“돈 때문 아냐”… 강동원, 세기말 가수 변신한 진짜 이유[인터뷰]

“My close friends jokingly asked if I was broke,” Gang Dong-won laughed when describing reactions to his latest career move.

The acclaimed actor has taken on yet another unexpected role in the film Wild Thing, portraying Hwang Hyun-woo, the frontman of a fictional 90s mixed-gender dance crew called Triangle. His track record already includes playing an exorcist, a father, and even voice-only performances—but this time he’s diving into the world of end-of-century pop culture as a dance performer.

The role demanded everything: breakdancing routines, live singing, and even mastering headspins. When asked about his motivation, Gang was clear: “Money had nothing to do with it. The script felt fresh, and I thought it would be hilarious to see myself dancing and singing.”

WHY THIS ROLE STOOD OUT

During a recent conversation at a café in Seoul’s Samcheong-dong neighborhood, Gang shared his thoughts after viewing the finished film. “I’d seen an edited version before, but as someone who made it, I always notice things I wish were different. Still, I gave it everything I had. I hope people enjoy it.”

What drew him to Wild Thing was its originality and relevance. “The screenplay was incredibly fresh and felt right for this era,” he explained. “This is a character I couldn’t have played when I was younger. It’s something only possible at this stage of my career.”

Rather than viewing it as a transformation, Gang emphasized the fun factor. “I kept thinking how funny it would be to see myself dancing and singing. It wasn’t about reinventing myself—it was more like, ‘This would be entertaining.’ I’ve chosen quite a few projects that way.”

A HISTORY OF SURPRISING CHOICES

Gang’s filmography has consistently defied expectations. He recalled past reactions: “When I did voice-only acting, people asked why I was limiting myself to that. When I played a dad early in my career, they questioned why I was taking on fatherhood roles so soon. I’ve been an exorcist, and now I’m a dance singer. Every time, people wondered if I’d lost my mind.”

EMBRACING THE 90S AESTHETIC

One standout element of the film is its authentic recreation of late-90s style. Gang remembered his first styling test with amusement: “When I first tried on the wig, it was so much fun. Back in high school, I watched those flashy performances on TV and always wanted to try something like that. Sure, it looks cheesy now, but back then, I thought it was genuinely cool.”

He was also deeply involved in shaping the music. “From the very beginning of planning, we talked endlessly about the music. I strongly pushed for a New Jack Swing vibe—something energetic that still captured that era’s feeling.”

TRAINING LIKE A REAL PERFORMER

For the film’s main performance piece, “Love Is,” Gang trained intensively in Los Angeles. “While I was staying in the U.S., the music came out first. The moment I heard it, I knew I needed to start practicing immediately. I found a breakdance crew in LA through a referral. I didn’t know much about hip-hop culture before, but learning the moves taught me about the entire culture behind it.”

The training regimen was grueling. “I practiced four hours every single day with a b-boy who was also my stunt double. The first hour was always just basic steps, over and over. The script originally only called for headspins, but later we added windmills too. Unfortunately, I cracked a rib during practice.”

Despite the injury, he concentrated on perfecting headspins. “I felt like the continuous, almost-but-not-quite-stopping headspin reflected Hyun-woo’s character. I spent three to four months just drilling headspins.”

DEBUT DAY EXCITEMENT

Filming the first stage performance felt surreal. “After so much practice, it genuinely felt like we were debuting as a real group. I couldn’t wait to show the crew what we’d prepared. I wanted to show off—like, ‘Look how ready we are!'”

However, modern idol culture caught him off guard. “Park Ji-hyun told me, ‘You need to do an ending pose.’ I had no idea. Apparently, heavy breathing is part of the appeal. If I’d known, I would’ve panted even more,” he joked.

CO-STAR CHEMISTRY AND NEW RESPECT

Gang also praised his co-star Um Tae-goo. “I’ve always wondered how he manages to be so quiet in everyday life. He barely speaks normally, but once the camera rolls, he completely transforms.”

The experience gave him newfound appreciation for dance performers. “Actually doing this made me realize how incredible dance singers are. I kept thinking about how much they must have practiced since childhood. It’s genuinely tough work.”

UNEXPECTED FANBASE AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

After the music video dropped, Gang noticed something different. “I started seeing unfamiliar faces in the audience—people who don’t usually follow my work. The new reactions were fascinating. It’s just a shame there won’t be another performance.”

Even after more than twenty years in the industry, Gang’s passion remains strong. “I’ve never once thought about retirement. I used to feel strongly about acting until I die. Lately, my thinking has shifted a bit, but acting is a profession where new roles keep opening up as you age. I think I can keep doing this for a long time. That’s what I love about this job.”