Bae Hyun-sung on 'The President's Chicken': "Han Suk-kyu's Presence Was My Reason to Join"

Actor Bae Hyun-sung, who debuted in 2018 with 'What's Wrong with Secretary Kim,' has steadily expanded his filmography with works like 'Love Playlist,' 'Our Blues,' and 'Assembly Family.' He has showcased diverse faces in each project, portraying an antagonist in 'Gyeongseong Creature 2' and a principled youth in 'The President's Chicken.'

'The President's Chicken' is a human legal drama where a former legendary negotiator, now a chicken shop owner, resolves various disputes. Bae Hyun-sung played Jo Pil-ip, a perfectionist judge who prioritizes law and principles. Despite graduating top of his class from the Police University, Law School, and passing the bar exam, he finds himself unexpectedly facing reality after being assigned to the president's chicken shop overnight.

Bae Hyun-sung's reason for choosing 'The President's Chicken' was clear. In a recent interview with Sports Seoul, he stated, "I decided to join the project after hearing that senior actor Han Suk-kyu was confirmed to appear."

"Hearing that Han Suk-kyu senior was already confirmed was enough to move me. I wanted to be in any project he was in. He always thinks deeply about every situation, contemplating 'Why should this character act this way?' before filming a scene. Being able to witness that attitude up close was a great learning experience."

In the drama, Jo Pil-ip is a cool-headed and perfect legal professional, but he gradually reveals his human side as the story progresses. Bae Hyun-sung meticulously designed this character's transformation. To familiarize himself with the courtroom atmosphere, he even attended actual court sessions.

"I asked the director for permission to observe court proceedings. I closely watched how judges look at defendants and their speaking pace," he shared. "Pil-ip initially saw the world only through the law, but after meeting the president, he begins to understand the world differently. In the beginning, I deliberately spoke quickly and clearly to give him a stiff impression, and gradually softened my tone as he started to resemble the president."

Bae Hyun-sung's sincerity resonated deeply with viewers. 'The President's Chicken' kicked off with a viewership rating of 7.4% (Nielsen Korea) and consistently maintained an 8% range, gaining word-of-mouth popularity.

"I think viewers could easily relate because we dealt with incidents that could happen in everyday life. Also, when the president and Pil-ip solved cases together, many commented that it was as refreshing as 'soda.' That feedback made me very happy."

Given the project's popularity, he expressed his anticipation for a second season. "There are many stories to tell with its episodic format. If a second season is produced, I would be delighted to participate. Jo Pil-ip could return with a more grown-up version."

His next project is TVING's original series 'Mock Exam.' This work is of a completely different genre, where Bae Hyun-sung will portray a character burdened by social contradictions and the guilt of youth. "The subject of a mock exam isn't just a crime story; it's a work that carries a social message. I think I can show a different kind of acting compared to the antagonist role in 'Gyeongseong Creature 2.' I want to return with a more mature performance," he stated.

Following the conclusion of 'The President's Chicken,' news of Bae Hyun-sung's next project has sparked enthusiasm among netizens. Comments like, "Bae Hyun-sung's acting was so good! I really hope for a Season 2," and "Looking forward to 'Mock Exam' too, his ability to portray diverse roles is the best!" flooded in, sending messages of support.