Moon Sang-min Talks Romance Reality Shows and His Rising Acting Career

"If I weren't acting now, I might have already appeared on 'Heart Signal' Season 1. I think I would have tried it somehow (laughs). People around me often say I have a 'reality dating show face.'"

Last month, an interview with Moon Sang-min, the male lead of 'Beloved Bandit,' took place at a cafe in Gangnam, Seoul. Before debuting as an actor, he appeared on the dating reality show 'Real High Romance Season 2' and candidly shared his thoughts.

Born in 2000, Moon Sang-min began his acting career in late 2019 with the web drama 'Four Reasons I Hate Christmas.' He gained attention in 2022 for his role as Prince Seongnam, Kim Hye-soo's son, in 'Under the Queen's Umbrella.' He was later cast as the male lead in 'Wedding Impossible' and 'Cinderella at 2 AM,' starring alongside 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 fresh visuals, Moon Sang-min has recently appeared in 'Beloved Bandit' and 'Pavane,' earning recognition for his unique acting skills and star quality in the romance genre.

Premiering on January 3, KBS2's 'Beloved Bandit' is a grand romance about a woman who becomes the greatest thief and a prince of Joseon who chases her. Their souls switch, leading them to save each other and ultimately protect the people. Moon Sang-min plays the role of Prince Lee Yeol, engaging in a historical romance with Nam Ji-hyun's character, Hong Eun-jo, earning praise. The show provided a boost for KBS, which had been struggling with ratings in the 1% range, achieving a peak rating of 7.7% nationwide according to Nielsen Korea.

Moon Sang-min expressed positive interest in 'Heart Signal.' He explained, "I watched it very enjoyably before debuting. So I thought I wanted to visit the Signal House." Reflecting on 'Real High Romance,' he added, "It was my first broadcast program. I was 19, and it remains a fun memory."

As a fan of 'Heart Signal,' he noted, "'Heart Signal' isn't airing these days, so I'm watching 'Single's Inferno' instead. It's fun too." When asked about his real-life dating style, he said, "I'm the type to go all-in. I think my personality resembles some of the (notable) cast members on those dating shows. If I feel something is right or have a conviction, I act on it immediately. It might not be objectively correct, and the outcome might differ from expectations, but I try to act on it."

He also mentioned similarities with his character in 'Beloved Bandit.' Moon Sang-min said, "It's about self-esteem. The character knows how to love himself, which is similar to Yeol. Of course, I have times when things don't go well, and my self-esteem drops, but I eventually rise again with the power of self-love. I think that's the part we share."

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