[Interview] The Most Brilliant Finale to a Long Journey Is Complete! 'Yumi's Cells 3' Kim Jae-won②

▶〈Yumi's Cells 3〉 actor Kim Jae-won interview continues from Part 1.

In this project, the chemistry with actress Kim Go-eun is very strong, and many viewers say it makes their hearts flutter. As the younger boyfriend Sun-rok on set, was there any particular point you focused on to build rapport with Yumi?

Once Sun-rok and Yumi became certain of each other, there were only two episodes left, so we had to capture everything compactly and clearly. I thought about how to convey Sun-rok's loving gaze, and I remember thinking, "Then I should really try loving Go-eun like that on set." I think I went that far. So I sometimes just looked at Go-eun with genuinely affectionate eyes. She was so lovely that it hardly felt difficult; I found her really cute. During filming she had a short haircut that reminded me so much of Ponyo, so out of fondness I even called her Ponyo while we shot.

〈Yumi's Cells〉 is the kind of work where you can't know how it will turn out before post-production. Was it unfamiliar to act imagining invisible entities like the cells?

I adapted gradually on set by asking the director questions. For example, when a cell seemed to contradict Sun-rok's feelings, the director asked that Sun-rok turn his head the other way — those kinds of details. On set I wondered what those choices meant, but when I watched the final broadcast it conveyed, "Sun-rok loves this woman so much that he turns away from his cells." Then I realized, "Oh, that's why the director gave that direction." On set the FD staff would read the cells' lines. They would hide under tables or behind pillars to read, and while they were pretty dry at the first shoot, after a month or two they started adding more emotion. The set atmosphere improved, and as a result our performances rose — it was a really enjoyable process. I remember ending up saying, "Do more, do more," and it was so much fun.

From veteran actress Shin Hye-sun in 〈Lady Dua〉 to Kim Go-eun in 〈Yumi's Cells 3〉, you've worked with many experienced actors. What have you learned from working with senior colleagues?

As a rookie, I was lucky to work with many veteran actors known for their skills. There were so many moments to learn by watching over their shoulders. I learned acting techniques, but I also picked up the attitude, mindset, and the heavy sense of responsibility a lead actor should carry on set. Through those experiences I learned that even if you're struggling, you shouldn't show it — because it's an ensemble, the lead should encourage and energize everyone. Up until now my roles were often brief and meant to make an impression and leave, but as a lead you have to consistently carry the tone and manner of the work, so it's important not to stand out too much or be too subdued in any single scene. I learned a lot about that.

From 〈King the Land〉 to 〈Lady Dua〉 and this project, you seem to have great chemistry with older co-stars. Do you have a personal secret to that?

I didn't set out to play younger men (laughs), but I'm still relatively young, so I naturally worked with older actors. I also started modeling in middle school and entered social life early, so I've been comfortable around older brothers and sisters since I was young. I'm actually the youngest in my family and a pretty affectionate person, so if I approach senior actors politely but with a bit of charm, they seem to like it. I tried to be respectful while soaking up whatever I could learn from them, and I remember the older actresses finding me rather endearing. That made things more comfortable, and since chemistry comes naturally from that ease, I think the results turned out well.

Your scenes with senior actor Choi Daniel were also striking. The scuffle with Choi Daniel, who played writer Kim Joo-ho, was really entertaining.

Actually, he's someone I'm very close to—like an older brother—and we even hang out on my days off; he has such a great personality and is very warm. But because our characters are opposed in the story, the hardest part was holding back laughter. The fight we had is kind of trivial, but viewers found it very cute. If I were the writer or director, I might have made that fight harsh and heavy, but I liked how they kept it light and even cheerful, which made it easier for viewers to watch. The point of the scene wasn't the fight itself; it was showing that Sun-rok, who normally wouldn't behave like that, confronted his boss and even scuffled for the woman he loves. So even though it's a fight, it still felt harmless in a way.

〈Yumi's Cells〉 is ultimately a story about learning to love oneself. After finishing this project, what message stayed with you?

After Sun-rok proposes to Yumi in episode 8, Yumi's narration says, "The reason love is always surprising is that no love is ever the same shape. So, Sun-rok is a different person. What sense is there in applying past experiences to a man whose value of love is completely different?" I think that is the show's biggest message. Because each person has different sizes, shapes, and depths of love, I hope people won't measure or limit love — just love freely. Humans can't leave out love, so we should love without regret. There are no fixed rules for love — that idea stuck with me. It also made me want to love the people around me a little more.

