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Ha Yoon Kyung reveals why she chose to act in Gangnam B-Side.
In an interview held at a café in Seoul, on November 29, the actress shared her thoughts on the character she portrayed in Disney+'s Gangnam B-Side and the K-drama's message.
Gangnam B-Side is a crime K-drama that follows a top detective who, after being demoted, joins forces with a prosecutor and a mysterious broker to take down sinister forces operating in the shadows of Gangnam's nightlife.
Ha Yoon Kyung plays Min Seo Jin, a junior prosecutor who must survive in the organization without any connections. She is a character caught between her ambition for success and her sense of justice and responsibility as a prosecutor.
Ha Yoon Kyung on Gangnam B-Side's message
Gangnam B-Side is a K-drama inspired by real-life stories with fictional elements added. Ha Yoon Kyung shared, "I understand that the writer incorporated both his investigative findings and fictional elements into the story, but I realized that there are far worse things happening out there — things we just don't know about. Many scenes were toned down, and while it might seem like sensational content, I hope it can convey the truth with sincerity, shed light on the darkness, and raise awareness. I had many discussions with the director about this. We talked a lot about how we didn't want it to simply be viewed as an entertaining series, but rather as a meaningful story that leaves a lasting impression."
Regarding why she was drawn to the series, Ha explained, "I felt this drama had a deep lesson and a meaningful message to deliver, so I wanted to be part of it. The cast were reliable, and I thought the project could carry a positive energy. I'm not living to push some grand goal or deliver a social message, but I find myself drawn to projects like this. It's because they provide me with comfort and resonate with me. I thought it would be great if others could feel that too."
She continued, "In our ordinary lives, we tend to forget how many bad things actually happen around us. Watching this drama might shock people, and I hope it will make them realize that things are even worse in reality."
Regarding the gap between sensationalism and realism, Ha Yoon Kyung commented, "When you think about how reality is even worse, the depiction might actually feel less intense. While there are sensational elements, I think those are challenges for the creators to navigate — how to portray things in a way that isn't overly uncomfortable [to watch] but still feels realistic. Personally, I find scenes with blood and drugs distressing and uncomfortable, but I can imagine it being even worse in reality. Still, I feel it's not right to conceal too much either. I think it must have been really difficult for the director to strike that balance."
When asked if Gangnam B-Side would hold special meaning in her acting career, Ha Yoon Kyung responded, "It's rare to get the chance to act alongside veteran actors who are 10 or even 20 years my senior, so I'm really grateful for that. I learned so much just by observing their attitudes. I feel like it was also a point of personal growth for me as a person."
Ha Yoon Kyung explains Min Seo Jin's heart and mindset
Ha Yoon Kyung also revealed how she came to join Gangnam B-Side, saying, "The director proposed the role of a prosecutor to me, and both the production company's tone and the subject matter were intense. Even so, I was curious about the character, so I read the script and found Min Seo Jin to be a very realistic character. She felt like someone grounded in reality, and I saw her as an ordinary person struggling between [ambition for] success and [her] conviction [as a prosecutor]."
She continued, "What I liked about Min Seo Jin is that she has a good heart, but she also has moments where she wants to compromise or just charge forward without looking back. In the end, though, she chooses justice. Even if it means taking a step back, she repents for her mistakes and strives to move in the right direction. I think that aspect is embedded in her character. "The drama also shows that everyone who commits a crime will ultimately face punishment," she added.
Ha Yoon Kyung also admitted that portraying a character who oscillates between good and evil came with its challenges. She explained, "It was confusing at times to decide how much to express and how much to hold back. I had to convey her internal struggles subtly, through things like slight changes in breathing or flickers in her gaze. Personally, I find more restrained, static acting to be more difficult. It was challenging, but it was fun to fine-tune those nuances."
What prompted Min Seo Kin to decide on whistleblowing? "In the beginning, it seems like she would have turned a blind eye for the sake of promotion. But she didn't realize the cartel was inhumane to such a huge extent. Once she discovered that, her professionalism, ethics, and sense of justice as a prosecutor kicked in. At first, she probably didn't have such thoughts, but then she reached a point where she felt she couldn’t just let it slide."
Ha Yoon Kyung talks about Ji Chang Wook behind the scenes
When asked about her experience acting alongside Ji Chang Wook, she replied, "I didn't have many scenes with Ji Chang Wook sunbae, but what surprised me was how composed and relaxed he is. When we think of Ji Chang Wook, there's this image of a 'world star,' but he's very down-to-earth and has a calm demeanor."
She continued, "Until the cameras start rolling, he stays relaxed, but the moment filming begins, his gaze transforms completely. If you read his interviews, he often says, 'A stunt double did it,' but that's not true. He does almost everything himself. He's amazing at action scenes and throws himself into them with everything he's got as if his life depends on it. Even in dangerous situations where he could get hurt, he performs with such intensity that it feels like he's pouring his soul into it. I think he's really cool."
