”UDT: Special Forces of Our Town” Yoon Kye Sang & Jin Sun Kyu reunite after 8 years... Stronger chemistry than ”The Outlaws”

"Our breathing is perfectly in sync, as if destined. Ha ha ha."

Actor Yoon Kye-sang (god) spoke thus about co-starring with Jin Sung-kyu at the production presentation held on the 17th at the Pullman Ambassador Seoul East Pole Hotel in Seoul.

Coupang Play and Genie TV's original series ‘UDT: Our Town's Special Forces’ (UDT) is a delightful and thrilling tale of a reserve special forces unit assembled not to defend the nation, nor even particularly interested in global peace, but solely for their own families and town.

Director Cho Eun began by discussing casting: "The chemistry between the characters was crucial. When incidents occur, you need the clash and tension between the characters, along with humour. Including these five, right down to the actors playing the villains, I felt it was the best possible combination I could imagine. I'm grateful."

Yun Gye-sang, who plays insurance investigator Choi Kang, formerly of the JDD Special Operations Unit, explained his motivation for joining the project: "I felt I wanted to try action before it was too late. The role of Choi Kang is largely built around that kind of persona, so I saw it as an opportunity."

He added, "It differs from how he usually appears; his true character emerges when faced with crisis. That aspect struck me as appealing."

Jin Sung-kyu, who plays Kwak Byeong-nam – a neighbourhood youth association chairman and owner of a hardware and stationery shop, formerly of the HID counter-terrorism unit – expressed confidence: "To show more of a wild man's feel than my usual gentle image, I wore and drew on fake stubble. I built the character to feel like someone who could actually exist somewhere in this town. Viewers will fully grasp that feeling when they watch the series."

Kim Ji-hyun, who plays supermarket manager Jeong Na-myeong, formerly an assistant instructor in the Special Forces, continued: "She often laughs in the supermarket and is kind to customers. As she chairs the women's association, she's also deeply invested in town affairs." She explained, "The difference in her demeanour between being in the supermarket and when incidents occur in town must come across naturally. When incidents occur, she remains composed as a former assistant instructor, displaying charisma without being swayed by every ups and downs."

Ko Gyu-pil, who plays the gym instructor Lee Yeong-hui, a former cyber operations soldier, served as the production's mascot. He shared, "When I was a child attending a taekwondo dojang, I have fond memories of learning happily under an amusing instructor. Dealing with the children proved more challenging than I anticipated, but filming at the dojang was enjoyable. Cyber Operations soldiers are doing useful work when incidents occur in the city," he added in explaining his character.

The youngest sibling, Lee Jeong-ha, plays Park Jeong-hwan, an elite engineering student formerly in the mortar corps. Lee Jeong-ha revealed, "He's extremely quick-witted. Rather than me designing the operation, Jeong-hwan's role is to grasp the key points of the case firmly. He's a reliable collaborator."

Regarding the chemistry between Yoon Kye-sang and Jin Sung-kyu, reuniting for the first time in eight years since the film 'Crime City', Yoon Kye-sang expressed confidence, stating, "This time it's even stronger. Our timing is even more perfectly in sync." He conveyed, "I really like Sung-kyu-hyung. I like him as a person, and there are aspects I respect about him as an actor."

Continuing, Jin Sung-kyu retorted, "It feels almost like fate. We're like sotsukosotuk (skewers alternately threaded with sausage and rice cakes)," drawing laughter. Yoon Kye-sang added, "Senior and I usually joke around and play together, and that dynamic is captured exactly as it is. It gets to the point where you can't tell if we're playing or acting."

Jin Sung-kyu cheerfully shared, "This time, rather than agonising alone over how to build a character, we worked together. Just like during 'Crime City', we gathered each time a new cast member joined to read the script and rehearse together. On set, I thought, 'How do we harmonise so well?' and we worked happily and smoothly. Back then, I was under Jang Chen [a character from 'Crime City'], but now I'm on equal footing as the youth association president."

‘UDT: Our Town's Special Forces’ premiered simultaneously on Coupang Play, Genie TV, and ENA at 10 PM on the 17th.