Kim Seon-ho’s moment shown through his most beautiful time. His new sides are captured among his thousand faces.

Kim Seon-ho’s Moment

Kim Seon-ho, growing up even today.

Kim Seon-ho, who made women’s hearts flutter through his portrayal of Chief Hong in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha back in 2021, has returned as the maniac with clear eyes, Nobleman. Portraying the mysterious man Nobleman who chased the boxer Marco, the character marks Kim Seon-ho’s big screen debut after 14 years of acting. “I’m just nervous and excited thinking about how the public will react to my acting.” Although he has more than a decade of acting experience, he can never forget the passion he had during his early days as a fresh rookie. We dared to give a supporting message for Kim Seon-ho, whose explosive screen debut through The Childe marks another beginning of him continuously working hard in his job as an actor. As always, he wants to be an actor befitting his name: a preferred one.

You have made the first step into the silver screen through the movie The Childe. You must have been excited and nervous.
I have mixed emotions. I haven’t had the chance to see the finished product, after all (at the time of this interview). Hence, it makes me even more excited and nervous. Plus, the expectation and excitement, not to forget fear regarding this, ‘how do I view my acting as an actor myself?’ To be honest, when I think about all these feelings, they become a blissful moment as well. Although I have been doing dramas before this, it’s my first time greeting the movie fans. Having these feelings itself is an enjoyable thing with so many things to expect.

Of course you wish that The Childe will be a success, right?
I certainly hope so. On the other hand, even when I was doing dramas before this, I don’t want to be carried away with the excitement of thinking, ‘It’ll do well.’ Hasty hope will only leave you with wounds. (laughs) I’d rather have no expectation in the first place and then feeling happy when it actually does well. Hence, I’m the type that will empty my mind (with regard to expectation). Even with The Childe, I went into it with this thought, ‘Let’s just be thankful for the fact that I could be a part of this project.’ Still, if I go through 6 days a week with that thought, the other 1 day would be me wishing for the project’s success. (laughs)

There are times when you have to let it go to feel better. (laughs)
Exactly. This is actually something that I got from filming for dramas. If I happened to focus on the ratings or popularity ranking, I could never feel happy even until the drama wrapped up filming. Being attached to the viewers’ reactions (towards the drama) repetitively would only make you lose focus at times. Thus, I make an effort of barely keeping up with those influence such as the ending or popularity, having minimum level of contact for the sake of being sincere (while working on the project).

Please introduce your character in The Childe.
The character I portray is called Nobleman. One day, he suddenly appeared in front of Marco, a boxer working inside an illegal boxing ring. Ever since he met Nobleman, Marco’s journey to South Korea turned complicated, with Nobleman’s interference with people around Marco and the mysterious man’s twisted joy in chasing him. The character shows a side that can’t be easily understood. Nowadays, he’s someone that people call ‘a clear-eyed maniac’. Haha.

Maybe it’s because of the character’s name Nobleman that made many people associate it with Director Park Hoon-jung’s previous work The Witch. How was it when you first received the offer for the role?
When I first received the offer, I met the director and expressed how surprising and refreshing it was when it comes to the action scenes in The Witch. That was how much I liked the movie The Witch. I really enjoyed watching it and it was such an honour to be able to work together with the director. It was initially planned that the story would follow Marco’s journey to South Korea and how he suddenly become a subject of pursue, but the editing was changed, setting a slight difference in story direction as well as Nobleman’s importance and gravity (towards the story). The deeper and more ruthless story was transformed into a lighter and watchable one, plus the intuitive aspect (of the movie) was different as well. Hence, the filming afterwards was enjoyable and I was able to try out witty acting. Lots of the scenes were a product of ideas exchanged between the director and the staff.

What is something that is considered a forte of the Nobleman, if any?
I think that rather than emphasizing the sleek feel often showcased through chase movies, the character is different in the way he piques the curiosity and makes the viewers wonder, ‘Why is exactly he’s acting like that?’ I make the effort in showing the unpredictable side of an antagonist, rather than the usual pose and charisma of the pursuant like movies before this.

Since there were a lot of chase scenes, you must have had worked so hard for it, but the chase turned out to be car chase?
Haha. Actor Kang Tae-ju was the one working hard. There was a scene in the movie where I had to run through the tunnel. At that time, I sincerely apologized to Tae-ju. Instead of drinking coffee comfortably at the back, I should have cheered on you while you were acting…I didn’t know it was this hard. (laughs) Tae-ju really did run a lot in the movie, and each time, I just followed after him in a car. It seems that the car engine worked harder than me. (laughs)

Did you have any fear or worry regarding your acting transformation?
I think this is my first time portraying a character that showcases how he is neither good nor bad physically. Hence, I had a lot of concerns on my approach towards this role. Although I was afraid on how the audience would view the character, I wasn’t worried. I felt that the character itself – the witty side of him – was not that different from my own self. I discussed a lot with the director and diligently accustomed myself after receiving feedbacks on acting depth. I really got a lot of help which would made my acting skills improve. That process itself made me extremely excited. Truth to be told, I do get scared and nervous with only few days left until the premiere. But then, this thought is more apparent for this project: ‘There will be people who will enjoy watching my acting, right?’

