IN the Datuk Afdlin Shauki-directed football film, 'Harimau Malaya: The Untold Journey', South Korean actor Lee Chan Ju portrays former national football coach, Kim Pan Gon.
"Actually, this is the first time I have acted in my whole life," said the 33-year-old artiste, fondly known as CJ.
CJ, who auditioned for the role a day before filming began, did not believe he would be chosen since he had never acted before.
"At that time, my hair was also long. It was very interesting because I was chosen at the last minute.
"The production wanted a real Korean actor with a suitable slang to boot," he said in a recent news report.
CJ, who has been living in Malaysia for four years, was discovered after the production team went scouting for a suitable talent within the South Korean community here.
To bring the character to life, CJ met Pan Gon himself at the Football Association of Malaysia office to understand his character.
"He really cared about his players and treated them like family. What I remember most is that he was a very firm person.
"But I only met him once because he was very busy. The entire production was only able to meet him during that two-hour session," he said.
Filming took 25 days, during which CJ increasingly felt the pressure of playing the known figure in local football.
"In the beginning, it was more of curiosity. But over time, I felt the pressure more and more.
"I don't know how many times I apologised to Afdlin. Thankfully, all the other actors gave me strong support."
CJ had to wear contact lenses, wigs and undergo make-up sessions to physically inhabit the role.
"That was another challenging part but when I look back now, the memories are sweet.
"I also took acting classes with Liyana Jasmay to bring the character to life," he said.
'Harimau Malaya: The Untold Journey', currently screening in cinemas, is inspired by a true story.
It revolves around the revival of the national football squad when it successfully qualified for the 2023 Asian Cup, following a decline that led to the resignation of coach Tan Cheng Hoe in January 2022.
The feel-good film also stars Meerqeen, Sophia Albarakbah, Aidil Aziz, Aiman Hakim Redza, Tony Eusoff, Amelia Henderson, Hazama, Zain Hamid, Vanidah Imran, Erra Fazira, Nam Ron, Bell Ngasri, Kavin Jay and Douglas Lim.