What is actor Kim Jae-won's "prime cell"? Do any cells feel particularly active or frozen these days?

I think my baseline is the "rational cell." When I work, I try not to let success make me float. I'm still lacking in many ways, but I try to keep my center, so people say I'm rational. As a person, though, I think my "love cell" is growing. Now that I'm someone who has to carry roles over the long haul with responsibility, I believe that loving the project, loving the staff, loving my teammates, and loving the roles I take on will make the output go from 100% to 200%. Also, the more I work, the more my love for my family grows. I have less time with them, and as I get busier, I realize how precious and not-at-all guaranteed a family's unconditional love is.

How about your "dance cell"? Recently, while MCing 〈Music Bank〉, a clip of you dancing to ILLIT's "It's Me" went viral.

I saw that video too, and honestly I didn't expect it to blow up. I didn't even know I'd be on that broadcast — I was just having a great time and danced, so I wonder if I should freeze my dance cell (laughs).

Since taking on 〈Music Bank〉 MC duties you try joint stages and record challenges — you keep trying new things both in acting and beyond. Why take on these new challenges?

I'm not naturally talented at dancing, so I worked twice as hard. Even when it wasn't a group rehearsal at the company practice room, I practiced separately. TMI, but I have a full-length mirror in my room where I practice a lot. I don't think I have huge natural gifts in dance or acting, but what I do have is the passion, drive, and work ethic of a rookie. So I keep trying dance and acting consistently; even if I'm not great yet, I push myself. I think I still have a long way to go in terms of acting, so I'll keep working until the day I can do it well — until I get close to that peak.

Do you feel the recent surge in popularity? Also, you're notable for checking in daily on the fan messaging app Bubble.

Between the number of subscribers on Bubble and the increasing number of fans who come to see me on my way to and from 〈Music Bank〉, I really feel the love. Honestly, when I see SNS comments, likes, and follower numbers go up, I feel glad that Sun-rok is receiving so much love. People ask, "Why work so hard on Bubble?" For me, I can say clearly that loving someone unconditionally is really difficult. Putting myself in fans' shoes, I wondered, "Could I support and love someone like Kim Jae-won unconditionally?" and I wasn't sure. It requires real courage and resolve. I thought about how I could reciprocate, and I hoped that checking in and sharing daily life with fans every single day might be a small comfort and support to them. I'm not doing it out of obligation — I truly enjoy it. So even when I'm busy, the first thing I do after getting in the car post-shoot is open Bubble and send messages. It has become a habit. I love that the bond with fans deepens, and I keep doing it to repay their love.

In works like 〈Eunjung and Sangyeon〉 you played a transgender role, and in 〈Lady Dua〉 you played a host at a host bar — you've taken on bold roles compared to peers. What is your criterion for choosing projects?

I'm still a rookie with a long road ahead, but like Sun-rok, if you ask my fundamental principle in life, it's "do your best at every moment." I try to apply that to choosing projects. My top priority is showing sides of myself I haven't shown before — that's why I became an actor. I'm drawn to the fact that acting allows me to live many different lives, and to keep feeling that attraction, I need to keep taking on new roles and reinventing myself through them. The thrill of shaping each vivid character differently is enormous. I'll continue selecting projects that allow me to do that.

Like Sun-rok's single-minded drive, where is Kim Jae-won's single-minded path headed?

Since "doing my best" is my guiding principle, I'll keep moving down that path. I want to remain someone who keeps the rookie attitude even after 10 or 20 years. I want to be an actor who consistently feels gratitude for this profession.

You experienced starring in 〈Yumi's Cells 3〉 and will continue to lead upcoming projects. What mindset will you bring to those roles?

I hope to be someone who feels the weight of responsibility for those projects. I think that explains everything. If you have a deep sense of responsibility for a project, you'll have the passion to act well, and your attitude on set will match that. I want to be someone who understands how precious and heavy responsibility is. That should help me remain humble.

Then, what kind of image would you like to show next?

What I really want is to show a face I've never shown before. I want Kim Jae-won to be someone people say, "He always takes on something new, so I'm excited to see his next project." As a rookie, I have so many things I want to try: action, a proper historical drama again, and film — I also shot my next project, a film, with no regrets. I want to remain unafraid of challenges.

Cineplay reporter Kim Ji-yeon