SBS Weekend Drama 'Revenger Priest 2'
Actor Sung Joon is adding another life character to his repertoire as the villain Kim Hong-sik in 'Revenger Priest 2,' a role that audiences can neither fully love nor hate.
In the SBS weekend drama 'Revenger Priest 2' (written by Park Jae-bum, directed by Park Bo-ram), Sung Joon is captivating viewers with his thrilling performance as the head of a drug cartel, Kim Hong-sik. He fluidly shifts between the villainous persona and a romantic interest, maximizing the character’s appeal. With only two episodes left, let's take a look at some memorable scenes created by Sung Joon that deliver both fun and tension.
'Romantic Master' Sung Joon's Gleaming Presence: The Start of the ‘Love Poison’ Chemistry
Sung Joon displays his 'romantic master' skills with honey-drenched gazes and a warmer smile than ever, creating a delightful sense of excitement. In episode 5, Kim Hong-sik falls head over heels for Park Kyung-sun (played by Lee Ha-nee) at first sight. As he sees her, he imagines petals swirling around, unable to tear his gaze away from her, heralding the beginning of their 'love poison' chemistry with his bold flirting. He continually asks Park Kyung-sun out on dates, and during a date, his inability to hide his embarrassment brings a mix of laughter and sympathy to viewers.
Notably, in episode 9, Kim Hong-sik's excitement over receiving a date invitation from Park Kyung-sun leads him to inadvertently pull the trigger of a gun he was holding, evoking hearty laughter in living rooms. When they finally meet, he gazes at her with a face brimming with affection and even brushes away popcorn dust from his mouth. As he tries to leave after cleaning up the area, his conflict over her words creates a peculiar and touching tension.
The Essence of 'Villain Acting' Capturing a Ruthless Character
Sung Joon showcases his talent for 'Sung Joon's villain' performance by portraying the menacing Kim Hong-sik with chilling laughter and savage actions. In episode 9, Kim Hong-sik reacts furiously to the news of an attack on a seminary after receiving a warning from Nam Du-hun (played by Seo Hyun-woo), saying, “Your ego is expanding more than expected,” hinting at a growing rift between them. He brutally kills Jellyfish (played by Kim Jung-hoon) in front of everyone after a failed attack on the seminary and mercilessly tortures Jung Seok-hee (played by Shin Eun-jung) while asking about the person who had taken information from him, chilling viewers to the bone.
In episode 10, Kim Hong-sik momentarily scoffs at the disguised Kim Hae-il but soon engages in a breathless duel that captivates viewers. When Kim Hae-il attempts to escape right before his eyes, an enraged Kim Hong-sik mercilessly assaults Park Da-jang (played by Yang Hyun-min), leaving the audience in shock. Sung Joon's performance, where he seems tailored to the character of Kim Hong-sik from head to toe, alongside his overwhelming physical presence and dazzling action sequences, elevates the drama's excitement.
Emotional Acting Spiraling in Spectacular Character Narratives!
Meanwhile, after deciding to leave Busan, Kim Hong-sik calls for Park Kyung-sun, asking her to go with him, but she declines. As he bids her farewell with “I will miss you,” his face is filled with disappointment and longing. Later, meeting Nam Du-hun, he is shocked to learn that Park Kyung-sun was involved with Kim Hae-il, and Sung Joon conveys the character's emotional fluctuations purely through his eyes, drawing the audience into the story.
By the end of episode 10, about to blow up his hideout, Kim Hong-sik is thwarted by Kim Hae-il, leading him to fully embrace his dark side. Kidnapping Park Kyung-sun, he forces her into a special chair designed to make her a drug addict and calls Kim Hae-il to that place. The look on Kim Hong-sik's face as he tells Kim Hae-il to choose between their lives is utterly villainous, leaving the audience on edge.
Through meticulous acting, Sung Joon vividly portrays the dramatic emotional shifts of a spectacular character, making the story even more riveting. He transforms into a gentle figure in front of his love interest but emanates chilling charisma when embodying the villain, showcasing a remarkable range of emotions that shifts according to the situation.
Don't miss Sung Joon's captivating performance in the upcoming episode 11 of SBS's 'Revenger Priest 2,' airing tomorrow night at 10 PM.
Written by Ahn Byeong-gil, sasang@kyunghyang.com