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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-08-28 09:18:29
SEOUL, Aug. 28 (Yonhap) -- "The sound of someone falling down with a 'thud'—if they know someone is there to hear it, they might get back up quicker, even if no help is offered."
This sentiment lies at the heart of the recently released Netflix original series "The Frog," also known in Korea as "In the Woods Where No One Exists." The series, which starts each episode with a similar narration, poses the question: "If a large tree falls in a forest where no one is around, did it make a sound?"
In an interview held on the 27th at a café in Jongno, Seoul, director Mo Wan-il explained the significance of this phrase. "It means that when something terrible happens, if we face the situation, we will inevitably hear the sound," he said. Mo wanted to convey that even in moments of personal collapse, it would be comforting if others could hear and acknowledge that collapse, even if they cannot help.
The Frog tells the intertwined stories of Koo Sang-jun (played by Yoon Kye-sang), who loses everything after becoming unintentionally embroiled in a horrific crime 20 years ago, and Jeon Young-ha (Kim Yoon-seok), who faces a similar predicament in the present. The narrative alternates between Koo's past and Jeon's present, adding depth to the story and heightening tension as the gravity of what might happen to Jeon becomes clearer.
However, some viewers have found the series difficult to follow and felt that the narrative is somewhat inaccessible. Mo acknowledged this criticism, saying, "I understand the feedback. It's a story that requires the viewer's full attention to follow, and while I didn't want the structural complexity to become a barrier, it seems it did." He admitted, "I should have tried harder."
Despite these challenges, The Frog has been generally well-received, particularly for its continuous tension and vivid depiction of the pain of those affected by the crimes, metaphorically referred to as "the frog hit by a thoughtlessly thrown stone." According to FlixPatrol, the series ranked fifth worldwide among Netflix series as of the 26th, just three days after its release, and held the top spot in South Korea on the 25th and 26th.
The performances of the cast have also been highly praised. Yoon Kye-sang captures deep despair and sorrow, while Kim Yoon-seok portrays a character gradually transforming under the pressure of losing everything. Lee Jung-eun, who plays a sharp detective nicknamed "The Chaser," and Go Min-si, who embodies a character with a troubled psyche, have also received acclaim for their performances.
Mo modestly remarked, "With a cast as talented as this, the director's job is almost effortless." He explained that the script itself was so intriguing that all the actors readily accepted their roles.
Go Min-si, in particular, has drawn attention for her portrayal of Yoo Seong-ah, a character who starts off shrouded in mystery and increasingly spirals out of control as the story progresses. Mo emphasized to Go that while Seong-ah needed to appear "beautiful" as per the character's design, "by the latter part, you have to go all out." He explained, "Seong-ah is not a logical character, and her actions shouldn't seem justified by any logical reasoning. That's why I told her she needed to 'go all out'—the emotional intensity had to come purely from her performance."
Mo Wan-il began his career in broadcasting as a KBS public service recruit in 2001, eventually moving on to co-direct and direct several dramas, including Beautiful Mind (2016), Misty (2018), and The World of the Married (2020). After leaving KBS in 2016, he joined JTBC and later moved to Studio Flow in 2021. His most notable work to date is The World of the Married, which achieved record-breaking viewership ratings of 28% and won him the Best Director award at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.
However, Mo revealed that The Frog holds a special place in his heart, even more so than The World of the Married. He explained, "It's a project that still requires a lot more love and growth."
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]