On March 29, 2023, after teasers that had many drama lovers on the edge of their seats, the first 2 episodes of The Eighth Sense were, at last, revealed to the public.

The series ran for 1 month, with 2 episodes a week. 1 month of broadcasting, 1 month that put the public's emotions to the test, 1 month that turned these fans of the series into a real community we now call Freebirds.

The film team really helped to make The Eighth Sense much more than a series, and to build around it a very present community of fans, always there to support the series, the actors and the team like a family.

It's even more of an honor for me to have been able to talk to one of the 2 directors of The Eighth Sense, Werner Du Plessis.

He's a director with a very impressive background that has made him the incredible director he is today. He tells us about it.

“I've always harboured a deep-seated passion for the art of writing and storytelling, captivated by the intriguing methods of conveying emotions through words and visuals. It's been quite the journey for me, beginning with my undergraduate studies and culminating in a Master's degree, all rooted around the unfurling of the narrative world. Along the way, I've delved into the multifaceted world of storytelling, instinctively driven to unearth personal means of eliciting emotions while orchestrating tales that waltz between fiction and fantasy.”

Life brought this South African director to South Korea. But why South Korea, and why Korean-language projects?

“Well, in an ideal world, I'd have an enchanting saga to regale you with, one that's soaked in the allure of Korean culture. But, alas, reality often takes a more calculated path. Upon finishing my Masters in Korea, connections and opportunities led me to prolong my stay. I did, however, take a detour, leading me on a two-year journey to, Los Angeles. There, I immersed myself in the writing through a program at UCLA, while travelling back to Korea and working on projects. ”

 

And how did Werner du Plessis and Baek Inu meet? How does their collaboration work?

“We crossed paths roughly a decade ago, in the early hours of the morning, at some now-vanished, dimly lit bar in Korea. Both overflowing with energy and devoid of any real worries, we formed an immediate connection. As time passed, our bond deepened, and we began working together bit by bit. These days, our relationship has evolved beyond mere friends or collaborators; we're more like brothers. And, yes, we most certainly spar and differ like siblings, but within the creative arena, it's akin to channeling the raw power of thunder and lightning – slicing through the chaos to unearth the passion within each project.”

The Eight Sense is the incredible project of 2 directors, Werner Du Plessis and Baek Inu, a Korean series with strong themes and messages.

Synopsis : 

Ji Hyun, a new student from a peaceful rural town, struggles to adjust to the bustling city life of Seoul. While at university, he meets Jae Won, who has just completed military service. As they share a love of surfing, they begin to develop feelings for each other. During a surfing trip, they share a kiss, but Jae Won acts as if nothing happened, leaving Ji Hyun confused about their connection.

And when Werner Du Plessis is asked to pitch The Eighth Sense to someone who has never watched the series, it's always with powerful words :

"I would describe "The Eighth Sense" as an intimate portrayal of the journey into young love, one that defies visual convention and invites the audience to immerse themselves in the madness, sadness, and uncertainty of finding oneself."

In this immersion offered by The Eighth Sense, what is the message the directors wanted to convey?

"Well, I feel we aimed to deliver an experience that left the audience with a sense of hope, joy, relief - and that rare, fleeting sensation of things falling perfectly into place. It's the wondrous and magical feeling when a moment, a person, or a situation fits like an undeniable puzzle piece - suddenly, you're overwhelmed by the exhilaration of the experience, along with the soothing satisfaction of knowing that "everything will be better than just okay.”

The final kiss and the closing moments in the car? They were meticulously designed to elicit this precise sensation in the audience.

The journey leading to this point? It's a powerful message about self-love, friendship, trust - and the liberating embrace of our multifaceted selves, free from the weighty expectations of the world around us."

It's a real passion that the directors feel for The Eighth Sense, a project with great importance. So I wanted to know if this was a story that Werner Du Plessis and Beak Inu had been thinking about for a long time.

