The second season of the Disney+ original series 'Killer's Shopping Mall' has quickly risen to the top of global viewership for Korean originals, proving its predecessor's strong presence after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus. At the center of this success is Lee Dong-wook, who reprises his role as Jin-man, a former mercenary and the founder of the shopping mall, who returns from the dead.
"I am so grateful to the fans who waited for two years. I’m happy that the love for Season 1 laid the foundation for Season 2, and I enjoyed playing Jin-man again," Lee said.
The story of Season 2 picks up immediately from the end of Season 1, where Jin-man returns to life. Lee described the process of reconnecting with the character's emotional journey after the break as a natural adjustment.
"The story of Season 2 begins right where Season 1 left off with Jin-man coming back to life. I discussed with the director what Jin-man might have been doing while Ji-an was struggling at home. We thought he would be fighting against the veil, ensuring it doesn’t reach Ji-an, and that the fight would only end when the veil is dealt with. Since I had some ideas in mind already, I didn’t find it too difficult to act. However, now we can show what Jin-man was actually doing, which I believe will satisfy the viewers' curiosity. Just like when I returned to the character after two years for 'Tale of Nokdu,' it turned out to be possible. Humans seem to be adaptable creatures," he explained.
As he prepared for Season 2, Lee also focused on physical changes to embody the character of a strong uncle and former mercenary. He underwent an intense weight gain regimen for several months before filming.
"When I played Jin-man in 'Killer's Shopping Mall,' I gained about 7 to 8 kg compared to my usual weight. Since he is a former mercenary and a killer, I thought I needed that kind of physique to be a reliable support for Ji-an. I didn’t expect to do Season 2, but since we had to continue the story from Season 1, I had to gain weight again. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I ate four to five meals a day, focusing on protein, and increased the intensity and amount of my workouts. I prepared for about three to four months," he said.
This weight gain was not just for visual appeal; it was crucial for the weight of the action and the character's identity.
"Jin-man is a former mercenary who has scars and bullet wounds all over his body, so I thought that kind of physique suited him better. This isn’t just for action; it’s part of adapting to the character. In the current project 'Love Affair,' I play a civil servant, so it would be strange if I looked like Jin-man. Therefore, I lost about 9 kg to fit the character. Changing my body according to the character also prepares me mentally," he added.
The most significant virtue of Jin-man, which spans both seasons, is his 'consistency.' Lee believes that his unwavering demeanor in the face of crises provides a reliable anchor for viewers.
"There’s nothing different. Episode 1 of Season 2 is a continuation of the story from Season 1, so I think the consistency of Jin-man is the most important. He is a character who remains unshaken regardless of the situation or crisis. I believe viewers will think, 'Jin-man will get through this; he will overcome this crisis.' It was important to maintain that reliable character," he said.
The relationships between characters have also been solidified as a continuation from Season 1. As a leader on set, Lee fostered a natural synergy among the cast.
"I thought of it as a continuation of Season 1. The Murder Help team from Season 1 is back, and their relationships continue. The massive enemy, the veil, remains as well. I approached it with the mindset of continuing that story. New relationships with new enemies will be revealed in the latter half. I believe the bond between the Murder Help team and Jin-man goes beyond trust. We all felt that way during filming. Jin-man is a character who takes responsibility. While his nephew's safety is paramount, he also brings in his brother and builds a shopping mall with trustworthy allies, creating a foundation to fight against Babylon," he explained.
Despite not having many personal meetings, the cohesion shown by the Murder Help team was exceptional, allowing fellow actors to immerse themselves in their characters naturally.
"We hardly had any personal meetings. But it naturally happened. The actors from the Murder Help team treated me as Jin-man. I’m not sure if it’s method acting, but they always treated me like 'our leader' or 'our captain,' which helped me blend into the role. I acted with the actor who played Jin-woo after 13 or 14 years. We previously worked together in a project called 'Cheonmyeong,' and since we are the same age, it was nice to have a more comfortable dynamic in Season 2, especially since Jin-woo's character has expanded," he said.
Working with newly joined Japanese actors also went smoothly due to thorough preparation, overcoming language barriers.
"Actors Masaki Okada and Hyun-ri joined us, and I was worried about communication, but they prepared very well. They must have felt pressure to join Season 2 after the success of Season 1, but they came thoroughly prepared, so we filmed without any difficulties. Both Masaki Okada and Hyun-ri said this was their first action project. Filming started in April, but they came to Korea in January to attend action school and prepare. I appreciated their efforts to listen to the director and fellow actors and to integrate into the team," he said.
Lee displayed humility regarding the preparation process for action scenes, prioritizing safety and repetitive practice over flashy techniques.
"Whenever I’m asked about action preparation, I feel sorry because I don’t do much. The first principle in action is safety. No one should get hurt on set, including the actors, camera crew, grip team, and stunt doubles. The second principle is repetition. However, I’ve already gone through that process many times, so I just do it," he said.
As a veteran actor with 28 years of experience, Lee remains open to new challenges in his work. He believes there are still many unexplored areas ahead.
"What I always consider important is playing characters and genres I haven’t done before. In that sense, 'Killer's Shopping Mall' has been a very enjoyable project. Even though I’ve done a lot of action, I wonder if I’ll encounter a character that allows me to handle various weapons and use different types of knives again. There’s still so much I haven’t done. I haven’t done a full-fledged investigative drama or a political drama yet. Even though my role in 'Harbin' is a special appearance, it’s a genre and character I haven’t done before, which is part of why I was persuaded to take it. There’s still a lot left for me to do," he said.
As Season 2 wraps up, Lee shared his hopes for viewers and addressed the possibility of a third season.
"I think viewers can just let themselves go like they’re on a ride. I can guarantee the fun, so I hope they enjoy it. I believe the points to watch will be how Ji-an and Jin-man navigate their crises. There are no plans for Season 3. Season 2 was made based on the success of Season 1. We don’t know what results it will bring. Who knows what Disney+ thinks? But if we do it, we will. We’ll do it if we’re asked. What else can we do at home? Haha.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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