[TF Interview] Kim Jaewon, The Charm of Movies Experienced Through 'Final Interview'

Debut on the big screen as the unwavering idealist Han Jin-woo"I felt a strong bond with people... and realized the importance of restraint."Actor Kim Jaewon held an interview regarding the release of the movie 'Final Interview'. /NEW[THE FACT| Reporter Park Ji-yoon] Actor Kim Jaewon, who has never settled for his previous works and has always revealed new sides of himself, is back with 'Final Interview'. Completely captivated by the charm of movies through his big screen debut, he plans to steadily build experience on a solid foundation of his initial resolve and move forward with his own pace. This is why we eagerly anticipate Kim Jaewon's next steps as he continues to take on new challenges.Kim Jaewon held an interview with at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, the day before the release of the movie 'Final Interview' (directed by Kim Jeong-hoon). On this day, he shared his feelings about his big screen debut, saying, "I'm nervous yet excited to meet the audience on the big screen," and talked about various aspects of the film.Released on the 4th, 'Final Interview' is a film about six applicants gathered for a final interview who discover mysterious envelopes containing their personal revelations, leading them to suspect each other and fall into confusion. It is based on the novel 'Six Liars University Students' by Akinari Asakura.First, Kim Jaewon shared his thoughts on seeing his performance fill the big screen for the first time. He said, "I watched the movie several times, and there's a big difference between watching it on the big screen and on a monitor on set. It felt awkward at first, but since I was approaching it as a different person, I felt a different kind of emotion compared to the characters I've shown so far."Kim Jaewon made his big screen debut playing Han Jin-woo, an unwavering idealist. /NEWHan Jin-woo is a character with a kind disposition who dreams of all his colleagues passing the interview after a month of team discussions, never judging people by their appearance. He is particularly attentive to those around him, remembering applicants' names and preferences. Although he is wary of the mysterious envelope, saying, "It's obviously a trap," as revelations continue, even his trust in his colleagues is called into question.In response, Kim Jaewon anchors the film by meticulously building the character's inner world, from his kindness that doesn't easily judge others to his steadfastness in trusting his colleagues even in confusing situations. As it was his first film, he had many conversations with Director Kim to approach the character, but the process of completing it was by no means easy."My weapon was kindness and goodness, but at times I had to appear like a tiger. I tried to show excessive kindness and unnecessary goodness to the point where I could be mistaken for a criminal. To the extent that people would wonder, 'Is he really that good?' While other characters express their emotions directly or get angry, it was difficult for Jin-woo because he judges rationally and restrains his emotions. As a player, I pondered how much tension to maintain between the desire to win and the goodness of wanting to harmonize with my friends."Kim Jaewon had another task: a romance with Jo Yi-hyun. While the film has the guise of a mystery, it keeps viewers wondering who the culprit is and who the final candidate will be. It also depicts the story of Han Jin-woo and Moon Hye-in (played by Jo Yi-hyun) developing a relationship beyond a fleeting moment.However, this could be seen as an element that lessens the tension of the mystery narrative rather than being exciting, so we were curious about how Kim Jaewon approached and acted out this narrative flow. When asked this question, he recalled the filming process, sharing a narrative he had constructed, believing that one might feel a sense of kinship with a similar character, and that this feeling could develop into love beyond mere liking.Kim Jaewon explained the focus of his acting, saying, "I pondered how much tension to maintain between the desire to win as a player and the goodness of wanting to harmonize with my friends." /NEW"We had many discussions with the director and Jo Yi-hyun to build the melodrama line within the boundaries of not harming the mystery genre. Jin-woo likes Hye-in, but I tried not to let that emotion show during the interview because they are both applicants, and he wants to be selected. So, when we returned to the present, we strengthened the characters' narratives. Also, there was a scene where they lightly kissed, but we changed it because we felt that the depth of the kiss would add credibility to their story."He also spoke fondly of Jo Yi-hyun, with whom he worked for the first time: "Although I'm younger, she seems younger. She's cute and lovely. In a good way, she needs a lot of help and I want to take care of her. She has a charm that evokes a protective instinct, so I was able to naturally immerse myself in the role."Although it was by no means an easy journey, the reason Kim Jaewon chose 'Final Interview' for his big screen debut was clear. He was drawn to the film's ability to delve into the hidden aspects of human nature, like the dark side of the moon, while also sharply criticizing modern society's tendency to immediately accept fragmented information of questionable authenticity as truth without examining the context beyond what is immediately apparent. Through this, he gained insights and became truly captivated by the film industry."I enjoyed the strong bond that formed as the actors and staff ate together and discussed the next scenes. Also, seeing it on the big screen, even the movement of my eyes from left to right was very impactful. Through this, I also felt the importance of restraint. It varies by role, but it was fun to have to condense what I wanted to express into two hours compactly."Kim Jaewon expressed his determination, saying, "I will continue to be an actor who shows various sides of myself without losing the sense of responsibility I must carry." /NEWKim Jaewon, who debuted as a model in 2018, began his acting career in the web drama 'Back Romance' in 2021 and has built a solid filmography with appearances in dramas such as 'Our Blues', 'King the Land', 'Hierarchy', and 'The Woman Who Plays with Fire'. He then delicately portrayed the pain of sexual minorities in 'Eunjoong and Sangyeon' and revealed a new side of himself, previously unseen, as a host bar player in 'Lady Doua'.Subsequently, Kim Jaewon solidified his position as a trending actor by playing the role of Sunrok in 'Yumi's Cells Season 3'. He also gained recognition and favorability by serving as the MC for KBS2's 'Music Bank' with his witty hosting and by performing K-pop choreography with sincerity."I believe my passion for not doing anything half-heartedly is my weapon. When choosing a project, I prioritize showing something I haven't done before, and I'm not afraid of unconventional roles. I think people appreciate my passion and my willingness to take on challenges. In fact, I tend to express my passion in a non-burdensome way during auditions and meetings."Looking back on a year that has passed busily and meaningfully, Kim Jaewon said, "This year feels like a Christmas present. In particular, I feel like I've shown my ability to lead a project through my previous works," he reflected, expressing his future aspirations and wishes."I hope that after watching 'Final Interview', people will feel that Kim Jaewon shows great potential in the film genre as well. I also want to let people know that there are young actors like this in the film industry. I will continue to choose projects that allow me to show aspects I haven't shown before, with unwavering consistency and without losing the sense of responsibility I must carry, and I will show you various sides of myself."jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]