Rising Star Moon Seong-hyun Reflects on His Journey and Future Aspirations

Moon Seong-hyun: A Star on the Rise

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"I've heard jokes that no one else could play the younger version of Kang Dong-won but me (laughs). I'm grateful for such compliments. While playing various younger roles, I focused more on matching the style or speech rather than just the appearance."

On October 4th, we met Moon Seong-hyun, a promising 20-year-old actor born in 2006, at the FNC Entertainment headquarters in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. Since his debut in the 2021 KBS2 drama 'Hello? It's Me!', he has built a solid filmography by playing younger versions of actors like Kang Dong-won, Kim Soo-hyun, Ji Chang-wook, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Seon-ho, and Ji Hyun-woo.

Last year, Moon Seong-hyun concluded his teenage years with a bang by winning the Male Youth Acting Award for 'Beauty and the Pure-hearted Man' at the '2024 KBS Drama Awards'. Attending an awards ceremony for the first time since his debut, he expressed, "There was fierce competition among youth actors. I thought I should be satisfied just being nominated, so I was surprised and delighted to win." He added, "It's a unique award that I can't receive in my 20s, making it even more meaningful. It feels like a reward for my hard work during my youth," he smiled.

"I started getting scouted on the streets frequently when I became a middle schooler. People even contacted my mom through her social media. That's when I naturally became interested in the entertainment industry. Usually, trainees have to go to the company every day, but I wasn't sure at first, so I only went three days a week and studied the rest of the time. Then, due to COVID-19, I couldn't attend both the academy and the company. During that time, I passed an audition and began my acting career in earnest."

Moon Seong-hyun shared, "Through my work, I naturally developed a passion for acting and wanted to succeed as an actor." When asked how many times he was scouted, he replied, "FNC was the fourth or fifth company to offer me a proposal."

Regarding his choice of FNC, Moon Seong-hyun explained, "I wasn't sure whether to pursue acting or singing. FNC offered experiences in various fields like idols, bands, and acting." He continued, "It was a decision made after much consideration, but even now, I think it was the right choice. I'm friends with Kim Seung-mo from the group Ampersand, and I even recommended our company to him."

Initially, Moon Seong-hyun experienced being an idol trainee but has since focused solely on acting, setting aside his dream of becoming a singer. He stated, "Balancing acting and singing requires many sacrifices. I wanted to fully immerse myself in acting and enhance my skills as an actor," his eyes sparkling with determination. He added, "My dream of being a singer is fulfilled by being an MC on 'Inkigayo'. It allows me to perform on special stages, too," he said with satisfaction.

"I had a longing for campus life. Due to COVID-19, I couldn't attend school for a long time during high school, and I was focused on my acting career, making it hard to concentrate on academics. I tried to get along with friends and study hard, but I couldn't give it my all. So, I hope to actively enjoy my college life."

Moon Seong-hyun is set to enter Chung-Ang University as a theater major in the class of 2025. He emphasized, "I plan to be diligent in my studies, but more importantly, I want to take on various roles and challenge myself in significant projects." He also expressed his desire to appear on the SBS variety show 'Running Man'. Moon Seong-hyun said, "I'm an avid viewer of 'Running Man'. If they call me, I'll do my best. I like sports, so I'm in good shape," he appealed.

The Moon Seong-hyun we met was a young actor with a blend of youthful innocence and a serious demeanor. When asked about the moments he felt glad to have entered the entertainment industry, he mentioned "meeting fans". Moon Seong-hyun said, "I read each letter sent to me with care. It makes me realize how special this job is. I'm really glad I became an actor," he smiled.

Since his debut, he hasn't faced any significant hardships or deep worries. Moon Seong-hyun confidently stated, "I'm just happy and satisfied. My passion for acting only grows stronger over time."

"Thank you for your unwavering support. I'll continue to do my best in my projects and strive to meet you often. I'll work hard to become an actor that fans can be proud of, so please continue to support me."

Reporter Lee So-jung, TenAsia forusojung@tenasia.co.kr