It takes a particular temperament to thrive in the entertainment industry. Not only is your face and persona on full display, you’re also subject to a relentless stream of feedback—often unsolicited. Especially in a climate that heavily endorses stakeholder engagement, whether they be your fans, your team… or the magazines penning your story.
Kim Woo-bin arguably possesses both a distinct face and persona. A look that does not quite conform to the manicured masculinity we commonly associate with K-culture, nor veers too overtly in the opposite direction. It is likely this enigmatic balance that earned him an early foothold in fashion at just 20. The brooding charisma then makes for a seamless transition to the drama screen. We all saw him carving out a niche by subverting archetypes. Attaining crush status across the region seems pretty deserving.
Acting chops were never in question with Best New Actor award in the bag a year later. The ascent to a film career only became natural. Yet it wasn’t just talent propelling him forward; it was grit and humility. Tales of refusing a stunt double dive for a plunge into icy waters in Master, or surprising crews with coffee trucks on gruelling shoots.
And if donating 100 million won to wildfire relief or personally delivering handwritten letters to hospitalised children sounds a little too PR, his authenticity cuts through on variety shows. His early appearances on Running Man remain a touchstone. Utterly unafraid to distort his good looks, cleverly outwitting the ensemble’s most cunning members; all done with a quiet poise that had no airs about it.
It’s telling of a character that can maintain privacy in a decade-long celebrity romance, or defeat a cancer diagnosis for a resilient comeback. The 36-year-old actor embodies a cool detachment that positions him within the industry as an active participant; yet never consumed by it.
Parse interviews and public gestures, everything falls short of commentary. We’d like to think it’s best to get acquainted directly (semi-, in this case). So look. Listen. Read. And if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of the man in his own words.
ESQUIRE SINGAPORE: What is your process of preparing for new roles?
새 로 운 역 할 을 준 비 하 실 때 어 떤 과 정 을 거 치 시 나 요 ?
KIM WOO-BIN: Hmm... that’s quite a difficult question to start with. I usually begin by spending time with the character as described in the script. I believe that most of the answers lie within the script itself, so I take time to slowly acquaint with the characters through their relationships and surrounding people. I also have many conversations with the director and writer, where we discuss aspects that aren’t explicitly written in the script. Through these discussions and a lot of personal imagination, I gradually build the character’s backstory and narrative.
음.. 첫 질문이 꽤 어려운 질문이네요.. 가장 먼저 시나리오에 나와있는 인물과 만나는 시간을 가집니다. 많은 부분이 대본 안에 있다고 믿기 때문에 그 인물과 주변인물들을 통해 천천히 알아가는 시간을 가집니다. 감독님과 작가님 과도 많은 이야기를 나누며 대본에 없는 부분들을 함께 상의 하는 시간을 갖기도 하고 여러가지 상상들을 통해서 그 인물의 서사들을 만들어 나가는 편입니다.
ESQ: Did you expect this level of success when you first started out?
처음 이 길을 시작하셨을 때 지금과 같은 성공을 예상하셨나요?
KWB: Of course, I couldn’t have predicted it—no one knows what the right answer is. I think I started with the mindset of giving it my all for 10 years, without regrets. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to receive love and support from many early on, and now it’s already been 17 years since my debut.
당연히 예상할 수 없었죠. 그 누구도 정답을 모르니까요. 일단 시작했으니 후회 없이 10년만 노력해보자는 마음으로 시작했던 것 같은데 운이 좋게도 이른 시기에 많은 분들이 좋아해 주셨고 벌써 데뷔한지 17년이 지났네요.
ESQ: Is there a movie/TV genre you prefer? Why?
선호하시는 영화나 드라마 장르가 있으신가요? 그 이유는 무엇인가요?
KWB: I actually enjoy watching all kinds of genres, but if I had to choose, I’d say I’m particularly drawn to documentaries. Since they deal with real stories, I naturally find them more engaging. I also enjoy observing people in my daily life, so I sometimes get inspiration for characters while watching documentaries.
사실 장르를 가리지 않고 보는 편이긴 합니다. 그래도 그중에서 고르자면 다큐멘터리 영화를 좋아하는 편입니다. 진짜 이야기를 다루는 장르이기 때문에 더 관심이 가기도 하고 평소에도 사람들을 관찰하는걸 좋아해서 가끔은 다큐멘터리를 보면서 캐릭터에 대한 소스를 얻기도 합니다.
ESQ: If you weren't in this industry, what would you be doing besides modelling?
만약 지금의 업계에 계시지 않았다면, 모델 외에 어떤 일을 하고 계셨을 것 같으신가요?
KWB: Hmm… I’m not sure. If I had worked for 10 years as I initially planned and then decided to quit, what would I have done instead? Since I used to model, there’s a good chance I might still have transitioned into the fashion industry.
