviate from the set's ten-plus-hour schedule, so I felt very comfortable. In fact, I worried about Gwang-sook a lot. Her role was very demanding."


Was viewership ratings stagnate as it progressed due to a somewhat lower dopamine level?

It's very regrettable. In fact, I talked with Uhm Jiwon about what ideas she might have. I said that anyone can look at the script and decide whether it's fun or not, just looking at the writer and director. Rather than saying that we should quickly film the script that came out late, I hope that before the script is out, whether the actors or the production company have good ideas, we can discuss them and create something that can be of help to the writer." I think the writer had a hard time too. I felt like it was a bit difficult after the middle part. The script also slowed down. Should she shoulder that stress alone? Gwang-sook and Dong-seok pair felt a bit disappointed when the middle part went to the end. They needed to gain some momentum to be more swept up in something, but I think it went too loosely, losing some of the tension and being too comfortable.


Did you junior trusted and followed you?

There aren't many people who trust and follow me. (laughs) I don't think the younger actors approach the project any differently just because it's a weekend drama. They just work hard at what's given to them. It's only when someone like (Choi) Dae-chul says, 'Hyung, it's so comfortable,' compared to before." He added, "After being cast, I realized I was quite senior but our juniors definitely have good sense and intuition, so they did well in their respective positions."


About positive response recieved for drama -

Since I was always on set, I don't have enough tangible experiences. Then, when I was out and about, young kids asked me for autographs, so I thought, 'Are the kids watching it too?' But I heard a lot of stories about how their parents were really into the drama. Adults in their middle years and older all liked it, and people around me said, 'Even middle-aged love can suddenly touch your heart.' They said it was nice to see it after a long time."
He continued, "The atmosphere was definitely different from before. Many people who loved this drama said that, with everyone's lifestyles having changed, it was nice to have a drama that the family could watch together for the first time in a while."

Here. Uhm Ji Won's interview 👇

What was it like working with Ahn jae Wook?

I think my brother Jae-wook and I might win the Best Couple Award at the year-end awards ceremony. I had great synergy with senior Jae-wook. We ended the filming on a high note and asked each other to work again together in new projects.
Since I happen to do a lot of female-led narratives, I don't think I've done many roles where the male lead has as much screen time as the male and female leads we know. That's why the scenes between Gwang-sook and Dong-seok were so much fun. I thought it would be fun to do a melodrama again next time
Both of us are not the type to be complacent, but rather we are the type always willing to try something more. I always asked senior Jae-wook, 'Isn't there something lacking? Is there anything missing?' and tried to find areas for improvement. There were many parts in the script that were just plain and bland, but he brought every scene to life with his acting.
Uhm Ji-won, who acted with Ahn Jae-wook in “Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!” and with actors Kim Jae-wook and Lee Jae-wook in Netflix’s “Tangeum,” joked, “I guess I’m a Jae-wook collector at this point,” and “I’ll have to think about which Jae-wook I should work with next to get good viewership ratings.”


What does she think of the viewers rating?

I wake up every morning and check the viewer ratings. The viewer ratings come out every day when I go to the filming set, and it feels like I'm getting a report card after taking an exam.Every time I open it, I feel so miserable thinking, 'What if it doesn't come out?' For episodes with interesting scripts, I have a little more anticipation.

Who was the mood maker on set?

Maybe it's me? (Ha ha ha) Since the story starts with the younger siblings, I thought the chemistry with the five brothers was important. I also wanted to show the mother-daughter chemistry with the mother (Park Joon-geum) like friends who play tiki-taka. In the five brothers, Yoon Park was already close with me because we filmed 'Postpartum Care Center' together, and the other four actors were all new to me. Still, thanks to Yoon Park, we created a group messenger room and quickly became close. In the early stages of filming, we tried to strengthen our strong friendship by having drinks together.

What about the possibility of winning the KBS Drama Awards?
I didn't choose my projects solely based on the potential of awards. I wanted to show a warm, bright project that people can watch without stress. I'm already so grateful for that. I think my fate at the year-end awards ceremony will depend on how other projects do in the second half of the year. I'll think about my luck at the end of the year.


When asked if she had anticipated the ending?

