Actor Kim Kap-soo Opens Up About His 'Death Specialist' Roles and Posthumous Earnings

Actor Kim Kap-soo recently shared insights about his unique career as a 'death specialist' on the YouTube channel 'Jjanhanyoung Shin Dong-yup.'

Kim, who made his film debut in Im Kwon-taek's 'Taebaek Mountains,' reminisced about a signing event with popular actors Ahn Sung-ki, Oh Jung-hae, and Shin Hyun-jun. He humorously recalled, "I was ready with my pen, but no one came to my side. It was heartbreaking, but what could I do?"

The producer, noticing the situation, organized another signing event after the first screening. To Kim's surprise, he experienced a 'turnaround signing event' where he had to sign so quickly that the paper almost tore.

Kim, who has worked with actress Lee Mi-sook in dramas like 'Cinderella's Sister' and 'Queen of Tears,' praised her, saying, "She's beautiful and talented. She's still an actress, true to her character." Shin Dong-yup humorously added, "Mi-sook wants to look young, so she calls him 'Uncle Kap-soo.'"

Discussing his frequent on-screen deaths, Kim explained, "If we don't know, we don't die. When cast, I already know I'll die, but when they say, 'Please pass away around episode 8,' I ask, 'Why die again?' If it makes sense, I die, but I can't just die without reason. There are flashback scenes."

Regarding posthumous scenes and photos, Kim noted, "There's money involved. Photos don't pay much, about 30%." Shin Dong-yup joked, "If a close junior appears, tell them to reminisce with the photo after death."

Kim, who has died in various productions, shared, "I once died after just two lines, then appeared in flashbacks. I can't just die. I've died by hitting my head on a table, falling off a cliff, and being hit by a truck."

He recounted a memorable death scene from the drama 'Taejo Wang Geon,' saying, "I was supposed to die around episode 70-80, but due to popularity, they couldn't kill me. I told the director, 'Shouldn't we die for Goryeo to be established?' After appearing 30 more episodes, I asked to be killed off for conscience's sake, and after consulting with the writer, I died in the 100s."

Kim revealed, "The writer asked how I wanted to die—by sword, poison, or hanging. I chose poison as it's the easiest, so I died in the palace without fleeing, drinking poison on set and meeting Wang Geon's group."

Known for having 'death status' on his filmography, Kim exposed unfair treatment, saying, "In some works, they ask if I can die without pay. Since I just have to lie there, the production thinks the fee is a waste. I refuse. There's pride in dying. I even offer my clothes for a double."

Reported by Kim Eun-jung, TenAsia