Kpopmap
Korean BL fans have been blessed with an abundant offering of entertaining BL dramas in recent years. These heart-fluttering productions that have fans swooning at their screens are all thanks to the hard-working creatives behind the scenes such as directors, screenwriters, and more. Directors, in particular, take their vision and give it new life on screen for all of us to see and enjoy. One such director has brought us another swoon-worthy BL drama and we can’t wait to tell you all about it!
Director Lim HyunHee is back with what promises to be another BL drama that you will find yourself rewatching multiple times. This year, she has adapted the webtoon “Roommates” into a BL drama titled “Boys Be Brave“.
The webtoon “Roommates” (“고백을 못하고” in Korean) was written by Seok Young and tells the story of JinWoo (played by actor Kim SungHyen in the drama) who lets KiSub (played by Nam SiAn) sleep over at his house but he never leaves… Eventually, the two become roommates, and JinWoo’s feelings grow… On the other hand, Sunny (played by Jung YeoJun) and InHo (played by Ahn SeMin) have their own love story going on.
You can read the webtoon in English and Korean at the links.
This youthful romance portrays the relatable struggles of many young people who struggle to confess their feelings. Luckily for those young people, it will be adapted into a BL drama that they can watch on their screens and enjoy even more. This is all thanks to the excellent rising director, Lim HyunHee.
To give you an idea of who this excellent director is…
Director Lim HyunHee is known for her flair when it comes to adding emotional depth to the works that she directs.
She has previously directed the famous BL drama “Our Dating Sim” (2023), including its movie version.
“Our Dating Sim” tells the story of a pair that fell out in high school but reunited later at a gaming company. Lee Wan (played by actor Lee JongHyuk) and Shin KiTae (played by actor Lee SeungGyu) unravel the remains of their past unrequited love throughout the narrative. She saw huge success with this drama as it climbed to the top of the charts on OTT streaming platforms like Naver SeriesOn and Coupang Play. This is all thanks to director Lim HyunHee’s hands-on approach and knack for bringing a character to life.
She has made great achievements in film, as well.
In 2018, she directed “Film Again” which tells the story of YeRi who has to call her parents to help her film a short film project again. It’s a story of coming together which is a testament to the heartwarming nature of director Lim HyunHee’s works.
“Love Puzzle” (2022) is another of her works that has had outstanding reviews. Telling the story of a protagonist faced with an unfinished puzzle who somehow enters that puzzle’s world. The film has been so well-received that in Nov. 2023, Director Lim HyunHee won the ‘Best Director’ award at the “University Film Festival of Korea” (UNIFF – “대한민국대학영화제” in Korean) for “Love Puzzle”.
Make sure to check out her other productions as well!
Kpopmap had the honor of conducting an exclusive interview with director Lim HyunHee about the production of “Boys Be Brave”. We got you the inside scoop about the upcoming drama and spoke about how she brought her vision to life, the actors’ portrayals of the characters, points to look forward to in the drama, and much more. Read all about it!
Note: This article might contain spoilers for the drama “Boys Be Brave”.
First of all, thank you for taking the time to speak to us at Kpopmap today, Director Lim HyunHee. Could you please introduce yourself for Kpopmap’s readers worldwide?
Hello. This is Lim HyunHee, the director of “Boys Be Brave”.
Please share your thoughts on taking on the role of the director for “Boys Be Brave” and is there a specific reason you chose this particular project?
I found it very intriguing to be able to direct a project with compelling characters and a compelling storyline. The initial reason for choosing this project was the engaging characters and well-crafted story outlined in the script, and the desire to bring them to life and showcase my skills in creating an enjoyable narrative.
If fans of the original webtoon “Roommates” are watching “Boys Be Brave”, they are likely to have high expectations, especially given your highly anticipated involvement as the director. We’ve heard that there are significant differences between the webtoon and the drama adaptation. Could you elaborate on the distinctions and share some unique emotions or elements that viewers can look forward to experiencing exclusively in the drama?
While the webtoon highlights every day and realistic moments, the drama features more fantasy-inspired situations and humorous incidents. The tone and manner lean towards a comedic and lively drama, incorporating a touch of fantasy. The most significant difference lies in how, within this format, we handle realistic and relatable emotions, setting it apart from the webtoon.
