Following the premiere of “Island” Half 2, Cha Eun Woo has shared some enjoyable behind-the-scenes tales and talked about his character!
Based mostly on the hit webtoon of the identical title, “Island” is a fantasy drama a few darkish secret hidden on stunning Jeju Island—and people who find themselves fated to struggle evil forces which can be making an attempt to destroy the world. The drama stars Kim Nam Gil as Pan, Lee Da Hee as Mi Ho, and ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo as a younger exorcist priest referred to as John.
A couple of days earlier than the premiere of “Island” Half 2, Cha Eun Woo sat for interviews with the native press to debate the drama. Considering again to when the drama’s first season premiered, Cha Eun Woo remarked, “It was filmed a 12 months in the past, so I used to be additionally curious. [When Part 1 came out,] the actors’ group chat was crammed with everybody saying, ‘Wow, [I can’t believe] this scene got here out like this.’ After that, I additionally mentioned plenty of issues with the martial arts director and the CG [computer graphics] crew chief. Now, with Half 2, I’m curious as to how the viewers will react and I’m additionally excited to see how the tales will develop additional.”
He then mirrored on his personal performing by saying, “Some components have been good and a few components have been disappointing. I believe I had plenty of combined emotions. Style-wise and character-wise, performing as John was an fascinating problem for me. It was enjoyable and I’d like to do it once more if one other alternative comes.”
On what compelled him to star within the collection, Cha Eun Woo cited his co-stars saying, “I met the director for the primary time in his workplace and he had an image of the lust demon on the wall. The director stated, ‘I’d love to do that challenge along with you.’ Once I was enthusiastic about it, Kim Nam Gil invited me to brunch and stated, ‘Eun Woo, let’s do that [drama] collectively.’ He gave me braveness first. I trusted him and the director and at last stated, ‘I’ll do it.’ One of many causes I wished to do ‘Island’ was due to the wonderful seniors. I used to be so proud to be doing a drama with them. I had been interested in how the senior actors strategy their roles and work together with the employees, and I believe I realized plenty of constructive issues by working with them this time.”
Cha Eun Woo went on to explain his expertise on the filming set, mentioning how he typically noticed Kim Nam Gil suggesting additions to the drama or bringing concepts from the unique webtoon. He remarked, “Kim Nam Gil often jokes round and is humorous behind the cameras, however throughout rehearsal or after we are taking pictures, he absolutely will get immersed into his character. It was fascinating and wonderful to see. I used to be positively influenced and realized quite a bit simply by watching him.”
One other co-star that Cha Eun Woo talked about was Choi Tae Joon, who made a special appearance within the collection as his brother. Concerning the 2 brothers’ emotional and tragic final scene collectively, Cha Eun Woo confessed, “I discovered that scene to be probably the most troublesome, nevertheless it’s additionally my favourite scene.”
He elaborated, “I cried a number of instances studying the script. The truth that I needed to kill my very own brother with my very own palms…I even have a youthful brother, so I perceive the love between brothers. I discovered myself imagining the ache and unhappiness that John will need to have had in that state of affairs and tried to channel these feelings into my performing. In the course of the filming, the director additionally shed tears. It was an honor and I felt grateful. Choi Tae Joon additionally hugged me after filming, saying, ‘You probably did an ideal job.’”
Along with his stellar efficiency in emotional scenes, Cha Eun Woo additionally acquired many favorable evaluations for his motion scenes. Cha Eun Woo recalled proudly, “I requested the martial arts director, ‘Am I thought-about good?’ and he stated sure. ‘Nobody is resistant to flattery,’ they are saying, so I stated I’ll work even more durable.”
To elaborate, he selected a selected scene and commented, “There was a combating scene with Pan, however the employees stated [the props/set] couldn’t be restored as soon as it was damaged, so we needed to movie in a single take. It was my first time using an motion wire, however the director complimented me saying I did properly.”
Nonetheless, all these compliments didn’t come from nothing. Describing his efforts to nail the motion scenes, Cha Eun Woo shared, “Earlier than taking pictures, I went to an motion faculty for 3 months. On days once I didn’t have scheduled actions, I went day-after-day to apply. The martial arts director gave me a rubber knife the identical dimension as John’s sword, so I saved working towards at any time when I had time at house or within the ready room.”
One other large facet of John’s character that wanted nice effort was language. On taking part in a priest who’s fluent in Italian and Latin, Cha Eun Woo commented, “Italian and Latin have been languages that I had by no means tried earlier than. I went to a cathedral in Ilsan and visited a priest. I’d file the lesson and the priest’s pronunciation. I’d hearken to it and apply talking again and again. Then I’d file myself and ship it again to the priest and ask them if my pronunciation was okay.”
