Hoya Reflects on His Acting Journey and Future Aspirations

Hoya, known for his impactful role in the 2012 tvN drama 'Reply 1997', recently opened up about his acting career in an interview at the Ten Asia office in Jungnim-dong, Seoul, following his performance in 'Solo Leveling on ICE'.

Despite leaving a strong impression as an actor in 'Reply 1997', Hoya's acting pursuits were less frequent than expected. Reflecting on the 14 years since the drama aired, he shared his thoughts on his acting journey.

Hoya revealed, "I often get asked why I didn't continue acting immediately after 'Reply'. Even during company meetings or when meeting industry people, that question always comes up." In reality, it took him about three years after the drama ended to return to acting.

Explaining his reasons, Hoya admitted, "At that time, my passion for music was much greater. Just because my acting was well-received didn't mean I felt compelled to pursue acting right away." He added, "Even now, people tell me I should have acted back then, but I don't regret it at all."

In managing his career, Hoya focused more on what he could contribute rather than chasing box office success. He emphasized, "It's more important to me how much I can contribute to a project rather than how many projects I can do." He also expressed his desire to be an actor who enhances the quality of a project, regardless of whether he plays a lead or supporting role.

During his downtime, Hoya enjoys studying, contemplating, and gaining various experiences. He stated, "I find it more enjoyable than living with the awareness of others' reactions." He added, "As an actor, I still consider myself a rookie. I feel like I'm just starting now."

Hoya also shared his future goals, stating, "I want to work on projects where I can deliver performances I'm not ashamed of."

By Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr