Lee Dong-wook and Lee Kwang-soo Bring Laughter in 'Divorce Insurance'

tvN held an online press conference on March 24 for its new Monday-Tuesday drama 'Divorce Insurance' (written by Lee Tae-yoon and directed by Lee Won-seok). The event featured director Lee Won-seok and cast members Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo, and Lee Da-hee.

'Divorce Insurance' explores the necessity of preparing for divorce. Set in the innovative product development team of Plus Insurance, the series presents a pure coverage office romantic comedy that addresses the unexpected disaster of divorce. It aims to depict the relatable growth journey of adults striving to live authentically through the process of creating a divorce insurance product that guarantees life after an unforeseen separation.

Director Lee Won-seok, known for films like 'The Man's Manual' and 'Killing Romance,' is making his drama directorial debut. He admitted, "Honestly, I thought working on a drama would be challenging, and I hesitated at first. However, after reading the script for the first episode, I found myself wanting to take on the project. The script was unique and had an original worldview that set it apart from other works."

Having previously directed the quirky comedy 'The Man's Manual,' there is much curiosity about how 'Divorce Insurance' will unfold. Lee humorously noted, "The difference is that I am the director," and added, "I wanted to show something exaggerated that differs from reality. I aimed to create a whimsical setting with realistic stories and characters, making the world surrounding the characters appear more exaggerated."

He further explained, "Failing in love can also signify a new beginning. This is a story about people who create their own worlds rather than being defined by the world around them. It emphasizes that all decisions and happiness stem from within oneself."

The pairing of Lee Dong-wook, returning to romantic comedy after a long hiatus, and Lee Kwang-soo, who is portraying a 'brain' character for the first time, is a key highlight of 'Divorce Insurance.' Their long-standing friendship raises anticipation for their on-screen chemistry. Lee Dong-wook, playing the role of insurance actuary Noh Gi-jun, expressed, "In my previous works, I often played intense characters with fantasy elements, so I wanted to do something more relatable this time. I hope to convey the charm of Gi-jun well. It’s been 7 or 8 years since I did a rom-com, and it feels great to return. The best part is how comfortable it is. I enjoyed the process of finding our rhythm together."

Director Lee also remarked that Lee Dong-wook was the perfect fit for Noh Gi-jun, sharing a humorous anecdote about a photo of Lee wearing a hat with a silly expression, suggesting it reflected the character's experiences of going through three divorces.

Lee Kwang-soo will portray a cautious and safety-first character named An Jeong-soo. He noted, "This is actually the smartest role I've played so far. I’m excited because I get to say things I’ve never said before. Jeong-soo has been friends with Lee Dong-wook since childhood, and Lee Da-hee's character is also very capable. They welcomed all my ad-libs, making the acting experience enjoyable and making me look forward to going to the set like it was a fun outing."

The central theme of their dynamic revolves around 'divorce.' Lee Dong-wook acknowledged the challenges of portraying a character who has been divorced three times, stating, "I considered how to view divorce as a disaster and how to quantify it for coverage. People have asked if it’s burdensome to play a character with three divorces, but it hasn’t been. Gi-jun's divorces were not primarily anyone's fault; they simply recognized their differing personalities. I think I can effectively portray that character's nature. Lee Da-hee plays the first wife, and while their relationship starts off rocky, they gradually grow closer. To count the 'ex-wives,' you’d need to use your fingers!" he joked.

In conclusion, Lee Dong-wook highlighted that the focus of 'Divorce Insurance' is not solely on divorce but rather on how both marriage and divorce are about pursuing one's happiness. He emphasized that the drama invites viewers to reflect on how faithfully they can live their own lives while enjoying a good laugh. Lee Kwang-soo added that the show features a variety of distinct characters, ensuring that viewers will find someone they connect with, making it a fun experience to discover those characters.

'Divorce Insurance' will premiere on March 31, following 'The Black Dragon.'