Kim Min-gue recently returned from mandatory military duty in South Korea.fans anticipating his return to the screen will be pleased to know he has a film completed before his service, likely to be released before his December 25th birthday – a surprise holiday gift.
In November, the actor, known for k-dramas Business Proposal, The Heavenly Idol, Backstreet Rookie, snowdrop, and Queen: Love and War, made his first trip to the U.S., starting with a promotional event at The Skyview mall in Flushing, Queens.
“As I was little I’ve always wanted to visit New York City,” kim said at the event’s press conference. “Now I not only have an opportunity to visit, but a chance to meet U.S fans,so I am a little nervous and excited.”
The November 11 event celebrated Singles Day, originating in China and also observed in South Korea as Pepero Day, where people exchange Pepero chocolate-covered biscuit sticks symbolizing the date (11/11).
Kim Min-gue on Acting, K-Dramas, and Discovering Himself Through Roles
Table of Contents
Kim Min-gue, a South Korean actor gaining international recognition through popular dramas like Business Proposal and Heavenly Idol, is focused on deepening his craft and understanding himself through the characters he portrays. In a recent interview, Kim discussed his approach to acting, his experience with singing, and his surprise at the global surge in popularity of Korean dramas.
From Unwilling Idol to Dimensional Priest
Kim recently starred in Heavenly Idol (Viki.com), where he played a k-pop idol possessed by a priest from another dimension. The role allowed him to showcase a previously less-explored talent: singing.While he possesses a “lovely voice,” Kim emphasizes that acting remains his primary focus.
“I don’t see myself as a very good singer,” he stated. “but rather as an actor. My main focus is acting. If I get a project, I study the character and put all my time and effort into explaining the character in the situation. So there’s really no time to practice singing. I want to focus on acting, but if a good opportunity comes along, I will try it.”
The Actor’s Journey of Self-Finding
Kim believes that each role he undertakes contributes to a deeper understanding of himself. He finds that embodying different characters reveals both strengths and weaknesses.
“As I act more and more I begin to understand myself better,” Kim explained. “I realize, oh, I’m not that good at this kind of moment or I’m really strong at this kind of moment. I know myself better and better. When I play different characters I discover myself,pro and con,good side and bad side as well.”
His process begins with identifying points of connection between himself and the character. “Whenever I study a character, I always find some similarity between the character and myself.” This allows him to build a nuanced and relatable performance.
The Global K-Drama Phenomenon
A dozen years into his career,Kim has witnessed a dramatic shift in the international perception of Korean dramas. He initially doubted their potential for widespread global appeal.
“I didn’t expect that k-dramas would be so popular internationally because I thought that Korean dramas were focused on Korean emotions and that being in the Korean language would limit the appeal,” he said. “I didn’t expect k-dramas would go viral around the world. Now,whenever I see projects from other countries and k-dramas,they seem to inspire each other and learn from each other.” This cross-cultural exchange is a testament to the universal themes explored within Korean storytelling.
Where to Watch Kim Min-gue’s Work
Fans can currently enjoy Kim Min-gue’s performances in Business Proposal (Netflix) and Heavenly Idol (Viki.com).
Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.