South Korean actor Jin Seon-kyu recently revealed that his wife's brief but meaningful reaction to his performance in Netflix's new series "Aema" meant more to him than any other praise he received. Jin portrays Koo Joong-ho, the ruthless head of a film production company in the show, and his wife, fellow actor Park Bo-kyung, simply told him "It suits you well" - words that Jin considers the highest compliment possible.
In a candid interview at a Seoul café on Friday, Jin discussed the significant challenges he faced while bringing the morally questionable character of Koo Joong-ho to life. The character serves as the chief of a film company responsible for the 1980s box office hit "Madame Aema." Koo Joong-ho is portrayed as someone completely obsessed with commercial success who will resort to any means necessary to achieve his goals, creating a lasting and disturbing impression on viewers.
Jin admitted he was anxious about audience reactions while filming the series. "I was curious how audiences would respond while filming. Director Lee Hae-young put so much work into it, so I was hopeful," Jin explained. "After the release, hearing people say it was good and entertaining made me feel really happy." The actor expressed gratitude for the positive reception the show has received since its debut on the streaming platform.
Working with director Lee Hae-young presented unique challenges for Jin, as the filmmaker gave him surprisingly minimal direction compared to what other actors typically receive. "He told me Koo Joong-ho should be dirty and nasty, but also sexy and stylish," Jin recalled. "I said, 'That sounds very difficult, maybe impossible.'" This vague yet specific guidance forced Jin to dig deep into his creative abilities to find the right balance for such a complex character.
The physical transformation required for the role proved to be particularly demanding and time-consuming. To achieve the unnaturally polished yet sleazy appearance that director Lee envisioned, Jin had to spend an extensive 90 minutes each day applying multiple layers of base makeup until his face achieved an artificially shiny look. "It was like bridal makeup," he joked, highlighting the ironic contrast between the elaborate beauty routine and the morally corrupt character he was portraying.
While the role demanded that Jin deliver heavy profanity and provocative language throughout the series, he found the physical aspects of acting to be significantly more challenging and uncomfortable. "In one scene, I was holding Mi-na (Lee So-e) for a photo, and the director told me to give her a sexy look. That was awkward and embarrassing," Jin admitted with obvious discomfort. "Saying stronger curses would have been easier," he added with a laugh, revealing how the intimate scenes pushed him far outside his comfort zone.
The intensity and authenticity of Jin's performance have generated strong reactions from viewers, with some describing his portrayal as disgusting or vulgar to the point of genuine discomfort. Rather than being offended by these harsh critiques, Jin actually welcomes such visceral responses as validation of his acting skills. "Friends even told me they wanted to kill my character," he shared. "A fellow runner I know shouted, 'You're filthy!' when we met. That kind of reaction is actually good for me as an actor. It means I made the character convincing."
When discussing his wife Park Bo-kyung's reaction to his performance, Jin revealed the special significance of her understated response. "She just said, 'It suits you well.' That was a big compliment," he explained. As both husband and wife work in the entertainment industry as professional actors, they maintain a careful approach when commenting on each other's work. "Since we're both actors, we're careful about commenting on each other's performances. But when she said the characters and their colors worked really well in the show, I took that as high praise."
Jin has learned to read between the lines of his wife's reactions over the years, developing an understanding of her subtle communication style regarding his projects. "If she doesn't say much, I know that means the project wasn't so good," he explained while humorously reenacting their typical exchanges. "When she likes it, she has a lot more to say." This intimate insight into their relationship reveals how professional actors navigate the delicate balance between personal relationships and career critiques.
"Aema," now available for streaming on Netflix, tells the compelling story of established star Hee-ran, played by Lee Ha-nee, and rookie actress Ju-ae, portrayed by Bang Hyo-rin. The series explores how these two women confront and navigate the hidden realities and dark truths behind the rise of erotic cinema in 1980s South Korea. The show provides viewers with an unflinching look at the entertainment industry's underbelly during a pivotal period in Korean film history.
