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| ▲ Actor Park Bo-gum is seen in this still cut from "Wonderland" provided by Acemaker Movieworks on June 4, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- "I wanted us to look like friends or longtime lovers while acting together. After watching the footage, we complimented ourselves, saying 'Wow, we really look great. We did a great job,'" Park Bo-gum shared, reminiscing about filming with Suzy during an interview at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 4th.
Directed by Kim Tae-yong, 'Wonderland' is an omnibus film depicting various stories of people reuniting with their loved ones through Wonderland, an AI video call service that resurrects the deceased. Park Bo-gum and Suzy play Tae-joo and Jeong-in, a couple in the film. While they have co-hosted the Baeksang Arts Awards multiple times, 'Wonderland' marks their first project acting together.
"Even though it was our first time acting together, Suzy and I clicked well. She’s very easygoing and receptive, which made our collaboration smooth. I would love to work with her on another project if given the chance," Park Bo-gum said. He also shared that he bragged to his fellow soldiers during his military service about filming a movie with Suzy.
"While I was in the military, Suzy kept showing more impressive performances in various projects. It felt like I was watching the flow of her time," he said with a smile.
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| ▲ Park Bo-gum (L) and Bae Suzy are seen in this still cut from "Wonderland" provided by Acemaker Movieworks on June 3, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
In 'Wonderland,' Tae-joo and Jeong-in’s relationship is not purely idyllic. Tae-joo, left in a coma after an accident, is recreated in the virtual world through AI at Jeong-in’s request. While Jeong-in uses video calls with AI Tae-joo to soothe her longing, she faces inner turmoil as the real Tae-joo awakens and diverges from his AI counterpart.
"I was curious if such a world could actually exist after reading the script. I wanted to participate in the film even if my role was relatively small due to its omnibus format," Park Bo-gum emphasized.
To fully immerse himself in his role, Park Bo-gum created a backstory for Tae-joo and Jeong-in, who are both orphans depending solely on each other. "We set it up that way to understand why non-family lovers would care for each other so deeply," he explained.
Director Kim incorporated Park Bo-gum and Suzy’s ideas, including unscripted scenes and spontaneous performances, into the movie. Many of the past scenes involving Tae-joo and Jeong-in were developed from their input.
Portraying both the lively, affectionate AI Tae-joo and the real, more flawed Tae-joo posed a challenge for Park Bo-gum. "The director wanted the real Tae-joo to come across as somewhat odd. I focused on expressing the confusion and turmoil of not knowing what was truly 'me,'" he said.
'Wonderland' was filmed before Park Bo-gum’s enlistment and is being released two years after his discharge. He is also anticipating the release of the JTBC drama 'Good Boy' and the Netflix series 'You Have Done Well.'
Reflecting on his military service, Park Bo-gum noted significant personal and professional growth. "I've learned that I need to take care of myself first to be able to care for others. My desire to challenge myself in acting has grown, and I feel bolder. I’m now interested in a wider range of roles and genres. With age and experience, I’ve developed a deeper interest in life stories. I feel that I can now express a broader spectrum of emotions than I could when I was younger."
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| ▲ Park Bo-gum (R) and Bae Suzy are seen in this still cut from "Wonderland" provided by Acemaker Movieworks on June 3, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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