SEOUL — The millions of fans of K-pop superstar Sehun from the popular boy band EXO have something to look forward to, yet again.
Their idol is set to conquer the global stage as he essays his first-ever role in a Korean variety-reality TV show called Busted! and it will premiere tonight all over the world on Netflix.
This unprecedented development in Sehun’s career is seen as a sure way to cement the young pop idol’s hold on global stardom, paved for him by his band EXO as its lead rapper and lead dancer and the youngest member of the song-and-dance group.
Immediately after the highly-successful concert of EXO at the Mall of Asia Arena last April 28, Sehun flew back to this city to get into the thick of the promotional blitz for the brand-new Netflix series last Monday.
The cast and producers of Busted (from left) Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Jong-min, Yoo Jaesuk, Cho-Hyo-jin, Kim Joo-Hyung, Park Min-young, Kim Se-jeong, Sehun and Ahn Jae-wook
Busted! is a first not just for Sehun but also for the Koreans as the show signals their debut on the global channel, watched by billions of subscribers in 190 countries all over the world.
Busted! is what they call a “crime-solving variety show” starring seven of the biggest actors and singers in South Korea as mainstays and featuring 56 special guest artists (also the biggest names in the South Korean entertainment industry) in its 10-episode run.
Sehun is joined in the cast by equally big stars Yoo Jae-suk (dubbed as the National MC), Ahn Jae-wook, Kim Jong-min, Lee Kwang-soo, Park Min-young and Kim Se-jeong (from the well-known girl group Gugudan). Together they form the magic seven in the swashbuckling crime-detective story told in a brand-new format of a reality TV type of narrative.
Sehun is very excited for his Netflix debut. He said during the red carpet event held at the Coex K-Pop Square at SM Town in downtown Gangnam area, “It’s my first variety show. Are you excited? You will watch it, right?” and he goes on to cheer his screaming fans, “Busted! will be free of charge for one month if you subscribe to Netflix. I really hope you watch it!”
During the press conference, producer Kim Joo-Hyung said they specifically handpicked Sehun from among the members of EXO band for Busted! He said, “We didn’t have anyone else in mind. When we contacted EXO, we wanted Sehun to be one of the lead stars in this. That’s it.”
The role that Sehun plays in the variety show is much the same role he plays in real life. Tasked to bring his onstage charisma to the screen, Sehun is featured as a former choreographer with his flawless dance skills coming in handy on the show.
The role that Sehun plays in the variety show is much the same role he plays in real life. Tasked to bring his onstage charisma to the screen, Sehun is featured as a former choreographer with his flawless dance skills coming in handy on the show.
The young and talented artist said that he had the full support of his band behind this new endeavor.
Through an interpreter, he said, “I was naturally apprehensive and nervous about this new opportunity in my career. This is my first variety program. I had to seek counsel from my friends in the band and our managers. They all encouraged me. I am taking their advice and I am trying to just be myself,” Sehun said.
The unique thing about Busted! is that no one among cast members knew what was going to happen when they reported for shooting. All the details were kept top secret. They were not given any script beforehand. They didn’t know who else would be acting with them at that particular schedule. All they know was the time and the location of the shoot and that they should show up ready and with an open mind.
On the set, they were encouraged to act as true detectives and solve the crime for the particular episode. Use whatever skills they have, do what naturally comes out in them and just be part of the mystery-solving team. The best part is all seven of them were able to bond so well in that experience, united in one common goal of seeing the day through, stripped of any complexes. “We were as real as real can be in this show,” one of them said.
Sehun signing autographs
Sehun said he didn’t have to make any preparations for the role. “When the producers met with me, they told me to just be myself. That I am to come as I am and that’s exactly what I did,” he said with a mischievous grin.
In the beginning, Sehun admitted that they encountered a lot of difficulties. “We didn’t know how to go about it. We didn’t have a script, remember? We practically didn’t know how to act and when to shoot the scene but as we went on, we started learning about what the producer wanted to see from us. We all started learning and owning the show. Things got better and better,” he said citing the great chemistry of the cast that became apparent not from acting together but from being together as friends.
Together with the others, he is a rookie in solving mysteries but his adventurous temperament and passion to never give up saw him through this mind-boggling TV adventure. Sehun said, “I worked with great people on this show. The producers were great. My co-actors were all great. And hey! This comes out on Netflix. That’s even greater!”
Sehun cherished the opportunity he has been given to work with South Korea’s biggest and brightest actors. They have become instant friends. He said, “There was a lot of laughter during the shoot. But I cannot tell you specifics because if I do, I might spoil the entire show for you. But suffice it to say, that there was one scene where Lee Kwang Soo had to get in the water. He made everyone laugh so hard. If there is anything I learned that day, that is how you make people laugh,” Sehun said gleefully.
Should there be a second season to this groundbreaking project, would Sehun consider shooting in the Philippines where he and EXO are very popular?
The question made Sehun’s face light up. And what he said explained why. “I have spoken of this even to the others as well. I told them that the Philippines is very, very special to my heart. Whenever I go there to perform, I really can feel the love of the people for me, for us and our music. We talk about it among ourselves in the group. We know we should be going to the Philippines more often, do more shows and concerts there for our fans. We love the Philippines!”
And that is how we ended our brief interview with Sehun.