Ji Chang-Wook and Bibi Spill Behind-the-Scene of Disney+ Hotstar's K-Crime Drama 'Gangnam B-Side'

Wednesday, November 06, 2024

Prepare for a powerful drama where justice collides with corruption, and survival in Gangnam’s high-stakes underbelly demands every ounce of courage and resilience. The first two episodes of Gangnam B-Side are now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, featuring an all-star cast including Jo Woo-jin, Ji Chang-wook, Bibi (Kim Hyeong-seo), Ha Yoon-kyung, and more. This crime thriller dives into the hidden, dangerous underworld of Gangnam as a detective, prosecutor, and broker each pursue their own motives to uncover the mystery behind a missing woman. On October 30, the main cast joined director Park Noo-ri at a press event to unveil the drama and share their insights on bringing this intense, gritty story to life.

Jo Woo-jin also went through a remarkable physical change, gaining 18 kilograms to embody Detective Kang Dong-woo’s gritty, rough-around-the-edges persona. “For the first time since high school, I ate a lot and worked out heavily. I tried all the burger restaurants in our neighborhood to gain weight. I tried to get my character’s feelings across in a way that is convincing,” Woo-jin shared, showing his commitment to realism in his portrayal.

Ha Yoon-kyung faced a different challenge playing the reserved prosecutor Min Seo-jin, focusing on the subtlety of suppressed emotions. “Acting to suppress feelings is harder than showing them,” she explained, emphasizing her character’s strength through gaze and body language. 

Rising star Bibi, making a return to acting as Kim Jae-hee, a club girl at the heart of the story’s mystery. Bibi embraced the challenges of filming intense scenes, including one where she had to run in high heels. “On the way home, I realized I lost some weight so I was very happy while shooting scene,” she joked. Though she’s made her mark as a musician, Bibi was thrilled to embrace this acting role, giving her fans a fresh side of her talent.

Director Park Noo-ri also shared her vision behind the drama, inspired by Gangnam's contrast between glamor and hidden darkness. “Gangnam is a glamorous space, but beneath the surface, there are dark alleys and hidden lives,” Director Park explained. To bring authenticity, much of the series was shot on location. “We tried to shoot as much as we could in Gangnam. Viewers will recognize familiar spots, which I hope will add to the realism,” she said, promising an intense, immersive experience.

With an eight-episode arc premiering two episodes weekly through November 27, Gangnam B-Side promises a tense, layered journey into Seoul’s underworld, rich with realism, intense performances, and gripping storylines. Exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar starting November 6, the show will captivate audiences with its exploration of Gangnam’s hidden darkness, peeling back the glitz to reveal the struggles lurking beneath.

photo credit: Disney+ Hotstar