Kim Ji Hoon is reflecting on the mindset that has kept him moving forward after 24 years as an actor, as his latest Coupang Play drama The Affair Was Just the Beginning continues to gain attention.

The actor recently spoke about the series and his long career, revealing that he still spends a great deal of time examining himself and thinking about how he can improve.

Kim Ji Hoon said, “I think living freely without thinking too much about age might be what it means to live like a boy.”

The Affair Was Just the Beginning premiered on July 31 and is an eight-episode black comedy about two neighboring married couples whose complicated relationships become connected through unexpected secrets.

The drama reportedly ranked No. 1 among Coupang Play’s popular titles during its first week. By the time Episode 4 was released, it had also recorded the highest accumulated viewing volume among Coupang Play series to date.

Kim Ji Hoon said the response has been encouraging.

“People keep telling me that the drama itself is really fun,” he shared. “A lot of people say the unexpected events make it exciting. Since it’s already getting such good results, I’m becoming more hopeful.”

In the series, Kim Ji Hoon plays Im Jae Hong, the younger husband of popular interior influencer Park Kyung Hee, played by Kim Hye Soo. The character appears relaxed and affectionate on the surface but has a more complicated private life.

Kim Ji Hoon also spoke positively about working with Kim Hye Soo and Jo Yeo Jeong.

He said, “I felt some pressure working alongside two such beautiful actresses, but our chemistry was really good, and the atmosphere on set was especially warm.”

Speaking about Kim Hye Soo, he added, “She has incredible experience and presence. I made it my goal to work hard enough for her to acknowledge me. As filming continued, she gave me more compliments, and that gave me a lot of energy.”

He also said reuniting with Jo Yeo Jeong after many years felt comfortable because they had previously worked together.

Beyond the drama, Kim Ji Hoon explained that constant self-reflection has become an important part of how he approaches both acting and life.

He said, “I always try to look at myself objectively.”

The actor even revealed that he has studied neuroscience in an effort to better understand his own thoughts and emotions.

“I keep trying to look at situations more objectively,” he explained. “I think about why I have certain thoughts and emotions and where they come from. I try to face the parts of myself that only I know. It can be difficult, but I keep trying to confront them honestly.”

Since debuting through KBS’s Loving You in 2002, Kim Ji Hoon has worked across children’s programs, variety shows, daily dramas, weekend dramas, and trend-focused series.

Looking back on that experience, he said, “I think I’ve had a really wide variety of experiences. That has become something special in my career, and because of it, I don’t feel too afraid no matter what kind of situation I enter now.”

Even after more than two decades in the industry, Kim Ji Hoon said he still feels far from finished.

“Being an actor feels like an endless journey,” he said. “No matter how far you go, there is always another road waiting. I think I’ve only just reached the point where I can steadily walk on my own two feet.”

With The Affair Was Just the Beginning continuing to gain viewers, Kim Ji Hoon believes the remaining episodes will bring even more intensity while avoiding revealing specific developments.

The eight-episode series releases new episodes every Friday at 8 p.m. KST on Coupang Play.