Singer-actor Cha Eun-woo, left, and actress Kim Nam-joo pose during a press event for MBC's new TV series, "Wonderful World," at MBC's Golden Mouth Hall in Mapo District, western Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Veteran actress Kim Nam-joo and singer-actor Cha Eun-woo have joined forces in "Wonderful World" to present a dark narrative filled with unexpected twists.
The latest MBC series unfolds as a mystery drama where Eun Soo-hyun (Kim), a mother driven by a quest for personal vengeance for the murder of her son, unravels intricate secrets behind this tragedy. Alongside her journey, Eun encounters Kwon Seon-yul (Cha), a mysterious character harboring similar scars of familial loss.
On Thursday, Kim and Cha shared their experience working together during a press event at MBC's Golden Mouth Hall in Mapo District, western Seoul.
Actress Kim Nam-joo speaks during a press event for MBC's new TV series, "Wonderful World," at MBC's Golden Mouth Hall in Mapo District, western Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Initially hesitant about teaming up with Kim, who boasts an impressive 30-year career, heartthrob Cha expressed how their chemistry evolved positively over time.
"I believe our chemistry is a perfect 100," Cha said. "At first, Kim seemed a bit reserved during our initial script reading, but as we worked together, our personalities just clicked. Kim was proactive, sharing her acting insights and offering valuable advice, which made our collaboration a real pleasure."
Visibly elated by the compliment, Kim echoed the sentiment, rating their synergy even higher at "110 points."
"I found working with Cha to be truly fascinating and humbling," Kim remarked. "At first, the thought of matching with Cha was quite daunting. He exudes this princely charm, almost like he's from another planet. But as we collaborated, I started to see him as an endearing younger brother. It's his warmth of personality and the open-mindedness he brings to his acting that really won me over."
Singer-actor Cha Eun-woo poses during a press event for MBC's new TV series, "Wonderful World," at MBC's Golden Mouth Hall in Mapo District, western Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
In contrast to their delightful collaboration, "Wonderful World" carries a rather somber tone, portraying the characters' descent into darkness as they uncover the truth behind their tragedies.
Returning to the screen after a six-year hiatus, Kim revealed that her portrayal of Eun was motivated by "maternal love." Married to actor Kim Seung-woo since 2005, she is a proud mother of two.
"The main reason I took on the role of Eun is 'maternal love' ... As a mother of two, I believed I could authentically portray the emotions of all mothers. While the tragedy depicted in the series is something I would hate to even imagine, the opportunity to embody a mother's heart was deeply compelling," Kim explained.
Cha embodies a tragic character engulfed in mystery, departing from his previous romantic lead roles in "True Beauty" (2020) and "A Good Day to Be a Dog" (2023).
"He comes from a wealthy family but opts for a rough life after a certain incident. There are many tangled secrets behind my character Kwon," Cha elaborated. "As each episode unfolds, Eun's secrets are revealed one by one, like Pandora's box."
The singer-actor emphasized his meticulous attention to detail — from styling and physical fitness — to reflect his character's tumultuous life.
"I aimed to convey a sense of disorder in clothing and style. I also dedicated considerable effort to my fitness regimen. My objective was to externalize the hardships and challenges Kwon faces," Cha expressed.
From left, actor Kim Kang-woo, actress Kim Nam-joo, director Lee Seung-young, singer-actor Cha Eun-woo and actress Lim Se-mi pose during a press event for MBC's new TV series, "Wonderful World," held at MBC's Golden Mouth Hall in Mapo District, western Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Directed by Lee Seung-young, known for his immersive storytelling in dramas including the "Tracer" series (2022) and the second season of "Voice" (2018), "Wonderful World" invites viewers to discover beauty amidst its darker narrative.
"Just as the stars shine brighter against the backdrop of the night sky, you'll sense that amidst the darkness, a gathering of talented actors has produced a remarkable work of art," director Lee noted during Thursday's event.
"The choice of the title 'Wonderful World,' despite the underlying tragedy, reflects this sentiment. Instead of dwelling solely on the tragedy, I hope audiences perceive it as a beautiful drama."
"Wonderful World" airs every Friday and Saturday.