“I love doing things with my voice. I think the power of voice is significant, both as an actor and in general. If I get the chance in the future, my dream is to participate in a Disney movie and do the dubbing.”
Kim Min-ha (29) has set a unique goal as an actor. While performing as an actor and presenting to the public, he has a dream of voice acting for Disney. To achieve this, he is focusing on finding his unique voice by building his acting skills through various works.
On the 20th, we met Kim Min-ha, who came with the Disney+ original series “Lighting Store,” at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. In the series, Kim plays the role of a gay character named ‘Seon-hae,’ showcasing his acting in episodes filled with thrills and horror.
Kim Min-ha shared, “I tend to imagine a lot, and I think I imagined a lot while filming this drama. Since it’s my first time in a horror genre, I worried a lot about whether my acting would be excessive. Especially in episode 2, there are many scenes where I act alone, so I kept wondering if I was doing well.”
“Lighting Store” is the first work directed by actor Kim Hee-won. Kim Min-ha said, “Senior Kim Hee-won fully trusted me and encouraged me to act. He provided efficient and detailed acting direction. I was particularly moved by how he demonstrated the acting himself.” He added, “I acted freely without any difficulties.”
“Lighting Store” consists of several episodes. Therefore, the main cast members did not have many opportunities to synchronize their acting. Kim Min-ha explained, “I tried to objectively see how my acting fits into the overall work, not just my direct performance. I didn’t want to get too lost in my own acting.”
Kim Min-ha gained attention both domestically and internationally for his role as ‘Sunja’ in the Apple TV+ drama “Pachinko,” which was released in 2022. This became a pivotal work that introduced him to the public and led him into the ‘Kang Full Universe.’ He said, “Honestly, I haven’t heard exactly why I was cast. I think the synchronization with the character is good.” He added, “I grew up reading Kang Full’s webtoons since my student days, so it’s really amazing to be able to act. It’s surprising to see how stories unfold in such various forms.”
Following “Pachinko” and now “Lighting Store,” there must be some pressure from participating in so many masterpieces. Kim Min-ha stated, “I don’t feel a significant burden regarding the success of the work. Honestly, I think success is in the hands of fate. If I feel that the script is great, the director is great, and the working process is great, then I believe the outcome will also be good. However, if it doesn’t succeed, I can only think of it as fate.”
In the series, Kim Min-ha showcases minor acting while experiencing thrills and fears in dark spaces. The public has praised his performance as feeling very realistic. Kim Min-ha remarked, “I don’t calculate my acting. I tend to act instinctively when I enter the scene. At the beginning of the shoot, I start as human Kim Min-ha, but as it progresses, I try to find the character. I do a lot of image training and imagination alone.”
Kim Min-ha finds the process of becoming the character he plays enjoyable. He said, “The more I act, the more it seems to make me a better person. There are times when I struggle and don’t resonate with it, but I find the process of discovering that point enjoyable. That’s why I can’t give up acting.”
Kim Min-ha’s face, which can appear somewhat cold when he is expressionless, is filled with various expressions and emotions. Throughout the interview, he maintained a bright smile and spoke in a casual and comfortable manner. He expressed, “Looking at the characters I’ve played so far, I think I’ve acted as a person who can lead with my own voice rather than someone who raises their voice.”
In conclusion, Kim Min-ha shared, “I often think about my voice and love doing things with it. I talk to myself a lot. My dream is to convey what I want to say, whether as an actor or a voice actor, through my voice for a long time.”
Kim Min-ha will return in the Tving original series “A Week Before I Die,” which is set to be released next year.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
