Ahn Bo-hyun Embraces His 'Bingu' Charm in 'The Devil Came to Stay'

"People often misunderstand me because of my appearance if I don't smile. They think I look 'intense.' But when I smile, they say I have a 'bingu' charm."

Ahn Bo-hyun, who plays the role of unemployed Gil-gu in the movie 'The Devil Came to Stay,' shared this sentiment with a laugh. Known for his charismatic roles, Ahn showcases his 'bingu' charm in this film.

'The Devil Came to Stay' tells the story of Seon-ji (played by Im Yoon-ah), who turns into a devil every dawn, and Gil-gu (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), who takes on the unusual job of monitoring her. Ahn, who has previously portrayed masculine characters in dramas like 'Itaewon Class,' 'Military Prosecutor Doberman,' 'Reborn Rich,' and the movie 'Veteran 2,' takes on the pure-hearted Gil-gu in this film. "Unlike the characters I've played before, this one lacks toughness and masculinity, making it a challenge for me," he said.

"I used to be very cautious and shy. Even as a child, I preferred individual sports, spending a lot of time alone. I still tend to keep my worries to myself, which overlaps with Gil-gu's character. I didn't take on this role to break my masculine image but to challenge myself with different characters, just as there are various genres and roles. I was uncertain but decided to take the plunge."

Ahn Bo-hyun recalls seeing Im Yoon-ah in China a decade ago. How did it feel to meet her as a co-star in this project?

"The title 'Girls' Generation' was so overwhelming that I was quite nervous. But after our first reading and greeting, I realized she was a 'down-to-earth' person. She has a relaxed demeanor that puts others at ease. Her character is energetic, but I think it also reflects her real personality. Despite her busy schedule, she never showed any signs of fatigue, which gave me positive energy and allowed me to approach the set with a bright attitude. I learned a lot from Yoon-ah."

The film offers limited romance scenes between Ahn Bo-hyun and Im Yoon-ah, leaving some viewers wanting more. Ahn commented, "I think Gil-gu falling for Seon-ji at first sight is a significant romance in itself. He becomes awkward and flustered around angelic Seon-ji but has good chemistry with devilish Seon-ji. It's a harmless romance." Ahn also addressed the notion that a character like Gil-gu is a fantasy, saying, "That's not true," and mentioned the Netflix dating show 'Love is Blind.' This reality show helps singles inexperienced in dating find love, known for its unpredictable love lines.

"Watching 'Love is Blind' recently, I thought, 'There are people like Gil-gu in real life.' Gil-gu might not even appear on such a show, but I believe he's a character that could exist in reality. The staff and I watched it a lot during our travels, and I found myself rooting for the participants."

Approaching a decade in his acting career, Ahn Bo-hyun shared, "I haven't taken a break longer than two months in the past ten years. It's not because anyone forced me; it's voluntary. Acting still feels fresh, and I enjoy discovering new characters. It's never boring, which keeps my energy high."

"I used to think there was a set path, even considering a career as a military officer. Having lived a life focused on sports, I've now played roles like lawyers and prosecutors. That's the great joy of acting—recreating characters with the frame of Ahn Bo-hyun. I can approach roles in my unique style, different from other actors."

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr