Seo Hyun-woo Reflects on 'The Good Bad Mother's' Success and His Character Lee Don

Actor Seo Hyun-woo is sharing his thoughts and feelings as the Genie TV original drama ‘The Good Bad Mother’ has come to a successful close. He played the role of Lee Don, a lawyer and all-around problem solver, solidifying the drama's identity and earning widespread acclaim.

‘The Good Bad Mother’ concluded with a remarkable 7.1% viewership rating, setting a new personal best and ranking as the second-highest rated drama in ENA history. Seo Hyun-woo's character, Lee Don, was instrumental in driving the narrative forward, managing Kang Ho-sik's (Moon Seong-geun) contracts and facilitating the pivotal shift for Oh Tae-soo (Hong Bi-ra) under her new identity, Bu-se-mi.

Throughout the series, Lee Don consistently acted as a troubleshooter, helping Oh Tae-soo overcome difficult situations and ultimately contributing to a happy ending by ensuring the contract's completion. The intricately woven storyline of Lee Don, from his interactions with Kang Ho-sik to his support for Oh Tae-soo, was brought to life by Seo Hyun-woo's nuanced performance.

Having already made a name for himself with detailed portrayals and profound acting skills in numerous projects, Seo Hyun-woo delivered another outstanding performance in ‘The Good Bad Mother.’ He breathed life into the witty and intelligent character, bringing charisma and humor to every scene he appeared in. As a key figure, he skillfully balanced the overall flow of the drama.

His performance, which spanned all 12 episodes, resonated deeply with viewers. As he bids farewell to ‘The Good Bad Mother,’ Seo Hyun-woo shared his sincere gratitude towards the audience through a candid interview. His detailed insights into the meticulous analysis and consideration involved in developing Lee Don, along with his determination to reward viewers with an entertaining drama, sparked both surprise and anticipation.

“I had expectations that not only Lee Don but various characters would be seen as charming once the drama was released. From the moment I first read the script, I thought it was a piece where ‘the characters shine,’ and rather, I was more focused on pondering Lee Don's precise position within that brilliance,” he recalled. Regarding the specific mannerisms he developed for Lee Don, he explained, “I considered how someone from Muchang, who serves a wealthy family chairman in Seoul, might develop their speech patterns and accent. The gestures I set up to appear sophisticated and intellectual ended up expressing a rather chic and haughty demeanor, which I particularly liked.”

When asked about the detail of him adjusting his glasses, he revealed, “The act of adjusting my glasses was a psychological gesture, a mechanism to control my emotions for a purpose.” He also shared other self-created nuances, such as maintaining an upright posture and emphasizing his left hand wearing a luxury watch while dismissively waving away others with a hint of nervousness.

On his process for creating distinct characters across different works, he stated, “I always research changes in external makeup and costume details. New outfits and styles provide a performer with a different feel compared to their previous roles, and from that texture, the character's gait, posture, speech, and expressions can be newly discovered.” For Lee Don, he added, “I thought it would be interesting if his way of speaking and attitude slightly changed depending on the human relationships he encountered, such as with the chairman and his wife, the Ga-seong Group, and the people of Muchang village.”

Finally, addressing the viewers, Seo Hyun-woo expressed his heartfelt thanks: “The writer's words came to life through the actors, and the director's vision was realized through the hidden efforts of countless staff members. Thanks to everyone's love and interest, their hard work shone brighter and became a topic of conversation. I sincerely thank everyone who cherished ‘The Good Bad Mother,’ and the best way I can repay you is by greeting you again with an enjoyable project. I will continue to show you good performances. Please always stay healthy!”

Meanwhile, Seo Hyun-woo has confirmed his next project, the TVING original series ‘Lottery D-1,’ signaling another transformation.

Following the drama's conclusion, fans have flooded online communities with praise for Seo Hyun-woo's portrayal of Lee Don, with comments like "Lee Don was such a charming character!" and "Seo Hyun-woo's acting was superb, I was so immersed." Many are eagerly anticipating his upcoming projects.