"When I saw him frying chicken in 'Moving' ... ": Chicken Nugget Director Comments About Casting Ryu

From Psychokinesis to Extreme Job to Disney+'s Moving, and now Chicken Nugget, Ryu Seung Ryong's dramas and films just can't seem to do without chicken. 

Entertainment streaming service Netflix held a press conference for its upcoming drama Chicken Nugget at the Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Entrance in Seoul on March 13.

The press conference was attended by director Lee Byung Hun, Ryu Seung Ryong, Ahn Jae Hong, and Kim You Jung. 

Actor Ryu Seung Ryong plays the role of Choi Seon Man, a father who tries to turn his daughter back into a human being after she is transformed into fried chicken upon entering a mysterious machine. 

Regarding the reason for casting Ryu Seung Ryong, director Lee said, "He is a valuable person whom I need, whom Chicken Nugget needs, and whom the Korean drama and film industry also needs." 

The director joked, "The actor was naturally someone I had to consider, but I also felt a little sorry because it's chicken again. I was worried that if Ryu Seung Ryong appeared in another production involving chicken, it might stick to his image," adding, "But when I saw him frying chicken in Moving, I let go of my concerns and proposed the offer," evoking laughter. 

At the conference, Ryu Seung Ryong showered praises on his co-star Kim You Jung, stating, "Thanks to Kim You Jung, who poured her soul into acting, so much so that the fried chicken really looked like my daughter, I [was able to immerse myself in the role and] was as serious as Liam Neeson from the movie Taken." 

Talking about the reason he chose Chicken Nugget, the veteran actor  explained, "The logline (one-line synopsis) was very fresh," adding, "I decided to participate, thinking that many people would enjoy it, as it is a work that unfolds a story beyond imagination." 

Ahn Jae Hong commented, "I thought it would be a story so exciting and enjoyable because it was one that could never have been imagined," adding, "Once you have a taste of it, you can't stop [watching]."

He further explained, "As the character in the webtoon looked similar to me, I felt like I had to do it," adding, "Even though there were no changes in appearance except for parting my hair, I was able to create a sense of similarity to [the character from] the webtoon."

Chicken Nugget will premiere on March 15, exclusively on Netflix.

Sources (1)(2)