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Interview: Actor Kim Soo-hyun relaxes into his ‘Producers’ role

By Rumy Doo

  • Published : May 11, 2015 - 18:30
  • Updated : May 11, 2015 - 18:30

Actor Kim Soo-hyun will return to the small screen on Friday as Baek Seung-chan, the endearingly clueless rookie producer, in the new KBS drama “The Producers.” Kim met journalists in a press conference in Seoul on Monday and answered some questions on his role. The following is an abridged version of his answers:

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(Yonhap)

Q) What was the reason for choosing this role, which is very different from the one you previously played in “My Love from the Star”?

A) I chose this role because I wanted to just let loose and play a goofy character. I wanted to show audiences a more relaxed side.

Q) Your character seems very wide-eyed and awkward, based on “The Producers” teasers that have been released. Was that done on purpose?

A) Wide-eyed? Really? Did my eyes open up that wide? I don’t know how that would be possible. (Laughs) Well, I didn’t consciously try to widen my eyes. ... I just imagined (Baek) as this new employee, and because he is very inexperienced and doesn’t know much, he takes everything very seriously. Like any rookie would. Everything is daunting to him. For example, if (his superior) asks him to make some coffee, he thinks to himself, “What am I going to do? How can I handle that?”

Q) You were able to gain explosive popularity in China and other Asian countries, and rise to international stardom after your last drama, “My Love from the Star.” Did this put pressure on you in working on this new project?

A) I try not to put pressure on myself. As I said earlier, I tried to let loose and relax in this drama. Of course, that doesn’t mean I didn’t work hard. As usual, I practiced and rehearsed and worked hard, and I really hope (the show) is a success. But I try not to pay too much attention to ratings and things like that.

The thing I’m most focused on is letting the audience relate to my character. Everyone at one point in their lives was a rookie in some area, so I would like people to relate to that experience. If I’m able to portray that well, then I think the show will be a natural success in terms of popularity.

Q) What particular efforts did you make in order to portray the “rookie” character?

A) The best and most perfect guide is always the script. So I tried to be honest to the script and express that in earnest. If you see rookies, they try so hard to not be clueless, but they’re completely clueless. But they’re really, earnestly trying not to be clueless. I tried to show that.

Sometimes, I feel frustrated at my own character. There’s a scene where Tak Ye-jin (Gong Hyo-jin) and Cindy (IU) clash at work, and it’s a serious situation. But at that moment, Seung-chan suddenly says to Cindy, “You are really pretty.” (Laughs) If I were Ye-jin, I think I would have wanted to hit him.

I also learned that so much hard work happens behind the scenes. The hidden efforts of the production crew... I hope that comes through in our show.

Anyway, my biggest goal is for audiences to relate to my character and feel close to him.

By Rumy Doo (bigbird@heraldcorp.com)