On May 18, a press and distribution preview for 'Wild Thing' took place at Lotte World Tower in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Director Son Jae-gon and actors Kang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo, and Park Ji-hyun attended the event to discuss the film.
'Wild Thing' tells the story of 'Triangle,' a mixed-gender dance group that once dominated the music scene but disbanded overnight due to an unexpected incident. Now, 20 years later, they embark on a reckless challenge to seize a second chance at success. Kang Dong-won plays the leader Hyun-woo, Um Tae-goo portrays the rapper Sang-goo, and Park Ji-hyun takes on the role of center Domi.
Director Son emphasized the importance of making audiences root for the protagonists. He stated, "A key goal was to create a scenario where viewers would want to support the main characters. I believe we have never successfully evoked that feeling before, even when embedding messages and various reasons into the script."
He added, "In this film, the protagonists' final choices may initially seem reckless, but as visual movements and music intertwine, those emotions are captured. It seems that relying solely on the script and calculations does not work well."
Son noted that the film's message is something that unfolds naturally within the story rather than being explicitly stated, linking it to a line spoken by Hyun-woo in the film. He remarked, "In fact, I have never made a film with the intention of conveying a theme or message. My only criterion is, 'This will be fun.' However, as the film is released, I find myself reflecting on themes and messages. Surprisingly, I discover plausible messages and themes. As I age, I feel that having only three opportunities in a lifetime seems too few. If I think it's over after three times, that feels like a cruel statement. Therefore, that line could naturally convey a message in this story."
While the film is set against the backdrop of the early 2000s music scene, the preparation process extended back to the 1990s. Elements such as costumes, stage visuals, and interview formats reflect various images from that era.
Director Son explained, "The script specifies the year 2000, but during research, the production team felt that referencing only that specific period seemed too distant from current trends. Therefore, we expanded our references to include the 1990s while preparing the project. Many styles were referenced, so viewers may see styles that resonate with their own experiences and memories."
The actors also focused on capturing the era's atmosphere through their speech, demeanor, and stage presence. Kang Dong-won noted, "When looking at materials from that time, the interview styles were somewhat different from today. I thought about how to incorporate those elements when appearing on TV rather than in casual conversation. I remember trying to mix those aspects to create something entertaining."
Park Ji-hyun remarked, "The director and staff did a great job of capturing the era's emotional backdrop, allowing me to naturally act as if I were in that time period."
Um Tae-goo added, "The external aspects were well crafted by the staff and director. I focused on faithfully portraying what was in the script while considering how to make it appear more authentic."
The styling of 'Triangle' evokes images of idol groups from the 1990s and 2000s. Instead of directly referencing a specific group, the actors brought their own interpretations of the styles and stage images they remembered from that time.
Kang Dong-won shared, "I referenced various idols. My generation grew up watching them, so I wanted to pay homage to their styles and atmosphere. I also contributed some ideas. For the dance, I thought about other performers and referenced their dance lines, acting with a sense of homage."
Park Ji-hyun added, "I, along with others, referenced several idol groups to capture that era. I mentioned that Lee Hyori from Fin.K.L left a strong impression on me because I liked her at that time, and she remains an iconic figure in my memory. I tried to incorporate her freshness, sexiness, and charming smile into my performance."
The most challenging aspect for the actors was performing on stage. As 'Triangle' was a once-popular group, the actors had to deliver singing, dancing, and stage performances while being aware of the camera.
Kang Dong-won stated, "Performing on stage was my biggest challenge. Since the characters were successful idols, they had to showcase their skills on stage. Typically, in films, looking at the camera is a mistake, but here, not looking at the camera was the mistake. When the lights came on, we had to look at the camera, and every moment of dancing while gazing at it was a challenge."
The film's music and performances have already been released ahead of its premiere. The lead track 'Love is' from 'Triangle' has been made available, along with a music video, generating reactions reminiscent of a fictional fandom. The film's setting has expanded into pre-release content, drawing attention.
Kang Dong-won expressed gratitude for the positive reactions, saying, "Although it's before the release, I appreciate the good responses. However, I worry that if viewers become too immersed, they might be disappointed after watching the film. The music video represents a part of the film's past, while the movie tells a different story, and I'm concerned that people might conflate the two."
Um Tae-goo noted, "We filmed the music video after completing the shoot. After five months of filming, we practiced and became accustomed to the performance, so it was easier to execute. Park Ji-hyun added, "I was curious about how it would be utilized, but I didn't expect the music video to be released. I thought it was a great idea. I'm surprised that many people are enjoying it and sharing diverse comments, showing that audiences are engaging with the film in fresh ways. I hope 'Wild Thing' will also be loved by many."
The actors also put effort into portraying characters that transition between the past and present. 'Triangle' is a group that, after its peak 20 years ago, is attempting to return to the stage.
Park Ji-hyun stated, "I researched the words and speech patterns used during that time, ensuring that the passage of time between their 20s and 40s could be compared to show the flow of time."
Kang Dong-won humorously remarked about the past scenes, saying, "Being 19 is impossible, but I believed in the power of science and technology." He added, "I'm not one to fully trust CGI, but I wanted to receive a lot of help. Since I was also an entertainer when I was young, I wanted to channel the energy of pursuing my dreams."
Meanwhile, 'Wild Thing' is set to hit theaters on June 3.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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