Once again, actor Lee Jung Ha demonstrated his unparalleled commitment to his craft in Disney+’s Moving. In this series, he takes on the role of Kim Bong-Seok, a high school senior endowed with the power of flight. However, he hides this extraordinary ability because he wants to live a normal life. His mother, Mihyeon, lives in perpetual anxiety, fearing the world will discover her son’s secret. To counteract his power and remain grounded, Kim Bong-Seok carries weight plates in his backpack.
Lee Jung Ha put on 30 kilograms (about 66 pounds) for the role. This wasn’t a superficial change; it was a deep dive into his character’s essence. It allowed him to get into character. “Casting for the role of Bong-Seok was challenging given the preconceived image that fans of the original webtoon had in mind. Despite this being Jung Ha’s first time working with wire stunts, I believe he’s among the best in Korea at it,” remarked Moving director Park In-Je.
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Kang Do Young (aka Kang Full), the writer behind the webtoon and screenplay, also lauded Jung Ha‘s dedication. He expressed his immense satisfaction with the casting, describing Lee as “an actor who is burning with enthusiasm. He worked hard to digest the character.”
In a previous interview, Jung Ha talked about how much he enjoyed the whole process. He said, “I was happy to be able to eat. As I gradually gained weight, I wanted to become Bong Seok as soon as possible, and the more I gained, the more I could see him.”
How Jung Ha gained and lost the weight
Jung Ha’s approach to gaining weight was methodical. He said, “Before starting the filming, I gained around thirty kilograms. I ate various types of instant noodles, including fried and soup-based ones. Even though I didn’t have a specific number of meals planned for each day, I made an effort not to feel hungry.” This dedication to his role showcased his commitment to authenticity and his craft.
As challenging as it was for him to put on weight, shedding it was no mean feat. Jung Ha said in an interview on August 21 that it took him almost a year after filming to return to his original weight. But all his efforts paid off. When the show aired, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. People suggested he keep the weight on, which Jung Ha found heartening. “I feel happy because it seems they appreciated the way I portrayed Bong-Seok,” he shared.
This contestant is kind of awkward, but we can’t help but smile! [The Unit/2017.12.07]
Born in 1998, audiences first met Jung Ha when he auditioned for the KBS2 idol rebooting project, The Unit, in 2017. Since then, he has done a number of dramas, such as Nevertheless, Run On, and more. Moving premiered on August 9, and fans eagerly await the finale on September 20.
Meanwhile, Jung Ha is set to play the lead in a drama called, One High School Heroes. Joining him in the cast are actors Kim Joo Ryoung and Lim Hyun Tae. The drama is based on the webtoon ONE. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Jung Ha cut a dashing figure on the red carpet at a recent promotional event for ‘Moving.’ Source: Instagram/@jungha.km.
