Kim Ji Hoon opened up about working with Kim Hye Soo for the first time and filming a revealing scene for Coupang Play’s The Affair Was Just the Beginning.
In an interview on August 13th, Kim admitted he initially felt pressure acting opposite the veteran star.
“I was nervous. Kim Hye Soo’s been in this industry much longer than me, and she has this level of experience and aura that’s hard to approach,” he said. “With Yeo Jeong, we’ve already been married twice — in dramas — so I thought I’d be able to act comfortably with her.”
But with Kim Hye Soo, he said he set himself a clear goal.
“I wanted us to have good chemistry, and I wanted her to earn her approval,” he said. “So I prepared really hard going into the project.”
Asked whether he ultimately achieved his goal, Kim replied, “Thankfully, I think I did.”
He described Kim Hye Soo as someone who is very open about what she likes and dislikes, adding that she began complimenting him more as filming went on.
“When she likes something, she really tells you she likes it,” he said. “Eventually, getting praised by her every day became something that gave me energy.”
Kim also said he learned a great deal from his co-star, particularly from how demanding she remains of herself despite her long career.
“She’s been acting for so long and has stayed at the top for years, but she’s incredibly humble about herself,” he said. “It’s not performative humility. She’s extremely critical of herself and constantly pushes herself.”
Kim also addressed a revealing scene in the series, explaining that it was not originally planned.
“It wasn’t like a full nude scene, but it came about after we discussed it while rehearsing on set,” he said. “Luckily, I work out consistently, so my body was already in good shape.”
He added that unlike actors whose appearance changes dramatically depending on whether they are preparing for a role, he prefers to maintain roughly the same condition year-round.
“I actually like how I look before I get paid for a project,” he joked. “I enjoy being in this condition, so I keep working out even when I’m not filming. I’m not nearly as strict with my diet as people might think.”
The Affair Was Just the Beginning is an eight-episode series, with four episodes currently available. New episodes are released Fridays at 8 PM KST on Coupang Play.
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