"Graceful Friends", a Drama That Cracks You up

Director Song Hyeon-wook of the new JTBC drama "Graceful Friends" said about the drama that it's 'a work that highlights the joys and sorrows and mysteries of middle-aged men in their 40s'.

Advertisement

Through an interview released by "Graceful Friends", director Song Hyeon-wook said, "Middle-aged people in their 40s who have only been running forward face the biggest crisis of their lives. Now, with the first half over and the second half coming up, four middle-aged friends struggle to fly again without sinking in this crisis".

He added that the drama blends with comedy, human, mellow and mystery and that it will crack anyone up.

Director Song Hyeon-wook has been loved for his meticulous and sensual directing through romantic comedies such as "Beauty Inside - Drama" and "Another Miss Oh". This time, fans are interested in his introduction in mystery genre.

"I've produced romantic comedy genre works centered on the younger generation and this time it was interesting to deal with the world of middle-aged people, who are about the same age as I am", he said.

"In particular, if there were many female-oriented works such as "Misty", "Woman of Dignity" and "The World of the Married", "Graceful Friends" also dealt with the daily lives and psychological descriptions of middle-aged men", he said. "It was special that it shows a balanced view of male and female characters".

The five 'old men' members, who are the world's most pleasant but sympathetic characters, are also drawing keen attention to the title of "Graceful Friends" which is contrary to their appearance.

Director Song Hyeon-wook said, "The five people in the drama are described as middle-aged men who have passed their prime", stressing that "Graceful Friends" are paradoxical expressions of the weak and down-shouldered middle-aged people, but also a 'compliment' and a slogan of 'support' for middle-aged people who do not lose their friendship and faith in each other to overcome the biggest crisis in their lives.

He said he wanted to convey a message of courage and hope through the drama. Director Song Hyeon-wook said, "This drama is about those who are about to live half a life realizing what is most precious in their lives and struggling to protect it", adding, "I believe it will be an opportunity for viewers to look back on what is most precious in their remaining lives by looking at young people facing puberty".

"If one day, through the life of a 40-year-old man whose elevator of life suddenly breaks down, he doesn't give up on any adversity and struggles to find an emergency exit. I hope it will be a drama of courage and hope that life can definitely rise again", he said.

"It's hard to find the vitality of everyday life in the aftermath of COVID 19", Song said. "Sometimes with convulsions of laughter, sometimes with desperate melodies of couples and friends, with a heartbreaking tension that no one believes in and with unknown mysteries, I hope you will release the heat and irritation of summer nights and gain vitality".

___________

"Graceful Friends" is directed by Song Hyeon-wook, written by Kim Gyeong-seon, Park Hyo-yeon, and features Yu Jun-sang, Song Yoon-ah, Bae Soo-bin, Kim Sung-oh, Jung Suk-yong, Kim Won-hae. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/07/10~Upcoming, Fri, Sat 22:50 on jTBC.