Director Choo Chang-min on 'Torrent': 'A Product of 100% Sweat Fueled by the Actors'

Muddy faces, damp and humid air, and the stench of sewage – the Disney+ original series 'Torrent' pulls viewers into the mid-Joseon era's Mapo Ferry with its boldly realistic portrayal.

Amidst this harsh depiction of reality, the actors' performances shone even brighter. From lead actor Park Ji-hwan to Shin Ye-eun, Park Jeong-pyo, Choi Young-woo, Rowoon, and Park Seo-ham, even supporting actors delivered performances that felt alive, heightening the drama's immersion.

In a recent interview, Director Choo Chang-min stated, 'Torrent did not follow conventions.' He revealed, 'I refused post-production suggestions to 'clean up' Shin Ye-eun's face, opting for naturalness instead. We reduced artificial elements to highlight the actors' inherent performances.'

He added, 'To realistically portray the diverse attire of the lower class, we gave them individuality, like characters sprung from Kim Hong-do's paintings. For the role of Mudeok, we conducted dozens of skin tone tests and experimented with beard prosthetics. Actor Park Ji-hwan created a 'Mudeok' with a completely different vibe from 'Jang I-su,'' he elaborated.

The ensemble of the ruffians is another highlight of 'Torrent.' The actors moved organically as if they were one, offering viewers the joy of dancing along with them. Director Choo shared, 'Many actors came from theater, so they bonded quickly. Actor Park Jeong-pyo's performance was particularly astonishing. I felt once again how many great actors there are in Korea,' expressing his happiness during the production process.

Netizens praised the bold direction and passionate performances in 'Torrent,' commenting, 'It feels like we've actually arrived at Mapo Ferry,' 'Actor Park Ji-hwan's acting transformation is surprising,' and 'Both the visuals and acting are top-notch.'