The writer told us the storyline and the overall framework. Back then, it was an open-ended ending. The initial storyline was about starting a relationship, one of the two leaving, and then coming back to meet. I think it changed because the story was organic. When there was talk of an extension, there was discussion about whether it would end with marriage or after, but ultimately, the writer wrote the story with twins. It wasn't a predictable ending from the beginning. The script got delayed as it progressed, so I had a lot of discussions with Ahn Jae-wook after seeing the revised script. Regarding the twin pregnancy, I received the script close to end and discussed how to bring it to life. As Gwang-sook and Dong-seok fell in love, there were many scenes where they bonded, and we became close. I even went golfing with Ahn Jaewook and Choi Dae-chul.



Why did she choose a weekend?

The lovable character of Gwang-sook was appealing, and I also thought it would appeal to my parents. When I first received the script, I enjoyed reading it and I thought I could portray Gwang-sook well. I've been acting for a long time, but I've never met a bright and spirited character. That's why I was drawn to it. I've been acting for over 20 years, but I've never done a project that my parents would like. So I wanted to do a project that they would like, and I hoped it would be a gift to them as well. Of all the projects I've done, this was my favorite. People would say, 'CEO Ma, are you tired?' and watch it from every angle. I'm getting depressed as the finale approaches. I wonder what I'll do when it's over. My parents' friends all liked it, and I've gotten a lot of calls. I think they enjoyed the project itself.

Because it was a long-running drama, there must have been physical issues?

I feel like it's really not over yet. I have to go film tomorrow. This is my first time doing something this long. I've done 8-12 episodes recently, but this is my first long project. Before we started, I asked a friend who had done a weekend drama, 'Can I do it?' and he said it would be okay since we split the workload, but we couldn't. There were a few times when I thought I might die, and then it was over. I got script of eight episode initially, and I was in a lot of scenes, so it was difficult to manage my physical strength. Thankfully, I'm quite good stamina-wise, so I held on well. There were not many scene where I wasn't there. We even got the four-episode extension. Extensions happen because the drama is doing well, right? It's like a medal for an actor, so I was grateful.
I started at 54kg and lost all the way down to 50kg.


How did you feel about finishing "Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!"?

It started in the fall and ended during a heatwave. We spent a year together, going through cold winters and hot summers. I'm happy that it ended with so much love. We act with the hope that it will do well, but things like ratings and box office success don't always go as planned. If it does well, I consider it a gift, and if it doesn't, I try not to get hurt. Nevertheless, I'm simply grateful to have received such a wonderful gift. I really feel the success of "Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!" when I go to restaurants. Many people greet me and say, 'I'm watching you well.'"


Ma Kwang-sook's character is quite nosy. She takes responsibility for all her brothers-in-law and even ends up taking care of Park Jung-soo, 
That's right. Gwang-sook is a character with a tremendous amount of nostalgia. She's a character who embraces and understands everyone. I think my personality's similiarity with Gwang-sook is the highest of all the characters I've played. Gwang-sook's courage, deep affection, and extraordinary loyalty are all similar to mine. I think Gwang-sook made that decision because she loves extended families so much. There were also a few times when I felt a sense of daunting because she's so different from me in the way that she can instantly fall in love with someone. Seeing her take care of Ahn Jae-wook's mother-in-law made me wonder, 'Can she really do that?' In real life, I'd probably say, 'It's sad, but we'll keep in touch sometimes,' and then say goodbye. Haha!"

What do you think is the appeal of Ma Gwang-sook and 'Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!'?

"I think Ma Kwang-sook seems even more unique these days, with so many people living more nuclear families and more individual lives. I really enjoyed the KBS weekend drama 'Men of the Bathhouse,' and I think people who, like me, yearn for the nostalgia of the past were satisfied with Kwang-sook's meddling. also found the script interesting from the beginning. Some of the dramatic settings, like the death of her husband and the subsequent remarriage after many twists and turns, were a bit difficult to relate to. It could have even seemed dangerous. However, the story had such a strong sense of love that I had great confidence that it would unfold smoothly. Based on that initial impression, I was able to successfully portray Kwang-sook's numerous meddling behaviors."

 It was a long journey, lasting over 10 months from the first filming to the final broadcast. What was it like, with the series being extended by four episodes, from 50 to 54?

"Of course, there were times when I felt physically challenged. Nevertheless, I tried to fully experience and convey the emotions of the story. Coming into the project knowing it was a long one, I focused on managing my condition. I worked hard to maintain the same energy and finish well. When I heard the news of the extension, I was deeply grateful, knowing it had been extended. However, I was also concerned that the depth of the story would be affected, considering the physical strength required. Since it was a result of the requests of many viewers, I steeled myself with the determination to finish well, no matter what. was so focused that I couldn't meet anyone while working on this project. To maintain that same energy, I had to rest on my days off."

