Latest news with #CosmopolitanKorea
Pink Villa
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Not Lee Byung Hun but THIS K-pop idol was first choice for KPop Demon Hunters' Gwi Ma role, director reveals
KPop Demon Hunters is no more just an ordinary animation movie, it has become a global phenomenon. Following the movie's success, co-director Maggie Kang opened up about its casting in a recent interview with Cosmopolitan Korea. In the video, which aired on July 16, she revealed that Lee Byung Hun was not the first choice for Gwi Ma's role, instead it was an influential figure of the K-pop industry. Find out who he was. JY Park was director's first pick for the role of Gwi Ma in KPop Demon Hunters JY Park, the founder of one of the 'big 4' agencies of the K-pop industry, JYP Entertainment, was the original pick for playing Gwi Ma. Co-director Maggie Kang revealed the reason for considering him for KPop Demon Hunters ' demon king's role. According to her, the initial idea behind the character was very different from the final version that audiences experienced. 'When we first started casting, we had an idea of Gwi Ma being a wannabe idol himself. So we thought of JY Park. However, later the vibe of Gwi Ma changed to a more traditional villain, so Lee Byung Hun was cast," she said. The initial concept for Gwi Ma made it seem like the character was made for JY Park, as he is known for his flamboyant stage presence and theatrical flair. Why was Lee Byung Hun finally casted for Gwi Ma's role in KPop Demon Hunters? As the tone of KPop Demon Hunters shifted and the antagonist's part changed from a wannabe idol, the role ultimately went to the Squid Game fame Lee Byung Hun. The veteran actor's deep, commanding voice aptly brought out the character's dark, intimidating aura, which the film required. As per the co-director, Lee Byung Hun brought a level of weight and intensity to the character that perfectly suited the film's final vision. The outcome might have been beneficial, as the audience thoroughly enjoyed the animated film in its entirety, and Lee Byung-hun's voice acting garnered widespread acclaim. With the film's unconventional production choices, captivating music and behind-the-scenes accounts, it continues to generate buzz.
Pink Villa
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kim Yoo Jung was ‘scared' to take on Dear X role with Kim Young Dae, reveals what convinced her
Kim Yoo Jung is no newbie in the entertainment industry. Having transitioned from a child actor role to that of one of the most sought-after young names in the business, she has seen it all. Taking on her part in Dear X, an anticipated role in which she stars alongside Kim Young Dae, Kim Do Hoon, and more, the 25-year-old has opened up about her decision to accept the role after initially hesitating. She revealed that it was director Lee Eung Bok, known to bring out exciting thrillers like Sweet Home, and classic romances like Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and Descendants of the Sun, whose involvement convinced her. Kim Yoo Jung spills about her role as Baek Ah Jin Talking to Cosmopolitan Korea, the Lovers of the Red Sky star shared that though she took some time to accept the role, it ended up being the right choice for her. 'The original webtoon is well-known, and I heard it is a really interesting story.' However, the difficulty in portraying the role of Baek Ah Jin is what held her back. 'I was a bit scared to take it on. But after meeting the director and speaking with him, I gained the confidence to move forward. He explained in detail why I was the right person to play Baek Ah Jin.' If that wasn't all, Kim Yoo Jung, who also considers chemistry with fellow actors and crew as important as her acting on set, found the right synergy with the director, making it an enjoyable experience for her overall. 'Of course, the script and character are important, but so is the chemistry with the people you are working with. In that sense, I trusted the director.' She was last seen in Chicken Nugget on Netflix, in a cameo role as Choi Min Ah. However, her latest full-fledged character was with Song Kang for the demon-human love story, My Demon. The show received much love from international audiences who praised its visual charm. The drama will see her turn into a ruthless top actor who is supported by Yoon Joon Seo, who stays by her side all the time. Played by Kim Young Dae, he lets love guide his path. Dear X is said to be eyeing a 2025 premiere.
