The drama “Evillive” received an age restriction of not suitable for teenagers due to its intense crime noir genre, and it is finding its way into living rooms. Starring Shin Ha Kyun, Kim Young Kwang, and Shin Jae Ha, “Evillive” is a story of a survivalist lawyer named Han Dong-soo (played by Shin Ha Kyun) who transforms into an elite criminal.
On the afternoon of the 13th of October, the production announcement for the Genie TV original drama “Evillive” took in Seoul. Actors Shin Ha Kyun, Kim Young Kwang, and Shin Jae Ha, and director Kim Jung Min attended the event.
“Evillive” is a crime noir drama that depicts the transformation of a once righteous man into a criminal. Director Kim Jung Min explained, “I portrayed the desires and hidden faces of humanity within the process of a good man turning into a villain.”
Director Kim Jung Min cast Shin Ha Kyun believing he was the only actor who could portray Han Dong-soo. He stated, “The character of Han Dong-soo embodies both good and evil. I thought Shin Ha Kyun was the only actor who could express the subtle emotional changes of Han Dong-soo as he transforms into a villain.”
He continued, “I cast Kim Young Kwang for the role of Seo Do-young to break away from the typical image of a gangster in previous dramas. And for Han Beom-jae, I chose Shin Jae Ha because I needed an actor who could keep up with Shin Ha Kyun’s performance.”
Shin Ha Kyun plays a normal lawyer who gradually transforms into a villain after meeting Seo Do-young. Shin Ha Kyun explained, “Han Dong-soo is not the typical image of a lawyer, but a lower-middle-class citizen who has to work hard to survive. I focused on portraying Han Dong-soo in a way that makes people think, ‘Anyone can change like that in such circumstances.'”
Kim Young Kwang plays Seo Do-young, the second-in-command of a criminal organization who leads Han Dong-soo into the world of evil. Having previously challenged himself with an antagonist role in “Somebody,” Kim Young Kwang will once again showcase his intense acting skills. He stated, “If Han Dong-soo is white, Seo Do-young is black. Seo Do-young is a rough character without any regrets or lingering attachments.”
Shin Jae Ha portrays Han Beom-jae, Han Dong-soo’s stepbrother who suffers from seeing his brother gradually change because of him. Shin Jae Ha expressed his excitement about participating in another good project. Referring to his previous villain roles, Shin Jae Ha emphasized, “I’m not playing an antagonist in this drama. It’s a kind role, and I don’t betray anyone,” bringing smiles to the audience.
About the drama the director said, “The title ‘Evillive’ may give the impression that it’s a dark and intense drama, but it’s not about glorifying crime or excessive violence. It’s a story about the transformation of a character named Han Dong-soo into a villain, and the psychological battles between him and Seo Do-young.”
Despite the provocative nature of the storyline, the director assured that the drama has been rated as “Restricted for Youth” due to its depiction of the character’s transformation rather than any explicit content. He emphasized that the focus of the drama lies in the psychological dynamics between the two main characters rather than the noir elements.
As the drama goes up against strong competitors such as MBC’s “My Dearest 2” and SBS’s “The Escape of The Seven,” Kim Jung Min expressed confidence in the strength of the story and characters, stating that if viewers witness the captivating development of the three characters in the drama, they will come to love it.
When asked about the message he wanted to convey through “Evillive,” the director highlighted the concept of boundaries. He mentioned that the character Han Dong-soo firmly states, “There is a line that must be protected.” The drama explores the consequences of crossing that line, where one may gain their desired life but also lose much in the process. Kim Jung Min hoped that the viewers would take the time to reflect on what they gain and lose when they disregard their own boundaries.
“Evillive” is a 10-episode drama that will be released on Genie TV, Genie TV Mobile, and ENA from the 14th of this month, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 PM.
Source: (A)
