As an actor, Hwang In-youp loves seeing life through the prism of his on-screen characters. In its latest release – the ongoing South Korean drama Family by choice – he plays Kim San-ha, practical but distant, who carefully guards his sensitive side. The show SLL is the heartwarming story of three childhood friends, whose close bond becomes more complex as they enter adulthood. It also features actors Bae Hyeon-seong and Jung Chae Yeon in important roles. In an exclusive interview with HT City, Hwang In-youp, known for his performances in shows like 18 Again, True Beauty, The Sound of Magic and Why Her, talks about being charmed by Family By Choice’s unique premise, his journey as an actor, and his love for Indian curry.

Family By Choice is fresh, charming and entertaining. When you heard the story, what was the one thing that made you want to be a part of it?

I was captivated by the story of a family coming together to support, comfort, and heal each other, even though they were not related by blood. But what intrigued me even more was how the theme of family was closely linked to elements of youth, melodrama and humanism. (My character) Kim San-ha is someone who matured quickly due to her childhood pain from her family. Although it may seem a little rough around the edges, it is very warm and sensitive deep down. His actions reveal his compassionate nature. I find the way he cares for his family and protects those close to him both admirable and inspiring. I wanted to play a character who shows love and care through actions, not just words, and I hope that feeling comes through to viewers.

Kim San-ha is a practical young man. Even though he carries a lot of emotional baggage, he is strong-willed. In describing him, what aspect of his character did you focus on?

As I said earlier, Kim San-ha may appear cold on the outside, but he is warm beneath the surface. He’s the kind of friend who speaks through actions rather than words, so I made an effort to express my emotions more through my eyes. I have often asked myself, “What would Kim San-ha do in this situation?” ” and I tried to think and act as if I were him, bringing his essence to life as naturally as possible.

In real life, do you look like Kim San-ha? Also, as an actor, is it important for you to connect with your characters, or do you look for characters that are different from you?

I felt most closely connected to Kim San-ha, because he is a lot like me – slightly cold and reserved on the surface, but warm deep down. When I’m acting, I’m constantly thinking about how I can better portray a character, not just through words, but through other subtle forms of expression.

There is an effortless chemistry between the three main characters of Family By Choice. The bond between you and Bae Hyeon-seong is particularly remarkable. Did you all work hard or was it instinct?

Bae Hyeon-seong and I are friends in real life, although this is our first time working together. Although he is younger, we are both caring and respectful, which allowed us to quickly form a deep bond. During filming, we often exchanged ideas and worked together to improve our performances. Of course, there were also moments of improvisation and spontaneous improvisations. I look forward to working with him in the near future.

You have an interesting filmography, and an impressive one too, with your performances in True Beauty, Why Her, Sound Of Magic and 18 Again standing out. How have you changed as a person and actor over the course of these series?

When I first started playing, just having the opportunity to play brought me joy and excitement. But now, as the protagonist of a drama, I feel the weight of responsibility. I have come to deeply appreciate the importance of communication with all cast and crew, each playing a role in creating the drama. During this journey, I realized that the process is just as crucial as the outcome. Moving forward, I plan to cherish every step of this journey.

You are seen as an actor gifted for intense roles, someone who knows how to express his feelings very well on screen. So, what is your approach?

Thank you very much for this wonderful review. I really appreciate the fact that people take the time to look at our work. This is what motivates me to analyze my characters in depth: to question them, to think, and to strive to truly understand them. Even though it can be difficult at times, I always find joy in the process. This is something I am very proud of and I look back on this journey with a feeling of fulfillment and happiness.

How would you define yourself as an actor and what is the best thing about your job?

I find joy in bringing so many characters to life through my performances. I find it fascinating to explore life through another’s point of view and point of view, distancing myself from my own. The excitement of wondering what lies ahead is also truly fascinating. Another joy comes from connecting with new people, engaging in meaningful conversations, and collaborating with like-minded people, all working together toward a common goal.

Family By Choice offers many culinary scenes. So, which dish was your favorite? And have you ever tasted Indian cuisine?

The main dishes of this drama were braised beef short ribs and soybean paste stew. They were so delicious that we sometimes got carried away during filming and made a few mistakes! As for Indian cuisine, curry is very popular in Korea. Although I tried it here, I never had its authentic Indian version. If I ever get the chance to visit, I would love to experience real Indian curry – I’m really curious about the difference!

Kim San-ha’s motto is to cherish what you have. What is Hwang In-youp’s motto?

I live by the motto “Cherish every moment,” which I think fits Kim San-ha’s character. In life, we often focus more on the outcome than the journey and as a result, we sometimes overlook the moments that led us to a particular point. I strive to cherish every moment, whether the outcome or the process, making the most of every experience and embracing joy. After all, these are moments we will never return from.