Why do you think "Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!" has maintained a 20% viewership rating and enjoyed such consistent love?

Hasn't the concept of family changed these days? In the past, relatives like grandparents were close, but now, we don't even have much time to see our parents or siblings. I think we all yearn for that kind of connection, no matter how peaceful our lives may be. We all yearn for someone like a fence, someone like a shadow. I think the natural desire to get married, have children, and build a home is a fundamental human emotion. In an age when such feelings have weakened, I think the "alternative family" that Gwang-sook created, not connected by blood, resonated warmly and beautifully with viewers. I think that's what provided healing in these tough times, when the economy is struggling. There haven't been many dramas that portray the complex lives of people, but now that a KBS weekend drama truly lives up to its name, many adults have embraced it."

You met Yoon Park as your husband five years ago on tvN's "Postpartum Care Center," and now you're appearing as your brother-in-law, which must have been a refreshing change of pace. How was it working with Yoon Park, Choi Dae-chul, Kim Dong-wan, Yoon Park, and Lee Seok-gi—your four brothers-in-law?
Yoon Park and I were married, but here, we met as brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Early on, when we were filming the scene where Yoon Park brings his daughter Ha-ni to the bar, the image of Yoon Park and me having a baby felt incredibly familiar. Yoon Park even called me 'Takpuli Mom!' (laughs), which was the nickname I used back in 'Postpartum Care Center.' It felt like we should be a couple. It was so awkward and
and embarrassing that I kept bursting out laughing whenever I saw Mr. Park, so I got scolded. It didn't take long for Yoon Park to become my brother-in-law, but it was a fun experience. We were already in a situation where we had to quickly bond with the brothers and build chemistry, but having someone we were already close with really helped us out. Even though we have different personalities and ages, we quickly became close thanks to that.  We became incredibly close while filming the drama. Except for Lee Seok-ki, who plays the youngest brother Oh Kang-soo, my brothers and I were all incredibly talkative. There was no time to stop talking."

How was it working with Ahn Jae-wook, who plays Han Dong-seok, a couple who share the pain of bereavement and ultimately remarry?

"Our romantic story comes up a lot from the second half. He's a person who takes responsibility for the project, so we talked a lot. He has a great inner strength. It was a huge help. He's a great actor, and I learned a lot from him. I felt different seeing the unexpected aspects that only actors experience, like, 'That's how they act? or 'They bring those lines to life like this.' Thanks to that, I had fun acting, and I think the couple Han Dong-seok and Ma Kwang-sook received a lot of love."

- In the drama, Ma Kwang-sook and Han Dong-seok unexpectedly become pregnant and start a family, leading to a happy ending. Did you anticipate this ending?
When I first got the offer, it was an open-ended story. It was about a couple who break up for a while due to a crisis and then meet again. But because the 50-episode series is so long, the story gradually becomes more organic. So the actors wondered, 'Will it end in marriage?' But the writer concluded with a twin pregnancy. I always talk to senior Ahn Jae-wook when the script comes out, and when he saw the pregnancy confirmation scene, he said, 'Twins?' and was really amused."

 Is there a reason you've decided to keep your mind from getting too excited?

"After working for so long, I've naturally realized the need for mental health training. Being an actor is a profession that involves expressing emotions, so I tend to be more sensitive than others. Many people have a tendency to take both happy and sad moments very seriously. That's why I've experienced let go of those emotions to find positive moments. I thought that if that were difficult, I wouldn't be able to maintain my career for long. Not everything can turn out well. That's why I've started to cultivate my mind."

Here. Uhm Ji Won's interview 👇

What was it like working with Ahn jae Wook?

I think my brother Jae-wook and I might win the Best Couple Award at the year-end awards ceremony. I had great synergy with senior Jae-wook. We ended the filming on a high note and asked each other to work again together in new projects.
Since I happen to do a lot of female-led narratives, I don't think I've done many roles where the male lead has as much screen time as the male and female leads we know. That's why the scenes between Gwang-sook and Dong-seok were so much fun. I thought it would be fun to do a melodrama again next time
Both of us are not the type to be complacent, but rather we are the type always willing to try something more. I always asked senior Jae-wook, 'Isn't there something lacking? Is there anything missing?' and tried to find areas for improvement. There were many parts in the script that were just plain and bland, but he brought every scene to life with his acting.
Uhm Ji-won, who acted with Ahn Jae-wook in “Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!” and with actors Kim Jae-wook and Lee Jae-wook in Netflix’s “Tangeum,” joked, “I guess I’m a Jae-wook collector at this point,” and “I’ll have to think about which Jae-wook I should work with next to get good viewership ratings.”


