Kim Woo-bin is an actor who showcases a strong presence whenever he takes on a role that includes the character’s name. Like his name suggests, Yeongdo (from SBS’s ‘The Heirs’), who rebelliously endured a cold world at its low points, has grown into Jeong-do (from Netflix’s “Officer Black Belt”), stepping onto the right path as he encounters a world he had not known before.
“Officer Black Belt” is an action film that tells the story of Jeong-do (played by Kim Woo-bin), a 9th-degree martial arts black belt in taekwondo, kendo, and judo, who works with probation officer Kim Seon-min (played by Kim Sung-kyun) to prevent crime by closely monitoring electronic bracelet subjects 24/7.
The martial arts officer and probation officer work in pairs to track the location and movements of electronic bracelet subjects, striving to prevent recidivism through close guidance and supervision. They work not just in situations where crimes occur, but also engage in activities like 24-hour monitoring, tracking, and surveillance to prevent crime beforehand. They are tirelessly dedicated to ensuring the safety of citizens, even in unseen moments.
“This film is about recognizing the heroes hidden in everyday life, and I feel really good about having played that role. I am very grateful for the people around me who have appreciated it. Comments like ‘I learned about martial arts officers from this film’ make me feel like my sincerity was conveyed. When I read the script, I hoped that more people would recognize their hard work”, the actor said.
In the film, Jeong-do values fun above all else but one day unexpectedly helps a martial arts officer who is attacked by a criminal and ends up working as a temporary martial arts officer. He meets probation officer Kim Seon-min and, through their work together, begins to feel fulfillment and meaning, leading to personal change.
“I thought the emotions of Jeong-do were the most important in this film. I wanted to express the moments of change in Jeong-do in detail. Jeong-do didn’t start his role as a martial arts officer out of a deep motivation; he started because he thought it would be fun. This allowed me to react more honestly in each moment. I enjoyed being able to show that change.”
In the process, Kim Woo-bin met actual martial arts officers and probation officers, listening to their experiences and taking on the heavy responsibility of portraying a martial arts officer in the film.
The actor also shared, “Embarrassingly, I learned about the profession of martial arts officer for the first time when I received the script. After confirming my participation, I visited a probation office to meet with probation officers and martial arts officers. They demonstrated protective gear and electronic bracelets. Listening to their stories, I realized they are doing much harder work than I had thought.”
Another highlight of “Officer Black Belt” is its thrilling action scenes. Kim Woo-bin’s impactful action sequences enhance the immersion of the warm story. He gained 8 kg for the role and began training in taekwondo, judo, and kendo for three hours daily, starting three months before filming. He practiced the action sequences repeatedly with the action director, putting in tremendous effort to embody the character of Jeong-do, a martial arts expert.
Jeong-do, in “Officer Black Belt” experiences a transformation from seeking only fun to finding value in unexpected work. Through inner growth, he finds fulfillment and true happiness, resonating with audiences beyond the screen. The values of life that make Kim Woo-bin happy, outside of his character, are rooted in living each day fully. Observing his life, which is simple yet upright, and devoted to each day without excess, inspires more support for his path of Jeong-do.
“I try to live each day fully as an individual, not just as an actor. I find that happiness follows from that. It’s similar in my acting career as well. I increasingly focus on the people I work with on set, enjoying the process and sharing emotions, which brings me happiness. I had a lot of time to reflect on these thoughts during the periods when I was sick and had to rest. I felt overwhelmed by work in my twenties. Looking back, I find that time a bit sad, which makes each day feel more important. By practicing this way of living, I’ve become happier”, Kim Woo-bin commented.
Source: Daum
