'Study Group' drops actress Han Ji Eun's stills
On the morning of January 8, the press conference for the Disney+ original series Unmasked was held in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by director Yoo Seon Dong (The Uncanny Counter, Bad and Crazy) and actors Kim Hye Soo, Jung Sung Il, and Joo Jong Hyuk.
Unmasked tells the story of relentless investigative journalists who take on bad guys by shoving a camera in their faces first and asking questions later.
Director Yoo Seon Dong described Unmasked as "a vibrant story about the investigative journalism team Trigger, who expose and punish cunning and vicious villains, those whom neither the police nor prosecutors can catch, by filming them and revealing the truth to the world."
Kim Hye Soo, who takes on the role of Oh So Ryong, the team leader of Trigger, shares her first impression of Trigger, saying, "While this series deals with serious social issues and crimes, its overall tone and manner were lighthearted and engaging. The story was clear, with a well-balanced mix of a meaningful message, wit, sincerity, and catharsis that resonates with the world. That's why I chose it."
Director Yoo Seon Dong expressed that he couldn't imagine anyone but Kim Hye Soo for the role of Oh So Ryong. He said, "From the beginning to the end, I felt it had to be Kim Hye Soo. She pours everything she has into her work, and [in that aspect] Kim Hye Soo and Oh So Ryong are very similar. I understood why she remains at the top of her field."
Jung Sung Il takes on the role of Han Do, a well-mannered yet arrogant newbie. He shared, "This is my second time working with director Yoo Seon Dong after Bad and Crazy."
When asked about reuniting with the director, Jung said, "It's been a little over two years since we last worked together. Back then, it was a short collaboration, but this time, I'm glad we could work together for a longer period. He was amazing then, and he still is now." "He creates a comfortable environment for actors to perform and is great both as a director and as a person. He's also very cool. Honestly, when I first met him, I thought he was an actor," a comment that left director Yoo laughing out loud.
Joo Jong Hyuk plays Kang Ki Ho, an overly enthusiastic yet inexperienced assistant director. He explained, "Ki Ho deeply respects and trusts team leader Oh So Ryong. He takes great pride in [being a part of] Trigger and works hard at his job. He's a contract worker, but he gets frustrated a lot because he's trying to become a permanent employee. When Han Do joins the team, Ki Ho gets jealous and begins to feel inferior [to him], but he also compromises."
Director Yoo Seon Dong said that seeing Joo Jong Hyuk reminded him of his past. He shared, "Watching Joo Jong Hyuk's performance brought back memories of myself during the time when I was a contract worker. It was a period when I dreamed of becoming a director, and people around me would call me a dreamer. The barriers were high, and all I could do was cry." "Joo Jong Hyuk did an amazing job portraying the character of the contract worker Ki Ho."
Talking about Unmasked's charm, director Yoo Seon Dong highlighted, "One of the strengths and key entertaining aspects of Trigger is its variety. In the first episode, the team infiltrates a cult called Garden of Faith, and we show the tension of investigative reporting combined with action elements. There are episodes with disaster movie-like sequences, such as the paragliding scene, and moments that give the feel of a psychological thriller."
Jung Sung Il said, "I tried paragliding for the first time in my life [for this drama]. Everything about it was completely new to me."
Kim Hye Soo reflected on the efforts she put into preparing for her role. She shared, "I wore the same clothes that real investigative journalists wear during filming. Before starting the project, I also looked into female investigative producers. These professionals often have a mini suitcase and a backpack ready for long business trips or when the reporting goes on for long. And they also have items they need for filming in their cars. I incorporated these details into the drama."
Kim Hye Soo also showcases jaw-dropping action scenes in Unmasked. Regarding the action sequences, she shared, "While filming this project, I suffered [from an injury that] tore my thigh muscle and many other injuries here and there without even realizing it. In my everyday life, I'm quite cautious and often fearful, but once the cameras start rolling, we actors seem to become much stronger."
Concluding, director Yoo Seon Dong said, "Unmasked is the first Disney+ project to premiere in 2025. Since this is a drama being released globally, it features Korean settings and cases that Korean viewers will find relatable, but I believe audiences worldwide will be able to resonate as well."
Unmasked is set to premiere exclusively on Disney+ on January 15, 2025, and will release a total of 12 episodes, with two episodes airing per week.
