"I was drawn to the character of Min-seok because he enjoys extreme sports. I like active hobbies myself, so I thought it would be fun to learn and try it out. It was also my first time playing a husband, and the novelty of the role intrigued me," Gong said.
His decision to join the cast was significantly influenced by actor Jin Sun-kyu. Although he almost worked with director Park on the film 'Yuksa-o,' scheduling conflicts prevented it. This time, after reading the engaging script, a call from Jin Sun-kyu made it clear that he wanted to be involved.
"I think Sun-kyu has about 80% influence on my decision. The director might feel a bit left out, haha. I almost worked with Park Kyu-tae during 'Yuksa-o,' but the timing didn’t align. After reading the script for 'Husbands' and receiving Sun-kyu's call asking if I would join, I thought I had to do it if he was in," Gong explained.
Throughout filming, Gong confirmed Park Kyu-tae's unique comedic sensibility. He noted that when actors brought ideas to the set, the director would not simply accept or reject them but would clearly identify what could be enhanced or adjusted within the work.
"Since the script was written by the director himself, his points were very clear on set. When we suggested ideas, he would say, 'This is good, but it would be better if we approached it this way.' I often felt that this was the director's unique style of comedy. I would love to work with him again if the opportunity arises," he said.
'Husbands' marks the first collaboration between Gong Myung and Jin Sun-kyu in seven years since 'Extreme Job.' However, the two have maintained regular contact outside of work, which made the long gap feel less significant.
"When choosing a project, I was more excited about the fun of working with Sun-kyu than feeling pressured about reuniting after 'Extreme Job.' I didn’t think people would connect the two since the projects and relationships are entirely different. But as promotions began and 'Extreme Job' kept coming up, I realized it was natural for people to think that way," Gong said.
The seven-year gap became more palpable on set. Gong observed Jin Sun-kyu's leadership and approach to directing scenes, which he had not noticed during 'Extreme Job.' He described Jin as a close friend who jokes around but also as a mentor with much to teach regarding professionalism.
"I was surprised by our reunion after seven years. We’ve met frequently and kept in touch, so I didn’t realize how long it had been. This time, I saw a lot of Sun-kyu's leadership that I hadn’t noticed during 'Extreme Job.' Watching him lead the actors and create each scene taught me a lot. He’s a fun guy to joke with, but as an actor, he has so much to teach," Gong said.
Actor Kim Ji-seok, who plays Do-jun, caught Gong's attention from their first meeting. His vibrant costumes and accessories matched his character's flamboyant style, but it was the actor's passion for preparing the role that left a deeper impression.
"When I first saw Ji-seok, I was really surprised by how cool he looked. Do-jun wears flashy clothes and lots of accessories, so he stands out, but Ji-seok himself is very handsome and stylish. I’ve seen him in various works and shows since I was young, but meeting him in person made me realize how impressive he is," Gong said.
Kim Ji-seok's dedication to preparing for the character, especially during the script reading, inspired Gong. He noted that Ji-seok approached a single scene with multiple interpretations, motivating Gong to prepare more intensely.
"Ji-seok really prepared passionately for the character of Do-jun. During the reading, he brought several versions to showcase, and seeing that made me think, 'I need to work harder too.' I learned a lot from him and found him impressive," Gong said.
Yoon Kyung-ho was the actor responsible for maintaining the atmosphere on set. Although he gained recognition for his humor through the filming and release of 'Zombie Daughter' and later through variety shows, Gong had already experienced his storytelling prowess on set.
"Kyung-ho was really fun on set. After seeing him on 'Pinggye' later, I thought, 'He really is a storyteller.' I already knew that from filming. People were always gathered around him because he told stories so engagingly, which made the atmosphere on set very enjoyable," Gong said.
Min-seok, the character Gong portrays, differs significantly from the roles he has played in the past. Instead of being a character who receives protection and concern, he is a husband who must be the first to jump into danger for his wife and daughter. Gong expressed a desire to continue this evolution in his career.
"If you see me as having transitioned from a protected character to a protective one, I would appreciate that. I want to continue exploring that aspect in the future. I’ve chosen projects with the belief that I need to gradually change to portray diverse characters. I’m happy to hear positive feedback and hope to show a more mature and masculine side or genre-specific characters in the future," Gong said.
However, he is not rushing this transformation. After his military discharge, he chose projects like 'A Week Before I Die' and 'The History of Confession,' opting to add new elements to the familiar charm that audiences have come to love rather than completely erase it.
"Since my discharge, I’ve thought about gradually making changes when selecting projects. A sudden shift would be burdensome for me, and I felt that my body would resist saying, 'This doesn’t feel right' while acting. I believe it’s better for me to continue showing what I’ve presented so far, the image that people like, and gradually introduce new aspects," Gong said.
He believes that a measured approach to change feels more natural for him. Given enough time and preparation, he is open to taking bolder roles in the future.
"As time passes and I feel adequately prepared, I think I might challenge myself with roles that require significant transformation. For now, I see this as a process of gradually revealing new sides of myself at a pace I can handle," Gong said.
'Husbands' has opened new possibilities for Gong's comedic talent. While he has been accustomed to creating humor through expressions and physicality, this film has allowed him to develop his ability to generate laughter through dialogue and interactions.
"Min-seok has many moments of humor through expressions and physicality, but I think this film also allowed me to create laughter through dialogue. The humor arises from the exchanges between Chung-sik and Min-seok. I feel like I discovered that I can also do this kind of comedy," Gong said.
Before filming, he felt considerable pressure about creating humor through dialogue. However, spending time with Jin Sun-kyu allowed them to practice enough to find a natural rhythm together.
"Before doing 'Husbands,' I was worried about how to effectively create humor through dialogue. But working with Sun-kyu, who makes me feel at ease, we practiced our lines a lot, and that helped it come out naturally on set. I really appreciated that," Gong said.
Gong believes that the charm of a comedy film lies in sharing laughter and reactions with others. He encourages viewers who have yet to see 'Husbands' to enjoy it with family or friends.
"I think comedy films are more enjoyable when watched with someone rather than alone. There’s fun in discussing what was funny and how different parts felt. For those who haven’t seen it yet, I hope you watch it with family or friends. If you have to watch it alone, it’s still enjoyable. With a diverse cast of senior actors, there’s something to appreciate in each performance. You won’t regret it."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.