Although peripheral to the movie’s plot, it’s perhaps the most iconic line from Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Now, the “play Jaja Ding Dong!” actor Hannes Óli Ágústsson has spoken about his role in the film.

Hannes Óli Ágústsson – “Ja Ja Ding Dong” interview

While Hannes Óli Ágústsson’s character is known to most of us as the “Ja Ja Ding Dong guy”, the character’s real name is Olaf Yohansson. We know very little about the minor character, but a recent interview from Netflix Film Club gives us a bit more insight.

The video starts with several shots from the film of Olaf screaming at Fire Saga to play his favourite song. He presents himself, and we cut to him belting out another iconic line: “It will never be enough! I only want to hear Jaja Ding Dong!”

The actor then proceeds to talk about the “Jaja Ding Dong” craze. He says: “I have become aware […] that it’s become a meme”. Ágústsson recalled the way things played out for him after the release of the movie. As you’d expect, the actor didn’t see it coming as much as we did.

Later on in the video, the Icelander reads out some funny Ja Ja Ding Dong tweets and reacts to them. He also proceeds to describe how the line unexpectedly came into existence, when he shouted as loudly as he could and director David Dobkin loved it. According to the Olaf Yohansson actor, the character isn’t necessarily a good role model. He doesn’t want you to scream “play Ja Ja Ding Dong” in the middle of a coffee house… or a funeral.

In any case, the video is full of little surprises and funny moments, so it’s surely worth watching if you liked the film.

Hannes Óli Ágústsson’s newfound legacy

This isn’t the first time the Icelandic actor has mentioned the impact that the scene has had on him. In a radio interview shortly after Netflix released the film, the actor also spoke out about the role. He said he’d spent 8 years in various schools training to be an actor, and now everyone knows him as “Ja Ja Ding Dong Guy”. He was pleasantly surprised at his new legacy and said “I’ll take it!”

What did you think of the video? Can you see yourself shouting “Play Ja Ja Ding Dong” in the middle of a coffee house? Let us know in the comments below!

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My Tears Are Getting Sober
My Tears Are Getting Sober
3 years ago

I like the part when he says play ja ja dingdong

Russell Coleman
Russell Coleman
3 years ago

Play JA JA DING DONG!!!!! NOW….

ESCBEE
ESCBEE
3 years ago

This guy deserves his own side-story movie! 😀

Labenyofi
Labenyofi
3 years ago

From “This is so sad. Alexa play Despacito.” to “Play Jaja Ding Dong!” it appears the internet loves telling people what songs to play.