'Love in the Moonlight' Director Reveals Thoughts on Casting Park Bo Gum in the Drama

According to the director of the TV drama series, "Love in the Moonlight," lead actor Park Bo Gum had a hard time adjusting to his role, but he was still able to cope with it and give good acting for every single episode.

In a phone interview with Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday, director Kim Sung Yoon said, "Bo Gum struggled a bit at first. He told me he was not sure of the tone of his character. At first, he was so intimidated in front of Cheo Ho Jin that he could not act properly."

Cheon is a veteran South Korean actor who plays the role of the Prime Minister in the said drama. "Love in the Moonlight" is about a prince during the Joseon Dynasty and a fictional woman who was disguised as a eunuch who fell in love inside the courts.

Kim continued, "But all of a sudden, he got the hang of it. I think it was when we were about two months into filming. From then on, he completely became Lee Yeong."

The 23-year old Park became more popular when he starred as a Baduk prodigy in the hit TV series "Reply 1988." "Love in the Moonlight" is the first drama series of the actor where he plays the lead character, Crown Prince Lee Yeong. He admitted that he was nervous about his role and the responsibility of playing the lead character during the drama's promotional press conference in August.

Park said, "When I was chosen for the role, I was grateful but also worried that I would not be able to meet expectations. Then I realized that I am not in it alone, but working together with the writers, staff, and all the other actors, who are all protagonists."

When the actor finally got into his role, Kim said, "When I saw how perfectly Bo Gum was expressing his character, I started to have regrets about the earlier shoots. So we filmed the first two episodes all over again. We were able to buy some time while the Olympics were on, so Bo Gum ended up looking great right from the first episode."

Kim also admitted to having worries when he learned about Park's casting on the drama. He mentioned, "park Bo Gum was cast as Lee Yeong from the start. There was no choice. Only with Park Bo Gum could we get the investment and TV slot. But I was worried."

However, with the success of the drama which is currently airing, the director said, "Of course, I am completely satisfied. He is doing so well. Don't they say Park Bo Gum is a genre? There's no need for words."