Kim Dong-wook Reflects on Marriage and Fatherhood in 'The Neighbors Upstairs'

Kim Dong-wook discusses the message of communication in marriage portrayed in 'The Neighbors Upstairs' and shares his aspirations as a husband and soon-to-be father.

On the 1st, actor Kim Dong-wook, who stars in the film 'The Neighbors Upstairs,' was interviewed at a cafe in Sogyeok-dong, Seoul.

'The Neighbors Upstairs' tells the story of a couple living downstairs (played by Gong Hyo-jin and Kim Dong-wook) who endure noisy disturbances from the couple upstairs (played by Ha Jung-woo and Lee Ha-nee) and end up having dinner together one night. Ha Jung-woo also directed the film. Kim Dong-wook plays Hyun-soo, the downstairs husband whose relationship with his wife, Im Jung-ah (played by Gong Hyo-jin), has grown distant.

In the film, Hyun-soo often speaks in a curt manner and makes negative remarks. Kim Dong-wook commented, "I thought to myself, 'I shouldn't be like that.' I believe couples should communicate and cherish each other." Reflecting on Hyun-soo's estranged relationship with his wife, he added, "It can happen in an instant. Small, unnoticed moments accumulate to create such distance. We should strive to avoid those moments. After filming, as a viewer, I thought, 'I shouldn't become like Hyun-soo.'"

Kim Dong-wook, who married in 2023, is expecting a daughter with his wife, Stella Kim, a former SM Entertainment trainee and a member of the pre-debut lineup for Girls' Generation.

Kim Dong-wook shared, "I've heard that when a wife is pregnant, hormonal changes occur, and the husband experiences changes too, finding the pregnant wife even more beautiful. I'm not sure if it's true, but I feel it is. I can relate." He added with a laugh, "Fortunately, I don't think our marriage will head towards disaster. We're prepared for the parenting battle."

When asked about his dreams as a father, he replied, "I've always envisioned a certain image." He continued, "I want to be a dad who communicates frequently with my child, like a friend. I also want to maintain a friendly communication with my wife. However, I don't want our relationship to become too easygoing and casual like friends."

'The Neighbors Upstairs' is set to release on December 3rd.

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