[Trans] korean hotelier PD talks...
seems like our dear sweet sister hasn't been resting much... she's emailed me some more translation work! this one's pretty long too, and a mighty satisfying read! hope that it will bring you some joy over the weekend. yea, weekend is here again! and sighs... me gotta work tomorrow... why, oh why doesn't work never ever end for me huh?anyhow, here's the translation...
original in japanese: Korea Platinum Magazine Vol. 9 p.6-9
translated into english: a sweet sister / bb's blog
“Hotelier” Producer Talks About
the Secret Behind the Scenes
The first Korean drama Hotelier, with its great cast made up of BYJ, Kim Seung Woo, Song Yun Ah, and Song Hye Gyo, which set a record of more than 38% in viewer ratings and showed great popularity, was remade in Japan. The Japanese version, with its special appearance by BYJ, is garnering further attention, and as it approaches its early April broadcast date, we talked to the producer of the Korean version, Choi Ho Sung.
He Appeared to Agonize Over His Drama Appearance After a Two-Year Absence
When we telephoned producer Choi Ho Sung to arrange for the interview, he immediately laughed. He seemed to be amazed at the twist of fate; at receiving our interview request the day after having just met YJ the day before after a long absence.
Producer Choi Ho Sung was extremely busy with the new drama, Cain and Abel (*bb: this one's starring SJS, you know!) about to start, but Hotelier has been a drama that has remained a special memory for him through the years. At first glance, the producer appears to be a difficult personality, but in talking to him, we found him to be humorous, energetic and we reveal the behind the scenes stories that he discussed.
Q How did you come to be involved with Hotelier?
I had worked with producer Chung Yong Woo on NG Friends and The Street King. Working with him over a long period of time, it seemed natural and a matter of course that I would work on this project.
Q What were your impressions of the Hotelier outline and script?
It’s been so long ago that I’ve forgotten….(laughs). In the beginning, there was talk back and forth of “Let’s do a story about a hotel.” It was then decided that we would do a story based on the theme of people who work in a hotel. At that time, we had a really good relationship with Walkerhill Hotel, the filming site.
When we spoke to Walkerhill about the filming plans, they were really pleased. They thought that it would be good for them also….The marketing manager and the president both accepted us and treated us well as we got off to a good start. Then we started to turn this drama into a project drama since it was not a drama that was created by a scriptwriter.
Q This was true back then also, but when you look at the casting now, you could call it the greatest, the Dream Team. How did you come to cast the actors?
The first to be cast was Kim Seung Woo. Next was Song Yun Ah. Song Yun Ah was close to us (producer Chung and I) since she had also worked together on the drama NG Friends and The Street King so it was a case of her naturally linking up on this project. BYJ was the third to be cast. Then the last to be cast was Song Hye Gyo, who was in the same production office as BYJ at that time.
Q BYJ’s character in Hotelier is one that harbors secret ambitions just as it was in HWRL. Have you ever asked BYJ the reasons why he took the role?
I had heard that since HWRL, BYJ had taken a long break and that he agonized over what type of projects he should accept. Maybe because it was going to be a comeback drama, but it seemed that he was worried and under pressure as to whether he was capable of doing the role well and to completion that he was unable to make a simple decision. I don’t know of any special motive.
I wasn’t able to ask him, “Why did you decide on our drama?” Of course, I have to thank him for appearing in our drama (laughs).
Q We often hear talk of BYJ being a perfectionist?
That’s really true. When we were rushed for time, a temporary script was prepared but if he saw that script and didn’t understand it, he wouldn’t agree to it. He would ask, “Why does this situation have to be this way?” and I would always end up having to explain. As a director, it was really tough having to persuade him.
Q Did producer Park Jong, of HWRL, talk about the times that BYJ would not come out of his car, if he did not completely prepare for his role?
Nothing like that happened with Hotelier. But BYJ was always the first to arrive on set. When I arrived on the set, he was already done with makeup, wearing his training wear, and on standby for filming. When you arrive on-set, it’s necessary to change your clothes so he always arrived early and was on standby. He was never late in arriving, and even when he always had to wait, he didn’t complain. We had great teamwork.
Q BYJ, Kim Sun Woo, Song Yun Ah, were and even now are stars. It must not have been easy working with several stars, so what was it really like?
It was really fun. From an actor’s standpoint, this drama was not about one individual story, but was based upon the other co-stars and their stories as they developed, which wouldn’t make an actor happy, but Kim Seung Woo endured a lot even when the storyline centered on BYJ.
We always enjoyed filming. There was a time at the very start of filming, where BYJ ordered and distributed parkas for the staff. The following day, there was a scene where Kim Seung Woo and BYJ appeared together, and we were joking among the staff saying, “Today’s parkas are a gift from Kim Seung Woo… No, or was it BYJ…” so that immediately the next day, Kim Seung Woo went out to buy parkas for everyone (laughs).
Q BYJ, who is known as an introvert, what was his relationship like with the actresses during the filming at that time?
He was really very friendly with everyone even off the set. It was more so because Song Hye Gyo was in the same production company at the time, and he was also originally a friend of Song Yun Ah. Especially since Song Hye Gyo was so young, everyone was very affectionate to her.
Q The ratings and reactions to Hotelier at the time it aired were favorable. Doesn’t this prove that your intentions were correct all along?
It was not planned as such. In the beginning, we thought of developing the story around Kim Seung Woo but once BYJ appeared, this changed.
Q What was the reason for that? Was it because of BYJ’s popularity?
We had to do that. During the drama, Kim Seung Woo and Song Yun Ah appeared to be lovers, but because a new character appeared between them, the story inevitably gravitated toward that direction. BYJ and Kim Seung Woo are not rivals in a relationship but it’s regretful that the viewers saw it as that.
Q The end result was that the viewers had favorable impressions of BYJ.
Yes, that’s true. He was really loved by so many people. BYJ and Song Hye Gyo had fan clubs back then, where the fans would wish for their success in both dramas and in their personal lives, and I got invited to these fan events a number of times (laughs).
Q Please share any episodes that occurred during filming.
There was a time when Song Yun Ah got really ill. Because we were all close to each other we told her, “Don’t fake it” and laughed it off but the truth was that she was barely able to walk.
But because Song Yun Ah is an actress with such a professional mentality, she overcame the illness and put in her best efforts.
Also, since the film site was a hotel, the filming environment was really difficult. I don’t know if you call it the stress coming from a hotel environment. The hotel had to attend to every guest coming and going and had to show discretion in everything.
Also, in other projects, when it was time to relocate, the staff would be able to sleep while riding in the auto, but this time, because the filming was within the hotel, there was no time to relocate or nap. Everyday we were walking all around the hotel. We were not allowed to sit on the floor, and could not dirty the uniforms, we were constantly under mental strain and couldn’t act recklessly, or raise our voices… even though we had the full support of the hotel, these types of conditions were tough.
Q We’ve heard that the character BYJ portrays in the drama, is based upon an actual person in real life… Did he himself find it difficult to play the role?
That was not entirely true . He only took that person’s conversations as reference and did not model the character after him. I met and dined with him a number of times, and I don’t think there was anything especially difficult about the role.
Q Recently there are actors who, after filming only their scenes, will hole up in their lodgings or cars, but at that time, what was the relationship like between the actors and the staff during filming?
It was very good. Kim Seung Woo was the mood maker on the set. To the senior members on the set, he was like the younger brother, and for the junior members on the set, it was like he was the older brother. He hated it when relationships got awkward… Kim Seung Woo is an actor that always tries to keep a smile on his face.
Song Yun Ah is also a good child and had no faults. She was not a moody person either.
BYJ is not a talkative person but once you get to know him, he is friendly.
Q You met BYJ yesterday, for what reason did you meet him?
It was unexpected. So Ji Sub (set to star in Choi Ho Sung’s next project, Cain and Abel, as the hero) is also connected to the same BOF office as BYJ. I had dinner with some people from BOF, when I got a call from him. I invited him out and he came quickly, and we had drinks together. It was a reunion after a long absence. He talked about how he went to the Lotte Hotel to film three episodes of the Japanese remake of Hotelier.