What does she think of the viewers rating?

I wake up every morning and check the viewer ratings. The viewer ratings come out every day when I go to the filming set, and it feels like I'm getting a report card after taking an exam.Every time I open it, I feel so miserable thinking, 'What if it doesn't come out?' For episodes with interesting scripts, I have a little more anticipation.

Who was the mood maker on set?

Maybe it's me? (Ha ha ha) Since the story starts with the younger siblings, I thought the chemistry with the five brothers was important. I also wanted to show the mother-daughter chemistry with the mother (Park Joon-geum) like friends who play tiki-taka. In the five brothers, Yoon Park was already close with me because we filmed 'Postpartum Care Center' together, and the other four actors were all new to me. Still, thanks to Yoon Park, we created a group messenger room and quickly became close. In the early stages of filming, we tried to strengthen our strong friendship by having drinks together.

What about the possibility of winning the KBS Drama Awards?
I didn't choose my projects solely based on the potential of awards. I wanted to show a warm, bright project that people can watch without stress. I'm already so grateful for that. I think my fate at the year-end awards ceremony will depend on how other projects do in the second half of the year. I'll think about my luck at the end of the year.


When asked if she had anticipated the ending?

The writer told us the storyline and the overall framework. Back then, it was an open-ended ending. The initial storyline was about starting a relationship, one of the two leaving, and then coming back to meet. I think it changed because the story was organic. When there was talk of an extension, there was discussion about whether it would end with marriage or after, but ultimately, the writer wrote the story with twins. It wasn't a predictable ending from the beginning. The script got delayed as it progressed, so I had a lot of discussions with Ahn Jae-wook after seeing the revised script. Regarding the twin pregnancy, I received the script close to end and discussed how to bring it to life. As Gwang-sook and Dong-seok fell in love, there were many scenes where they bonded, and we became close. I even went golfing with Ahn Jaewook and Choi Dae-chul.



Why did she choose a weekend?

The lovable character of Gwang-sook was appealing, and I also thought it would appeal to my parents. When I first received the script, I enjoyed reading it and I thought I could portray Gwang-sook well. I've been acting for a long time, but I've never met a bright and spirited character. That's why I was drawn to it. I've been acting for over 20 years, but I've never done a project that my parents would like. So I wanted to do a project that they would like, and I hoped it would be a gift to them as well. Of all the projects I've done, this was my favorite. People would say, 'CEO Ma, are you tired?' and watch it from every angle. I'm getting depressed as the finale approaches. I wonder what I'll do when it's over. My parents' friends all liked it, and I've gotten a lot of calls. I think they enjoyed the project itself.

Because it was a long-running drama, there must have been physical issues?

I feel like it's really not over yet. I have to go film tomorrow. This is my first time doing something this long. I've done 8-12 episodes recently, but this is my first long project. Before we started, I asked a friend who had done a weekend drama, 'Can I do it?' and he said it would be okay since we split the workload, but we couldn't. There were a few times when I thought I might die, and then it was over. I got script of eight episode initially, and I was in a lot of scenes, so it was difficult to manage my physical strength. Thankfully, I'm quite good stamina-wise, so I held on well. There were not many scene where I wasn't there. We even got the four-episode extension. Extensions happen because the drama is doing well, right? It's like a medal for an actor, so I was grateful.
I started at 54kg and lost all the way down to 50kg.


How did you feel about finishing "Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!"?

It started in the fall and ended during a heatwave. We spent a year together, going through cold winters and hot summers. I'm happy that it ended with so much love. We act with the hope that it will do well, but things like ratings and box office success don't always go as planned. If it does well, I consider it a gift, and if it doesn't, I try not to get hurt. Nevertheless, I'm simply grateful to have received such a wonderful gift. I really feel the success of "Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!" when I go to restaurants. Many people greet me and say, 'I'm watching you well.'"


