Behind the Scenes of 'Wild Thing': Kang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo, and Park Ji-hyun Become 'Triangle'

Every production has numerous perspectives. Although the director and actors share the same space and time, their experiences may differ greatly. 'Behind the Scenes' focuses on the vivid realities beyond the 'A-cut' captured on screen. It reconstructs the moments of the 'B-cut' that were even more intense than the completed frames through interviews with the director and actors. (Editor’s Note)
The film 'Wild Thing' tells the story of 'Triangle,' a mixed-gender dance group that once dominated the music scene but disbanded due to an unexpected incident. Now, 20 years later, they are given a chance at a comeback. Kang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo, and Park Ji-hyun portray the group's leader Hyun-woo, rapper Sang-goo, and center Domi, respectively.

In 'Wild Thing,' the stage is not just a backdrop. The three actors were required to act and perform simultaneously. Memorizing choreography and coordinating movements was not enough; they had to sing, dance, and engage with the audience while being aware of the camera. What they faced in front of the camera was not just the 'singer' persona but the reality of being on stage.

"Seeing myself dance was incredibly satisfying. Especially towards the last performance, I thought, 'Wow, I'm really doing well.' I practiced hard, even after filming, going to practice at night. As we continued filming the stage scenes, I gained more stage experience. By the end, I felt like I had developed a stage presence. At first, I was so focused on not missing the choreography, but as it became second nature, I could pay more attention to the lines. Initially, I was overwhelmed with singing, dancing, engaging the audience, and watching the camera, but as I got used to it, my dance lines improved," said Kang Dong-won.
Park Ji-hyun, who plays the center Domi, identified confidence as the most crucial quality needed on stage. She noted that the center position was unfamiliar and burdensome for an actress with limited stage experience.

"I thought I needed confidence because I was the center. I was worried since I didn't have much stage experience and there were so many visually stunning people around. But I decided to approach it with a fresh perspective and confidence. I watched many artists perform to try to eliminate self-consciousness and just enjoy the moment. Initially, I focused on not making mistakes in the choreography, but I realized I should immerse myself in the performance," Park Ji-hyun explained.

For Um Tae-goo, who plays the rapper Sang-goo, the stage represented a different kind of unfamiliarity. Sang-goo is more of an aspiring rapper than a polished one. Um Tae-goo trained for five months at JYP Entertainment, learning rap and dance, mastering vocalization, rhythm, and gestures.

"With rap, I relied 100% on my teacher. I followed their instructions closely. My character wasn't a skilled rapper, but I thought that if I worked hard for five months, I could make it work even if I wasn't perfect. I practiced vocalization and rhythm with my teacher, and eventually, I found myself unconsciously mimicking their gestures and speech patterns. It felt great when that came out naturally. There’s no end to it, so I just kept working hard without thinking about limits," Um Tae-goo shared.
While the three actors approached the stage differently, their focus in the practice room converged. Kang Dong-won's dedication left a strong impression on his colleagues. Park Ji-hyun recalled being amazed by Kang Dong-won's practice of breakdancing and headspins.

"Dong-won was truly impressive when it came to dance. I saw him practicing breakdancing and headspins in the studio, and I couldn't believe how quickly he mastered them. It was incredible. I wondered how much effort he must have put in to achieve that in such a short time. He would arrive at the studio three to four hours early, drenched in sweat. He practiced individually and then spent another three to four hours with us, so it seemed like he was practicing for six to seven hours a day. It’s not just about effort; he really knows how to use his body, and I thought he would have excelled in dance if he had pursued that path," Park Ji-hyun remarked.

Kang Dong-won's goal was not to mimic but to create a genuine performance. While 'Wild Thing' is a comedy, his approach to the stage was serious.

"For the first performance, my goal was to do so well that it would be funny. I aimed to showcase my dance lines so that those who were dancers before becoming singers wouldn’t feel embarrassed. I wanted them to think, 'Yeah, I used to do that.' I hoped the audience would find it amusing, thinking, 'Why is he doing so well? Why is it funny?'" Kang Dong-won explained.
To make Triangle's stage appear authentic, each actor needed their own references. Kang Dong-won recalled the charm and seriousness of first-generation idols he had seen on TV during high school, while Park Ji-hyun drew inspiration from Fin.K.L and Lee Hyori to express Domi's freshness and intensity.

"I wanted to recreate the image I saw on TV when I was in high school. It was so cool back then. I had never thought about becoming a dance singer, but I wanted to replicate that feeling. The script matched that sentiment, and I wanted to capture the essence of first-generation idols. I wanted them to think, 'That’s how we were,'" Kang Dong-won said.

"I liked both g.o.d and Fin.K.L when I was younger, but I focused on Lee Hyori. The character Domi in the film, as well as Triangle's transition from a fresh and pure concept in their first album to a bold and flashy performance in their second, reminded me of her. When she was with Fin.K.L, her image was similar to the first album, but in her solo career, she adopted a sexy and intense concept. I thought it would be great for Domi to embody both aspects," Park Ji-hyun added.
After accumulating references and practice, the real variable emerged on stage. Um Tae-goo, who had revealed little during rehearsals, showcased a completely different persona once the cameras were rolling. Park Ji-hyun described that moment as feeling like she had been blindsided.

"Tae-goo was someone who didn’t show much during practice, but once he was on stage, he transformed into a different person. Dong-won said I was a natural on stage, but I think Tae-goo is the true stage natural. I felt blindsided. I thought I would just wink from my part, but he winked a million times during the rap part. I felt like, 'He took my moment.' He was flying on stage, and his cuteness rivaled that of active idols," Park Ji-hyun said.

"That part was something that changed on the spot. I was discussing with the teacher about making it cuter, but I had no gestures prepared, so I was worried. I thought, 'If it’s not cute, I might as well not do it.' It was terrifying because it would be strange for someone who had never made that expression to suddenly do so. But I think I just went for it. I did everything I could think of that was cute. The actions themselves weren’t prepared at all," Um Tae-goo reflected.
Kang Dong-won aimed to create a 'funny yet impressive' performance based on his memories of first-generation idols, while Park Ji-hyun infused confidence into Domi, and Um Tae-goo added Sang-goo's awkwardness and unexpected charm. The song, dance, expressions, and gestures crafted by the three actors brought the fictional group Triangle to life on stage. The humor in 'Wild Thing' was built upon their serious preparation.