Producer Kim Sung-hwan discusses Extreme Job

Kim Sung-hwan on Producing Extreme Job and Wild Thing

Producer Kim Sung-hwan has spent years building a catalog of comedies in South Korea. The 52-year-old About Film CEO is known for backing projects that center on underdog characters attempting to bounce back from difficult circumstances. His filmography spans titles such as Wild Thing, released in June, Secret Zoo, What Happened to Mr. Cha?, and Extreme Job. Throughout his career, Kim has maintained a focus on good-natured humor and slice-of-life struggles, drawing inspiration from classic television comedy programs he watched during his youth.

The Production Choices Behind Extreme Job

The comedy Extreme Job drew over 10 million viewers in South Korea by following a group of underperforming narcotics detectives. Kim noted that while some industry figures argued for adding character growth arcs to secure a ten-million-ticket audience, he and director Lee Byung-hun chose to prioritize persistent comedic gags. During the shoot, cast members including Ryu Seung-ryong filmed in extreme summer heat with temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius, relying on on-set medical support to complete demanding physical sequences. The production also capitalized on working relationships formed during earlier projects, including scriptwriter Bae Se-young, who assisted with the project.

Box Office Realities for Wild Thing

Kim’s June release Wild Thing attracted 1.34 million moviegoers, a commercial return the producer described as subdued relative to its pre-release visibility. According to Kim, the audience skewed heavily toward viewers in their 40s and older, failing to pull in younger demographics in their 20s and 30s. A standout element of the release proved to be actor Oh Jung-se’s performance as balladeer Choi Sung-gon, which generated unexpected viral traction. Oh contributed original choreography to his musical sequences, including a staged collapse on stage. Director Lee Won-suk shot the accompanying music video in a single day, utilizing props that Kim sourced directly through online secondhand marketplace applications.

Transitioning to Micro-Budget Experimentation with What Happened to Mr. Cha

Following the massive commercial success of Extreme Job, Kim chose to back What Happened to Mr. Cha? for Netflix, a sharp pivot that industry peers questioned at the time. Kim approached the actor in 2015, though Cha initially declined the project for feeling too burdensome. After the box office run of Extreme Job, Kim renewed the pitch, leading the actor to accept the role. The production required Cha to navigate an experimental script that parodied his own public image, culminating in a sequence where the actor is rescued wearing minimal clothing in front of startled background cast members.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kim Sung-hwan Films

How did Oh Jung-se prepare for his role in Wild Thing?

Actor Oh Jung-se collaborated with the director to invent original choreography for his character’s musical numbers, including a scripted stage stumble. The production team also utilized props sourced from online secondhand marketplaces for the accompanying music video.

What motivated Cha In-pyo to join What Happened to Mr. Cha?

Cha In-pyo agreed to star in the Netflix film after producer Kim Sung-hwan approached him following the release of Extreme Job. The actor stated at the time that he wanted to address a real-life career slump through a satirical script that played on his public persona.