Ma Kwang-sook's character is quite nosy. She takes responsibility for all her brothers-in-law and even ends up taking care of Park Jung-soo, 
That's right. Gwang-sook is a character with a tremendous amount of nostalgia. She's a character who embraces and understands everyone. I think my personality's similiarity with Gwang-sook is the highest of all the characters I've played. Gwang-sook's courage, deep affection, and extraordinary loyalty are all similar to mine. I think Gwang-sook made that decision because she loves extended families so much. There were also a few times when I felt a sense of daunting because she's so different from me in the way that she can instantly fall in love with someone. Seeing her take care of Ahn Jae-wook's mother-in-law made me wonder, 'Can she really do that?' In real life, I'd probably say, 'It's sad, but we'll keep in touch sometimes,' and then say goodbye. Haha!"

What do you think is the appeal of Ma Gwang-sook and 'Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!'?

"I think Ma Kwang-sook seems even more unique these days, with so many people living more nuclear families and more individual lives. I really enjoyed the KBS weekend drama 'Men of the Bathhouse,' and I think people who, like me, yearn for the nostalgia of the past were satisfied with Kwang-sook's meddling. also found the script interesting from the beginning. Some of the dramatic settings, like the death of her husband and the subsequent remarriage after many twists and turns, were a bit difficult to relate to. It could have even seemed dangerous. However, the story had such a strong sense of love that I had great confidence that it would unfold smoothly. Based on that initial impression, I was able to successfully portray Kwang-sook's numerous meddling behaviors."

 It was a long journey, lasting over 10 months from the first filming to the final broadcast. What was it like, with the series being extended by four episodes, from 50 to 54?

"Of course, there were times when I felt physically challenged. Nevertheless, I tried to fully experience and convey the emotions of the story. Coming into the project knowing it was a long one, I focused on managing my condition. I worked hard to maintain the same energy and finish well. When I heard the news of the extension, I was deeply grateful, knowing it had been extended. However, I was also concerned that the depth of the story would be affected, considering the physical strength required. Since it was a result of the requests of many viewers, I steeled myself with the determination to finish well, no matter what. was so focused that I couldn't meet anyone while working on this project. To maintain that same energy, I had to rest on my days off."

Why do you think "Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!" has maintained a 20% viewership rating and enjoyed such consistent love?

Hasn't the concept of family changed these days? In the past, relatives like grandparents were close, but now, we don't even have much time to see our parents or siblings. I think we all yearn for that kind of connection, no matter how peaceful our lives may be. We all yearn for someone like a fence, someone like a shadow. I think the natural desire to get married, have children, and build a home is a fundamental human emotion. In an age when such feelings have weakened, I think the "alternative family" that Gwang-sook created, not connected by blood, resonated warmly and beautifully with viewers. I think that's what provided healing in these tough times, when the economy is struggling. There haven't been many dramas that portray the complex lives of people, but now that a KBS weekend drama truly lives up to its name, many adults have embraced it."

You met Yoon Park as your husband five years ago on tvN's "Postpartum Care Center," and now you're appearing as your brother-in-law, which must have been a refreshing change of pace. How was it working with Yoon Park, Choi Dae-chul, Kim Dong-wan, Yoon Park, and Lee Seok-gi—your four brothers-in-law?
Yoon Park and I were married, but here, we met as brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Early on, when we were filming the scene where Yoon Park brings his daughter Ha-ni to the bar, the image of Yoon Park and me having a baby felt incredibly familiar. Yoon Park even called me 'Takpuli Mom!' (laughs), which was the nickname I used back in 'Postpartum Care Center.' It felt like we should be a couple. It was so awkward and
and embarrassing that I kept bursting out laughing whenever I saw Mr. Park, so I got scolded. It didn't take long for Yoon Park to become my brother-in-law, but it was a fun experience. We were already in a situation where we had to quickly bond with the brothers and build chemistry, but having someone we were already close with really helped us out. Even though we have different personalities and ages, we quickly became close thanks to that.  We became incredibly close while filming the drama. Except for Lee Seok-ki, who plays the youngest brother Oh Kang-soo, my brothers and I were all incredibly talkative. There was no time to stop talking."

How was it working with Ahn Jae-wook, who plays Han Dong-seok, a couple who share the pain of bereavement and ultimately remarry?

"Our romantic story comes up a lot from the second half. He's a person who takes responsibility for the project, so we talked a lot. He has a great inner strength. It was a huge help. He's a great actor, and I learned a lot from him. I felt different seeing the unexpected aspects that only actors experience, like, 'That's how they act? or 'They bring those lines to life like this.' Thanks to that, I had fun acting, and I think the couple Han Dong-seok and Ma Kwang-sook received a lot of love."

