Blending comedy, action, crime investigation, with romance, new Korean series GOOD BOY starring Park Bo-gum, Kim So-hyun, Lee Sang-yi, Heo Sung-tae, and Tae Won-seok will be available on Prime Video from 31 May 2025! Check out our exclusive interview with them below as they dish on their favourite sportspersons, impressionable scenes from the series and how they personally prepared to play athletes!

Q. Tell us more about your character and what do you enjoy most about playing them?

Park Bo-gum: Dong-ju might seem simple like a bulldozer charging ahead, but he’s a righteous person who believes that the world can be changed for the better only by taking action. I enjoyed working with cast members who shared the same heart for this mission. Kim So-hyun: On the outside, Han-na may seem distant, but she’s someone who deeply cares for her teammates. I especially loved how she looks out for Dong-ju, always recognizing what he needs and giving him just the right words at the right time—even though she grumbles at him. Lee Sang-yi: What I enjoyed most was that Jong-hyeon didn’t act alone, he moved as part of a team. The special unit was always united, helping one another, and that strong teamwork really left an impression, so I hope that we can hear words like avengers or Good-vengers. Tae Won-seok: This is the first time I’ve played a character who’s so incredibly kind. Jae-hong is genuinely good-hearted and full of unexpected charm.

Q. Who is your favorite sportsperson in real life, and what do you admire most about them?

Park Bo-gum: Former soccer player Lee Young-pyo and former figure skater Kim Yuna. I admire their diligence, patience, and calmness. Lee Sang-yi: I wouldn’t say I’m a huge sports fan, but while learning fencing for this role, I came to really admire Oh Sang-wook. His long strides and attacks were so impressive, I wanted to imitate them. Heo Sung-tae: Son Heung-min. He has shown that hard work is precious, noble, and never betrays you. Tae Won-seok: My favorite is George Foreman. I was deeply moved by how he came out of retirement to support his charity work and ended up building an even greater career.

Q. How did you prepare for your role as a sportsperson, both physically and mentally? Did you draw inspiration from any real athletes or public figures while preparing for your role?

Park Bo-gum: I trained daily for six months—one hour of muscle training and two hours of boxing. Even during other location shoots, I trained with fellow actors Sang-yi and Won-seok. Kim So-hyun: I trained in shooting and action for about six months. I didn’t model my character after a specific person, but I learned a lot from the professional coaches who were former athletes. I asked about athletes’ habits and details so I could make Han-na feel as real and natural as possible on screen. Lee Sang-yi: Since Jong-hyeon is a former fencing athlete, I trained for over six months and studied fencer Oh Sang-wook’s movements, especially in sabre, which is the same discipline as Jong-hyeon. I also practiced Miranda rights and techniques like controlling a baton and using it to subdue and strike an opponent. Heo Sung-tae: I trained one-on-one for three months with Jung Ji-hyun, a Korean wrestling medalist. Tae Won-seok: Because I was portraying a medalist in discus throw, I trained consistently for about eight months. I also watched a YouTube documentary on a real-life medalist who became a special recruitment police officer to better understand and empathize with the character’s emotions.

Q. Your character in When Life Gives You Tangerines was such a big hit! With everyone saying how much of a green flag Yang Gwansik is, what would you say is the 1 main difference between Yang Gwansik and Yoon Dongju?

Park Bo-gum: Gwan-sik is introverted, while Dong-ju is extroverted.

