[Interview] 'Sweet Home' Kim Nam-hee "My Favorite Line Is 'Throw It', It Has Special Meaning" (Comprehensive)

*This article contains some spoilers.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Iseul] Actress Kim Namhee showed humility regarding the popularity of Sweet Home.

Kim Namhee answered questions about the Netflix original series Sweet Home (directed by Lee Eungbok) during an online video interview held on the 30th.

Sweet Home is a Netflix original series depicting the bizarre and shocking story of Hyunsoo, a reclusive high school student who loses his family and experiences strange events in the apartment he moves into.

The series is based on the webtoon of the same name, which boasts 1.2 billion views, and was completed by director Lee Eungbok, known for directing Mr. Sunshine, Goblin, and Descendants of the Sun. The cast includes Song Kang, Lee Jinwook, Lee Siyoung, Lee Dohyun, Go Minshi, Park Kyuyoung, Go Yoonjung, as well as Kim Gapsoo and Kim Sangho.

Regarding the various reactions to Sweet Home released on the 18th, Kim Namhee humbly stated, “I think there are many shortcomings. I need to accept and improve on them.”

While other characters received mixed reactions, the character Jung Jaehun, played by Kim Namhee, was noted as the only character with few negative responses. He said, “I try to accept the praise humbly. How can an actor be satisfied with their acting? I was very disappointed with my performance. I want to refine the lacking parts and show a better side.”

“I have many regrets about my acting. I hoped the character would be portrayed as more witty. I wanted to show the difference before and after the battle. Although he appears clumsy and frustrating in daily life, I wanted to show him transforming into a strong warrior when fighting monsters, making the character more three-dimensional. Perhaps my skills were still insufficient.”

Kim Namhee plays the Korean language teacher Jung Jaehun, who fights monsters with a real sword based on his long-practiced kendo skills. He shared, “I started learning swordsmanship at a kendo gym six months before filming. Normally, it takes 5 to 10 years or more to practice with a real sword, but I asked for permission and practiced in an empty training room with the instructor for the shoot.”

He continued, “I learned the posture and swinging motions using a wooden sword. Rather than vaguely trying to be good, I focused on how to handle the sword to look like someone skilled with it. I performed action scenes under the guidance of the stunt director on set.”

Having gained recognition through appearances in Mr. Sunshine and Goblin, Kim Namhee worked with director Lee Eungbok for the third time in Sweet Home. He revealed, “I first met the director on set during Goblin and was nervous. After filming, I thought, ‘I probably won’t be able to do dramas again,’ but the staff’s reactions were good. Even then, I didn’t have any conversations with the director. Later, I auditioned for Mr. Sunshine and appeared in it, but we still didn’t have private conversations. During the filming of Sweet Home, we only had brief work-related talks.”

He laughed, saying, “Director Lee Eungbok feels like someone distant yet close to me.”

Taking on a creature genre through Sweet Home, Kim Namhee admitted, “It was a big burden. Hollywood has advanced CG (special effects) technology and enormous scale. Naturally, the work would be compared to that. We had to satisfy audiences already accustomed to Hollywood creature films. Because of the worries, I prepared very hard.”

Referring to the original webtoon while developing his character, Kim Namhee said, “The foundation was the same. The original work was very helpful. I referred to the webtoon character while shaping my role. The love line was a bit different, and I wanted to add some wit. Since Jaehun is a static character and would lack charm if portrayed only with self-sacrifice, I tried to add a clumsy wit.”

Kim Namhee mentioned that he referenced Keanu Reeves from the movie Constantine. He said, “Keanu Reeves appeared in the film as someone who exorcises demons, and his performance reciting Bible verses was impressive, so I referred to that. Also, the sniper role in the movie Saving Private Ryan was attractive. I referred to the way he recited the Lord’s Prayer every time he fired a gun.”

Regarding the focus of his character, Kim Namhee said, “I saw him as a dark figure. Starting from an incident where a human collapses and breaks down, then overcomes it through the power of religion and lives gratefully in an ordinary life. I analyzed that because he overcame darkness, he doesn’t want to return there and thus maintains his current brightness.”

He revealed that his experience performing Shakespeare plays on stage helped with the somewhat formal and stiff dialogue. Kim Namhee recalled, “When I first received the script and saw the formal language, I anticipated difficulties. Fortunately, I had experience in theater and performing Shakespeare plays where I adapted the lines, which helped.”

He also cited the elevator scene as a memorable moment, saying, “My favorite line among Jaehun’s lines is ‘Throw it.’ I think it’s the scene where Jaehun screams as a human before dying, so it touched me. I saw it as a plea to be remembered. I put my utmost effort into acting that scene.”

Was he disappointed with the character’s ending in death? Kim Namhee said, “Anyone would feel regret. But because of that regret, a memorable scene was created. I think not only I but also the viewers felt that regret, so I’m glad. In the original work, Jaehun dies. Ignoring that and keeping him alive wouldn’t have been possible.”

He added, “I’m satisfied that the death was portrayed more intensely and poignantly than in the original. I decided that if I had to go, I would go out in style.”

Since the story ended with death, is there a plan for season 2? Kim Namhee said, “I haven’t heard any story about Jaehun’s reincarnation,” but added with anticipation, “If you all cheer a lot, who knows?”

When asked if he feels the strong response toward him right after Sweet Home was released, he laughed, saying, “I didn’t expect to be highlighted like this during filming.” He shared, “Because of the COVID-19 situation, it’s hard to go outside, so I check reactions through SNS and blogs. Comments come in English, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and more. It feels good and I’m thankful.”

Regarding working with Netflix, Kim Namhee said, “It hasn’t been long since Netflix landed in Korea, but it feels familiar as if it’s been here for a long time. As an actor, it’s a platform that offers good opportunities. It’s a place that opens doors to diversity, and I want to keep challenging myself there.”

When asked what kind of work he would like to appear in if he works with Netflix again, Kim Namhee answered, “I want to meet a character like Joaquin Phoenix in the movie Joker.” He explained, “I want to take on roles where I can deeply immerse myself and show various facets.”

Regarding reactions that he transformed so convincingly into various characters that people didn’t realize it was the same person, Kim Namhee humbly responded, “Isn’t that the best compliment? I’m not good at self-management, so I prepare according to the role, which might be why different sides come out. Maybe it’s also because I’m still unknown.”

“I want to let go of the greed to gain and grow quickly and just act well. If I consistently act well, I believe I will surely remain a memorable actor.”

Photo = DAY Entertainment, Netflix