Ahn Bo-hyun on Bringing Webtoon Characters to Life and His Future Aspirations

"Bringing a comic character to life is a new experience for the audience, and I'm the first to portray it. Those unfamiliar with the original might wonder, 'Who is that?' but fans will appreciate how I've expressed those scenes," said Ahn Bo-hyun.

Recently, in a cafe in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, Ahn Bo-hyun shared his thoughts on acting and his projects during an interview following the conclusion of tvN's 'Spring Fever.' Known for his ability to bring webtoon characters to life, Ahn has steadily built his presence through various works.

Born in 1988, Ahn Bo-hyun was a boxer and model before becoming an actor. He debuted in the 2016 film 'Hiya' and gained recognition for his roles in webtoon-based dramas like 'Itaewon Class' and 'Yumi's Cells,' where he impressed viewers with his high character synchronicity. Ahn stated, "I used to feel a lot of pressure, but now I enjoy it. I can't say there's no pressure at all, but it's not as much as before."

'Spring Fever' is a romantic drama about the pink romance between teacher Yoon Bom (played by Lee Joo-bin) and the passionate Seon Jae-kyu (played by Ahn Bo-hyun). It concluded on the 10th with a peak rating of 5.7% (Nielsen Korea, paid households). Ahn's portrayal of the 'straightforward country charmer' Seon Jae-kyu resonated with audiences.

Ahn, who has appeared in several webtoon-based dramas, clarified that it wasn't an intentional choice. He said, "It's not that I deliberately choose webtoon-based projects; it feels like those projects choose me. I strive to match the original character as closely as possible."

He shared, "I used to worry about being typecast with a masculine image due to my athletic background. But now, I see things differently." He added, "I'm grateful that people think of me for roles that require a physical or athletic base. 'Spring Fever' was one such case. The director initially wondered if the comic-like script could be adapted, but the production team said, 'We see Ahn Bo-hyun,' which was a huge motivation for me."

Following 'Spring Fever,' Ahn will join the filming of SBS's 'Reborn Rich Detective' Season 2. He explained, "I'm currently adjusting my weight for the next project. My shoot starts on the 14th, and seeing myself in a shirt made me realize I need to present a different image from Jae-kyu. I lost about 3kg to look slimmer."

Conversely, he gained weight for 'Spring Fever.' Seon Jae-kyu's robust physique and tattoo sleeves made a strong impression from the start. Ahn recalled, "I gained 3-4kg for a style change, not just muscle but also some fat. Jae-kyu needed a natural strength, not a gym-built body. I wanted to appear smart despite a potentially rugged look, so I focused on overall bulk rather than just facial features."

Reflecting on 'Spring Fever,' Ahn said, "We started filming in early summer last year and finished before it got too cold. Watching the final episode yesterday felt nostalgic. We shot about 90% in Pohang, and I'm grateful we wrapped up safely without incidents. It felt like looking through a memory album, even though it's only been two months since we finished."

"I love hearing people say, 'Is that the same person who played Jang Geun-won in 'Itaewon Class'?' It's not that romantic comedies boosted my confidence, but I want to keep showing new sides of myself," he added.

Finally, Ahn expressed his desire to explore different genres, saying, "I want to do a deep noir film, preferably as a villain. I want to showcase a completely different side of myself."

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