Exclusive: Ahn Hyo-seop on KPop Demon Hunters, Jinu's sacrifice, Jungkook's reaction

India Today

2 days ago

There are heartthrobs, and then there's Jinu, a demon idol with a ridiculously handsome face and nonchalant gaze, a bipa-playing musical genius, and now, the animated character who's left fans (several K-pop idols including BTS's Jungkook) in tears. At the heart of it all? Ahn Hyo-seop, who lends his voice to the breakout character in KPop Demon Hunters, the record-breaking animated musical that has taken the world, and Netflix, by storm.advertisementDirected by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the animated K-pop-meets-action spectacle has become the most-watched animated film in Netflix history, clocking over 106 million views and counting. And frontlining this phenomenon is Jinu, a fictional idol (part of fictional group Saja Boys) whose voice is brought to aching life by Ahn Hyo-seop in his first-ever voice acting role.
'When I first received the script, I was really drawn to Jinu's layered emotions,' Ahn begins, reflecting on what pulled him, in an exclusive chat with India Today. He adds, 'He's a fascinating character who carries pain on the inside while shining on the outside, with both his past and present coexisting. The world of KPop Demon Hunters was also incredibly intriguing. I had faith in the production team, and the project felt fresh with its unique blend of music, emotion, and action. I'm very thankful to hear that the film is receiving so much love globally, and since it was also my first time trying voice acting, it became a very meaningful experience for me.'For fans used to seeing him command the screen in dramas like Business Proposal, this was a shift, not just in format but in artistic vocabulary. Without his signature gaze or expressive presence, Ahn had to reimagine performance. 'Every part of it was a challenge for me. Conveying Jinu's emotions using only my voice was a big task,' he admits. 'In live-action acting, I usually rely a lot on eye contact and facial expressions, but this time I had to strip all of that away and show his inner world only through my voice.' He shares, 'In previous roles, I used a lighter, more conversational tone, but here I had to really think about how to capture Jinu's pain, sense of responsibility, and sacrifice. I felt like the texture of my acting had to change, and I think that shift came through in the voice. Also, I was in Korea while the production team was working from the US, so I imagine it was challenging for them too, but thanks to the directors' support and understanding, it became a very enjoyable process.'
Ahn Hyo-seop recording for KPop Demon Hunters in a studio. Credits: Netflix/ Sony Pictures
That depth, both emotional and technical, shows. If one can remember, during a Weverse Live, BTS' Jungkook became emotional watching Jinu's final decision, even wishing aloud that the character had chosen a different path. The Business Proposal actor reacts to it. 'When Jinu said, 'you gave me my soul back,' it felt like everything he truly felt and wanted to say came through in that one moment,' he says. 'I got emotional too. It's also something I've wanted to say to my fans. That line carries such a deep longing for meaning and identity, which really moved me. It was heartbreaking, but it felt like the most Jinu thing he could have done. I'm grateful that so many people, including Jungkook, connected with him and felt his story.'
Jungkook of BTS tearing up watching the climax scene of KPop Demon Hunters. Credits: Weverse
advertisementThere's a reason Jinu feels so real. In many ways, he mirrors Ahn himself, he claims. 'I've always loved music, and I've expressed that love through fan meetings and performances. Music has been a way for me to communicate stories and messages I want to share, and I think those experiences helped a lot,' he says. 'The emotions I've felt on stage, the connection with fans, and the sense of responsibility, I believe Jinu would have felt all of that too. Even though his emotions are complicated, I think that nonchalant energy he gives off might be a little bit like me in real life.'
Ahn Hyo-seop performed Free cover. Credits: AHS IG
One such musical moment that took the internet by storm? The actor's soul-stirring cover of Free from the film's OST. Fans couldn't stop replaying it, and for Hyo-seop, the song struck a personal chord. ''Free.' When I first heard it, I felt that it really reflected Jinu's emotions. He's someone who isn't truly free from anything, but in the end, he chooses to let go of himself for someone else. I thought the song captured that part of his journey so well,' he says. 'As many fans around the world already know, all of the songs are great, so it's hard to choose just one. I've seen fans reinterpret the bipa scenes in such creative ways, and the Soda Pop parodies always make me smile. And when I listen to Golden, it really stirs up something inside me.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@imhyoseop)advertisementBut beyond music and mythology, K-Pop Demon Hunters explores something far more personal, the demons we carry within. 'I really relate to that message. Sometimes it's not the world around us but our own thoughts and emotions that feel like the biggest obstacles,' Ahn reflects. 'For me, I don't try to force those feelings away. I try to acknowledge and accept them as they are. I think Jinu might have been someone who needed saving too. Facing his own darkness and choosing to throw himself in for someone else, that kind of courage comes from true strength.'advertisementThere's also vulnerability in Jinu, something that fans around the world have picked up on. And while he's undeniably swoon-worthy, Hyo-seop says there's more than meets the eye. 'To be honest, I think Jinu is pretty cool too,' he smiles. 'He's a character with many layers. He's a demon, and also an idol on stage, but behind that, he carries years of loneliness, pain, and responsibility. I wanted to approach him not just as someone who looks good, but as someone with a deep emotional void. I think everyone has their own reason for liking Jinu, and I'm just incredibly grateful for all the love he's received.' The love isn't limited to South Korea. Ahn Hyo-seop has a massive fanbase in India, and he's ready to cross borders. 'India is definitely a place I really want to visit. When I first started this film, I thought, 'I want to reach out to fans who are far away first.' I really hope I can meet everyone in India someday. Thank you again so much,' he says, with heartfelt sincerity.'To me, KPop Demon Hunters is not just an action fantasy. It's a story about the emptiness inside us, our darkness, and ultimately, love. At the centre of everything I do, I try to deliver this message: no one is perfect, and that's exactly why we need each other. I gain a lot of energy and inspiration from my fans. I believe the reason I can keep going as an actor is because of the people who support and watch me.'And then, in a beautiful coda, Ahn shares a word that sums up both Jinu and himself. 'There's a word in Korean, areumdapda, which means beautiful, but it can also be interpreted as 'being true to yourself.' I think of this project as a gift to those who quietly support me from somewhere out there. Through Jinu, I hope people can find the courage to accept themselves and move forward in a better direction.'Jinu may be animated, but the emotions are as real as they come. And with Ahn Hyo-seop at the mic, KPop Demon Hunters isn't just a record-breaking global hit, it's a reminder that even in fantasy, honesty wins. The film is available on Netflix.- Ends