Kim Soo Hyun is turning heads again, and this time, it’s for his stunning appearance on the cover of Esquire Korea’s February issue! The popular actor, who recently broke records with the highest-ever viewership rating of 24.9% (28.4% in the capital area) for The Queen of Tears on tvN, teamed up with the luxury Italian brand Prada for this glamorous photoshoot.

In the interview, Kim Soo Hyun admitted he was a little nervous since it had been a while since he last did a photoshoot, but the cheerful atmosphere on set made everything easier. He was especially impressed with how the outfit turned out, saying, “I was surprised when I saw the outfit on the monitor. It was styled in such a stylish and atmospheric way.”

Kim Soo Hyun also opened up about his most memorable scene from The Queen of Tears. He fondly remembered the emotional moment when Kim Jung Nan, playing Beom Ja, appeared at his grandmother’s memorial and said, “Beom Ja is here.” The actor shared that he loves scenes where the whole cast is together, and the ad-libs were so fun that it was hard not to laugh during filming.

Known for his comedic chops in The Queen of Tears, Kim Soo Hyun recently shared his admiration for Yu Jae Myung, who plays his father in The Knock Off. “I was amazed by how he could deliver such captivating performances regardless of the unpredictable situations on set,” Kim Soo Hyun said.

As anticipation grows for The Knock Off, a Disney Plus original series set to air in 2025, Kim Soo Hyun teased, “I think we’ve filmed about half of it so far. I can’t share everything, but there was a special encounter during the Hong Kong shoot,” leaving fans eager to know more.

On top of his busy schedule, Kim Soo Hyun was also honored with the Artist of the Year award in the actor category at the 9th Asia Artist Awards in Bangkok on December 27, 2024. Looks like 2025 is shaping up to be another big year for the star.

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Director Kim Hyung Joo of The Match has finally shared his thoughts on Yoo Ah In’s involvement in a drug scandal, calling it a major disappointment, especially considering the actor’s role as the lead in the film.

On March 19th, the director attended a press screening and briefing for The Match at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Alongside Kim, actors Lee Byung Hun, Ko Chang Seok, Hyun Bong Sik, Moon Jung Hee, and Jo Woo Jin were present to discuss the film.

The Match revolves around the legendary Go player Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after a loss to his disciple, decides to challenge the top players again, driven by his competitive spirit. The movie is directed by Kim Hyung Joo.

Lee Byung Hun plays the iconic Go champion Cho Hun Hyun, while Yoo Ah In portrays his disciple, Lee Chang Ho.

During the event, Kim recalled the casting process, saying, "When we were casting, Lee Byung Hun was cast first. Just having him felt like we had the world, and then, getting Yoo Ah In as a bonus made me even happier."

Although filming wrapped up in 2021, Yoo Ah In's drug scandal led to the indefinite postponement of the film’s release. Now, nearly four years later, The Match is finally set to hit theaters on March 26th.

Reflecting on Yoo Ah In's scandal, Director Kim openly shared his frustration, calling it "irresponsible and disappointing" for the actor to make such a mistake as the lead.

He added, “Before being an actor, he made a mistake as a member of society and was punished, so I don’t think there’s much more to say.” Kim smiled bitterly as he spoke.

Describing the challenges he faced due to the scandal, Kim compared the experience to being trapped in "a hellish tunnel."

He said, "There was nothing I could do inside, so it was overwhelming. But now that we have the light of release, it feels like I can breathe. I’m deeply moved."

The director also shared that because Yoo Ah In was the lead actor, the film had to be released as it was, without editing. This has led some people to feel uneasy about watching the film, given the actor’s scandal.

When asked about this, Director Kim said, "Choosing and judging is up to the audience, so I can't force anything. But I hope they watch the movie as it is. I unintentionally got hurt before the release, so I hope people watch the movie warmly, as if applying ointment to a wound."

The Match will officially be released on March 26th.

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