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| yna@yna.co.kr 2025-05-28 07:55:06
SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- “I wanted to look like someone who clearly works out—even just in a shirt. I exercised all day and got my body fat down to 8 percent, but honestly, I was a bit disappointed that there weren’t more shirtless scenes.” (laughs)
Actor Kim Min-seok, previously beloved for his youthful and charming image, has successfully transformed with intense action in his latest project.
In celebration of the release of the new TVING series "Shark: The Storm", Kim Min-seok spoke on Wednesday at a cafe in Jongno, Seoul. “In the past, people probably couldn’t easily associate me with action roles, and I wanted to change that perception with this project,” he said.
Released on May 15, "Shark: The Storm" is the sequel to the 2021 TVING original film "Shark: The Beginning." Kim plays Cha Woo-sol, a victim of school violence who is sent to a juvenile detention center after an unexpected accident.
While the first season showed the adolescent Woo-sol learning to fight under MMA champion Jung Do-hyun (played by Wi Ha-joon), the new drama focuses on Woo-sol after his release, now an adult who fights to protect those he cares about.
“In Season 1, Woo-sol’s clumsy punches fit his character, but in Season 2, he’s someone who’s been training for years. Even his fighting stance had to change. So I trained relentlessly, working out and doing MMA every day without a single day off,” Kim recalled.
“I trained 3 to 4 times a day. I ran at least 8 kilometers daily and did two hours of strength training in the gym. I also regularly went to a martial arts academy for action practice. It was my first project after completing military service, and it really felt like re-enlisting.” (laughs)
After being released, Woo-sol dreams of becoming an MMA fighter. When he refuses a recruitment offer from the crime boss Hyun Woo-yong (played by Lee Hyun-wook), who runs an illegal fighting ring, he pays a harsh price—and those around him are put in danger as well.
Ultimately, Woo-sol loses a dear friend and storms Hyun Woo-yong’s base, engaging in fierce fights ranging from multi-opponent brawls to intense one-on-one hand-to-hand combat.
“Except for the most dangerous scenes, I did almost all the action myself without a stunt double,” Kim said. “The final fight scene with Hyun-wook hyung took us about eight nights of filming.”
He added, “I really gave it everything I had—down to the bone. But looking back, I still see areas where I could have done better as an actor, and that makes me feel a bit embarrassed.”
Because of the intense effort he poured into the role, he’s only half sure about returning for Season 3.
“I feel a sense of responsibility since I’ve already done two installments, so if Season 3 happens, I’ll probably do it. But I’m not sure I can go through the same training again,” he admitted. “If I slack even a little on managing myself, I can’t be Woo-sol, and that feels overwhelming.”
Kim Min-seok debuted in 2012 in the tvN drama "Shut Up Flower Boy Band" and has appeared in dramas like "Descendants of the Sun," "Because This Is My First Life," and "The Beauty Inside."
His next project is the tvN drama "Typhoon Company," where he plays an "orange tribe" member struggling to overcome the 1997 IMF crisis, alongside actor Lee Jun-ho.
“I didn’t grow up acting or major in it, so I feel really grateful that I’m able to make a living as an actor,” he reflected.
He ended with a smile: “In my next project, I’ll return with a completely different image—one where you won’t see even a trace of Cha Woo-sol.”
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