[Sportschosun Kim Soo-hyun] Actor Shin Hyun-joon opened up honestly about the life story that has shaped his 36-year career on MBN's issue-maker talk show Kim Joo-ha's Day & Night.
The 29th episode of MBN's Kim Joo-ha's Day & Night, which aired on the 13th, drew attention after recording a peak nationwide rating of 2.5%, according to Nielsen Korea.
Shin Hyun-joon opened the program by talking about his first-ever dual role in the new film Wanted, 36 years after his debut. Recalling the set, where he had to play two completely different characters at once — the villain Choi Cheol-gu and the ordinary Shin Hyun-joon — he drew laughter by saying, "There was so much taking clothes on and off that I thought I should have been paid for two roles."
He also showed off his trademark comic sense, saying, "I just can't quit comedy," and performed slapstick himself, lightening the mood on set.
He then spoke about The General's Son, the film that changed his life, and shared a revealing behind-the-scenes story. A movie fan since childhood, Shin said he happened to hear about the audition and took part. While everyone else wanted the role of Kim Doo-han, he alone said, "I want to play Hayashi," surprising director Im Kwon-taek.
He also recalled how his father, who opposed his acting career, even cut his hair, and said he once asked Im Kwon-taek to persuade his father directly. Shin added that when he later found a photo of his Hayashi character on his father's office desk, "I cried so much," moving viewers with the emotion of that moment.
Shin Hyun-joon named director Im Kwon-taek, the late Kim Soo-mi, and the late Ahn Sung-ki as the three benefactors who changed his life, expressing deep respect and affection.
About Im Kwon-taek, he said, "He was the teacher who held me back from giving up on acting," and shared that the director even officiated at his wedding. He also recalled the blessing the director gave him at the time: "I hope good people will have many children and become people who do good for society."
He also spoke about the late Kim Soo-mi, saying they became acquainted through Marrying the Mafia and that he naturally began calling her "Mom." He remembered her warm care for him both on and off set, almost like she was his real mother. In particular, he described the process of working together on her final film, Thunderstruck Cop, and said, "I think she's still watching from somewhere," leaving everyone solemn.
About the late Ahn Sung-ki, he recalled the admiration and nervousness he felt while working on Our Joyful Young Days and The Taebaek Mountains, saying, "I could hear my heartbeat in my ears."
He went on to say, "Whether they were here or not, they gave me so much and left. They gave me another goal — to live like that too." His words left a lasting impression.
Meanwhile, the 30th episode of MBN's Kim Joo-ha's Day & Night will air on the 20th at 9:40 p.m.
shyun@sportschosun.com
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