Latest news with #ItaewonClass'
Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Kim Da-mi says she wants characters to eclipse her own persona
'The Witch,' 'Itaewon Class' star discusses her quirky detective role in 'Nine Puzzles' When it comes to actors, there are generally two types: those whose names come to mind first, and those whose performances lead you to recall their characters before the actor behind them. Kim Da-mi belongs in the latter category. Her role in the action-thriller "The Witch" (2018) as a remorseless killer, followed by her turn as a sociopathic genius in "Itaewon Class" (2020), established her as a chameleon-like actor whose characters overshadow her own identity. Her latest role in "Nine Puzzles", where she plays Yi-na, a quirky genius profiler with memory issues, continues that trend. Once again, Kim vanishes into the part, assuming a character that feels lived-in. Speaking about her portrayal of Yi-na, whom viewers compared to the popular Japanese anime character Detective Conan, Kim admitted she was initially concerned about how the audience would perceive such a unique character. 'All the other characters are calm and grounded, but Yi-na has a higher-pitched tone and feels childlike, so I had a lot of concerns in the beginning,' she said, during a press roundtable held in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Thursday. She added, 'She's the most cartoonish among the characters, but that's what makes her unique and charming.' To heighten that animated quality, Kim was meticulous about the character's styling. 'I added a tie as a style point, and I changed her nail colors and earrings every day,' she said. 'I even tried wearing glasses during profiling scenes. It gave off a comic book character vibe. Both the director and I felt it really captured the detective feel we were going for.' As for Yi-na's internal world, Kim offered a more nuanced take. 'She loves people more than anyone, but she puts up thorns to protect herself from getting hurt,' she explained. 'I don't think of her as a sociopath.' Despite frequently playing emotionally complex or even sociopathic roles, Kim described herself as far removed from those personas. 'Personally, I'm actually quite introverted,' she revealed. 'When I did 'Itaewon Class' early on, it was really difficult because the character was so different from who I am. I struggled a lot with that. But I wanted to challenge myself, so I thought, 'Let's try it. Let's learn and give it a shot.'' Kim is also clear about the kind of presence she wants to cultivate in the industry — one where she is remembered for her characters, not for herself. 'To be honest, I'm actually quite introverted and not very good at speaking, but I think there's something I always keep in mind. I'd rather have the character come through more than myself. Since acting is the one thing I can show properly, I want the audience to see the character, not me. I don't think there's really anything I want people to know about me personally. If anything, I hope they don't focus too much on the human side of me.'
New Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Actor Park Seo-joon's donation provides life-saving surgery for boy with brain tumour
SEOUL: South Korean actor Park Seo-joon recently shared a heartwarming story on his Instagram Story, revealing how his donation helped a young boy receive life-saving surgery for a brain tumour. The 36-year-old K-drama star posted a photo of a handwritten letter from the boy's family, expressing their gratitude for his support, which enabled their son to undergo a successful stem-cell transplant. In their letter, the family recounted their devastation upon learning of the boy's brain tumor diagnosis in January of last year. "Terms like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, along with the overwhelming treatment costs, left us feeling helpless both mentally and financially," they wrote. "We are now beginning to feel hopeful, having completed his first stem-cell surgery." The family shared that their son was astonished to learn that a celebrity had sponsored his surgery. "Our child expressed his desire to meet you in person after his recovery and hopes to become famous so that he, too, can help others," the family wrote. "For the first time in a long while, it brought a smile to our faces." Park, known for his roles in popular dramas such as 'What's Wrong With Secretary Kim' (2018), 'Itaewon Class' (2020), and 'Gyeongseong Creature' (2023-2024), also made his Hollywood debut in the 2023 film 'The Marvels.' Expressing their deep appreciation, the family added, "Mr. Park's invaluable support has given our family hope and courage. We aspire, along with our child, to become a family that extends help to others." In response, Park shared the letter on his Instagram, reiterating his commitment to "live well" and expressing his hope to meet the boy after his recovery. He also shared a separate letter from Samsung Medical Centre, confirming that a patient had recently been able to undergo surgery thanks to his donation. This act of generosity is not an isolated incident for Park Seo-joon. In 2020, he donated 100 million won (RM302,600) to aid victims of floods in South Korea, and in 2023, he donated the same amount to earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria.
