After a five-year break from the comedy scene, actor Kim Dong-wook is ready to bring the laughs again in Disney+'s latest series, "Seoul Busters,” with the actor aiming to leave a lasting impression on audiences — as he did in his unforgettable role in the MBC hit drama "Coffee Prince” (2007).

“There are still people who talk about Jin Ha-rim, and just like him, I hope Yu-bin will also remain a memorable character,” Kim said during an interview with local reporters at a cafe in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Tuesday.


“Seoul Busters,” first released on Sept. 11, follows the journey of Korea’s lowest-performing violent crime police unit, joined by a new elite leader that transforms them into an ultimate team.

Directed by Ahn Jong-yeon, who was behind SBS TV series “Racket Boys” (2021), the comedy features actor Kim portraying the new elite leader Dongbang Yu-bin, as well as Park Ji-hwan as Moo Joong-ryeok, Seo Hyun-woo as Jung Jung-hwan, Park Se-wan as Seo Min-seo and Lee Seung-woo as Jang Tan-sik.

The series was also co-written by sitcom masters Lee Young-chul, who wrote the MBC hit sitcom franchise “High Kick!” (2006-12), and Lee Kwang-jae, who scripted the tvN sitcom “Potato Star 2013QR3” (2013-14).

“Seoul Busters” is Kim's first comedy project since his role in the MBC drama “Special Labor Inspector Mr. Jo” in 2019, which he said was “perfect timing.” Kim, who debuted in 2004, is not only well-known for his role in "Coffee Prince," but also appeared in the "Along with the Gods" film series (2017-18).

“[The script came to me] when I was thinking that it would be nice to do something a bit lighter and more fun,” the actor said.

Kim’s previous works had heavier tones — such as the tvN crime series "Delightfully Deceitful" (2023), where he played a lawyer, and the MBC romance series "Find Me in Your Memory" (2020), where he played a reporter.

For the actor, the genre mix of comedy and crime mystery in the series was something that lured him into taking the role.

“I was curious about how I would act in a crime mystery mixed with comedy,” Kim said. “Also, since it's a comedy, the pacing is crucial. I thought the speed at which it flowed was really great while reading the script, and I thought it would turn into a fun project.”

However, Kim also revealed that he had some concerns, especially due to the genre characteristics.

“Ultimately, comedy is a genre where the audience's reaction is incredibly important,” he said.

“It's not just about whether we successfully convey a message or the story we want to tell, but rather the key is whether the viewers are truly enjoying it and finding it funny.”

Despite the many concerns and fears, participating in such a genre is a worthwhile experience, according to the actor.

“While there is a fear about how many people will actually laugh, on the other hand, there’s also a sense of fulfillment and responsibility in knowing that we are working to bring happiness through our humor and fun,” Kim said.

In the series, Kim’s character, Yu-bin, is portrayed as an elite ace in the police force, but the actor wanted to add a twist to this seemingly perfect character, which was another reason for him choosing the series.

“Just from the character’s introduction, viewers may imagine a typical ace, but a desire grew inside me to create a version of Yu-bin that defies that image. I wanted to shape a fun and interesting Yu-bin character,” Kim said.

The actor added that much thought went into the character's styling, including a rarely seen, long hairstyle that deviates from the typical image of a police unit leader.

“I usually cut my hair short for almost every project,” Kim said. “And maybe it was just because of this series, but I had a strange desire to let my hair grow longer after finishing my previous project. Then I encountered this drama and thought that a longer hairstyle would better suit the character. So, I decided to grow it out even more.”

Being well-known for his comedic role in the 2019 MBC drama "Special Labor Inspector Mr. Jo," which also awarded him the grand prize at the MBC Drama Awards in the same year, Kim emphasized that the Disney+ series is significantly different from his previous MBC comedy work.

“[For the MBC drama,] I had a stronger pressure in leading the series as Jin-gab, but for this series, as all five members are the main characters, there are more points for viewers to enjoy. So, I believe that there is much more fun in this series,” Kim said.

Kim also praised his cast members for their ability to bring greater liveliness to their roles, noting that the actors successfully portrayed their comedic characters in a non-offensive manner.

“I dare say that the characters portrayed by the actors felt richer and more charming than what was written in the script.”

As the 20-episode series is still ongoing, with only six episodes left to be released, the actor hopes viewers will approach the series with a more relaxed mindset, adding that much is yet to be revealed.

“I watch comedy because I genuinely want to laugh and have fun, so I tend to approach it with a more relaxed mindset,” the actor said. “In other words, I try to broaden the range of what I allow and permit myself to enjoy for the genre, and I hope viewers will do the same. Rather than focusing on how intricately or elegantly the comedy is crafted, I encourage them to watch with a comfortable heart.”



BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]