Popular Korean boy group U-Kiss, who last released their seventh mini-album “Stop Girl” in September, have been out of the spotlight recently as they have been busy with overseas promotions. But fans of U-Kiss, or Kiss-mes, will have something to look forward to as new drama “Holyland“, starring youngest member Dongho, will start airing on cable channel KIX from early December!
It’s not Dongho‘s first attempt in acting but it sure is a first for him to nab the lead role of “Holyland“! (x)clusive had a short interview with Dongho to find out more about the drama and his experience.
Q: This is your first time being the lead actor of a drama, how do you feel? What was your first reaction when you got the script?
Dongho: I still have a lot to learn. Singing is what I’ve been doing for a long time, but acting is something new, so it kind of made me nervous. I just want to do my best. From the start, I read the manga to study my character.
Q: Your image in Holyland is one that is totally different from what’s usually being perceived of you – cute and cheery. As such, what are some of the difficulties you faced portraying the character?
Dongho: Kang Yoo is a shy outsider, both at home and in the society. He teaches himself boxing, using an old boxing textbook. To be honest, we don’t really have a lot in common. He’s kind of shy and dark, but I’m not. Before shooting, I had to learn mixed martial arts and boxing, which was difficult and left me bruised. It was physically exhausting, and all the more so since U-Kiss was having concert tours. I used to think I was in great shape thanks to dancing, but it seems that I was wrong! (laugh)
Q: Since there are a lot of fighting scenes, were there incidents of injury? Which scene that you filmed was the most memorable one to you?
Dongho: Not really. Most of my scenes are with Hoon, and there was one which I beat him in a fight scene. In real life, I can’t hit him because he’s older than me, but I get to beat him up in the drama. (laugh)
Q: How was it like filming with your fellow U-Kiss member, Hoon?
Dongho: I did a fighting scene with him and I won! He practices Taekwondo, so in real life, I’d never be able to beat him. Beating him in the show was fun, although of course it wasn’t real.
Q: How did the other U-Kiss members react upon your appearance in the drama?
Dongho: They all encouraged me and gave me advice after watching the show. Everything was fun and interesting, and since I was doing it with Hoon, through the whole process, such as reading the scripts together, was enjoyable.
Q: If you were to rate your performance on Holyland…?
Dongho: I can’t give myself a high score since there’s still a lot for me to learn. I’ll continue to try hard to become a better actor!
Catch the Premiere of the drama Holyland, starring U-Kiss’ Dongho!
Holyland will be premiering on KIX (Starhub Cable TV Channel 518) and KIX HD (Singtel Mio TV Channel 54) on 5 December, Wednesday, at 9PM. Be sure to catch this exciting drama featuring U-Kiss’ Dongho and his new-found fighting skills and emotional acting on the show!
Watch the trailer for “Holyland”!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26X3jfNyfXU]
(Subtitles by RocketSubs)