Nonetheless, greater than something, Cha Eun Woo’s presentation of a “hip hop priest” was in all probability what created probably the most buzz for his character. Earrings and headphones that blasted out Okay-pop have been John’s trademark, however Cha Eun Woo revealed that the manufacturing crew had initially agreed for John to not put on the earrings. “However I insisted,” he stated. “I stated I believe it’d be proper for John to put on it. When John will get ‘woke up,’ his religious powers improve enormously and I assumed we’d want a device [to represent that]. I assumed [the earrings] might be such a device. I wished to hold his distinctive trait and I assumed it was needed for the method of bringing the character to life.”
Concerning the headphones and hip hop songs John was listening to within the drama, Cha Eun Woo shared an fascinating anecdote, saying, “I simply left the headphones off once I was filming and pretended I used to be grooving to some rhythm. However then the director contacted me whereas he was enhancing and requested me, ‘What music would you like [John] to hearken to?’ I answered, ‘Can you place ASTRO’s music in?’ Nonetheless, the director stated, ‘I’d like to, however I don’t assume it’ll match with the vibe of the scene.’ I even thought of making new music, however in the long run, we simply selected hip hop.”
When requested if he ever discovered it unlucky that individuals often put extra emphasis on his attractiveness reasonably than his performing abilities, Cha Eun Woo correctly replied, “I believe my (look) is one among my strengths too,” however went on to offer himself a rating of solely 50 factors for his visuals. “I’m reasonably arduous on myself. 50 factors as a result of there are such a lot of cool individuals on the market and since everybody has their very own charms. I recognize the compliments on my look, however to be trustworthy, it doesn’t actually hit me. A part of it’s as a result of my mom raised me strictly. I attempt to focus extra on my inside self reasonably than my look. I believe individuals who do which can be cooler.”
On his performing abilities, Cha Eun Woo additionally gave himself 50 factors, explaining, “The extra I act, the tougher it will get. I humbly settle for [the mixed reviews] I get and am additionally grateful for the constructive suggestions. My household and mates additionally stated, ‘I like ‘Island’ since you look comfy.”
Cha Eun Woo then humorously shared, “The ASTRO members stated it was comfy to see as a result of it wasn’t a romance drama. In any case, all of us have been residing collectively since we have been trainees, so I believe that’s why they stated that. Moonbin stated he would positively watch it and advised me he had paid for and subscribed to TVING due to me.”
Whereas with regards to ASTRO, Cha Eun Woo was additionally requested about their future plan as a bunch. He answered, “We don’t have any promotion plans for ASTRO but. However I actually like doing crew actions, so I wish to [perform] on stage. I’m additionally open to solo [promotions]. I actually take pleasure in standing and singing on stage and it’s one thing I’m grateful for.”
On the group’s latest seventh debut anniversary, Cha Eun Woo remarked, “I can’t imagine it’s already been seven years. Whereas having dinner with my members just lately, we talked about how you can spend our seventh anniversary. We have been enthusiastic about visiting MJ [in the military], however I had a taking pictures schedule that day.”
On the finish of 2022, ASTRO’s company Fantagio revealed that JinJin, Cha Eun Woo, Moonbin, and Yoon Sanha had all renewed their contracts, whereas discussions with Rocky have been ongoing. As MJ is presently serving within the army, his contract discussions will happen after he’s discharged.
When requested concerning the group’s present contract renewal standing, Cha Eun Woo rigorously stated, “We’re speaking with the corporate individually. We haven’t had a deep dialog amongst ourselves but. However no matter every of them chooses, they’re people who I’ll be mates with perpetually. The members have a extremely good relationship. We’ve got been collectively for a very long time since we have been trainees who have been nothing. Even up till now, we get alongside properly all the identical. We help one another a lot.”
Lastly, Cha Eun Woo commented on what viewers ought to stay up for in “Island” Half 2, saying, “The motion scenes will likely be taken to a complete new stage. The tales behind every character will likely be extra developed and their chemistry and the explanations for his or her respective actions will turn out to be extra outlined. Viewers can anticipate the battle that occurs when these factors overlap.”
As for his character John, Cha Eun Woo remarked, “I used to be so damage when John exorcised his brother along with his personal palms in Half 1. In Half 2, John’s inner struggles and battle will construct up. He believed in and adopted God all this time, however this example has led him to surprise ‘Is there a God?’ [Part 2] will painting John’s journey of progress. I hope you watch enjoyably as we’ve labored so arduous on it. Please give numerous like to ‘Island’ and John.”
“Island” returned with Half 2 on February 24. New episodes come out each Friday through TVING and the drama can be be obtainable world wide on Amazon Prime Video.
Watch Cha Eun Woo in “My ID is Gangnam Beauty” beneath!
Supply (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
