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| Choi Daniel poses at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul, on Aug. 20. / Yonhap |
By Baek Byung-yeul
Ever since Choi Daniel made his name playing a flirtatious television producer in the 2008 KBS drama "Worlds Within," the buoyant actor has continued to grow in popularity, appearing in many dramas and films.
The actor, 29, stars as a cop pursuing a special criminal investigation in the upcoming buddy cop film "Untouchable Lawmen," teaming with versatile actor Im Chang-jung.
In the comedy action flick, Choi plays Yoo-min, an unorthodox police officer who is a sex addict. Im portrays Jung-jin, as a troublesome profiler who likes to use violence against suspects rather than focus on criminal investigation methods. The two are ordered to investigate Kang Sung-gi, a strong leader of a pseudo religious sect, who is suspected of perpetrating a slew of crimes.
Introducing "Untouchable Lawmen," Choi described his upcoming film as "well-cooked kimchi fried rice."
"Audiences can have various kinds of tastes," Choi told The Korea Times at a cafe in Samcheong-dong.
"At first glance, audiences might feel that the background setting of this film is absolute nonsense because there a sex-obsessed police officer and a profiler who prefers to use brutal force.
"But when those two partners are up against a powerful authority that even the government doesn't mess with, I am sure fans will become enraptured like eating hot and oily kimchi fried rice."
It is not the first time that Choi and Im have featured in a movie together. They starred in the 2012 thriller "Traffickers."
Choi stressed that he had a hard time working with Im because he had to adjust to Im's adlibs, which were not in the script
"I prefer to follow the text, I always try to comply with the scenario," Choi said. "But Im is different to me. Like a wild horse, he acts from instinct, adlibbing just any time.
"Whenever he did that, I became perplexed and I just zoned out asking myself why he is acting like that."
But he also praised their partnership, rating it 98 points out of 100.
"I can give 98 points out of 100," he said. "Of course, I can only take eight points while Im can have 90 because I learned a lot from him. Thanks to him, I learned what I am lacking as an actor.
"When I was shooting a thriller ‘AM 11:00' in 2013 with Jung Jae-young, Jung always told me that I have to throw my script away. I didn't understand what that meant at that time, now I have the feel of it.
Choi also revealed that he planned to start his two-year military service within the year.
Asked what the future might hold after his compulsory duty, the actor answered he would like to meet American actress Cloy Moretz.
"I became a big fan of her after watching ‘Let Me In,' ― she's so adorable.
"After finishing my duty, I would like to visit the U.S. to chat with her.
"This is why I have been studying English for eight hours a day during past three weeks," he laughed.
"Untouchable Lawmen" will screen nationwide from Aug. 27.
