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India Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Exclusive: Ahn Hyo-seop on KPop Demon Hunters, Jinu's sacrifice, Jungkook's reaction
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 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
Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ahn Hyo Seop reveals how ‘senior' Lee Min Ho treated him on Omniscient Reader set: ‘I've admired him for years, he made me feel…'
K-drama star Ahn Hyo Seop recently sat down for an interview in Seoul to talk about his upcoming film Omniscient Reader: The Prophet. Directed by Kim Byung Woo and backed by a massive 30 billion won budget, the film boasts a star-studded cast, including Lee Min Ho, BLACKPINK's Jisoo, Nana, Chae Soo Bin, and more. Based on a wildly popular web novel that ran for over a decade and built a global fanbase, it was first adapted into a webtoon before making its way to the big screen. During the chat at a café in Palpan-dong, the Business Proposal star opened up about what it felt like to work with Lee Min Ho, someone he's looked up to since childhood. The Doctor Romantic star said working with Lee Min Ho felt 'comfortable.' Drawing a parallel to his on-screen character, Ahn said it was similar to how Kim Dok Ja sees Yoo Jung Hyuk (played by Lee Min Ho) as a legend in the novel—he used to see the Heirs star that way in real life too. 'He's maintained his position as a top star for so long that when I was younger, he was a celebrity to me,' Ahn shared. That connection helped him slip into the role. He added that the moment he saw the movie poster, it all suddenly felt surreal. He'd watched Lee's dramas back when he lived in Canada, and now here they were, working side by side. 'Isn't it fascinating? When someone you've only seen in the media is suddenly in front of you, it hits you. In that sense, there was no sense of distance with Yoo Jung Hyuk. I just felt comfortable on set.' Also read: Lee Min Ho admits he 'could fall any moment,' says problems arise from personal desires, pins all hope on Omniscient Reader Ahn also admitted he may have been a little starstruck seeing Lee Min Ho right there next to him. 'I've liked my senior's work since I was in Canada. It felt nostalgic. During the shoot, there wasn't much time to reflect on that,' he said with a smile. What made it easier was Lee Min Ho himself, keeping it casual, asking things like, 'Have you eaten?' That broke the ice. 'I think we became friends right away.' Speaking about the rest of the cast, the 30-year-old said everyone knew 'how to shine without stepping on each other's toes.' Everyone had their own moment, and there was no competition for the spotlight. It felt like a well-balanced team. Also read: Blue Dragon Series Awards 2025 full winners list: IU, TXT's Yeonjun, Kian84, Hyeri, and more win big at the 4th edition Since the movie is adapted from a wildly popular webtoon, fan expectations are through the roof. But Ahn, during the interview, said he's unbothered. He admitted he never read the entire novel but did enough homework to understand the role. Instead of lifting the character straight off the page, he used the book as a reference point and built his own version of Kim Dok-ja off the script. On fans worrying the live adaptation might not hit the mark, Ahn said, 'This is the face I was born with. What can I do? The director cast me for a reason. My job was just to act the role well.' He didn't deny the pressure, after all, a 30 billion won budget is no small thing, but said that's out of his hands. All he could do was show up and give it everything on set. In the story, the fictional world of a novel becomes real. And there's only one reader who knows the full story from beginning to end, Kim Dok Ja. Now that the world is falling apart, he has to survive alongside the novel's original main character, Yoo Jung-hyuk, played by Lee Min Ho and others.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Omniscient Reader': Ahn Hyo Seop delves into losing weight for role, calls action scenes 'draining' - Deets inside!
' Omniscient Reader: The Prophet ' has lately become the talk of the town. Recently, one of the lead actors of the film, Ahn Hyo Seop , who lent his voice in the movie 'Kpop Demon Hunters', opened up about his ordeals encountered during the shoot. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From losing weight to 'draining' action scenes , the actor revealed behind-the-scenes anecdotes and more about the upcoming film . Hyo Seop talks losing weight for 'Omniscient Reader' and other struggles During a press release which was held on July 17 in Jongno, Seoul, the actor, along with his co-stars, sat down and delved into all that went down behind the camera. As per Hankook Ilbo reports, the actor delved into what struggles he had to face during the filming of the movie, and how due to the 'physically demanding' stunts and action scenes, he ended up undergoing a major weight loss transformation . He shared, 'I was running non-stop, sometimes while carrying a child, sometimes suspended on wires, swinging swords at imaginary creatures. By the end, I had lost six or seven kilograms." The 'Business Proposal' star felt that the depiction of saving a dying world on screen was both "physically draining" and "mentally exhausting". Hyo Seop talks about why he joined the cast of 'Omniscient Reader' The actor also shared that he was intrigued by the concept of the film, and also wanted to know how everything that was detailed in the script would be filmed. Citing this as one of the reasons for joining the cast, the actor also shared that his character was something that helped him in making the choice. He shared, 'What I liked about Dok Ja was his ordinariness. My previous characters have either been larger-than-life or deeply flawed, but Dok Ja isn't extreme in either way'. He also expressed his gratitude towards the team and shared how he doesn't regret joining the project, no matter what has happened. About 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' is all set to be released in theatres around you on July 23. Directed by Byung Woo Kim, the film also stars , Kim , Im Jin Ah, Chae Soo Bin, among others.