아.. 글쎄요.. 만약 처음 마음먹은 대로 10년 동안 일 해보고 포기를 했다면 어떤 일을 했을까요? 아마 모델일을 했었기 때문에 패션 쪽으로 전향했을 가능성도 있을 것 같네요.
ESQ: How different are you than when you began?
처음 활동을 시작하셨을 때와 비교해 지금은 어떤 점이 가장 달라졌다고 느끼시나요?
KWB: I feel like my love for this work has only grown deeper over time. In the beginning, I didn’t have the space or composure to notice what was happening around me on set, but now that I’ve become more familiar with the environment, I’m able to take in and observe so much more.
이 일을 좋아하는 마음이 시간이 지날수록 더 깊어지는 것 같습니다. 처음엔 여유가 없어 현장 주변을 살필 여유가 없었다면 지금은 익숙해져서 더 많은 것들을 볼 수 있게 되기도 했습니다.
ESQ: What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt?
지금까지 배운 가장 큰 교훈은 무엇인가요?
KWB: Ah, that’s probably the hardest question so far. The biggest lesson...? I’d say—it’s that you have to love yourself before you can truly love others.
음 가장 어려운 질문이 나왔네요. 가장 큰 교훈이라.. 나를 사랑해야 남을 사랑할 수 있다.
ESQ: What do you consider your greatest personal and professional milestones so far?
지금까지 개인적으로 그리고 직업적으로 가장 큰 성취는 무엇이라고 생각하시나요?
KWB: I’m thankful for the things I get to experience day by day.
하루하루 만나는 일들에 대해 감사하게 생각합니다.
ESQ: What do you do most in your free time?
자유시간에는 주로 어떤 일을 하시나요?
KWB: A typical day for me isn’t about doing anything special—I try to get plenty of rest. I exercise to take care of my health, eat comforting food, and catch up on Netflix series I’ve missed or put off.
저의 보통의 하루는 특별한 일보단 휴식을 잘 취하려 합니다. 체력을 위해 운동하고 편안한 음식을 먹고 못보고 미뤄둔 넷플릭스 시리즈들을 보는거죠.
ESQ: If you had the time, what is something you would love to pursue? What about it resonates with you?
시간이 더 있다면 꼭 해보고 싶은 일이 있으신가요? 그 일에 끌리는 이유는 무엇인가요?
KWB: Are you asking about just one day? If I had 30 hours in a day, I’d probably sleep two more hours and watch one more of my favourite movies.
하루를 말씀하시는 건가요? 하루가 30시간이라면 일단 잠을 두시간 더 자고 좋아하는 영화를 한편 더 볼 것 같아요.
ESQ: Where is a destination you’ve always wanted to go but haven’t been or want to return to? Why?
아직 가보지 못했지만 꼭 가보고 싶은 곳이나 다시 가고 싶은 여행지가 있으신가요? 왜 그곳인가요?
KWB: I haven’t had the chance to visit Mexico yet, but I have a feeling I’ll be going sometime soon.
멕시코를 아직 못가봤는데 아마 곧 갈 수 있을 것 같네요.
ESQ: What were you like in high school?
고등학생 시절의 배우님은 어떤 사람이었나요?
KWB: I was a student who worked as a shopping mall model on the side, got permission from the principal to pursue modelling, and grew out my hair all on my own.
쇼핑몰 모델일을 병행하며 학교에서 모델이 되겠다고 교장선생님께 허락 받고 홀로 머리를 기르던 학생입니다.
ESQ: What’s something that means a great deal to you? Why?
배우님에게 정말 큰 의미가 있는 무언가는 무엇인가요? 왜 그게 중요할까요?
KWB: There are probably too many things that hold deep meaning for me—my family, the people I love, my work, my team, my colleagues... honestly, the list just keeps going.
정말 큰 의미가 있는 건 너무 많은 것 같은데요..? 가족, 내가 사랑하는 사람들, 나의 일, 회사 식구들, 동료들.. 너무 많네요.
ESQ: What anchors you in tough times?
힘든 시기에 배우님을 지탱해주는 것은 무엇인가요?
KWB: Holding on to self-love and a grateful heart for those who love me.
나를 사랑하는 마음과 나를 사랑해주는 이들에 대한 감사한 마음을 간직하는 것.
ESQ: What is your greatest fear?
배우님의 가장 큰 두려움은 무엇인가요?
KWB: I get the most nervous when someone suddenly hands me a mic and asks me to say something especially when everyone is watching. Haha
많은 사람들이 쳐다보는 와중에 갑자기 나에게 한마디 하시라며 마이크를 줄 때 가장 두렵습니다. 하하
Photography: Mok Jungwook
Fashion Direction: Asri Jasman
Art Direction: Joan Tai
Styling: Kim Sea Jun
Hair: Im Chulwoo
Grooming: Kim Sunghye
Executive Producer: Izwan Abdullah
Production: Seoyul Oh
