Actor Gang Dong-won / Courtesy of AA GroupActor Gang Dong-won is ready to surprise audiences by showcasing a demanding physical transformation and a completely new side of his acting skills in the upcoming comedy film "Wild Sing.”Directed by Sohn Jae-kon, "Wild Sing" follows Triangle, a faded three-member idol group that attempts a comeback after 20 years out of the spotlight. Gang portrays Hyun-woo, the leader of the group, who transitions from a top idol to a struggling television personality."When my close friends saw the teaser trailer, one of them jokingly asked me if I was running out of money because my character looked so desperate and funny," Gang said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday.Known for his sharp looks and diverse filmography, which includes hits like the fantasy action film "Jeon Woochi: The Taoist Wizard" (2009), the mystery thriller "The Priests" (2015) and the crime comedy "A Violent Prosecutor" (2016), Gang this time takes on a highly unconventional and humorous character."The teaser generated a lot of buzz online, and the public reaction was incredibly passionate, which made me feel that our comedic direction was right on track,” Gang said.For his role as Hyun-woo, the 45-year-old actor spent five months learning how to breakdance."I used to think breakdancing was an incredibly old genre that existed since I started speaking, but I learned that it actually peaked in popularity during the 1990s," Gang said. "Unlike standard action scenes where you keep your feet firmly on the ground, breakdancing requires you to support your entire body weight with just your arms. It was exhausting.”Even though he started with no experience dancing, Gang expressed immense pride in the final stage performance scene, grading his own performance a perfect score. However, he admitted that the laws of physics and human stamina required some cinematic assistance."It is physically impossible to master a head spin in just five months, so I relied heavily on wire equipment," Gang said. "A person can spin a few times alone, but doing dozens of rotations makes you too dizzy to continue. During the shoot, we had to film hundreds of spins. My stunt double and I took turns spinning hundreds of times, which was incredibly draining.”From left, actors Park Ji-hyun, Gang Dong-won and Um Tae-goo in a scene from “Wild Sing” / Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentThe visual style of Hyun-woo, which features intentionally frustrating yet nostalgic fashion choices, was entirely Gang's idea. He wanted to evoke the distinct look of specific artists from the early 2000s."The headwear and stage outfits were entirely my concept," Gang explained. "I wanted to make the audience feel slightly annoyed yet amused by how oddly well it suited me. I wanted to surprise audiences at first, and then let the comedy grow like a snowball as the story develops. I have always enjoyed the comedy genre because there is a great sense of gratification when the comedic timing clicks and audiences laugh."Gang also said that the behind-the-scenes atmosphere was surprisingly quiet and serious, given that his co-stars Um Tae-goo and Park Ji-hyun are well-known introverts. Veteran actors Shin Ha-kyun and Oh Jung-se also remained quiet on set."Everyone was incredibly serious and professional, and I don't remember anyone ruining a scene by laughing,” Gang said. "Park Ji-hyun worked exceptionally hard to break the ice because she did not expect the set to be this quiet."When asked about his long-term career as a lead actor who frequently uses his physical strengths, Gang said he is still good at action scenes, but it is becoming difficult to do heavy action roles as he gets older."I am confident in my physical abilities, but I can feel that my time for these roles is running short because it gets more physically demanding each year," Gang said. "That is why I want to shoot more action films before I get any older. While romantic films can be done later in life, action roles eventually become impossible due to physical limitations."Reflecting on his character's desperate drive to reclaim the spotlight, Gang added he deeply resonated with the narrative as a fellow entertainer.“Hyun-woo experienced a very successful life as a top star but lost everything and lived as a nobody for 20 years. When a final opportunity arrives, anyone in that position would burn themselves out to seize it,” he said. “I have held a similar mindset since my debut. Even when I became super popular early in my career, I always told myself that this would not last forever and people would forget me one day. It is just a natural thing for everyone."“Wild Sing” is scheduled to hit local theaters on June 3.