Ahn Jae Hyun and Seo In Guk Talk About Their Evolving Friendship, Sources Of Fulfillment, Future Projects, And More

Aug 21, 2024

Ahn Jae Hyun and Seo In Guk joined Cosmopolitan Korea for an interview and pictorial!

During the interview, the two stars reflected on their journey together over the past 12 years since starring in K.Will’s “Please Don’t…” music video. Recently, the two garnered buzz after reuniting for K.Will’s latest music video “No Sad Song For My Broken Heart.” Ahn Jae Hyun said, “To me, In Guk is still as impressive as ever. He looks quite youthful. Personally, I think I’ve naturally matured through life’s ups and downs.”

Seo In Guk shared, “12 years ago, Jae Hyun seemed more calm and reserved. He was quite dignified. But these days, he seems a bit crazy. I didn’t know he could be this fun. Sometimes he calls me at night and asks, ‘In Guk, what are you doing?’ and I go [visit] on my motorcycle. Even though I can’t drink, he drinks alone in front of me. As he’s become more comfortable, his variety shows, acting, and our relationship have all become more relaxed. This feels like the real Jae Hyun. I’m glad he’s found the strength to show his true self after going through tough times. I think I’ve also gained the ability to look deeply into characters through my life experiences and work. The difference between then and now is that I can explore not just the surface of a character but also its depths. Whereas before I had to actively show, ‘I am this character!’ now I can just say, ‘I am this character now.’”

When asked what they mean to each other, Seo In Guk said, “He’s a great friend and truly amazing to watch. He’s so down-to-earth and genuine. Recently, we were drinking together, and people at the next table were having a serious conversation. Jae Hyun naturally struck up a chat with them, asking, ‘Why so serious?’ We ended up drinking with them. It was a really fun experience for someone like me who’s more introverted.”

Ahn Jae Hyun said, “I’m like ‘We Are the World.’ I remember writing in a book that I want to be friends with all 7.9 billion people in the world, but if I can’t love myself, how can I love others and make friends? Lately, I’ve been visiting a soft tofu stew shop in Achasan where many elderly people go. I enjoy chatting with them, asking questions such as, ‘What kind of work do you do?’ and ‘Where are the good places to eat around here?’ I even met a landlord by chance and invited her to my YouTube content.”

Reflecting on fulfillment, Seo In Guk said, “I’ve been searching for that sense of fulfillment, and recently, I felt frustrated with parts of myself. I wrote an unpublished song about self-loathing. The lyrics go, ‘Even if someone approaches me now, I’ll reject them, but I don’t want anyone to disappear either.’ It’s about that conflicting feeling of wanting to be left alone but also not wanting to be abandoned. In the midst of this, I realized something significant. This year marks my 15th anniversary since debuting, and during a fan meeting, I realized that the comfort I’ve given is minimal compared to the immense comfort I’ve received from my fans. With so much love pouring into the [“No Sad Song For My Broken Heart”] music video, it has been a great source of solace for me.”

Meanwhile, Ahn Jae Hyun said, “I feel fulfilled right now. I really enjoy being busy with work. In Guk and I debuted in the same year, but I took about four years off during these 15 years. It was a lonely and difficult time. So just having people reach out to me now makes me very happy. However, I’m still not used to receiving so much.”

Regarding their future activities, Seo In Guk said, “I’ve decided not to separate acting and singing anymore. I just want to be an artist and do everything within that scope. Last year, I directed a short film and won an award for it. I feel like I’ve become more ambitious than when I was younger. I want to act on all my ideas, and right now, I’m planning a busking project. I’m sure the company will have mixed feelings about it, but I want to connect with fans and the public through street performances. I’m also preparing to direct my own music video with an apocalypse theme. I’m considering turning the script into a children’s book because I really like the story. I want to explore every creative avenue without regrets.”

Ahn Jae Hyun said, “I also enjoy taking on new projects. I’ve started selling my jewelry designs in China and plan to hold an exhibition soon. I’m also planning a collaboration with a flower artist named Jacob Seol, who works in the United States, for an event in Seongsu.”

Listening to this, Seo In Guk added, “You should try playing a villain. It’s really fun. I enjoyed playing a villain in the movie ‘Project Wolf Hunting.’ I’d love to see Jae Hyun as a villain. I find the deeper aspects of characters interesting. For example, I have a rough, masculine image, and Jae Hyun has a gentle, kind one. But what I like about Jae Hyun is his depth. I think if Jae Hyun played a villain, it would be amazing. As a fellow actor, I’m looking forward to it.”

When asked about their personal beliefs, Seo In Guk said, “I have one strong belief: When something bad happens, something good will follow. The highs and lows may vary, but there are always ups and downs. It’s like climbing to the top of the sky, then plunging to the depths of the sea, and rising back to sea level. Because I believe this, when something bad happens, I think, ‘Wow, what good thing is coming my way that’s causing this?’ And when something good happens, I think, ‘I’ll use this to get through any future challenges.’ This belief gives me great strength.”

Ahn Jae Hyun shared his perspective, “I buy lottery tickets often, though I always lose. It’s my own superstition—the idea that losing the lottery helps avoid bad luck. If I win, great; if I lose, then it’s a form of protection. I also scratch off instant lottery tickets until I get a losing one. The money spent on lottery tickets goes to good causes anyway, so I see it as doing something good and warding off bad luck. I also believe in a principle from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s book ‘Self-Reliance’. It says that even if a ship appears to be zigzagging, it’s still heading in the right direction from afar. Even if you waver, you’re still making progress, so don’t worry. Time keeps moving forward, and every moment becomes the past. The key is to move on and live in the present. If you’re happy right now, that’s all that matters. Move on!”