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Kim Soo-hyun recently sat down with Esquire Korea to discuss his career, personal life, and his recent hit drama, Queen of Tears. In an interview published on January 20, 2025, the actor revealed that while he enjoyed the script from the outset, he faced challenges in preparing for the role due to its unique themes and character dynamics.
Kim admitted that these themes of marriage, divorce, and the complexities of being a son-in-law in a wealthy family were unfamiliar to him, requiring significant preparation. So to ensure authenticity in his performance, he undertook extensive preparation. He also spent time consulting with various people, learning about the experiences and nuances of the unfamiliar themes.
"I really enjoyed it from the script stage. However, I was worried about how to fulfill my role. Marriage, divorce, lawyers, sons-in-law of a conglomerate family, they were all unfamiliar things, so there were a lot of things to prepare for. That's why I filmed while talking to many people. I'm really glad that I became a beloved character," he said.
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The actor reflected on how distant the character’s experiences were from his own, saying,
"Come to think of it, I've never been married or divorced, I don't often meet lawyers, and it's hard to imagine being the son-in-law of a wealthy family."
So, to portray the character convincingly, he shared, he consulted extensively with co-directors Jang Young-woo and Kim Hee-won. He noted that each director offered their own perspective, which he combined with his observations and imagination to create a nuanced portrayal of Baek Hyun-woo.
Soo-hyun further explained that to create Baek Hyun-woo, he started with his own persona before merging it into the character, allowing a natural and authentic feeling to emerge. Despite the challenges, Kim Soo-hyun expressed gratitude for the positive reception of his performance.
Kim Soo-hyun reflects on success of Queen of Tears, Knock-Off, 18 years of acting, comedy, and balancing life
On the success of Queen of Tears, Kim Soo-hyun highlighted the infectious energy of the cast, which he believes contributed significantly to the show's comedic elements. He fondly recalled memorable moments on set, such as the hilarious first episode, where Hae-in’s aunt (played by Kim Jeong-nan) disrupted the memorial service.
He also mentioned the family meal scene in Yongdu-ri after the Hongs got kicked out of their home. Soo-hyun praised his fellow actors for their excellent performances and spontaneous ad-libs, which made it difficult for him to maintain composure during filming.
"I think Queen of Tears is the first time I’ve watched a project I worked on as a fan, not as an actor. I was definitely a devoted viewer. Normally, I watch my work, analyze my performance, regret things, and study it like a learning process. But for “Queen of Tears” I literally became a viewer, waiting for each episode and watching it as a fan."
Kim Soo-hyun also addressed Queen of Tears' writer Park Ji-eun's request to emphasize comedic elements in his performance.
"Though I give my best on set, it's ultimately up to the viewers to decide if it's funny. It's a bit hard for me to evaluate my own performance, but I've received a lot of positive feedback from people saying they enjoyed it, so that made me happy. I felt that in my performance, "subtle, restrained gestures can bring about a bigger laugh," he said.
When asked about his favorite comedian, Kim expressed admiration for his co-star Yoo Jae-myung, who plays his father in their upcoming series Knock-Off.
"Right now, I'm thinking of Yoo Jae-myung, who plays my father in Knock-off. I really admire how he can bring out such captivating performances, regardless of the script, direction, or any changes on set," he remarked.
Kim Soo-hyun also reiterated his appreciation for international actor Christoph Waltz, describing his delivery of lines as akin to enjoying a song.
The actor, known for his selective project choices, also opened up about the challenges and memorable moments in his career, along with his views on his upcoming drama, Knock-Off. In the interview, he shared insights into his role as Kim Seong-jun in this upcoming drama, a human story about an office worker navigating crises.
"It's a human drama. It depicts the journey of an ordinary office worker, Kim Seong-jun, as he overcomes various crises and fights to survive. Through this process, the story ultimately shows how humans themselves become "knock-offs," with perhaps every character in the drama arriving at that conclusion in life," Kim Soo-hyun shared.
Although the character appeared more relatable, Kim Soo-hyun pointed out that Kim Seong-jun was still portrayed as a graduate of a prestigious university. The filming, currently halfway through, included scenes shot on location in Hong Kong. He teased a special encounter during the shoot, asking viewers to stay tuned for more details. Knock-Off has already garnered significant attention due to its star-studded cast.
Reflecting on his 18-year acting career, Kim Soo-hyun described acting as a deeply connective craft, emphasizing its power to resonate with audiences. He shared his belief that every aspect of a performance, from the actor’s preparation to on-screen chemistry and physical details, must align perfectly to create a lasting impact.
When asked about recent memorable moments, he mentioned reconnecting with peers born in 1988. As he rarely encountered people his age in the industry, this meeting stood out as an experience for him. The actor described it as a pleasant surprise.
Kim Soo-hyun emphasized the importance of maintaining both physical and mental well-being during his downtime. His routine included activities aimed at activating the parasympathetic nervous system, such as enjoying pleasant scents, savoring delicious food, and meditating.
He also enjoys physical hobbies like skiing, golfing, bowling, hiking, and cycling, which he finds fulfilling due to the sense of achievement they provide. However, his hobbies go beyond relaxation, as he shared, providing him with a sense of achievement. Depending on the weather and his mood, he rotates between them, ensuring a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.
Kim Soo-hyun stars in the upcoming South Korean drama Knock-Off, a dark comedy series set to premiere on Disney+ in the first half of 2025. Written by Han Jung-hoon and directed by Park Hyun-seok, the show explores the world of counterfeit luxury goods.
It follows a man whose life is shattered by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, leading him to transform from a typical office employee into the ruler of the global fake market. Jo Bo-ah also features in the series.
