Kim Jae-joong, the "Puppeteer of Applause," confesses: "I'm looking for the baby acrobat walking the tightrope." Honest charm [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Interview with Kim Jae-joong in the movie "The Gentleman: Whisper of the Evil"

Singer and entertainer Kim Jae-joong has transformed into a shaman. Making his first lead role in a film in a long time, Kim Jae-joong showcased his carefree and honest charm in an interview.

Kim Jae-joong is meeting audiences with the film "The Exorcism of God: Whisper of the Evil Spirit," released on the 17th. "The Exorcism of God: Whisper of the Evil Spirit" is a shamanistic occult horror about three college students who disappear after visiting an abandoned shrine in Kobe, Japan, and Park Su-mudang Myung-jin (played by Kim Jae-joong), who investigates the incident and confronts a strange evil spirit.

Kim Jae-joong, who played a shaman in the film, reveals a new side through his role as Myung-jin. Kim said, "Since this is a work in a new genre, I approached the filming with a fresh mindset. I first saw the film in a theater when it was released in Japan a few months ago. It was darker than I expected. Since I couldn't see the scenes where other actors were filming on set, I watched the film from Myung-jin's perspective."

Kim Jae-joong said, "Due to the impression of my appearance, I have played many characters such as department heads, directors, and sons of chaebols. I felt a bit burdened by those roles. I wanted to portray a more casual character who could exist in daily life, expressing joy, pain, and emotions. That is why I liked the Myeong-jin character. I was also interested in religious stories and shamanistic tales that I was not very familiar with. I was persuaded by the director to take on this work."

When asked about his thoughts on shamanism, Kim Jae-joong, who played a shamanic medium in the drama, replied, "I don't believe in shamanism, but I do consult fortune tellers and visit fortune-telling shops." Kim Jae-joong added, "There was a time when I was really struggling and desperate. So I searched for a reputable place and went to see a baby doll in Uijeongbu. The person was a knife-walker, and it was really expensive. The basic fee was in the tens of millions of won." He continued, "At that time, I was going through such a hard time, so I went with a sincere heart and sought their help."

Kim Jae-joong said, "That person accurately matched my past, which only I know, but failed to predict the future. The problem has not been resolved. Through that experience, I realized that I have passed the period when I must find answers on my own during difficult times," thereby openly revealing his past reliance on shamanism.

Kim Jae-joong added with a laugh, "I still consult fortune tellers from time to time. I've been to see them more than ten times. I went because I wanted to hear positive things. I was adopted when I was young, so I have two birthdays and two names. Depending on the fortune-telling method, they sometimes use my birth date and sometimes my official registration date. Depending on my mood, I would have both read and only listen to the good parts."

Kim Jae-joong is running a management company and producing idol groups. Kim Jae-joong said, "It is not an easy decision. Supporting Time's dream is not something you can do just because someone asks you to, and there are many difficulties. We are currently on a difficult march." He added, "When I started working in this industry, I thought about what I could do and what I couldn't do with my mindset, but I felt that the range of what I could overcome was infinite. There are many friends with such talents. I thought I could be a source of strength for them, so I started. There are far more difficulties, but I am doing it with a sense of responsibility."

Kim Jae-joong, who was adopted as a child and publicly introduced his parents and eight older sisters on a broadcast, added in response to a question about whether he plans to start a family after marriage, "I am currently in a situation where I must take responsibility. I have no plans at all to start a family of my own."

We asked Kim Jae-joong, who is active as a singer, actor, and producer, about his thoughts on the full reunion of TVXQ. Kim Jae-joong said, "I think the topic of a reunion is too sensitive for me to speak about. It seems that not only my opinion but also the sentiments of others are very important." He added, "It seems that for others as well, it is not just their individual feelings but also the surrounding environment and infrastructure that matter. It seems to be a very sensitive issue."

Kim Jae-joong cautiously stated, "Just because someone wants to reunite doesn't mean it can happen. It's not something that can be achieved by will alone. When I was young, I also thought, 'I really want to see the full group again,' while watching the seniors and celebrities I admired. Fans might feel that way, but it seems everyone has their own circumstances."

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*This content was translated by AI.