Model-turned-actor talks about his adventure to TV screen
Fashion model Kanghui poses in the advertisement for "SUPERCOMMA B" / Courtesy of YG KPLUS
By Kim Jae-heun
With Korean drama enjoying its biggest ever popularity globally, more young Koreans seriously consider acting as their future career. Aspiring actors outnumber the limited dream spots available and it is almost like getting blood out of stone to become the “one percent.” Those who make it, though, make it look easy to achieve.
Twenty-six-year-old actor Kanghui thought the same thing.
He was one of the promising fashion models who debuted seven years ago through highly regarded Korean designer Jang Kwang-hyo’s “Caruso” runway. Popular actors like Hyun Bin and Lee Jong-seok made their first appearances on the fashion scene through Jang’s collection show and turned to successful acting careers.
Becoming an actor has been Kanghui’s primary goal since he joined the drama club in high school where he first portrayed the role of a restaurant server on the stage. He remembers the thrilling and exciting experience that led him to think perhaps he wanted to act in front of people.
Standing 187 centimeters tall and weighing 68 kilograms at age of 18, Kanghui decided to take the indirect route in stepping closer to his goal.
His innate physique helped Kangui debut as a fashion model and hold on to his dream as an actor after he accomplished some success in the field.
“I am not a born model with great talent but my tall height helped me walk on fashion runways and my gentle look got me a number of commercials on television and in magazines,” said Kanghui during the interview with The Korea Times at the YG Kplus building in Gangnam, Seoul, Friday.
“My career as a fashion model has always been a joy and I have been able to share my energy with people who support and love me. I left many of my memories in pictures and on video clips.”
Fashion model Kanghui walks on the runway for designer brand "Kwak Hyun Joo Collection" / Courtesy of YG KPLUS
Kanghui participated in Seoul Fashion Week for five years until he joined the army, appearing in top designer brands’ catwalks like Juun.J, Kimseoryong Homme, Resurrection and Kwak Hyun Joo. Seoul Fashion Week is the country’s biggest fashion event casting only top models for the runway.
After the fashion model got discharged from his two year military stint in 2015, he began to prepare for his second life as an actor.
He debuted on a Chinese-Korean joint TV drama “Thumping Spike” on Sohu TV along with actor Song Jae-rim, which garnered 50 million views online. The 20-episode soap opera received positive reviews and went into production for its second season, in which Kanghui was cast again for an extended role.
“It was my first audition and I totally enjoyed it. The series is about a volleyball team and I learned how to play the game. The director was friendly and I became good friends with the other actors who starred with me on the small screen,” said Kanghui.
Fashion model-turned-actor Kangui in the Chinese-Korean join TV drama "Thumping Spike" / Courtesy of YG KPLUS
His start was big but the rookie actor realized the reality was challenging.
After he finished his first soap opera, he had to wait a month until he received his next opportunity for a role. Kanghui was offered an audition for several productions but it was not as easy for him to grasp these chances as he thought.
“I learned that you have to get yourself ready to show your best at anytime. Your character and appearance comes next for rookie actors. But the most important thing is that you should be confident in your acting and not lose your confidence in front of directors or other senior actors,” said Kanghui.
The rookie added that he needs to work on as many pieces as possible _ be it big roles or small ones.
“Top stars take breaks between films or soap operas to take enough time and carefully choose their next piece. But for me, when I haven’t been cast for over a month, I feel anxious and empty,” said Kanghui.
The actor reads scripts and rehearses them and consistently puts himself in the shooting scene to portray the role in his mind during his breaks. He records his voice and checks his facial expressions in the mirror everyday to improve what he lacks.
“It’s good to become an actor who plays stylish characters, but I want to portray roles that many people can relate to. I prefer plain characters of daily life to a flamboyant one in the fantasy world.
Popular actor Cha Seung-won is the rookie’s role model he hopes to become like one day.
“He is also a fashion model-turned-actor. I respect him because he keeps his position at the top and is a good example for junior actors like me. This is hard to do,” Kanghui said.