Q. How would you rate the chemistry among the cast, and can you share a memorable moment that really shows that bond?

Park Bo-gum: During our days off, we missed each other so much that we kept in touch. And during shoot days, we were always having so much fun that time flew by. It was full of laughter every time we were together, and I think that joyful atmosphere will come through on screen. Kim So-hyun: The atmosphere on set was fantastic, and that naturally led to great teamwork. Everyone was thoughtful and communicative, we constantly shared ideas and worked through scenes together. However, there were moments when we didn’t even need to discuss anything beforehand, yet everything just clicked perfectly when we started shooting. I think that’s the most memorable moment for me. That’s when I realized “we now know each other’s patterns and work perfectly together even without talking.” Lee Sang-yi: Honestly, it was the best chemistry of my career. Even after filming, we still keep in touch and miss each other. We ate together, took photo booth pics and Polaroids, we made so many memories. I can confidently say that we have the best teamwork amongst all of the projects I’ve done thus far. Heo Sung-tae: Everyone was so kind and full of laughter that we often couldn’t hold back laughter during funny scenes, leading to a lot of bloopers. While filming in Busan, we explored local restaurants, exercised together, and had a great time. Tae Won-seok: We really felt like one big family. Whenever we filmed group scenes, even if someone threw in an ad-lib, everyone instinctively played along and responded naturally in their roles.

Q. In the story, your characters exchange sports medals for police badges. If you were to make that same switch in real life, what personal strengths do you think you would bring to a police team?

Park Bo-gum: I think I could bring strong focus and perseverance—skills that would help me track down clues, evidence, and criminals to the very end. Kim So-hyun: I think one of my biggest strengths is staying calm under pressure. I try not to be easily shaken and always aim to stay centered, no matter the situation. Lee Sang-yi: Jong-hyeon is smart, meticulous, and detail-oriented, which would be a great help in police work. He’s also skilled in martial arts, making him well-qualified as an officer. Heo Sung-tae: I can’t stand injustice and detest selfish and unjust people. Tae Won-seok: I’m physically strong in real life, so I think I’d be good at taking down criminals.

Q. Is there a particular scene you’re especially excited for viewers to watch? What makes it stand out for you?

Kim So-hyun: The big action scene. I gave everything I had in those action sequences, and I’m really proud and grateful for that moment.

Q. In what ways are you similar to your character, and where do your personalities differ?

Park Bo-gum: Dong-ju and I are both active and proactive by nature. One difference is that while Dong-ju acts instinctively and impulsively, I tend to take time to think things through. Kim So–hyun: We’re both the type to quietly do our best without drawing too much attention, and we sometimes make unexpected decisions and are true to our emotions. But one clear difference is Han-na’s remarkable decisiveness, her ability to take immediate, bold action is a unique and strong power of hers. Lee Sang-yi: I think our persistence and tenacity are similar. But unlike Jong-hyeon, who was a former athlete, I don’t have much athletic talent. And while he has a rocky relationship with his older brother, I’m very close with mine, we’re best friends. Heo Sung-tae: Similarity: I can’t stand injustice and always prioritize the community I belong to. I’m timid and indecisive at times, and I care deeply for my family. Difference: I’m not good at fighting.” Tae Won-seok: Like Jae-hong, I also enjoy small, cute things and often visit pretty cafes—I’m quite different from how I appear on the outside. One difference is, I’m not married.

Q. Do you have a message you would like to share with our KAvenyou readers?

Park Bo-gum: I believe new challenges help us grow and give motivation for improvements. If you ever feel worn out or down during your own journey, I hope GOOD BOY can refresh you. Hope you have a fun, refreshing, and uplifting summer with GOOD BOY, featuring a special team of five members who fight for justice! Kim So-hyun: GOOD BOY is a refreshing series that’s perfect for this summer! I truly hope it helps you de-stress and brings you joy. And please look forward to Han-na’s action scenes and romance as well! Lee Sang-yi: This was my first time working on such a long shoot. We put a lot into it over a long period of time, and I hope that it will be conveyed well through the series. I hope that the messages, lessons, and fun from GOOD BOY cheers on and encourages viewers all over the world. I sincerely thank you for loving GOOD BOY. Heo Sung-tae: I hope you find joy in your accomplishments each and every day! Tae Won-seok: We had so much fun and worked really hard on this series. I have no doubt that viewers will find it highly entertaining. Every character is vivid and the story is full of charm, please give it lots of love.

Get ready for non-stop laughs and thrilling action! “GOOD BOY” launches on Prime Video May 31, catch new episodes every Saturday and Sunday!