Just weeks after he wrapped up tvN's "100 Days My Prince," EXO's D.O. has decided on his next project. He will take the lead role in Kang Hyeong Cheol's upcoming musical film titled "Swing Kids."
In "Swing Kids," D.O. - whose real name is Do Kyung Soo - will play a rebellious North Korean soldier, Ro Ki Soo, who falls in love with tap dancing after meeting Jackson (Jared Grimes), an officer from Broadway.
Although D.O. had fun filming the upcoming musical film, he recalled the difficult filming experience. During the press conference of the movie, the 25-year-old singer and actor admitted he had difficulties at first in learning tap dancing.
"I prepared for tap dancing the most," D.O. said at a press conference last Monday, Nov. 12, as quoted by Soompi. "It was like learning an instrument... The moves were completely different from EXO's choreography. Although it was difficult, I found tap dancing very charming and attractive," he added.
D.O. went ahead to say that his character required him to shave his hair off and learn the North Korean dialect. While it was hard at first, he eventually familiarized himself with the said dialect - thanks to his dialect teacher.
Aside from D.O., "Swing Kids" also stars Park Hye Su ("Hello, My Twenties!") as Yang Pan Rae, an ordinary woman who makes money through dancing; Oh Jung Se ("How to Use Guys with Secret Tips") as Kang Byung Sam, a guy who dances with the wind in hopes of finding his wife; and Kim Min Ho ("Queen For Seven Days") as Xiao Fang, a talented Chinese soldier who can no longer dance due to chest pain.
Actors Park Jin Joo ("While You Were Sleeping"), Baek In Kwon ("Train To Busan"), Joo Hae Eun ("Just Dance") and Lee Sang Min have also been cast in an undisclosed roles. "Swing Kids" will be shown in cinemas across South Korea starting Dec. 19.
In other related news, EXO's fifth studio album "Don't Mess Up My Tempo" debuted at number 23 on the US Billboard 200. The album achieved 23,000 album-equivalent units, including 19,000 pure album sales.
With this, EXO - D.O., Xiumin, Baekhyun, Kai, Chen, Lay, Sehun, Suho, and Chanyeol - are now the third K-pop group to achieve a top 40 album in the United States, after boy band BTS (also known as Bangtan Boys) and girl group, Blackpink.
