[TF Interview] 'Office Workers 3' Baek Hyun-jin to Kim Won-hoon, Third Day at Work a Success
Baek Hyun-jin, Kim Won-hoon, Kang Ji-young to Collaborate in Season 3"The pressure was immense, but the set was enjoyable."Actors Baek Hyun-jin, comedian Kim Won-hoon, and announcer Kang Ji-young (from left) recently met with
at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss the Coupang Play variety show 'Office Workers 3'. /Each Agency[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] 'Office Workers' has successfully concluded its journey for Season 3. While there was pressure to create new laughter at every moment, the cast overcame it with mutual trust and exceptional chemistry. Their efforts to constantly challenge themselves without settling for familiarity have made 'Office Workers 3' even richer.Kim Min PD, who directed Coupang Play's variety show 'Office Workers' Season 3 (hereinafter referred to as 'Office Workers 3'), along with comedian Kim Won-hoon, actor Baek Hyun-jin, and announcer Kang Ji-young, recently met with at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss various aspects of the program.'Office Workers 3' is an office sitcom that depicts the employees of DY Planning crossing company boundaries and unleashing a barrage of laughter with their uninhibited vibes. It concluded its 10-episode run on October 30th.Kim Won-hoon, having been with the show from Season 1 to Season 3, had a particularly profound sentiment. He confessed, "Having gone through Season 1 to Season 3, this season was the most mentally taxing. I felt like my improvisational skills were diminishing," adding, "Since the same person is acting, the patterns inevitably become consistent. I tried many changes with the desire to show a new side, and I felt the pressure alone during that process."Baek Hyun-jin, who led the show from Season 2 to Season 3, experienced a mix of relief and regret. He stated, "We filmed with great enjoyment, but at the same time, the pressure was immense. As it's a series with many spontaneous elements, I feel at ease now that it's over," and admitted, "Season 2 had such significant buzz that there was pressure going into Season 3."The biggest change this season was the addition of Kang Ji-young. Kang Ji-young played a professional yet uninhibited executive, engaging in a tense rivalry with Manager Baek Hyun-jin, while also showcasing natural chemistry with the existing employees, making her presence felt.'Office Workers 3' is an office sitcom depicting the employees of DY Planning unleashing a barrage of laughter with their uninhibited vibes as they navigate company affairs, which concluded its run on October 30th. /Coupang PlayKang Ji-young explained, "I felt immense pressure, but at the same time, it was a program I really wanted to be a part of," adding, "I actually worked in a corporate environment for a long time, so rather than the pressure to be funny, I wanted to incorporate stories that a real office worker might tell.""During the first recording, my heartbeat was so loud on the audio due to nervousness. I've never been this nervous while broadcasting. There were no set lines, and I had to navigate the situations myself, so I was very worried if they would respond well to my words." (Kang Ji-young)However, as filming progressed, Kang Ji-young gradually found her own style. Notably, she provided another layer of entertainment by being unable to hold back her laughter at the other cast members' ad-libs. She shared, "At first, I thought I had to suppress my laughter no matter what, but I gradually realized that I didn't have to hold back so much." "Although I play a character who maintains a serious demeanor, if I showed no laughter at all, I might seem too cold, so when I absolutely couldn't hold it in, I covered my mouth and laughed."The cast's pressure was intertwined with the concept of 'Office Workers 3,' which required them to create situations spontaneously without pre-determined lines. This resulted in unexpected scenes that brought laughter to viewers, but it also meant the cast had to create something new at every moment, leading to pressure.PD Kim stated, "It always flows in a direction I haven't planned. Rather than perfectly defining the narrative or structure from the beginning, I value the freedom the cast has to fill in the gaps," adding, "I wasn't anxious because I trusted the cast. In fact, I felt that the less the PD had to do, the better the program ran."Season 3, completed based on the cast's free-spirited ad-libs, aimed for a different kind of change compared to previous seasons. It went beyond simple skits with guests to strengthen each character's narrative and incorporate stories unfolding outside the office, adding dramatic elements.PD Kim explained, "To show ad-libs more three-dimensionally, I believed individual narratives were important. I thought that by showing aspects of their lives outside of work, their stories would build up, and their ad-libs would expand."Kang Ji-young (bottom) recalled, "'Office Workers 3' was a set I looked forward to filming, despite the immense pressure." /Coupang Play"All the cast members are exceptionally talented actors. I felt that simply showing them engaging in ad-lib battles on set wouldn't fully capture their capabilities. Therefore, showing their lives outside of their work was not a significant challenge." (PD Kim)The strong chemistry among the cast was also a driving force behind the program. In particular, the episode where Kim Won-hoon leaves DY Planning for a new company brought a sense of novelty. Kim Won-hoon recalled, "Filming at the new company was suffocating. I actually felt a stronger desire to return to DY Planning, and I felt truly comfortable when I returned to work."Hearing this, Kang Ji-young remarked, "The morning meeting without Won-hoon felt really strange," and Baek Hyun-jin jokingly added, "It was like not having Son Heung-min," eliciting laughter.In this way, 'Office Workers 3' received great love for its enriched ensemble, formed by the intertwining of characters with distinct personalities. It concluded its Season 3 journey with a final burst of delightful fun, thanks to its expanded universe, unpredictable humor, and relatable narratives that lingered after the laughter."Even after filming ended, I sometimes meet up with the 'Office Workers' cast, and each time, I feel a sense of regret. While it's relieving that it's over, I had such a great time filming." (Baek Hyun-jin)"The recordings are over, but I still have aftereffects. The pressure was immense, but I also looked forward to the filming days. I tend to enjoy doing new things, so my sense of challenge was high, but it was a set where I wondered, 'What kind of situation will unfold this time?'" (Kang Ji-young)"Through 'Office Workers,' I feel like I've gradually built my image. I really like this program, but I want to show various sides of myself in different programs in the future. I still don't think I'm funny. I just love comedy, so I continue to do it. In the future, I want to show more of the real Kim Won-hoon." (Kim Won-hoon)subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]
