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[INTERVIEW] Actor Kim Beom

Korean Actor Kim Beom Makes Serious Face

Korean actor Kim Beom during an interview with TenAsia. [TenAsia/ Chae Ki Won]

 

One may have thought that Kim Beom would have stayed the pretty boy he was in “Boys Over Flowers.” But now, heading into his mid-twenties, he somehow looks more masculine and from angel to psychometrist to gambler, he has played a wide variety of characters, proving that he has taken on a path that is definitely different from actors his age.

Kim, who reached a new level with top writer Noh Hee-kyung in drama “Padam, Padam,” worked with her again in SBS’s recent drama “That Winter, the Wind Blows.”  So what is it that he desires to achieve? Hear his thoughts through his interview with TenAsia.

 

 

Q. I recently watched a movie called “Warm Bodies.” And I got excited with a hot star playing a zombie. But I realized we have his equivalent in Korea – you. You’ve played an angel and even a psychometrist.

Kim Beom : Kook-soo in “Padam, Padam” was half-angel and half-human. And my character as Kim Joon in “Psychometry” too was unique in that he had both a superhuman power and traumatic memory. They were both characters that would awaken an actor’s sense of challenge so I snatched up both roles with the thought that I’d get to learn a lot, rather than with the certainty I’d do well. By the way, Nicholas Hoult and I are of the same age and the time our movies were out overlapped by about a week (laughs). It feels great to be compared to such an amazing actor.

 

Q. Looking at your filmography, I can definitely sense a change or growth in you. You’re face somehow seems different as well – as if you’ve suddenly become a man. Do you notice it too?

Kim : Well, I’ve never felt that my face has changed but I do think I changed while working on “Padam Padam.” More than anything, my personality and disposition has changed, along with my values. I rested for a year and a half before “Padam Padam.” And I’d never rested for six years since my debut. I’d just gone forward like crazy, at full speed. So for the first time, during that year and a half, I looked back on the path I’d come. And I realized that I hadn’t been alone – there were people that had become precious to me, that had held my hand, and pushed me forward. They’re people that I still love very much and want to protect. But at the same time, I didn’t feel all that comfortable not working. I felt good the first week and the first month, and spent it doing things I want to. But as the seasons changed, along with the mood, I started getting anxious and impatient. Thankfully, my family and the people I love were there for me and they told me, “Beom, you can’t waver. We will too if you do, so you can’t.” And after that, I came to work on “Padam Padam.” One of the lines I remember from it is: It’s not a miracle when the skies crack apart, the land splits open, and dead people come back to life. Everyday that we live is a miracle. It was a project that made me feel a lot of things as an individual. I learned a lot because of my long rest combined with working on “Padam Padam” and maybe that’s why I changed.

 

Korean Actor Kim Beom’s Confident Smile

Korean actor Kim Beom during an interview with TenAsia. [TenAsia/ Chae Ki Won]

 

Q. I heard that you, more than your agency, insisted on doing “Padam Padam” which is how you first came to work with writer Noh Hee-kyung.

Kim : I came across its script by chance and more than anything, my character Kook-soo was so appealing. He was an angel, so I was curious to who would take on the role. Of course, I wanted to. And it happened because thankfully, she trusted [in me]. And I wasn’t alone in developing my character – it became possible through lots of discussions with writer Noh and director Kim Kyu-tae. Actor Jung Woo-sung too. I was very happy and learned a lot through that process.

 

Q. I think it must’ve been relatively easy to head into “That Winter.”

Kim : There was a limit to the amount of success “Padam Padam” was going to see because it was shown on a comprehensive programming channel but we were still happy. And I was as happy as anyone else. Afterwards, I was filming a movie in China when I heard about “That Winter.” And I was quietly hoping writer Noh and director Kim’s second collaboration would be successful when director Kim contacted me and asked me to join the drama. I decided on it immediately, with no hesitation. I’m thankful for the happy times they gave me again and for their trust in me. I’m just sad and sorry that I didn’t do better.

 

Q. Your character Jin-sung in “That Winter” was quite perfect. Very pure and kind-hearted. Someone that makes others smile. What was it like having to play such a character? I’m sure you had a lot of discussions regarding him as well with writer Noh.

Kim : That’s right. The good thing was that we had more time to spare than is the case for other dramas. That’s why I was able to take part in every single script reading. I wouldn’t have been able to interpret [my character] myself. The time I spent understanding Jin-sung’s emotions by talking to the other actors, writer Noh, and director Kim, were valuable. Like I mentioned before, Jin-sung was an unexpected gift.

 

Q. Have you ever met anyone as pure as Jin-sung?

Kim : A guy named Kook-soo (laughs).He was as pure as anyone could get because he was an angel.

 

Q. Our conversation keeps going back to the story of how you’ve grown as an actor. You’ve been complimented a lot by people around you, right?

Kim : I think it’s too early for me to say that I’ve improved. And even if I have, it’s a result of listening to the actors, writers and directors that shared my concerns. Both Kook-soo and Jin-sung had emotions that are hard to understand. For example, they were characters that may say, “Stay out of my sight” but actually meant “Please stay by my side” or say they want to die, but are actually dying to live.  

 

Korean Actor Kim Beom of “That Winter, The Wind Blows”

Korean actor Kim Beom during an interview with TenAsia. [TenAsia/ Chae Ki Won]

 

Q. You also ended up working with some of the most influential actors of your time including Jung Woo-sung, Zo In-sung and Song Hye-kyo. Was it different from working with other actors?

Kim : I felt the difference everyday, and learned everyday. I told myself that I want to become senior actors like them. I depended on them a lot on set and they helped me out emotionally. They were always considerate of me and gave me time for myself. For the last episode of “That Winter,” we all watched it together at a movie theater that we borrowed. The emotions to that episode were so sad. And not just the scenes I was in, but everybody’s. So I cried a lot. I then wanted to wrap things up with a smile so I pretended to have not cried when the lights came on but Zo, who’d been sitting next to me, gave me a hug and said, “Good job. You did well Jin-sung.” And that’s when my tears came flowing. I cried while hugging him and Song Hye-kyo ended up crying too.

 

Q. Then do you think you were a good senior to Jung Eunji?

Kim : It’s embarrassing to say that I’m her senior. We talked a lot because we’re similar ages and had similar concerns. She’s a hard worker and smart. So all I really did was to approach her with ease so that she wouldn’t be nervous when she acts.

 

Q. There was a lot of talk surrounding the ending to “That Winter.” What do you think of it?

Kim : Everybody has their own opinion and I don’t think it’s something you can declare right or wrong. Also, the actor’s job is to express what’s on the script. But I liked the ending because it was different for everyone and sort of trailed off rather than coming to a full stop. I think more people will talk about it for a long time because it didn’t come to a complete stop. I hope so.

 

Q. What’s your dream?

Kim : There’s something I said about four years ago after winning an award – that I’d become an actor that is not afraid of change and challenges. And that hasn’t changed. I personally would like to take all the precious people that’ve helped me as high as they can.

 

Q. What’s your future plan?

Kim : After “Padam Padam,” I did four projects in a year. Before that, it always felt like I consumed so much emotion but after working on “Padam Padam,” I don’t feel that way. I gain a lot of good energy instead. So I’d like to start working on a new project soon.

Reporter Bae Sun Young sypova@tenasia.co.kr
Photographer. Chae Ki Won
Editor. Jessica Kim

  • billiondollarbabe

    nice photos!~ he’s soooooo cute^^

  • NewKDramaAddict

    Solid love for this man and his acting!! The Gifted Hands/Psychometry is a MUST-SEE!

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