Actor Kim Mu-yeol Apologizes to Kim Nam-gil Over Hit Drama Role
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Actor Kim Mu-yeol gained popularity for his role in the hit drama "The Bequeathed."
- The role was reportedly first offered to actor Kim Nam-gil, who declined the part.
- Kim Mu-yeol apologized to Kim Nam-gil, acknowledging that he is often not the first choice for roles.
Actor Kim Mu-yeol has seen a surge in popularity following his performance in the recently acclaimed drama "The Bequeathed." However, the success of the series has also brought renewed attention to its casting process, with reports indicating that the role Kim Mu-yeol now embodies was initially offered to another prominent actor, Kim Nam-gil.
Kim Nam-gil reportedly turned down the opportunity to play the character of Inspector Roh Hwa-jin. As "The Bequeathed" has garnered significant viewership and critical praise, some observers have speculated whether Kim Nam-gil might regret his decision. Kim Mu-yeol addressed these discussions during a recent interview with Korean media outlets.
I really feel very impolite and very sorry.
Kim Mu-yeol stated that he had privately communicated with Kim Nam-gil, who offered his support and encouragement. He expressed deep admiration for Kim Nam-gil's work, particularly his performance in the film "The Shameless," which he cited as a significant inspiration. Kim Mu-yeol described himself as a fan of the senior actor.
Despite the positive interactions, Kim Mu-yeol conveyed his feelings of awkwardness and apology towards Kim Nam-gil. He acknowledged that he is frequently considered a secondary or even tertiary casting option for roles. While he recognizes that casting changes are common in the entertainment industry, the intense spotlight on "The Bequeathed" has made him approach such situations with heightened caution and sensitivity.
I know that many times I am not the first choice, often the second, third, or fourth candidate.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.