Kim Joo Hyuk Says "2 Days & 1 Night" Changed Him For The Better

Actor Kim Joo Hyuk recently sat down for an interview with Star Today to talk about his new movie “Confidential Assignment” (also known as “Cooperation”).

In the movie, he plays the villain for the first time, as the character of Cha Ki Sung, the boss of a North Korean refugee crime organization who is also the target of a North Korean detective (Hyun Bin) and a South Korean detective (Yoo Hae Jin).

To prepare for the role, Kim Joo Hyuk had to build up his muscles and even get a tan, so that he could show the audience a strong body that would also be covered with scars, to symbolize Cha Ki Sung’s strength. It was a difficult challenge that he succeeded in, but the actor suggested that his usual self might not have done it.

He explained, “In the past, I wasn’t very open. I was timid, and lacked confidence in my acting. But at some point in time, the walls were completely broken down. If it was my usual self, I would have worried a lot about new challenges like this, but now, I just do my best with an easy mind.”

Kim Joo Hyuk said that he’s not exactly sure when things started to change, but he thinks the turning point might have been “2 Days & 1 Night.”

“Before, when I was acting, I would always doubt, ‘Am I doing this right?’ I would also worry a lot beforehand about choosing productions, and whether I would face difficulties in all aspects. I felt trapped. But as I did ‘2 Days & 1 Night,’ the barrier was broken and I became free, both as a person and as an actor. Thanks to that, I dream more about ever-changing challenges, and I’ve also become more flexible [in thinking.] Of course, when I meet the members, I become ‘Gutaengie Hyung‘ without fail, but as an actor, I want to show a new image.”

(“Gutaengie Hyung” was Kim Joo Hyuk’s nickname in “2 Days & 1 Night,” which came about when he made a silly mistake by answering “gutaeng” to a quiz question. The word “gutaeng” has no meaning.)

Kim Joo Hyuk then said that he now has a greater ambition for acting, and a clearer idea of his goals than before.

“I want to show a more diverse image [of myself] in future,” he said.

“Confidential Assignment” was released in Korean theaters on January 18. Watch the trailer here!

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