K-dramas that tackle both the military and law are pretty *rare,* and we found one that we can't get enough of! Military Prosecutor Doberman follows the lives of two military prosecutors who chose the same career but with different reasons.
The tvN series is led by Ahn Bo Hyun who plays Do Bae Man, a passive prosecutor who entered the field just for the money. Starring opposite him is Jo Bo Ah as Cha Woo In, an heiress who decided to pursue the job so she can plot revenge. Although they came from opposite backgrounds, the two end up fighting evil.
Similar to the drama's theme, the two actors want the audience to realize that justice will always prevail. "Let us live with a kind heart. I think justice is always around us even though it can't be seen. So even if you are going through some difficulties, the day when justice shines will come. Don't be too discouraged and live on with a positive mind," said Bo Hyun in an email interview.
What made you decide to star in Military Prosecutor Doberman?
Ahn Bo Hyun: It was my first time acting in a military law drama and it attracted me since it combined action and romance as well. I watched all the works done by the scriptwriter and the director, that's why I really wanted to work with them. I wish I could progress to another level with this production.
Jo Bo Ah: When I received the script, I found the theme of military law to be very unique and I was immediately attracted to it. Cha Woo In's righteous and confident character was also very charming. The angle of mixing action and legal genres was refreshing. I decided to take up this drama with the excitement that I would be able to show a different charm from my previous characters.
Your role in this drama is different from the characters you've played before. How did you prepare for it?
Ahn Bo Hyun: Since it was a new genre for me, there were many difficulties that I couldn't have overcome alone. It was a character built with everyone coming together and figuring out the way. I managed to overcome the difficulties with help from the people around me.
Jo Bo Ah: It required a lot of studying just to get myself familiarized with the script. I researched related news and videos, sought advice from people who served in the military and had continuous discussions with the director, writer, and other actors.
Did your boxing background make it easier for you to do action scenes?
Ahn Bo Hyun: My boxing experience did help me to some extent. It built a good foundation for my physical strength. When filming action scenes, I had the agility and sensation in my body. I also worked with the martial arts director previously who knew my strengths and weaknesses well and tailored the actions accordingly for me. I followed the directors' instructions and devoted my best to the action scenes which came out quite well.
How long was your training for your action scenes and what was it like?
Jo Bo Ah: It was my first time challenging myself with action scenes. I was very excited about it but was worried at the same time. Because I'm an amateur, I started to attend action school sessions and practice the basic moves diligently a few months before the filming. I received a lot of help from the martial arts director and seniors while enjoying each scene. I became more curious and interested in the action genre.
What similarities can you draw between yourself and your role?
Ahn Bo Hyun: It's a little hard to describe but Do Bae Man is a character who doesn't rely on others or give up easily. When I encounter problems, I also try to resolve them on my own. This is how my character overlaps with Do Bae Man and we have quite a lot of similarities.
What is the most challenging part of portraying your character?
Jo Bo Ah: It was difficult to present the military and legal expressions that were both unfamiliar to me. I had to convey information with professional words from the script. Hence, I spent a lot of effort familiarizing myself with the script clearly and accurately.
How did you feel about putting on the military uniform again?
Ahn Bo Hyun: I had worn the military uniform for two years when I was serving my actual military service. When I was discharged, I felt quite relieved that I'm taking off this uniform now. But I had worn the uniform three times until now including in the drama
What did you feel when you put on a military uniform and had to cut your hair?
Jo Bo Ah: It was the first time in my life to cut my hair into such a short length. I had portrayed many bright images in the past, so I thought it might be difficult to imagine myself in a military uniform and Woo In's character with heavy emotions most of the time. I decided to cut my hair short in order to fit myself with the image as much as I could. When I first tried on the military uniform, we were filming during the cold winter and it felt thinner than I thought. But I am used to the uniform and my short hair now and I'm filming comfortably.
You starred in multiple projects in the past three years. How do you feel about your performance?
Ahn Bo Hyun: I am always thankful that I have the chance to pursue acting consistently. There were times when I injured myself or felt stressed, but I really love my job of being an actor. I think I'm able to achieve where I am now because of the good people who are always around me.
Is there any other role you would like to try?
Ahn Bo Hyun: There are still many genres and characters that I have not done before. I want to challenge myself with as many kinds of roles as possible. I would like to try a variety of productions like melodrama, romantic comedy, historical drama, and many more.
Jo Bo Ah: Instead of a particular genre or character, I would prefer something that I can do well in, while both people who are producing it or watching it can enjoy together. I hope I could encounter more of such characters and present them to the audience in the future.
What keeps you going as an actor?
Ahn Bo Hyun: My beloved family, my passion, and my determination when I initially started my career. These are the three sources of energy that keep me motivated to work hard.
How do you de-stress from work?
Ahn Bo Hyun: I don’t relieve stress in a healthy way but keep it in mind where it eventually disappears. But if I have time, I would go camping with my good friends and empty my mind through getaways.
You have experienced a huge rise in popularity and have proven yourself as a promising actor. Do you feel more pressure now?
Ahn Bo Hyun: I act with some pressure in every production that I take up. But I think that the pressure is part of the process and it makes an actor bring out the best side of him and progress to the next level. With that in mind, I always try my best to overcome the pressure and I feel that I have made some progress every time I complete a project.
How do you think you have grown as an actor?
My first lead role
You can watch tvN's Military Prosecutor Doberman every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:15 p.m. via the Smart Gigaplay app.
*This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
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