Pink Villa
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Ahn Hyo Seop reveals losing 5-6 kg weight for Omniscient Reader: The Prophet's 'physically draining' action scenes
With Omniscient Reader: The Prophet being less than a week away from its release, a press interview was held at a cafe in Jongno, Seoul on July 17. During the interview, main cast member Ahn Hyo Seop opened up about his role, discussing what sets it apart from his previous projects, as reported by K-media outlet Hankook Ilbo. He also shared the physical demands of the character's intense action scenes that led him to lose weight. Ahn Hyo Seop reveals why he chose to star in Omniscient Reader: The Prophet Ahn Hyo Seop plays the role of Kim Dok Ja in Omniscient Reader: The Prophet – the central character of the fantasy movie. Mentioning what drew him to the project, he said, 'When I read the script, I was excited and curious how it would be filmed." He also mentioned his role's difference from his earlier works. 'What I liked about Dok Ja was his ordinariness. My previous characters have either been larger-than-life or deeply flawed, but Dok Ja isn't extreme in either way," the actor stated. The character being an ordinary office worker was what "intrigued" Ahn Hyo Seop and he considered it challenging to portray Dok Ja with nuance. Ahn Hyo Seop lost few kilograms of weight while filming Omniscient Reader: The Prophet's scenes Indicating at the physically strenuous nature of his role, Ahn Hyo Seop mentioned, 'I was running non-stop, sometimes while carrying a child, sometimes suspended on wires, swinging swords at imaginary creatures." Sharing the impact of his action-packed role on his physique, he revealed, 'By the end, I had lost six or seven kilograms." The Business Proposal star felt that depiction of saving a dying world on screen was both "physically draining" and "mentally exhausting". Despite navigating difficulties, Ahn Hyo Seop felt that the project was meant for him. "The film set suited me. Each scene is shot with care, and everyone gives their all toward the same goal. I thought, 'This is a world I want to be part of. I'm glad I chose acting,'' he said. His efforts to meet his character's requirements, showcased his dedication to his craft.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ahn Hyo Seop opens up about ‘Kpop Demon Hunters', shares behind-the-scenes stories and more
Ahn Hyo Seop , the main voice behind the popular character Jinu from ' Kpop Demon Hunter ', has opened up about recording his voice for the film. He also shared some funny anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories as well. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On recording for Jinu The idol revealed that he starred as a guest on actor Park Bo Gum's popular variety show 'The Seasons - Park Bo Gum 's Cantabile' where he was joined by Jung Yong Hwa , artist g0nny, and HITGS as well. Hyo Seop , during the show, shared his experience voicing the character in the animated film , and even shared that it was the first time he had done an English voiceover. He shared, "This was the first time I acted in English. I was really nervous, but it was really fun. I enjoy animations, so I enjoyed watching the production process'. "I was curious, like, um, were you acting by imitating those characters' behaviours, including those kinds of expressions and interjections they use? There were times I was given just the sketches, or a rough draft of the animation," and elaborated that he had to act using his imagination,' he added. The actor shares how he prepared for the role The actor shared that to prepare and act for the role, he ended up receiving the voice recordings of all of the other voiceover artists first. Thoroughly impressed by Hyo Seop's dedication to the role, he shared how 'cool' it was of the actor to pull something off like this. "It must've been difficult, since you had to act basically alone. But it's so amazing how you pulled it off so awesomely. It's so impressive and cool', he added. A special segment by Hyo Seop and Bo Gum This was also the first time that the two actors were meeting face to face on camera, making this show a big milestone. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To celebrate, the stars got on stage, where, while Bo Gum serenaded the audience with a melodious tune on his piano, the 'Business Proposal' accompanied him with his voice. The actor sang three songs: 'Gather My Tears,' 'Love in My Arms,' and 'Thanks,' while Bo Gum played his piano along to accompany him.
