"Actors, do whatever you want. We'll take care of the cameras." - Director Ahn Pan-seok

With JTBC's new weekend drama The Art of Negotiation set to premiere on March 8, the production team and cast gathered for a press conference on March 6 at Ramada Seoul Sindorim Hotel. Starring Lee Je-hoon, Kim Dae-myung, Sung Dong-il, Jang Hyun-sung, Oh Man-seok, Ahn Hyun-ho, and Cha Kang-yoon, the drama promises an electrifying battle of wits and strategy.

🎬 Ahn Pan-seok's Seal of Approval

Known for directing acclaimed dramas like White Tower, Secret Affair, and Something in the Rain, Ahn Pan-seok handpicked The Art of Negotiation for its gripping storytelling.

"I came across the script one autumn day. I devoured the first episode in an instant and frantically searched for the second. I've never experienced that before," he recalled.

The series revolves around high-stakes corporate M&A (mergers and acquisitions), following Yoon Ju-no (Lee Je-hoon), the new M&A team leader at Sanin Group, and Oh Soon-young (Kim Dae-myung), the team's legal advisor.

The stakes? A jaw-dropping 11 trillion won deal kicks off the corporate power struggle, setting the stage for a thrilling game of tactics and deception.

Lee Je-hoon expressed his excitement, saying, "It's thrilling to see a drama like this being made in Korea. I can confidently recommend it." Kim Dae-myung agreed, adding, "The script alone is incredibly compelling."

⭐ An Elite Cast, Handpicked by Ahn Pan-seok

Ahn Pan-seok is known for working with top-tier actors, and this time is no different. When asked why he cast Lee Je-hoon and Kim Dae-myung, he simply said:
"They are both exceptional actors. True talent is rare, and it only takes a brief moment to recognize it."

Lee Je-hoon, who had always wanted to work with Ahn, shared, "The director portrays human stories so deeply that his characters feel real."

Meanwhile, Oh Man-seok, who plays Lee Dong-jun, is collaborating with Ahn for the seventh time. Ahn revealed, "In our first project, he only had one line. But I knew instantly—this is no ordinary actor. So I kept casting him in bigger roles."

Newcomers Ahn Hyun-ho (as Gwak Min-jung) and Cha Kang-yoon (as Choi Jin-soo) were also praised. The director scouted them through the 2024 drama Graduation auditions, saying, "They both scored a perfect 100. They were outstanding."

🎭 A Masterclass in Acting

The drama set was described as a "performance playground" where actors thrived under Ahn's guidance.

Sung Dong-il (as Song Jae-sik) stated, "Director Ahn is the best at capturing extreme realism. His directing style is unmatched."

He recalled an intense scene with pages-long dialogue, shot in a one-take, two-camera setup: "After the first take, I asked if we weren't going to do more shots. He just said, 'It's all there. The actors gave everything already.'"

Jang Hyun-sung (as Ha Tae-soo) added, "We weren't competitors—we were partners. Director Ahn led us with precision, making every moment of acting enjoyable."

Even Lee Je-hoon admitted, "I miss the set already. I felt so fulfilled while acting in this drama."

💡 Meticulous Character Transformations

The actors went the extra mile for their roles.

• Lee Je-hoon spent four extra hours daily applying a silver-haired transformation to embody Yoon Ju-no, a cold, strategic negotiator.
• Kim Dae-myung paid special attention to his character's wardrobe and accessories, subtly reflecting his evolving role in the team.
• Jang Hyun-sung, who plays a CFO handling massive financial deals, studied with real-life finance executives to grasp complex financial concepts.

🎬 A Must-Watch Negotiation Drama

Wrapping up, the cast passionately encouraged viewers to watch:

💬 Lee Je-hoon:"I feel immensely proud of this project. It's an honor to share it with the audience."

💬 Jang Hyun-sung:"I hope the depth and sincerity we felt while filming translate to the viewers."

💬 Director Ahn Pan-seok:"I want people to experience the taste of truth in this drama."

💬 Sung Dong-il:"We have some surprising guest appearances that will blow you away."

📅 The Art of Negotiation premieres March 8 at 10:30 PM KST on JTBC.