Lee Dong-wook in unlikely ‘bromance’ with Wi Ha-jun in K-drama series ‘Bad and Crazy’

From left: Lee Dong-wook, Cha Hak-yeon, Han Ji-eun and Wi Ha-jun at the press con for their series —PHOTOS COURTESY OF IQIYI

Every actor in the main cast of iQiyi’s much-anticipated K-drama series “Bad and Crazy” is a sight for sore eyes—and actress Han Ji-eun (“Be Melodramatic,” “Lovestruck in the City”) knows that much is true.

“If you are interested in watching handsome actors and beautiful actresses, then ‘Bad and Crazy’ is a must-see for you,” Ji-eun said at the global press con for the 12-part action-comedy last Monday. “Aside from its talented actors, it’s also a combination [of many genres], so there’s no reason why you’d want to miss it.”

The 31-year-old actress knows whereof she speaks. After all, in “Bad and Crazy,” which premieres across 191 countries on iQiyi at 9:50 p.m. on Dec. 17 (with new episodes every Friday and Saturday), Ji-eun is sharing the spotlight with heartthrobs Lee Dong-wook (“Goblin,” “Tale of the Nine Tailed”), Wi Ha-jun (who recently made a splash for playing the dashing undercover cop in “Squid Game”) and Cha Hak-yeon (aka N of the K-pop group VIXX).

“Bad and Crazy” plays out like a buddy-cop action-comedy thriller (think “Lethal Weapon” or “Bad Boys”) that follows police inspectors Ryu Su-yeol (Dong-wook) and K (Ha-jun)—one is bad, while the other is crazy—who bicker and brawl as they grudgingly join hands with hot-headed narcotics officer Lee Hui-gyeom (Ji-eun) and pleasant O Gyeong-tae (Hak-yeon) to fight corruption.

Dong-wook is Su-yeol

Fearless foursome

Together, the fearless foursome dares to put the fear of God in people operating on the wrong side of the law. But Su-yeol and K are soon thrust into an unexpected “bromance” that develops and, along the way, provides leavening comic relief into the series’ action-packed proceedings. The press con also doubled up as a sneak peek into the private lives of its actors.

For instance, we know now that Hak-yeon is a homebody (“I do everything at home”) and Ji-eun loves to eat (“I’m crazy about food, so sometimes, I have to restrain myself because I’m always on my delivery apps”).

For his part, Ha-jun is an MMA enthusiast who cries unabashedly at fights more often than when he watches sentimental dramas (“I can relate to the hard work those athletes put in when they’re preparing for their games”), while Dong-wook is a sports nut (“I always stay up to watch European football games and the Olympics, even if it means I’d fall asleep with the remote control in my hands. That’s why I’m always exhausted during Olympics and soccer season”).

Dong-wook looked relaxed as he answered questions from the press. Last time we saw the dashing 40-year-old actor, we were at Fashion Hall of SM Megamall two years ago seated beside former Inquirer Lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson San Juan listening to Dong-wook explain his participation in the #LoveKorea Culture and Travel Fiesta show while his fans knocked themselves out screaming their pleasure over seeing him in the flesh.

Playful, laid-back

Back then, Dong-wook was friendly but “formal.” He would occasionally tell the fans to “calm down” because it was becoming increasingly hard to understand what he was saying because of their eardrum-shattering display of excessive excitement.

At the “Bad and Crazy” press con, however, the handsome actor was cool, playful and laid-back. He even admitted that he struggled to fight off his “laziness” on the set—with good reason.

“Well, I didn’t really prepare that much [for the role],” he quipped. “The script itself said it all, so I just wanted to stick to it. There are roles that are very particular, quite difficult [to essay], and are set in their own ways. But this character is very easygoing. I just needed to do my part well, so I’m glad I was given the freedom to express my character the way I wanted.

“The most challenging part of it for me was to overcome my laziness (Ha-jun, who’s seated beside Dong-wook, suddenly breaks into fits of laughter). So, yeah, I did not practice at all. Hmm, I seem to be the only one who put in the least effort here (laughs)! But seriously, our action team was impeccable. So, as long as you listen to them, you’re going to be OK.

Scene from “Bad & Crazy”

Action scenes

“Ha-Jun and I had the most action scenes in this drama, and they went exceedingly well, especially in Ha-Jun’s case, because he understood very well what the action team wanted from him, whereas I just followed the guidelines.”

On the other hand, K is as driven as Dong-wook’s Su-yeol is laid-back. So, Ha-jun found himself working double-time to satisfy the many requirements of his role.

“K is a tough guy who likes to swing his fist,” Ha-jun explained. “He’s naïve, intense and innocent like a child. He likes to see himself as a hero—which makes him cute. He really has a lot of layers in him. At times, I’d get a little exhausted because K isn’t an easy character to bring to life. I’m just glad I managed to pull it off.

“K always finds himself in a lot of action scenes, so I trained a lot before shooting. And, unlike any character I’ve played before, there were a lot of comical aspects about him that I wanted to bring to light. I’m not very funny in real life, so I watched a lot of comedies.

“I tried to maintain that aspect of my character. So I let go of myself to break the mold, and stayed in character for as long as I could by cracking jokes during the shoot. I really transformed myself into who K is supposed to be.”