"I'd say the magic of it all really comes from the passion Inu and I bring to the table, no matter what we're tackling. Inu can definitely vouch for the fact that I can get pretty obsessed and hands-on in all aspects of our work. 

For any project, our goal is to infuse it with genuine love because that's what gives the story its heart and makes it come alive on the screen. It's all about spreading that joyful energy!"

 

But it was a daring gamble that Werner Du Plessis and Baek Inu took in a Korean society that is still rather conservative. Why did they even choose to make a boylove (a series in which the romance takes place between 2 men) ?

"I believe it's crucial to understand and acknowledge how the BL genre holds a significant historical place in the realm of storytelling, particularly in how it approaches genre-specific themes and caters to its unique audience. 

However, as we've evolved towards a more nuanced comprehension of sexuality, attraction, and identity, I think it's imperative to align the BL genre with LGBTQIA+ narratives. This allows us to explore a wider range of issues, emotions, and obstacles.

This is especially pertinent in Asian stories, as it provides a haven and an escape for many viewers who grapple with these issues in environments that may not fully recognize their identities. 

Possibly, being a Korean and South African duo provided us with the flexibility to express our creative vision more freely and advocate for the meaningful connection between BL and LGBTQIA+ narratives. "

As Jaewon and Jihyun, it was Lim Jisub and Oh Juntaek who showed us their truly impressive acting skills, forming a duo with great chemistry as if the roles were meant for them. 

So you have to wonder if there's a secret to successful casting.

"We recognized finding a pair with the perfect chemistry might be challenging. Therefore, we decided to focus on selecting a duo with the perfect look, which would provide the visual dynamism necessary for a show like “The Eighth Sense.”

Once we had found the ideal visual match, we were confident that, given the actors' willingness to explore their characters, we could gradually develop the chemistry between them. It's also important to emphasize that what truly rounds out the two leads and intensifies their connection is the vibrant world created by the supporting characters. 

Their creative, zany, and colorful contributions play a crucial role. The entire supporting cast poured their passion and excitement into creating the complete experience of “The Eighth Sense”world."

But to make this drama the beauty it is, it's not just the actors, it's a whole close and incredible team that made this project possible. Perhaps this is one of The Eighth Sense's secrets?

"The cohesiveness of "The Eighth Sense's" crew and cast, while undeniably vital, wasn't primarily a result of our close personal connections. Instead, what truly distinguished this experience was their willingness to embrace unconventional ideas that often ventured far beyond the boundaries of expectations for a project like "The Eighth Sense." 

As we navigated the phases of pre-production and shooting, we refined our ability to function as a unified and harmonious team. Achieving this level of unity is a rare accomplishment, as teams frequently scatter in their individual directions, failing to unite behind a common vision. 

In our case, this shared vision allowed us to explore a distinctive interpretation of the BL genre."

Other “The Eighth Sense” secrets include the directors' incredible investment in production and post-production. Werner Du Plessis himself assembles the "Behind the scene" and "Making-of" footage, much to the delight of fans. 

But isn't it hard and exhausting to do it all?

"Truly, this project served as a formidable learning curve, especially when it came to mastering the art of saying "no." Both Inu and I might have taken on more than we could handle, driven by an unwavering commitment to the show's success and the satisfaction of the fans. Yet, it extracted a toll on us that intriguingly paralleled the themes of self-care explored within the show. 

In our relentless pursuit of perfection, with minimal support from the production and distribution fronts, we inadvertently neglected our own physical and mental well-being. We aren't quite back to 100%, but as they say, time has a way of healing all wounds."

Not everything is easy, as Werner Du Plessis explains, but that's part of the strength of The Eighth Sense. But what was the hardest part?

"Dealing with anything related to surfing, the ocean, and underwater scenes always presented its fair share of challenges during shooting. It's important to mention that we embarked on this ambitious project with a fairly modest budget, aiming to deliver 10 episodes, each lasting over 30 minutes. However, a significant aspect of creating a show is the ability to adapt and problem-solve on the spot. These challenges, much like in life, often turn into the most memorable moments.

