Actress Kim Hyang-gi (26) has officially become a “trusted actress” as she continues to show her growth. In her latest project, ‘Absolute Value of Romance’, she took a bold leap by challenging herself with comedy for the first time!
Released on the 17th of last month, ‘Absolute Value of Romance’ is a high-teen series directed by Lee Tae-gon. The story follows a high school girl who writes BL novels featuring handsome teachers, only to find herself the protagonist of her own chaotic school life when she encounters them in reality. Kim Hyang-gi plays the cheeky and adorable Yeo Ui-ju, who enjoys a secret double life.
This role marked Kim Hyang-gi’s first foray into comedy. In an interview with Sports Chosun, she shared, “I’ve always had a lot of respect for comedians.” She added, “While filming, I focused on being sincere rather than trying too hard to be funny. Since it was my first time with comedy, there were moments where I wondered, ‘Is this right?’ but the director provided great monitoring. He kept me grounded whenever I felt the urge to overact just to be funny.”
Regarding the set atmosphere, she said, “There were many friends my age, so it really felt like I was back in high school.” She explained that they spent time hanging out and sharing snacks to keep things comfortable. “I’ve done a lot of genre-specific acting for a while, so I had many worries. I didn’t want to show it on the outside, but I think those close to me already knew what I was struggling with.”
Reflecting on her own school days, she shared, “I’ve lived in the same neighborhood for a very long time. Even now, I mostly meet my friends from middle and high school. Because I started working early, I didn’t feel much pressure during my school life, and I’m so grateful to my friends for that.”
Even as an adult, she caught everyone’s eye with her perfect school uniform fit. Kim Hyang-gi admitted, “Having gone through a child-actor phase, I had many worries about my appearance. I wondered if I should show a completely new side of myself, but I realized it’s best to just do my best with the opportunities I’m given.” She added, “It’s been a while since I wore a school uniform in ‘Absolute Value of Romance’, so I was relieved when people told me it suited me. As an actress, wouldn’t it be great to have a wide range, being able to play both older and younger roles? I’ll continue to work hard.”
Starting with the movie ‘Ma-eum-i’ in 2006, Kim Hyang-gi has already hit her 20th anniversary as an actress. “It doesn’t quite feel real,” she confessed. “I tend to focus on the character I’m playing at the moment. I want to be someone who can act consistently for a long time.” She noted that on this set, there were more younger actors than seniors. “Until now, I was always the youngest, but hearing the perspectives of the younger cast gave me new ideas. Also, the media environment is changing so fast. Since it’s no longer an era where people just sit and watch TV, I feel I need to adapt well.” When asked about her favorite variety content, she laughed and replied, “Personally, I love stand-up comedy. Also, since I’m part of the ‘Mudo Kids’ generation, I often look up old variety shows like ‘Infinite Challenge’.”
She also expressed surprise at how much more relaxed she has become as an actress. “Usually, you need an adjustment period whenever you start a new project, but that period has become much shorter for me. In the past, I would join a project feeling physically tense, but now I can control that quickly. I think I’ve gained more peace of mind as time passes.”
Finally, she expressed her deep affection for acting, saying, “I feel like acting is a lifelong friend. I love the concept of friendship, where you can build a relationship politely while respecting each other’s boundaries.”
