[Dispatch=Reporter Lee Ajin] "We combined a heartfelt love story with a fiery story of independence fighters." (Director Yoo Inshik)

A drama has arrived that captures both the intelligence operations of the anti-Japanese movement and the romance that bloomed within it. Set against an era when every Korean had to stake their life, it shows the conviction toward independence and the choices made for survival.

Kim Yoojung, Park Jinyoung, Kim Hyunju, Lee Moosung, and Jin Seonkyu depicted those urgent moments. They hide their identities and plunge into dangerous missions. In situations where a single choice determines life and death, each endures the era in their own way.

Layered over that are different kinds of love. Is it more poignant because they share the same conviction, or are there relationships where they cannot see even an inch ahead due to different circumstances? The varied temperature of love interlocks with the tragedy of the era, deepening the narrative.

The production team of '100 Days of Lies' held a press conference on the 29th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Director Yoo, Kim Yoojung, Park Jinyoung, Kim Hyunju, Lee Moosung, and Jin Seonkyu attended.

'100 Days of Lies' is an espionage romance. It tells the story of Gyeongseong's greatest pickpocket who disguises himself as an interpreter trainee at the Japanese Governor-General's office and falls in love with a new interpreter.

Kim Yoojung played the pickpocket 'Lee Gagyeong'. Gagyeong is a person who lives by her striking beauty and skillful lies as weapons. While saving money with the goal of leaving Joseon, she receives a proposal from the anti-Japanese organization Gugukdan and becomes an informant.

She was drawn to the character itself. Kim Yoojung said, "I found the life of a friend in her early twenties interesting," and "I was curious about the growth of a young person placed in a time when she hadn't even found what she dreamed of," revealing the reason for choosing the role.

Although Gagyeong is a pickpocket, she is also skilled in foreign languages. Kim Yoojung took on acting in three languages: Japanese, English, and Korean. She differentiated her tone and pronunciation for each language. She spoke Japanese, which she had been frequently exposed to, fluently, while implementing English, with which she was relatively unfamiliar, somewhat less skillfully.

Kim Yoojung explained, "I prepared in a way to bring out different pronunciations not only for Gagyeong but for each character," and "I consulted with foreign language teachers and tried to use languages carefully."

Park Jinyoung took on the role of Governor-General interpreter 'Kim Taewung'. Kim Taewung is the adopted son of Sato Shinichi (Jin Seonkyu), a Joseon-born administrative vice-governor. He has lived as an adopted son in Japan for 10 years and has learned three languages: Japanese, English, and Korean.

He put effort into foreign language acting. Park Jinyoung said, "Acting in foreign languages was my first time," and "I practiced to the point where it would come out right away if tapped. Still, on set when action was added, I fumbled. In the end, there was no answer but practice," he confessed.

He had to navigate two identities: Kim Taewung and Sato Hideo. Park Jinyoung chose to restrain rather than directly reveal his inner confusion. He said, "Since the situation itself is confusing, I tried to suppress my emotions as much as possible without being burdensome."

The time he lived as Sato Hideo was revealed through gestures. Park Jinyoung said, "I wanted to make use of the fact that he was educated by his Japanese father for 10 years to the point of leaving trauma," and added, "I tried to show all his actions with maximum angularity."

The viewing point is the romance of two different kinds. On top of the espionage thriller, fresh youthful love and mature adult melodrama were each added. Gagyeong and Kim Taewung show the fresh emotions of their early twenties. They meet in a misaligned relationship at first, but gradually seep into each other and grow together.

Kim Yoojung recalled, "It's a narrative where two people meet, get to know each other, and grow together," and "It was difficult to create the emotion of romance alone, but oppa Jinyoung matched well with me, so I was able to express it naturally."

Yoo Soran (Kim Hyunju) and Yoo Phillip (Lee Moosung) showcase a romance of a different atmosphere. The two disguise themselves as a married couple for the anti-Japanese movement. They show a more mature and poignant relationship than Gagyeong and Kim Taewung.

Kim Hyunju said, "Yoo Soran is a character who cannot reveal her situation or emotions outwardly," and "As Phillip watches such Soran, he sympathizes greatly. Through the two of them, you will be able to feel a poignant melodrama," she hinted.

Since the work deals with independence movements as its subject matter, both the actors and production team approached it with a heavy sense of responsibility. They held a moment of silence before script readings. Kim Yoojung revealed, "From the start of filming to the end, I tried not to forget my gratitude toward the independence fighters."

Finally, Director Yoo said, "Emotions will slowly rise, and ultimately you will touch something hot," and "I hope it becomes a work where we can together think about the line that is also dialogue in the film, 'How on earth were they able to do that,'" he wished.

Park Jinyoung said, "It's a drama filled with all kinds of love," and "Not only relationships between characters but a work made with love by all actors and staff. I hope you spent happy times with the drama during the long two-month journey," he conveyed.

Kim Yoojung said, "It shows the process of becoming 'us' from an individual life," and "It also captured moments that are inevitably shaken because one is alone. I think it's a part that people living now beyond the era can sufficiently relate to," she asked for anticipation.

<Photo=Reporter Song Hyojin>