For instance, one unforgettable moment occurred when our monitor signal malfunctioned. Inu and I made a spontaneous decision to wade into the ocean and direct from beside the cinematographer, all while dressed in our regular clothes because we simply didn't have time to spare to change into wet suits. It's these unexpected solutions that add a dynamic and entertaining dimension to the filmmaking process."

When the future is discussed in the Freebirds community, there's always a lot of hope for additional projects and a sequel. What does Werner Du Plessis think ?

"The future of "The Eighth Sense" stands on somewhat uncertain ground, primarily due to the current dynamics between us, the creators, and the production company. However, this uncertainty doesn't deter me from the possibility of revisiting the beloved characters and world we've created. There's a special place in my heart for these characters, and I believe there are more stories to tell within that universe.

In terms of our other projects, we've already penned three exciting concepts and are working on assembling the right teams to bring these projects to life. It's an exciting phase, yet challenging and uncertain phase. Our goal extends beyond just Korean projects; we're also exploring international collaborations that can cross borders and inspire cross-cultural storytelling"

So, it's entirely possible that the next big announcement might be a teaser for an upcoming project that will take viewers on a whole new journey. With the unwavering support of the FreeBird community I genuinely believe that the possibilities are endless, and together, we can achieve remarkable things in the world of entertainment.

The Eighth Sense changed part of some people's lives, changed others' visions, and simply left an indelible mark on Freebirds. 

How did Werner Du Plessis experience the major impact The Eighth Sense had on fans both in South Korea and internationally?

"I'm not entirely certain that I've comprehended the full extent of the show's global impact, primarily because, as much as I make an effort to engage with fans, I'm mindful of the potential pitfalls of delving too deeply into the fandom as a creator. "The Eighth Sense" holds an exceptionally special place in our hearts, which is why we tend to focus on the more personal and individual impacts it has had.

These impacts often manifest through direct messages (DMs), where fans share their stories of inspiration or solace found in the show. It's these messages that I hold most dear, as they represent tangible and meaningful effects on people's lives. Whether it's someone who felt compelled to make a life-altering decision after watching the show or a young LGBTQAI+ fan who discovered comfort in the characters, these personal connections epitomize what any creative person aspires to achieve when sharing their work with the world, irrespective of the scale of that impact."

With The Eighth Sense, Werner Du Plessis and Beak Inu wanted to bring more than just a series, but also support and a message to fans and the LGBTQAI+ community.

In response, Freebirds gave not only support but also love to the series and its team. 

And Werner Du Plessis's last words in this interview are for you, who have always been there and still are.

"Truthfully, in defiance of the "guidelines" set forth by the production and distribution companies, we made a conscious choice to actively connect the show with the LGBTQAI+ community. We felt it was our responsibility to contribute in some way to the emotional well-being of the community that the show represents. I must emphasize that myself and Inu cannot take sole credit for this decision, as it was truly born out of the positive and passionate words of the fanbase, who have evolved into the FreeBirds. For many fans, the show signifies more than just a series; it's a reminder to navigate the world with positivity, to acknowledge when you need help, and to prioritize self-love.

As I pen this final message, I'm overcome with emotion and a sense of sadness. So much has transpired that doesn't align with what the show was meant to represent. However, amidst all the turmoil, what has remained a constant source of inspiration and hope are the positivity and resilience of the FreeBirds, particularly those who understand that the show goes far beyond just two good-looking leads.

To those fans, I can say with absolute certainty that you will forever occupy a special place in The Eighth Sense universe, and I will be eternally grateful. You healed me as much as the show brought you joy. So, to the FreeBirds who saw the raw beauty and pain in the show, I'm endlessly thankful for the support you may not even realize you've offered myself and Inu."

My personal thanks to Werner Du Plessis for his incredible kindness and for playing the interview game with me.

And thanks to the whole team, to Baek Inu and once again to Werner Du Plessis for this series that dared to change, if only a little, our lives.