[Interview] 'Genre Only Romance' Kim Heewon "Honestly, Everything's Annoying, Variety Shows Rely on the Power of Editing" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "I really dislike camping. Being outside all day is exhausting. But surprisingly, many people enjoy the variety shows. If I didn’t want to do it, I would have refused, but I was half dragged into it."

His candid wit remained unchanged. Actor Kim Heewon, who is experiencing a second heyday through variety shows and films, spoke calmly. Known as the 'Bulletproof Glass Mister,' he has diligently worked for 11 years and has risen as a 'romance actor' and a 'variety show blue chip.'

In an interview on the morning of the 12th for the film Genre Only Romance (directed by Jo Eunji), Kim said, "Before I get any older, I want to challenge myself with a classic romance like You Are My Destiny (2005)."

Opening on the 17th, Genre Only Romance is a film depicting the variety-filled private life of a bestselling author whose work and life become tangled after meeting people involved in an unusual romance.

Actor-turned-director Jo Eunji is drawing attention with her first feature film following her special jury prize at the 16th Mise-en-sc?ne Short Film Festival for her short film 2 Nights 3 Days.

On this day, Kim Heewon said, "I acted opposite director Jo Eunji before. While working together, she asked me, 'Are all your lines finished?' because I didn’t deliver them as written, which surprised her. Although it was our first meeting, I realized our thoughts on acting were similar. A few years later, she contacted me to meet again, and I thought, 'Maybe it’s because of that.'"

In the film, Kim plays Sunmo, a close friend of Hyun (played by Ryu Seungryong), a bestselling author who has been in a slump for seven years and is the CEO of the publishing company Open Mind.

Recalling his first impression of the script as feeling like a 'French art film,' he said, "It didn’t feel comedic at all. It was heavy but witty, which was unique. Director Jo Eunji said she would make it very bright, so I trusted her. I wanted to do a classic romance, but I thought, 'Ah, I should do it,'" he said with a witty smile.

He added, "Before I get any older, I want to challenge myself with classic romance, but no one offers me such roles. I want to try works like You Are My Destiny starring Jeon Do-yeon and Hwang Jung-min, or intense romance within action films."

Sunmo, played by Kim Heewon, is secretly dating Mi-ae (played by Oh Nara), Hyun’s ex-wife, played by Ryu Seungryong. Sunmo and Mi-ae meet secretly, hiding their relationship from their friends and ex-husband, sharing sweet moments.

In reality, Kim said it would be impossible for him to date secretly without friends knowing. He said, "Sunmo can do it, but I can’t. If I were in that situation, I would tell my friends everything, and if they said no, I wouldn’t meet. If it got out later, it would be a huge mess. I wouldn’t be able to handle it if everyone left. Both are precious to me."

About his close friend and co-star Ryu Seungryong, Kim praised, "He often makes 'dad jokes,' but they have depth. Having acted for over 30 years, I feel he is an actor with many realizations. He is very family-oriented and broad-minded."

He continued, "Maybe because good people made it, the film came out warm. Director Jo Eunji is the type who can’t say a harsh word to others and is very considerate. Since all the actors are kind, maybe that’s why the film turned out that way. I was glad to work with such good people."

Kim Heewon has many faces. From the intense impression as Manseok in the film The Man from Nowhere (2010), known as the 'Bulletproof Glass Mister,' to his down-to-earth persona on the tvN variety show House on Wheels, and the delicate, timid, and cute Sunmo in Genre Only Romance. When asked which face he liked best, he said:

"I don’t like the bad role in The Man from Nowhere. (laughs) Actually, I don’t think the House on Wheels version is my true self either. I’m always annoyed. I don’t say it, but I’m always irritated. There aren’t many joyful things, and I find things bothersome. Honestly, that’s about 90% of who I am, and the rest is misunderstanding. Haha. I don’t really know about being down-to-earth either. The production team edited it well, so I think that’s how it came across."

Then Kim Heewon added with his honest wit, "If I said everything I feel inside, I’d lose my livelihood. Honestly, these days, there’s nothing happy, and I’m annoyed and bothered."

The variety show House on Wheels, which started in June 2020, is now in its third season and going strong. Kim Heewon, a regular cast member alongside actor Sung Dong-il, laughed, "I thought I’d do it once and be done."

"Honestly, I really dislike camping. Being outside all day is tiring, right? I’m happy when the wind is blocked and the ground is flat. I don’t think variety shows suit me well, but thanks to the audience, we’ve made it to season 3. Honestly, I was half dragged into it. Haha."

I remember the first time I sat down for an interview with Kim Heewon. I was worried because of his strong impression in his works, but I was surprised by his delicate demeanor, almost like an older sister.

He said, "In reality, I have a delicate personality. I have an elementary school kid’s taste and can’t stand messiness. I think about what was said all day or wonder how the people I met that day felt at night, thinking, 'Why am I such a fool?'"

However, Kim said he is different when it comes to dating: "I get angry at myself for crying, so I try not to cry. I’m honest. I can’t be completely honest, but I try not to deceive the other person."

Kim Heewon hopes Genre Only Romance will open the door to the 'With Corona' era. He said, "I watched a movie at a vaccination center yesterday, and I could even eat popcorn. I hope everyone follows the quarantine guidelines well while watching movies. If no one who watched our film tests positive afterward, wouldn’t that make theaters feel safe? I hope our film can be that. The domestic film market is all but dead, so I hope it gets better."

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This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.