The main charm of “Boys Be Brave” seems to be the sweet development based on the exciting chemistry between the characters and the harmonious blend of romance. Could you please share the aspects you paid particular attention to to bring out these elements in an enjoyable way whilst directing the drama, ensuring both empathy and emotional engagement for the audience?
I made an effort to meticulously capture the emotions of each character without missing any details. Additionally, to bring out the characters as authentically as possible, I engaged in extensive discussions with the actors beforehand.
Kpopmap
You have showcased your scripting and directing skills through various film festivals and short films, and gaining popularity among BL (Boys’ Love) fans with the well-executed BL drama “Our Dating Simulation” in 2023. What motivated you to take on the BL genre, and were there any specific challenges or enjoyable aspects you experienced while directing this genre?
Rather than specifically choosing the BL genre, I believe I chose a compelling love story. To convey their love smoothly in this genre, I felt the need to convincingly portray their relationship. Therefore, I worked with meticulous attention to detail and a careful eye to bring out the nuances of their love story.
“Boys Be Brave” depicts the romantic story of couples who hide their feelings and find it difficult to confess to each other. The storyline also involves the protagonists growing together as they become more honest about their emotions. While directing the psychological portrayal of these characters and their evolving journey, were there any challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them if there were any?
Due to the mid-form format, it was challenging to depict the characters’ changes and growth within a short duration. To overcome this, I believed that capturing scenes in a more attractive and captivating manner was crucial.
Certainly! Could you please introduce the characters in “Boys Be Brave”, highlighting their distinct personalities and charms?
How was your experience working with the actors who portrayed these characters? Were you satisfied with the synchronization between the characters as you envisioned them and the actors?
I was highly satisfied with the synchronization between each character and the actors themselves. From the perfectionist and strong-willed JinWoo, to the playful and lively KiSub, the seemingly ordinary yet bright Sunny who carries the strength of past hardships, and the mature and courageous InHo – each actor portrayed their respective characters exceptionally well. I appreciate the actors for bringing these characters to life so convincingly.
As the leader on set and as the director, how would you describe the atmosphere during the filming? Generally, when everyone is enjoying themselves and the set is harmonious, actors tend to feel more comfortable, allowing them to immerse themselves in the work and deliver a more polished performance. Did you and the staff make any efforts to create such an environment for the actors?
There might have been challenging days during the filming process. Could you share your thoughts on the valuable staff members you worked with during those times?
In challenging conditions, both the actors and the production team put in a tremendous effort to create a positive and comfortable atmosphere. It felt like everyone, both actors and staff, played a role in setting the mood, and I want to express my gratitude once again.
Kpopmap
For fans eagerly awaiting the drama, could you provide an introduction to the key points of the upcoming project? Additionally, as a romantic comedy, what are the highlights that will bring laughter to the audience?
This upcoming work will feature lively character play and the chemistry of love and friendship among the four characters, making it a key point for the audience.
In recent years, BL dramas have been gaining popularity as a rising genre in Korea, whereas countries like Thailand and Japan traditionally dominated this genre. When compared to these nations, what unique production methods or distinctive emotions do you think Korean BL dramas bring to the table?
Additionally, could you share your insights on any changes or trends in the Korean BL production landscape? As Korea is growing as an exporter of BL content, what efforts do you plan to make for the international audience in the future?
Above all, I believe a strong foundation in storytelling is essential. I aspire to create more diverse and profound love stories.
Lastly, is there a message you would like to convey to the fans around the world who will be showing their love and support for “Boys Be Brave”?
To all the fans around the world who love and support “Boys Be Brave”, thank you for watching with affection and enjoyment. Both the actors and the production team have put a lot of passion into creating this, and we hope you find it lovely and entertaining!
Thank you once again to director Lim HyunHee for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions! We hope that BL drama lovers will continue to discover her amazing productions and continue looking forward to seeing more from her in the future.
Are you looking forward to “Boys Be Brave”? Did you read the webtoon? Let us know your thoughts about this upcoming BL production in the comments!