Since it is by Director Park Hoon-jung, the expectation is high especially with regard on the action scenes.
Actually, when it comes to action scenes, most of the time the production team would plan beforehand, matching and practising the moves before entering the shoot. But then, this time around, lots of people were involved, standing inside a cramped space; with so many people entwined, there was no meaning in training or planning for the movement during that scene. If I happened to step on a prop and fall down, I had to act accordingly for that scene. At first, I was afraid that the fellow stunt actors in that scene would get hurt if I happened to make a mistake while filming, but it turned out to be a blind fight with lots of lying down and rolling over each other. Because it was mostly different from planned fights, I’m looking forward to the scene since it could be real and vivid. Although the director is known for his impact for The Witch’s action scenes and the fantasy elements in the movie, this time around, our project seemed to have the ‘realistic’ approach to it. Because of that, rather than doing the action scenes coolly, I opted to act as if I was really fighting them.

You’re also starring in Director Park’s upcoming movie Tyrant. What is your secret in capturing the director’s heart? (laughs)
To me, Director Park is someone who is so kind. He is like an older brother to me. I talked with him a lot even outside the project and he is someone with whom I spent time the most recently outside my schedule. Truth to be told, the director was the one who first made the offer for Tyrant to me. I think that he discovered good ways to make use of me as an actor after getting to know me better. The role in Tyrant is totally different from what I have shown (in my projects) up until now. Hence, it becomes a reason why I really want to be a part of the project. Plus, the role I portray in Tyrant has the highest job rank among my characters so far. (laughs) With all the weight and seriousness among other things that entail with the role, it might feel different from my previous characters. Haha. I thought to myself for many times that it might have been another chance for me as an actor to show how wide the spectrum of acting is.

It might have felt like a little late for you, but what does this screen debut mean to Actor Kim Seon-ho?
I think I never view it as late. It was rather fast as I felt it. So many senior actors like Song Kang-ho and Cho Seung-woo are great at acting even at young age. Watching them made me think to myself at times, ‘I still have a long way to go’. I would be working diligently as the time passed by, thinking, ‘I might be called if there’s a good project’.

You appeared on GYM Jong Kook and showed your clumsy side after a long time. You haven’t lost your variety wit, have you?
I was so nervous at first, so I couldn’t hear well what (Kim) Jong-kook hyung was saying and kept saying weird things. Haha. Still, he treated me kindly and I got to film the session as well and learn some exercise moves. It was my first time participating in a YouTube variety filming so it was a whole new world seeing it being filmed with just one camera.

There are times when actors have to forget everything and fall into the trance of their roles when they are acting. Can you relate with this as well?
This is also one of my concerns. At times, I feel that people who are good at acting would have to live in the role. But then, there are instances when I think that it shouldn’t be so, and I keep going back and forth between those thoughts. At this moment, it seems that there are times when the level of concentration on the character varies. There ought to be pace control in between concentrating on and calculating for the character. In return, I make an effort in not losing the flexibility while concentrating on a particular scene. For instance, I would be delivering a serious line and a picture frame could fall (in the scene). If I continue to act without looking at the prop, that would be awkward. Normal people would be reacting to that situation, and showing the reaction during the scene would make the character comes alive. Of course, there are actors who would stop acting during that moment and resume focusing on his lines. As for me, that is my style.

You are equipped with a pair of melo eyes which are deemed as great assets for you as an actor. How about promoting other appealing parts of you that have yet to be known by the public?
Actually, I can’t really use my body well. But then, this time around, the action (for the movie) turns out pretty well. (laughs) I get to develop myself (in that area) through this project, so it would be great if people could look up to it.

Your more than 10 years of acting experience is something that is never to be taken lightly, although you might feel that you still have a long way to go (in terms of skills). There are things that have changed if you are to compare your current self with your debut era, right?
When I was a rookie, I was someone who had lots of doubts. I always talk about this, but it was to the point of having doubts even when I was standing on the stage. Hence, I felt ashamed for my inability to stay focused. However, looking back at it, those mistakes in the past made me into who I am today. Each and every actor has their own personality. Watching them act made me see the differences and allowed me to make an attempt (at different acting); those attempts served as a foundation for the unskilled me to produce who I am right now. Back then, as a rookie actor, there was always the will to develop myself. Attempts made to challenge myself sometimes ended up with regret; as I changed and grew, I did wish to be able to challenge myself more back when I was fearless. (laughs) In the past, I would think to myself, ‘I can always do better next time.’ Nowadays, I have become more like a coward, realizing how scary people’s views are. It’s not easy to get rid of thoughts like this, ‘What do I do if I fail to do well?’

It is natural to become more scared as the time goes by.
Right. Mistakes are reduced as the time goes by, yet the opportunity to grow seems to be decreasing as well, which is a source of great concern for me.

Even the act of worrying itself is a testament to your continuous growth. So, what kind of growth do you wish to have as an actor in the future?
Just like now, I want to continue being an actor who could show people my side and make them say, ‘That actor will continue to work hard in the future as well’. These days, I have the thought of leading a life that is more like an adult outside acting. I have realized that there are people who depend on me and there is a team working together with me. I want to be someone who can be trusted and reliable to them.

Please share a message to the fans who have given you unconditional love all this while.
There’s no doubt that I have to show a good side of me as an actor. I will continue to push myself without being lazy, so please continue to cheer on me and my growth. Thanks to all of you, I get to stand again as an actor. I also want to repay (the support) with good acting from me.

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