- In the drama, Ma Kwang-sook and Han Dong-seok unexpectedly become pregnant and start a family, leading to a happy ending. Did you anticipate this ending?
When I first got the offer, it was an open-ended story. It was about a couple who break up for a while due to a crisis and then meet again. But because the 50-episode series is so long, the story gradually becomes more organic. So the actors wondered, 'Will it end in marriage?' But the writer concluded with a twin pregnancy. I always talk to senior Ahn Jae-wook when the script comes out, and when he saw the pregnancy confirmation scene, he said, 'Twins?' and was really amused."

 Is there a reason you've decided to keep your mind from getting too excited?

"After working for so long, I've naturally realized the need for mental health training. Being an actor is a profession that involves expressing emotions, so I tend to be more sensitive than others. Many people have a tendency to take both happy and sad moments very seriously. That's why I've experienced let go of those emotions to find positive moments. I thought that if that were difficult, I wouldn't be able to maintain my career for long. Not everything can turn out well. That's why I've started to cultivate my mind."

If you’d like, you can copy their Korean names from the English internet (like their Wiki pages) and paste them into Naver to find interviews, then translate them into English for easier reading.

But I can help with that too! 😊
Just let me know whose interviews you’re interested in—UJW, AJW, or both?
Do you want me to post them here, or should I send them to you via private message?
Also, do you want the full interviews or just key snippets?

It might take me a couple of hours, so I appreciate your patience!

I’m not talking about you, but about some other commenters. 😬 You’ve never made any baseless assumptions.

I simply asked them to feel free to critique UJW or any actor’s performance, as much as they like, but to avoid making personal attacks or tarnishing her character.

If she really disliked AJW, why would she hire him twice as a groom for her personal wedding photoshoot, as seen on her YouTube channel? That doesn’t make sense. I’ve pointed out several other examples in the past of male and female leads actually getting along well off-screen, but it all seems to fall on deaf ears.

Assuming lukewarm on-screen chemistry is due to personal animosity between actors is just as misguided as those delusional shippers who think romantic leads must be dating in real life. It’s the same logic, just flipped.

And really, why would an actor sabotage their own performance and reputation just because they don’t like their co-star? It’s a job. They’re colleagues, not spouses. Once the project wraps, they often go their separate ways. Actors with that kind of unprofessional attitude wouldn’t last long in the industry.

Uhm Ji-won actually said that out of all the characters she’s played, MKS is the one that’s most like her real personality. She’s bright, well-behaved and sociable in real life. So it’s even more impressive how well she pulls off those cold or villainous roles. It’s kind of funny that, of all things, people decided to call her stuck up. She had a lot of great acting moments in the earlier episodes too. Toward the end, she did seem a bit out of it, but she was probably just exhausted, and the script was being handed at last minutes. Plus, it’s worth noting that the director and writer wanted her to act that way.

You have every right to feel angsty. It was your precious 54 hours of life, after all. 😅
You can search for the interviews on Naver by typing the actors' names in Korean into the search bar, then translate them into English.

If that feels too tricky, I can share them here in the thread or send them via messages. Would you prefer the full interviews or just the parts related to the drama? Also, keep in mind that there are multiple versions of some interviews.

My biggest frustration while watching this drama has been seeing some people unfairly label the bright and talented Uhm Ji-won as unprofessional, even going so far as to claim she dislikes AJW and is solely responsible for the drama’s failure. Why?

I sincerely hope that before making such harsh judgments, they take the time to watch at least one project from her prolific filmography. She's one of the best in her age group. She is far more talented than many of her more popular contemporaries.

The actors aren't necessarily speaking up for her. They're simply responding to questions posed by interviewers. They didn’t bring up the topic themselves. As far as I know, no K-drama writer has ever publicly apologized for poor writing (and yes, I’ve seen worse). Networks also have a responsibility to support new writers, but they tend to stick to their usual ways and often show little interest in producing truly high-quality work.

