Actor Wi Ha-jun Opens Up About His Anxieties and Inspirations

Actor Wi Ha-jun recently revealed his feelings of anxiety when looking at fellow actor Kim Woo-bin.

On the 22nd, the YouTube channel 'Yojung Jae-hyung' featured an episode with Wi Ha-jun titled 'Is This Another Routine of World Sexy?'.

Wi Ha-jun hails from Soando, an island that requires an additional hour by boat from Wando. His father was involved in abalone farming. When Jae-hyung jokingly called him the 'Prince of Wando,' Wi Ha-jun laughed and said, "I'm definitely not a prince. Everyone there farms abalone and seaweed." He added, "Abalone farming requires a lot of investment, but prices keep dropping, and there are many natural disasters," sharing the harsh realities.

Wi Ha-jun expressed, "That's why I wanted to earn money quickly and become famous. I had a strong desire to uplift my family." This was his motivation for moving to Seoul during his senior year of high school. He recalled, "I had a vague dream of becoming a celebrity. I don't know where the confidence came from, but I just came to Seoul."

From Idol Auditions to the Stage Name 'Wi Ha-jun': His Past Unveiled

Upon arriving in Seoul, the first thing Wi Ha-jun did was audition. He reminisced, "The first place I auditioned was SM Entertainment. I don't know where the confidence came from, but I thought I had to give it a shot." He described the rhythm test, where he danced with enthusiasm to any song they played.

In high school, he was passionate about performance, even forming a dance club called 'Double M.' Wi Ha-jun shared, "I wanted to master everything from b-boying to popping and girls' hip-hop. I even handled acrobatics." He also considered joining a 'beast idol' group like 2PM. Although he auditioned for SM and JYP, he eventually shifted his focus to acting.

Wi Ha-jun, whose real name is Wi Hyun-yi, explained why he uses a stage name. "I had to explain my name three times whenever I said it. A fortune teller said my name wasn't good. Names like Sung-jun, Sa-jun, and Ha-jun were candidates, and Wi Ha-jun sounded the most natural." However, he clarified, "I don't believe in fortune-telling. I've never had a reading."

Why Did Wi Ha-jun Feel Anxious Looking at Role Model Kim Woo-bin?

During his military service, Wi Ha-jun felt more uncertain about his career path. He shared, "All men feel anxious, and I was no different. I kept planning what path to take and what to showcase to survive."

Wi Ha-jun named actor Kim Woo-bin as his role model, saying, "I loved watching 'The Heirs.' He has done a lot of work that aligns with the acting and projects I aspire to. I admired him as a fan but also felt envious and anxious." He confessed, "With such a popular, talented, and charming actor already out there, I wondered where I should go. It was both inspiring and daunting."

Jae-hyung encouraged him, saying, "Eventually, I realized that everyone has their own role."

By Eun Jung Kim, TenAsia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr