"I Even Practiced the Headspin": Star-Studded Comedy 'Wild Thing' Delivers Big Laughs and Heartfelt Nostalgia

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"I practiced and practiced to truly capture the skill set of a once-legendary idol." — Gang Dong-won

A heartwarming new comedy is set to pull at the audience’s heartstrings. Reflecting on the film's unique emotional resonance, actor Oh Jung-se shared with a smile, "Before watching it, I thought it was just a funny movie, but it turned out to be a deeply heartwarming piece."

Directed by Sun Jae-gon, Wild Thing follows the turbulent comeback journey of a top-tier idol group that dominated the music industry in the early 2000s. Stripping away their former glory, the characters lean on one another and give their all to stand on stage once again.

The film relies heavily on nostalgia, boosting its visual appeal by authentically recreating the styling of millennium-era idol groups. Leading man Gang Dong-won perfectly channels Y2K fashion trends while pulling off flawless breakdancing maneuvers, including a full headspin.

The high-quality choreography reflects the immense effort of the cast, delivering performances realistic enough to be mistaken for an actual music broadcast. The film's grand finale—a meticulously produced music video—promises to offer another layer of entertainment.

Complementing the humor is the grounded, humanistic narrative of the protagonists fighting for their second chance. Their struggle to overcome a harsh reality evokes a poignant emotional response, elevating the film from a simple comedy to a story of warm consolation.

The cast and crew of Wild Thing gathered on May 18 for a press screening and conference at the Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Director Sun Jae-gon was joined by actors Gang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo, Park Ji-hyun, and Oh Jung-se.

Set against the backdrop of the early 2000s music scene, the comedy chronicles the reunion project of "Triangle," a fictional three-member co-ed group that once enjoyed peak popularity. Today, their realities are starkly different—bleak and pathetic. Yet, they risk everything for their comeback stage, driven by diverse motivations: money, reclaiming their lost youth, or an unyielding passion for rap.

Director Sun Jae-gon infused each character with a distinct message and background. "I wanted to create protagonists that the audience couldn't help but root for," Sun explained.

To heighten the retro ambiance, Sun blended aesthetic elements from both the late 1990s and early 2000s. "Relying solely on early 2000s styling didn't feel retro enough because some of those elements overlap with current trends," Sun noted. "So, we blended in 1990s idol styles to create a stronger sense of nostalgia." The film also injects adrenaline into the comedy, featuring a high-stakes police chase as Triangle scrambles to make it to a live broadcast. "I wanted to introduce diverse comedic registers by blending action with humor," the director emphasized.

A Star-Studded Ensemble Transforms into Y2K Icons Gang Dong-won stars as Hwang Hyun-woo, Triangle's leader and main dancer. When Hyun-woo loses his radio DJ gig—his sole source of income—he seizes an unexpected opportunity to perform at the Gangwon Expo and sets out to reassemble the band.

For Gang, portraying an idol was a major departure. "The script was simply too compelling to pass up just because of the dancing," Gang said. "I approached the project as if I were shooting a specialized action film."

To deliver an authentic performance, Gang underwent extensive breakdancing training. He executed the choreography's highlight—a headspin—himself. "I sought out professional dancers to master the technique," he recalled with a laugh. "I practiced the headspin so much that my neck muscles became incredibly toned. Fortunately, I finished filming safely without herniating a disc." Gang also paid homage to legendary groups he grew up watching, such as H.O.T. and Shinhwa, through his styling.

Um Tae-goo steps into the role of Goo Sang-구, the group’s fiercely passionate but technically lacking rapper, who joins the reunion to cover the financial deficits of his failed solo album. Um credited the hair and makeup teams for easing his burden on set, allowing him to focus heavily on nailing his rap delivery.

Park Ji-hyun portrays Byeon Do-mi, the group's "center." Following Triangle's disbandment, Do-mi married into a billionaire family, but ultimately abandons her high-society life, unable to suppress her artistic instincts. "When portraying her idol days, I channeled the charismatic stage presence of Fin.K.L's Lee Hyori," Park shared. "For her role as a daughter-in-law, I wanted to emphasize a mature elegance."

Oh Jung-se rounds out the main cast as Choi Sung-gon, a tragic ballad prince aiming for his own comeback on the same Expo stage. Oh delivers a delightfully sly performance characterized by an overly affectionate stage manner. "I focused entirely on Sung-gon's desperation for the stage," Oh said. "Whether in the police chase or sprinting to avoid missing the live broadcast, I wanted his raw passion to shine through."

Unparalleled On-Screen Chemistry The film's undeniable highlight is Triangle's stage performance, capturing everything from the raw energy of a rookie group to the sheer desperation of veteran artists. The cast's facial expressions and synchronized movements rival those of active idol groups.

"The senior actors took the performances so seriously that I didn't dare make a mistake," Park Ji-hyun recalled. "In particular, Um Tae-goo winked at the camera a million times. There was barely any room left for me, the designated center, to wink."

Gang Dong-won added a technical insight into the performance: "As actors, we are trained not to look directly at the lens, but idols must maintain direct eye contact with the camera. In my efforts to lock eyes with the camera and avoid bloopers, I think I naturally looked incredibly intense."

The Expo performance by Choi Sung-gon is teased as another standout sequence, where he resiliently continues singing despite a live broadcast accident. "I wanted to portray the psychological process of a singer who has drifted far from the limelight, hypnotizing himself to completely immerse into the performance," Oh Jung-se explained.

"Our film isn't just about cheap laughs," Oh concluded. "It carries the heavy scent of our characters' sweat and hard work. Audiences will experience a beautiful blend of comedy and deep emotion."

Wild Thing is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 3.