[Exclusive] Director of ‘Man to Man’ shares why you should watch the K-drama
After the successful K-drama ‘Cheese in the Trap’ last year, Park Hae Jin is back with another interesting drama to watch, MANxMAN (Man to Man). The drama tells the story of Kim Seol Woo (played by Park Hae Jin), who becomes a ghost bodyguard for a top Hallyu star Yeo Woon Gwang (played by Park Sung Woong). The drama is about the twisty events they encounter and the budding bromance between the star and bodyguard.
MANxMAN is a new series directed by producer Lee Chang-min, who worked on popular K-drama series such as Giant, Bride of the Sun, Birth of a Beauty, and Remember: War of the Son. The latter was written by Kim Won Seok, who was also recognized for co-writing Descendants of the Sun, one of the most successful K-drama series in 2016.
K-popped! had a chance to have a short chat with the director itself, Lee Chang-min. Without much further ado, check out the interview below!
What can the audience expect to experience following a serial like MANxMAN?
The fact that it is a mixed-genre show – I hope the viewers will see it as unique and refreshing. I hope that they will enjoy each scene sometimes laughing, other times crying, nervous, and relaxed.
How did you become part of (the production) team of this show?
After I left SBS, I somewhat randomly got a chance to read the synopsis of the MANxMAn by chance and was drawn to it right away. I’ve known Kim Wonseok for a very long time and always wanted to work with him, and that was also one of the main reasons for me to jump on this project. Also, the uniqueness of a mixed-genre show was also very attractive.
What are some of the biggest challenges when producing a show of this magnitude? (i.e. storyline, finding the right actors or even the scripting etc.)
Coming up with a good storyline is always the most challenging part. For this specific series, I had to scale up some parts to express emotions and situations in the script in a delicate manner, and I hope viewers like that.
What did you look for in finding the right fit to play your main character(s)?
Acting ability is always my first priority in terms of casting. I value acting ability over everything else. It’s even better if an actor/actress can show an image that is different from the image she or he has always been associated with. I think it is refreshing when actors and actresses defy expectations coming from their previous image.
Any surprises or twists to look out for or is going to surprise people about MANxMAN?
If you follow how the main characters complete their missions, you will find lots of twists and fun scenes to watch.
Will there be a Season 2?
It totally depends on the viewer’s reception. Please show your support for MANxMAN.
That’s it! Have you been following the ‘Man to Man’ series? It is currently airing on JTBC and also available on Netflix, so do make sure to tune in if you don’t want to miss out on all the action!
