The cast of ‘Unmasked’ reflect on their roles in the new comedy-drama on Disney+

Amid a whirlwind of unsettling events in South Korea that has been happening over the last few months – from political upheavals to the chaos of unverified news flooding social media – the debut of Unmasked couldn’t come at a more timely moment. 

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With a news cycle that has kept the nation on edge, Unmasked, a new drama series on Disney+ taps into the growing need for trustworthy journalism, featuring Kim Hye-soo as Oh So-ryong, a determined investigative reporter at the heart of the show. As the face of Trigger, a popular investigative programme, she must uncover the identity of an insider who’s been leaking personal stories about the team and solve a twenty-year-old cold case involving a famous actor who disappeared without a trace.

This is the first time Kim Hye-soo has returned to our screens in three years since 2022’s lauded Under the Queen’s Umbrella. Taking on the lead role as an investigative reporter, she works alongside her co-stars Jung Sung-il who is known for his roles in The Glory and Our Blues, and plays the role of the rookie producer Han Do, as well as Joo Jong-hyuk from Extraordinary Attorney Woo as contractor Kang Giho. 

After helming multiple roles in the past in shows like Signal, Tazza: The High Rollers and The Thieves, it’s safe to say that the thespian is a master at her craft with her latest role being one of them. Kim, who has previously hosted an investigative news programme, draws from her real-life experience in Unmasked. “I understood how diligently journalists work and what kind of sense of duty they have. I even spoke to actual producers to learn about their personal lives, challenges, and routines, and infused those insights into my character,” she explained during an exclusive interview with Her World. 

Of course, it takes a team to work on a story, and joining Oh So-ryong was none other than Han Do, who is played by Jung Sung-il. In regards to his role as the rookie producer, Jung Sung-il shares more about his character’s evolution as Han Do, who undergoes a significant transformation in the show. 

He shares, “After Han Do crash lands into Team Trigger, he goes into this big evolution and you’ll get to see how he changes his mindset in episode three, there’s this scene where he walks through these houses and he feels that “they’re not my family, they’re not blood-related, why do I feel so many feelings towards them? I should really work on this case. I should really become the true producer of the show and expose things behind what’s happening”. 

While the show does tackle dark and deep issues, it’s also light on the palette. According to Joo Jong-hyuk, who plays the contractor, Kang Giho, he emphasised that the show strikes the right balance of seriousness with fun. 

“Although we talk about dark and deep issues the thing about Unmasked is that our tone and manner is very quirky, witty and fun. So it’s not too lightweight but it’s still enjoyable and fun enough,” he said.

The 12-part series boasts an interesting plot, alongside an intriguing cast of characters that blends mystery with a touch of humour. Whether you’re drawn to the investigation or the team dynamics, this new series on Disney+ is certainly one that’s worth the watch.

Unmasked is now on Disney+