Here is another excerpt from AJW's interview and he expressed similiar sentiment -

It's understandable that people aim for recognition at the year-end awards ceremony. "Of course, it would be nice to receive such a gift, whether personally or as a team. But I don't think I'm in a position to talk about awards."
Rather than expressing excitement about the ceremony, he didn’t hold back in criticizing KBS. "I told KBS, 'I hope there will be more dramas by the end of the year that are truly loved by audiences. Hasn't KBS only released a handful of works over the past 7–8 months? Some did well, and some didn’t.'"
He continued, "How pitiful is a drama without viewers? I hope we can create a culture where more fresh and interesting projects are released so we can compete in a healthy and positive way."
He added, "At year-end awards, instead of the usual 'Who will win?', I hope we reach a point where there are so many great works that the question becomes, 'Who should win?' Low ratings mean the content just isn’t engaging. And from the network's perspective, when results are poor, the response is often, 'Let’s not make another drama.' Recently, there have been far fewer productions, and it’s a harsh reality. Many actors are sitting idle. I truly hope we see more original and compelling dramas moving forward."

I'm reposting here -

These excerpts are from recent interviews with the male and female leads. They offer valuable insight into how the actors felt about the story’s development, especially in the second half and ending. It's evident that the script deviated significantly from the writer's original plan.


Uhm Ji-won speaks out about the forced pregnancy and childbirth setup: "It wasn't the original ending

Since the drama is 50 episodes, it's impossible to write the entire script from beginning to end before starting. Instead, the writer gave us the general framework." She continued, "When I first heard from the writer, it was an open ending. It was a story about Dong-seok and I dating, but one of them leaves and then they meet again.

 


Ahn Jae-wook of "The Five Eagle Brothers" also expressed regret: "I wish the second half had been more intense. The writer seems exhausted

Compared to its initial upward trend, "Please Take Care of the Eagle Five Brothers" saw its viewership falter in the latter half due to a slightly lower dopamine rush and a more subdued atmosphere. When asked if he had any regrets as an actor, Ahn Jae-wook replied, "Of course I do," and then added, "I have many regrets. Actually, I also talked with Uhm Jiwon about what ideas we could come up with. It's said that anyone can read a script and say it's interesting or not, just by looking at the writer and director. He mentioned the atmosphere on set, saying, "Instead of rushing to film the script even if it comes out late, I wish that before the script is even written, if the actors or the production company have good ideas, they should discuss them and create opportunities to help the writer."

And then he said, "It seems the author went through a lot too. I felt she was struggling a bit after the middle of the drama. The script pace also slows down sometimes. When that happens, should you only bear the stress alone?
I felt a bit disappointed with Gwang-suk and Dong-seok as the story moved from the middle to the second half. It felt like they needed to gain momentum to really sweep us away, but perhaps they were too relaxed, the tension dissipated a bit, and they went too loosely."

Oops! Just to clarify, I’m not defending the writer or excusing her failures. As I mentioned earlier, it felt like a half-hearted effort from the start. I believe others involved were also complacent and played a role in making things worse, especially since they didn’t seem interested in letting her execute her original vision.

I was simply sharing my thoughts on how live shooting and on-the-spot scriptwriting can negatively impacts the weekend dramas, hurting not just the script but everyone involved, including the writer.

That said, I won’t be watching any of this writer’s future dramas, even if they star some of my favorite actors. I do hope UJW and AJW get cast together again in a better, well executed project in future. I see potential in them.

Leads were simply trying to answer the journalists' questions in a diplomatic, yet realistic manner. I've only shared brief snippets from their interviews that seemed relevant to our discussion. Given their experience in the field, they must understand the importance of maintaining a professional tone with the press. As veterans, they've likely seen many highs and lows, which has probably helped them develop a great deal of patience (much more than us 😅) even when certain aspects of the work fall short of their expectations.

It’s possible that the writer was under pressure (from network?) to make significant changes to her original vision. For example, keeping Hani in the story, skipping important time jumps, downplaying the main lead's romance (especially the female lead’s reception of him), and removing the father-daughter rivalry, these may not have been part of the initial plan. In fact, I feel that only the Dokgo family arc remained intact from the original draft, with everything else was in freefall.
Actors initially recieved script for only 8 eps.

I've come across several versions of the leads' interviews, and some of them mentioned the writer experiencing writer’s block. Perhaps she was mentally exhausted, especially considering the demands of crafting a script on the spot while trying to stay true to the nature of a weekend drama. It’s a tough balancing act, and the trend of producing long-running dramas in such a rushed manner often affects their quality. That said, she should still be held accountable for the parts that didn’t work.

That said, these types of dramas seem to resonate strongly with certain demographics in Korea. Uhm Jiwon even shared that, out of her entire filmography, this drama is her parents' favorite, while they weren't fans of When Life Gives You Tangerines. 😂"