After a 14-year hiatus from film since 'Two Moons,' Kim Ji-seok plays the role of Do-jun, the leader of a drug manufacturing organization. With a lively yet serious demeanor, he adds depth to the character.
"It's been 14 years since I made a film, and just the act of filming felt incredibly joyful. The atmosphere on set is different from that of a drama, as we have more time to craft each line and scene. It was a refreshing experience," he said.
For Kim, 'Husbands' was a welcome return to film. He was drawn to the narrative of Ma Do-jun, who carries the weight of his past with Hyeran, as directed by Park Kyu-tae, known for his previous work 'Yuksa-o.'
"This film felt like an oasis in the desert for me after such a long time away from cinema. I had great trust in Director Park, and I really enjoyed 'Yuksa-o.' The unique humor and the refreshing action in 'Husbands' were appealing, but what resonated most was the character of Ma Do-jun. Unlike other characters whose stories unfold through dialogue and situations, Ma Do-jun's past with Hyeran is presented as a separate narrative within the film. Being the only character with flashbacks made it feel special, and the way their story is shown was particularly impressive and captivating," he explained.
Ma Do-jun is a villain who opposes Chungsik and Minseok but also collaborates with them to confront a more formidable enemy. Kim Ji-seok pondered how to balance the character's villainous traits without losing the tension or making him overly friendly.
"In the film, there are villains played by Lee Da-hee, myself, and Yoon Kyung-ho. Ma Do-jun is a villain opposing the current and ex-husbands, but he also collaborates with them against other villains. I had to think a lot about how to adjust the intensity of the villain's character. He lives in the shadows and is clearly an adversary, but I wanted him to appear relatable and unpredictable. The focus was on creating a nuanced tension where he is not entirely trustworthy but not completely dismissive either," he said.
Kim Ji-seok had many scenes with Jin Sun-kyu and Gong Myung, and the early days of filming were about understanding the dynamics on set. Given that it had been a while since he worked on a film and the two actors had already established a strong rapport through 'Extreme Job,' he chose to observe their acting styles and rhythms before finding his place.
"Every project comes with pressure and tension, but this time felt even more intense. The actors I worked with were exceptional, and since it had been a long time since I did a film, I had been following their work closely. Instead of rushing to bond, I watched how they approached their roles. Gong Myung and Sun-kyu had a much closer relationship than I expected from their previous work. Rather than jumping in immediately, we naturally grew closer through the exchange of emotions and ideas during our performances. As we discussed the scenes, we also became friends outside of work, forming a solid trio," he shared.
Ma Do-jun's flashy style serves as a device to distinguish his past from his present. The character's transformation before and after meeting Hyeran is made visually clear.
"The costume and makeup teams did an incredible job. This was the most effort I've put into styling since my debut, and I was surprised at how much I could express through my look. It was my first time wearing earrings and multiple rings while acting. Each scene featured different colorful outfits, making me feel like I was donning armor before going into battle. I really enjoyed that process. If Do-jun was a petty thug before meeting Hyeran, he transforms into a successful businessman afterward. I wanted to express that change with vibrant colors rather than a dark, heavy tone. I also benefited greatly from working with Lee Da-hee, who brought a stylish and powerful presence to our scenes together. Initially, I wondered if our contrasting skin tones would work, but it ended up creating a nice visual contrast," he noted.
Kim Ji-seok described Ma Do-jun's action style as 'power.' While Chungsik showcases arresting actions using handcuffs and wrestling, and Minseok brings a lively action style based on extreme sports, Do-jun's demeanor shifts dramatically when a fight begins, revealing his intimidating presence.
"I was very determined to execute the action well. Do-jun appears laid-back and carefree, but I wanted him to come across as brutally powerful and frightening during the action scenes. To convey strength and weight, I decided to bulk up by about 5 kg and had ample time to prepare by attending an action school after being cast early. I was eager to show off my physique, but unfortunately, there weren't many scenes where I could do that. Even in the surgery scene, I thought my body would be visible, so I focused on my abs and shoulders, but they ended up using a dummy, which was a bit disappointing. Only I would notice, but I took satisfaction in seeing the outline of my back and shoulder blades through the suit," he explained.
His chemistry with Lee Da-hee was crucial in shaping the relationship between Do-jun and Hyeran. Although he is typically quiet and shy, Kim Ji-seok found that Lee Da-hee took charge of scenes, which helped him naturally discover Do-jun's dependence on Hyeran.
"Da-hee is said to have an E personality type, but in reality, she is quite reserved and shy. However, when on set, she leads well and transforms into a completely different person while acting. I felt that her demeanor mirrored the relationship between Do-jun and Hyeran. Do-jun's reliance on Hyeran came to life naturally. Their scenes were intimate from the start, with a lot of physical closeness, and Da-hee took the initiative to approach and open up the scenes. I believe her contribution was significant in bringing the chemistry between Do-jun and Hyeran to life," he said.
Kim Ji-seok, who is in a public relationship with actress Lee Joo-myung, spoke cautiously about the changes since their relationship became known.
"I am always careful. There are pros and cons. I feel more cautious about my work than before, worrying about not causing any trouble for each other. On the other hand, as a man and a woman, there is a sense of comfort that has increased. When going out to eat or anywhere, I feel more at ease. Sometimes I worry about being labeled as someone’s partner. I hope to be evaluated and recognized for my own work, and it can be disappointing when my name is overshadowed by someone else's," he said.
'Husbands' marks Kim Ji-seok's first appearance in a Netflix project. The experience of receiving feedback from viewers around the world upon its release has set new expectations for his future projects.
"If given the opportunity, I would love to work on another Netflix project. That's my honest feeling. Of course, domestic OTT platforms are excellent, and there are plenty of ways for global fans and viewers to access our work, but this time, I experienced the power of Netflix firsthand. I felt the significant influence of Netflix Korea and its global reach, which was quite a revelation. Hearing that our film ranked high worldwide was fascinating. As an actor who has just begun to experience this, I want to continue creating works that can connect with global audiences immediately," he concluded.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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