On the morning of June 24, a press conference for the Netflix original series Notes from the Last Row was held at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Lead actors Choi Minsik, Choi Hyun-wook, and director Kim Kyu-tae attended the event, raising anticipation for the upcoming release.
Notes from the Last Row is a suspense drama that follows Heo Mun-oh (played by Choi Minsik), a failed author and Korean literature professor, who discovers the literary genius of Lee Kang (played by Choi Hyun-wook), a quiet student sitting in the very back row of his classroom. As the professor becomes increasingly obsessed with the boy's writing, a thrilling story unfolds. The series is based on the acclaimed play of the same name by world-renowned Spanish playwright Juan Mayorga.
The series has generated immense buzz as it brings together legendary South Korean actor Choi Minsik and rapidly rising star Choi Hyun-wook. During the press conference, Choi Minsik expressed deep satisfaction with his on-screen chemistry with Choi Hyun-wook, who holds the key to the story's central mystery.
Choi Minsik highlighted the core of their acting dynamic, saying, "I thought to myself, ‘As long as I react well to Choi Hyun-wook’s acting, this drama will run smoothly.’ Lee Kang stands at the center of this series, pulling everyone’s strings. He especially plays with Heo Mun-oh’s emotions, and my job was simply to let myself be swayed whenever his character pushed. That is the key point of this drama."
"So, I wanted to make sure Hyun-wook had the freedom to act to his heart's content," Choi Minsik continued, offering high praise. "The more we filmed, the more I realized I couldn't imagine any other actor playing Lee Kang. I felt it during every single shoot—he was truly becoming Lee Kang." He added, "One of Choi Hyun-wook's greatest charms is his eyes. For a mysterious boy like Lee Kang, the gaze is incredibly important, and you really get drawn into his eyes. Viewers will also find themselves completely captivated by his gaze in this series."
In response to the veteran actor's praise, Choi Hyun-wook expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "I was completely overwhelmed by his tiger-like energy. It was such an honor to feel that presence right in front of me, beside me, and everywhere on set," he said, giving credit to Choi Minsik. "If it weren't for Minsik sunbae-nim, I don't think Kang could have come to life like this." Recalling the consideration he received on set, he added, "It was a set where I learned so much, and our back-and-forth chemistry was fantastic," sharing the warm atmosphere of the production.
Director Kim Kyu-tae, who helmed the series, also shared his admiration for Choi Hyun-wook's exceptional potential and intense gaze. "Hyun-wook was truly amazing," Director Kim said, expressing his confidence in the casting. "Lee Kang is a character who hides a mysterious, complex side beneath a pure exterior, and Hyun-wook was the perfect fit for that."
He continued, "His eyes themselves are pure suspense. He has this mysterious gaze that is incredibly calm, quiet, and peaceful, yet keeps you on edge as if something is always about to happen. He used that to portray Lee Kang beautifully." The director also praised the actor's work ethic, saying, "What surprised me on set was how quiet he would be, but the moment the camera started rolling, he would transform and unleash explosive energy. His level of focus on set was astonishing for such a young actor. I am highly anticipating his potential and how far he will grow in the future."
Meanwhile, Notes from the Last Row is highly anticipated for the stylish direction of Kim Kyu-tae, who previously captured the intricate psychology of diverse characters in the Netflix series The Trunk and hit dramas like Our Blues and It's Okay, That's Love. Audiences are eager to see how Choi Minsik, Choi Hyun-wook, and director Kim Kyu-tae will unravel the suspense between a professor trapped in feelings of inferiority and defeat and the mysterious student who shakes his world.
Notes from the Last Row consists of six episodes and will release all episodes on Netflix this coming Friday, June 26, at 5:00 PM.
[Photo = Reporter Baek Seung-chul]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)