Q What were your impressions of BYJ after he became Yonsama? Do you think he has changed?
After becoming Yonsama, when BYJ calls me on the phone, I take his calls while in a standing-at-attention position (laughs). When I say, “And on what matter may I inquire, is Yonsama telephoning about?”
Yong Joon says, “Hyeon, please stop it” (laughs).
Q What was your reaction hearing that the Japanese version of Hotelier would be produced?
I was happy. Since it would be the first Korean drama to be remade, only made me that much happier. There are also wonderful projects like WS, but for our Hotelier to be remade, holds great meaning.
Q As a director, what do you think of BYJ’s acting skills?
At the time Hotelier aired, there was one scene that was lost due to editing. We spent four hours filming it and it was really beautiful, with the setting sun coming out perfect. That scene was used in the previews but was deleted in the actual episode, which was really unfortunate, and we received many viewer complaints.
During the filming of that scene, BYJ acted while being true to his emotions. Yong Joon can’t act if he doesn’t feel something in his heart. If it’s a matter of showing anger, then he really has to get angry, and where tears are called for, he has to really cry… If he can’t grasp the emotion, then he can’t act the role. He can’t fake acting.
There are plusses and minuses to this, but he is an actor who is true to this emotions. I rate his efforts highly. BYJ’s script is in tatters. This is proof to show his efforts at researching a role. He himself believes that his acting skills are not proficient, and that he definitely needs to put effort into his acting. He is different from other actors when it comes to being prepared.
Q Please give us your evaluation of Kim Seung Woo also.
It’s a lulu, lala type of style (laughs). He’s been acting a long time so he must be a genuine actor. He’s not the type to panic over any sudden occurrence either…His ability to adapt is amazing.
Q With viewer ratings so high, the filming atmosphere must have also been good. Was it hard to say goodbye to everyone at the wrap-up party?
At the wrap-up party, I donated the various items we received to use as prizes. We piled them high on the table, and I asked the actors to each bring a gift valued at no more than 5 million won. The staff had to draw lots and perform in a talent contest, which was judged by the actors, who then awarded the prizes. It was really a lot of fun.
Q BYJ doesn’t seem the type to sing and dance in that type of setting, even if he were asked to (laughs)
That’s right. I don’t think he did if I remember. Kim Seung Woo and Song Yun Ah are the types to put a lot of effort into it.
BYJ Collection of Speeches from “Hotelier”
“Dong Hyuk’s cold and greedy nature can also be found with me.”
Most Memorable Memory
“The scripts were late in completion and because the filming was entirely done at the hotel, at times, I felt suffocated. I met Kim Seung Woo through this project and became good friends with him.”
The suffocating atmosphere was something shared by both the cast and the staff. Because everyone was able to overcome this adverse condition to complete the drama, no doubt helped to strengthen the bonds of closeness.
On Filming
“Because it was producer Choi’s style to give his okay after one take, we would rehearse a number of times, and it was my impression that filming progressed rapidly.”
This is also proof of the great teamwork displayed.
The Role of Dong Hyuk and Myself
“There are many facets to a person and Shin Dong Hyuk’s cold-hearted and greedy nature can certainly be also found within me. I pulled those traits out to play the role.”
This agrees with producer Choi’s view where the producer said that was he was very careful in portraying emotion.
Love Scene with Jin Young
The role called for him to perform kiss scenes which usually aren’t seen in a script, and when asked about about these scenes by the staff, he laughed saying, “I don’t remember them anymore.”
In the Korean version of Hotelier, at the same time that you see the cold-hearted part of his nature, you have to agree that you can see the passionate side of him everywhere and not just only in the kiss episode.
Pursuing a Realistic Role
“Before and during the filming, I met with an actual Korean M&A investor living in the US and received advice from him. From what I saw, my impressions were that his actual life was much more difficult and that it was harder than the drama.”
Even now, BYJ also shows the characteristics of an investor. What if he was to make use of this experience?
posted by bb @ 7/27/2007 11:30:00 PM
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