Shin Hyun-joon Says He Was Slapped During an Autograph Session... "They Called Me a 'Bad Guy' and Hit My Cheek" ('Day & Night')

[Sportschosun Reporter Jo Yoon-sun] Shin Hyun-joon will share an episode from the time he rose to fame with "General's Son."

On the 29th episode of MBN's "Kim Joo-ha's Day & Night," airing Saturday the 13th, Shin Hyun-joon will deliver a warm message through a sincere story that blends humor and honesty.

In the episode, Shin Hyun-joon reveals behind-the-scenes stories related to "General's Son," the film that changed his life. He recalls that he supported Hayashi from the start of the audition, saying, "Everyone wanted to play Kim Du-han, but I thought Hayashi was much cooler." He also remembers sneaking out to audition without his parents knowing, adding, "There were top names in front of me, including senior actors Ahn Sung-ki and Kang Soo-yeon, as well as directors Lee Myung-se, Bae Chang-ho, and Im Kwon-taek."

But when his father, who had opposed his becoming an actor, eventually found out, Shin Hyun-joon said, "My father suddenly said, 'Honey, bring me the scissors,' and cut my hair." He then revealed the backstory of how he ended up with a short-haired Hayashi instead of the long-haired version Im Kwon-taek had wanted, drawing laughter on set. He also surprised everyone by saying that during the explosive popularity that came with "General's Son," "I actually went to Busan for an autograph session, and someone called me a 'bad guy' and slapped my cheek."

Shin Hyun-joon also named director Im Kwon-taek, who directed "General's Son," along with the late Kim Soo-mi and the late Ahn Sung-ki, as the greatest benefactors of his acting career, expressing deep gratitude and longing. He said of Im, "He officiated at my wedding. He is the person I respect most and my teacher in life." He then spoke affectionately of the late Kim Soo-mi, saying, "She was truly like a mother to me." He also revealed that he had originally wanted to become a director, but decided to become an actor because of Ahn Sung-ki, showing how deeply he feels about them.

In particular, Shin Hyun-joon said, "When Kim Soo-mi passed away, I was on my way to the airport for a fan meeting in Japan and heard the news of her death. When Ahn Sung-ki passed away, I was filming overseas, so I couldn't even make it to the full funeral." He added, "They were the people who gave me another goal in life: 'I want to live like that too.'"

He also talked about taking on his first dual role in 36 years since his debut in the film "Wanted." In the movie, Shin plays both the villain Choi Cheol-gu and the ordinary middle-class man Shin Hyun-joon. He joked about the difficulties he faced on set, saying, "I had to keep doing action scenes, and there were so many scenes where I had to put clothes on and take them off, so I thought a dual role should pay for two people."

Shin Hyun-joon also made everyone laugh by saying that when he met 26-year-old Taiwanese actress Regina Lei, his co-star in "Wanted," he immediately told her, "I'm sorry," and explained why. He further described the film as a comedy and drew laughter by saying, "I just can't quit comedy," revealing his naturally playful side.

Meanwhile, MBN's issue-maker talk show "Kim Joo-ha's Day & Night" is a new-format talk show that presents "day and night, calm and passion, information and emotion." It airs every Saturday at 9:40 p.m.