Kim Min-jun Reveals Director Park Joong-hoon's 'Threat' Casting Story Amid Retirement Thoughts

Actor Kim Min-jun recalled a period when he seriously considered retiring from acting, revealing director Park Joong-hoon's unique casting process that garnered attention.

On the Channel A program 'Close Friends Table for Four,' aired on the 3rd, actor Park Joong-hoon invited his close friends, former basketball player Huh Jae and actor Kim Min-jun, to his home.

Park recalled casting Kim for the lead role in his directorial debut film 'Top Star,' explaining, "Kim Min-jun looked like a star with his physique, gaze, and face. The protagonist of a movie needs to be a movie star, so I felt he was the one." However, Kim confessed that he was contemplating quitting acting altogether at the time.

Kim explained, "It was like a phase of adolescent rebellion. Things weren't going as I wanted, and I felt judged by my surroundings, worrying that my true self would be damaged. So, I tried to protect myself." He added honestly, "When I read the script, I didn't think I was a big enough star to play the role and worried about being a detriment to the film. Also, I thought director Park Joong-hoon could cast someone better than me, so I didn't feel bad about refusing at first."

To this, director Park humorously recounted, "After persuading Kim for a month, I finally set a condition: 'Don't be an actor from today until you die.' A few days later, he agreed to do it," drawing laughter. Huh Jae, present at the time, playfully chided Park, "Why do you get to decide someone else's life?" leading to more amusement.

Netizens who watched the broadcast commented, 'Director Park Joong-hoon is really persistent lol', 'The casting story for actor Kim Min-jun is like a drama', and 'It would have been a disaster if you quit then! Please continue to show great acting.'