Kim Young-dae Concludes Twenties with 'Dear X', Eyes Direction over Speed in Thirties

Actor Kim Young-dae has marked the end of his twenties with his latest project, the TVING original series 'Dear X.'

'Dear X' delves into the twisted human relationships and hidden desires surrounding the downfall of Baek A-jin, played by Kim Yoo-jung. Kim Young-dae took on the role of Yoon Jun-seo, who chooses a path of sacrifice to protect Baek A-jin. He portrayed the character's inner turmoil, appearing strong on the outside while crumbling within, with a delicate emotional rhythm.

In a recent interview following the series' conclusion, Kim Young-dae shared his candid thoughts on his final project of his twenties and his future endeavors.

"It was a project that carried considerable pressure even before filming began," Kim Young-dae confessed. "Just being able to work with Kim Yoo-jung, who played A-jin, made me want to be a part of this. I approached it with the mindset that 'I just need to do my part well.'"

Jun-seo's character forms a complex relationship with Baek A-jin, becoming part of the same family through their parents' remarriage. His feelings are a mix of attachment and responsibility towards A-jin from childhood. As an adult, he acts as a 'hidden supporter,' quietly handling dangerous situations while following in her shadow. However, behind his all-encompassing devotion lies an inexplicable confusion and conflict.

"I was deeply concerned about how to maintain the emotional range," he explained. "Since Jun-seo isn't a character who speaks much, non-verbal expressions like his gaze and breathing were far more important than dialogue. Because there's a limit to organizing emotional flow solely in my head, I researched real-life cases and psychological materials to build the character's foundation. Especially since his feelings for A-jin couldn't be explained by simple affection or loyalty, I had to meticulously adjust the emotional temperature for each scene."

One of the scenes that garnered significant attention was the interrogation room scene in episode 4, where Yoon Jun-seo's attempt to sacrifice himself in place of A-jin heightened the drama's tension.

"It was a crucial point where a character who usually hides his emotions revealed cracks," Kim Young-dae said. "Although the script didn't have many specific stage directions, during rehearsals with the director on set, we explored various ways to express Jun-seo's confusion, fear, and instincts. It was a scene where Jun-seo's sense of responsibility and his fear had to erupt simultaneously, so it was very demanding performance-wise."

He also expressed deep trust in his collaboration with Kim Yoo-jung. In emotionally dense works like 'Dear X,' the co-star's reactions and subtle expressions play a significant role. Kim Yoo-jung accurately controlled the intensity of her emotions, maintaining the drama's center of gravity.

"Her concentration was so high that the direction of emotions could be determined just by locking eyes. She was a partner with whom I could exchange emotional depth without words," he praised.

Kim Young-dae had mixed feelings about this project being the last of his twenties. It served as a significant opportunity to reflect on his journey as an actor. The contemplation and experiences gained while preparing for the role naturally came into focus, reinforcing the feeling that the first chapter of his acting career was concluding. His thoughts on his future path have also become clearer.

"This project allowed me to consolidate the time I've spent accumulating trial and error and experience," he shared. "Before my military enlistment, rather than worrying about a hiatus, I want to use that time to refine my acting. After being discharged, I plan to actively seek auditions and knock on doors for roles I want to play. It's become more important to me whether a role truly embodies a character and the emotions they hold, rather than the scale of the project. In my thirties, I want to prioritize direction over speed, making deeper and slower choices."

Netizens are praising Kim Young-dae's nuanced performance, commenting things like, "Jun-seo's character was portrayed so well!" and "I'm really looking forward to Kim Young-dae's future projects," showing support for his growth as an actor.