Singer-actor Rain returns as bodyguard in Disney+ series 'Red Swan'
Actors Jung Ji-hoon, left, and Kim Ha-neul pose during a press conference for the new Disney+ original series “Red Swan' at Conrad Seoul in southwestern Seoul's Yeouido, Tuesday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
Singer and actor Jung Ji-hoon, also known as Rain, is returning to the small screen with Disney+'s new original series "Red Swan," two years after playing the lead in tvN's comedy medical series "Ghost Doctor."
The action romance series, slated to premiere Wednesday, revolves around former world-class golfer Oh Wan-soo (Kim Ha-neul), who married into the wealthy family that owns Hwain Group, and bodyguard Seo Do-yoon (Jung), who comes to work for the group to investigate his friend's death.
Oh left her career after marrying the group's heir and has been running the group's charity foundation. One day, she narrowly escapes an assassination attempt with the help of Seo during the foundation's event in Manilla, the Philippines. When she finds herself targeted by death threats, Oh discovers the chaebol family's dark secrets along with Seo.
The 10-part series is directed by Park Hong-kyun who led the smash-hit series "Queen Seondeok" (2009) and "The Greatest Love" (2011).
"I've been a fan of director Park since I was young. There have been a few opportunities to work together in the past, but unfortunately, none came through. And with Kim, I've also said she and I will do a project at one point, and we finally got the chance to work together," Jung said during a press conference for the series at Conrad Seoul in southwestern Seoul's Yeouido, Tuesday.
"When I read the script, I realized I didn't have to do much. (My character) didn't have many lines. But, it had to have a heavy and impactful impression. So I put effort into setting its tone, starting from focusing on vocal exercises."
A scene from the series “Red Swan' / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
Jung plays a former police officer-turned-bodyguard who previously served as a presidential security agent with martial arts expertise.
The director revealed Jung filmed a lot of the action scenes himself, performing the stunts without a double.
"Jung is a master when it comes to action scenes. So it was more comfortable and easier to work on this series, compared to action scenes from previous works. For action scenes, you alternate with a stunt double, and there are various challenges, but Jung has practically mastered it, so viewers can look forward to great results," the director said.
"Jung is a delicate actor who's excellent at expressing emotions … Seo is an important character. But as he's not the central character within the Hwain family, my concern was that his influence is not as impactful in terms of unfolding his story and delivering lines. But Jung overcame this concern with his excellent acting skills."
Kim shared she was drawn to the romance between the bodyguard and the client. "I really enjoyed the movie 'The Bodyguard.' So it's interesting to see such a plot. And as various events occur within that plot, I got curious as I read diverse stories unfolding in each episode. I felt like I was sucked into the script while reading it," she said.