Ahn Bo-hyun: 'My comfort food is samgyeopsal and soju, but best pairing is people'
Actor Ahn Bo-hyun / Courtesy of Singles
Actor Ahn Bo-hyun, known for his refined image, showcased his diverse charms and new facets in a photoshoot unveiled by lifestyle magazine Singles, intriguing fans with revelations about his "unexpected taste."
Having taken on various characters throughout his career, Ahn revealed his criteria for choosing projects.
"As an actor, I have a strong desire to show different sides through characters rather than revealing who I am," Ahn said. "After 'Itaewon Class,' I received many villain roles, but I wanted to showcase a completely different image, so I chose 'Yumi's Cells.' I consider these factors when selecting projects."
He expressed his enthusiasm and ambition for his work, "I want to explore genre-specific curiosities and new types of projects, like superhero films or series like 'Moving.'"
Apart from his solid acting career, Ahn enjoys his unique lifestyle and is also known as an "old car" enthusiast.
Reflecting on his passion, he said, "When you replace a part in a car and it immediately improves, it's so gratifying. I have fond memories of trembling hands while changing a part costing 110,000 won ($80) during times when I didn't earn much, which deepened my affection for old cars."
Ahn, who enjoys traveling with his old bike and car, said, "There's a sense of freedom and liberation that comes with it. Though going out is often a series of hard work, it brings many experiences. Even cooking and eating instant noodles outdoors after a hard day feels much more delicious and enjoyable."
Actor Ahn Bo-hyun / Courtesy of Singles
Enjoying drinks and daily pairings
The actor is also a food enthusiast and mentioned a favorite restaurant that gained popularity after being featured in tvN's popular variety show "Kong Kong Pat Pat."
"I discovered it by exploring on foot, and it became a hit. I prefer places with character, like street stalls or those run by elderly people. When I first passed by, an elderly lady speaking in a northern dialect left a warm impression on me," Ahn said. "I would bring friends there and even visit when shooting nearby. They still warmly welcome me whenever I visit."
He has captivated audiences with his versatile talents and down-to-earth personality, showing that there's much more to him than meets the eye.
Although not a frequent drinker, Ahn shared his thoughts on daily pairings when asked. "It keeps changing, but lately, my classic comfort food has been samgyeopsal (three layer pork belly) with soju. However, I think the best pairing is with people. The combination of good food and drink matters most when shared with someone," he said with a smile.
When asked if he rewards himself after the effort of fasting to present his best condition for a body-revealing photoshoot, Ahn replied, "I have an evening planned with tuna, soju and 14 years of aged friendship," ending the interview with a smile.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.