Moon Sang-min on Working with Nam Ji-hyun: A Journey of Growth and Chemistry

"Working with the amazing actress Nam Ji-hyun was a great blessing. I tried to learn from her professionalism. Although Ji-hyun is my senior, I wanted to lead the project together as co-stars rather than just relying on her. At times, I hoped to be a strong presence for her, just like my character Yeol is for Eun-jo in the drama. I filmed with the mindset of wanting to be that kind of person for Nam Ji-hyun."

On the 20th of last month, a round interview with Moon Sang-min, the male lead of 'My Dearest Thief,' took place at a cafe in Gangnam, Seoul. Born in 2000, Moon Sang-min debuted as an actor in the web drama 'Four Reasons I Hate Christmas' in late 2019 and rose to stardom playing the role of Prince Seongnam, Kim Hye-soo's son, in 'Under the Queen's Umbrella' in 2022. He was later cast as the male lead in 'Wedding Impossible' and 'Cinderella at 2 AM,' sharing romantic chemistry with Jeon Jong-seo (1994) and Shin Hyun-bin (1986), respectively. This year, he portrayed a romantic chemistry with Nam Ji-hyun, who is five years his senior. Known for his 191cm 'door-like' physique and pure visuals, he is currently receiving numerous love calls for various projects.

Premiering on the 3rd of last month, KBS2's 'My Dearest Thief' is a dangerous yet grand romance about a woman who becomes the greatest thief by chance and a prince of Joseon who chases her, with their souls swapping and ultimately saving each other and the people. Moon Sang-min plays the role of Prince Yi Yeol, showcasing a historical romance with Nam Ji-hyun's character, the medical woman Hong Eun-jo, earning praise. The drama, which provided a turning point for KBS, which had been stuck at 1% ratings until the end of last year, succeeded with a peak rating of 7.7% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide).

How was the chemistry between the rising star Moon Sang-min and Nam Ji-hyun, who marks her 23rd year since debuting as a child actress? Moon Sang-min praised, "I was impressed by how Ji-hyun took care of the staff, actors, and even child actors on set. I can't forget the first reading. She had researched my speech patterns, habits, and expressions extensively. I was amazed at how she delivered lines like me." The drama gained popularity with its soul-swapping storyline.

Moon Sang-min has a distinct approach. Instead of giving standardized answers like "It was good" or "It was disappointing," he shares experiences, saying, "I've thought about it." His deep contemplation about acting and projects is evident. He naturally draws attention by conveying sincere and multidimensional thoughts based on personal experiences.

"I've often played characters like chaebols or younger men. I've mostly shown a smooth and soft image. But I think a more casual and slightly rough image suits me better. I have casual and slightly rough moments, but I haven't fully shown that side yet. If given the chance, I'd like to explore that aspect."

Moon Sang-min seemed particularly fond of this project. Despite having a scheduled interview for 'Pavane' next week, he made time for the 'My Dearest Thief' interview. He showed deep consideration not only for his character Yeol but also for Hong Eun-jo, with whom he shared the screen. Moon Sang-min interpreted, "Hong Eun-jo is a strong, graceful, and resilient character, but ultimately, I think she's still a girl. I felt she was a character with a tender heart and many wounds. I believed Yeol's role was to be a supportive and reliable presence for Eun-jo."

He added, "While playing Eun-jo, I tried to understand her feelings, paying close attention to Ji-hyun's expressions and gestures. At some point, I realized that my tension naturally heightened during scenes where I played Eun-jo. I had many conversations with Ji-hyun. I remember finding common ground, asking, 'I feel like I would do this action or say this line, but how would Eun-jo perceive it?'"

"What I loved about this project was being able to think about Eun-jo's feelings while acting, not just Yeol's. That experience was truly precious. The most memorable part of our drama was Eun-jo's narrative. The situation and background where Eun-jo had to marry in episodes 1 and 2 deeply resonated with me."

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