Veteran actor Han Suk-kyu is back on television, this time as a humble chicken shop owner with a hidden past in tvN’s upcoming Monday-Tuesday drama Shin’s Project.
At the online press conference held on September 8, Han Suk-kyu joined co-stars Bae Hyun-sung and Lee Re, alongside director Shin Kyung-soo, to introduce the series.
The drama follows Mr. Shin (played by Han Suk-kyu), once a legendary negotiator, now running a chicken shop while secretly solving disputes that blur the lines between legality and justice. Described as a “conflict resolution hero drama,” the story aims to deliver comfort and hope through communication rather than confrontation.
Director Shin Kyung-soo explained his decision to direct the project: “The script described our times as an era of failed communication. Instead of anger and hate, the drama seeks to show healing through dialogue and understanding. That message drew me in.”
Han Suk-kyu revealed that preparing for the role required unexpected skills: “I’ve played many professional roles like doctors, but this time I had to become a chicken shop owner. That meant I had to learn how to handle chickens properly. Luckily, I already knew a bit about cooking from helping my mother when I was young.”
He added that a real restaurant owner even came to teach him frying techniques, allowing him to personally prepare chicken in the show.
Co-star Bae Hyun-sung plays Jo Philip, an elite rookie judge demoted to a chicken shop employee. To prepare, he attended trials and consulted lawyers, memorizing legal jargon to portray professionalism in courtroom scenes.
Both Han Suk-kyu and director Shin emphasized the drama’s connection to real-world issues. Han Suk-kyu reflected on recent violent incidents in Korea, including a tragic stabbing in Gwanak District: “Such extreme tragedies often stem not from reason, but unchecked emotions. Our society seems to be losing the ability to communicate, growing more polarized. This project explores that theme and offers viewers a chance to reflect and heal.”
Director Shin also commented on broader issues, from labor disputes in Korea to recent arrests of Korean workers in the U.S., saying, “At times like these, I think, if only someone like Shin Sajang existed in reality.”
Shin’s Project premieres September 15 at 8:50 PM KST on tvN, promising a blend of heartwarming comedy, social commentary, and Han Suk-kyu’s signature gravitas.
Sources: Daum
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