[Interview] Hong Jong-hyun "I Wait for a Love That Lasts Longer Than Burning Passion"

Coupang Play's 'Things That Come After Love' Minjun Role
Challenges Pure Love Acting While Looking at One Woman
16 Years Acting Experience... "Enjoying Work... Happiness Is Top Priority"

Actor Hong Jong-hyun Photo by Coupang Play

There was a time when I was fascinated by and admired pure love that looks only at one person. Pure love is an emotion that is gradually disappearing in a world addicted to stimulating 'dopamine' and is a word on the brink of extinction. Actor Hong Jong-hyun played Min-jun, a devoted man who looks only at Hong (played by Lee Se-young) anytime and anywhere, in the OTT drama 'Things That Come After Love' (written by Jung Hae-sim and Moon Hyun-sung, directed by Moon Hyun-sung) on Coupang Play. This is the first time he has portrayed a lyrical unrequited love since his debut. We spoke with him at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

'Things That Come After Love,' which will be released on the 27th, is a melodrama about the story after love between Hong, a woman who has forgotten everything after a fateful love ends, and Jun-go (played by Sakaguchi Kentaro), a man full of regret. It features impressive scenery from both Korea and Japan, where filming took place. The Korean shoot was conducted from January to February, and the Japanese shoot from March to April.

Hong Jong-hyun, who expressed unwavering love looking only at one woman in the drama, said, “At first, I couldn't fully empathize with Min-jun's pure love, but after deep reflection, I understood it,” adding, “This is the first work where I have thought so much about the feeling of liking someone to this extent.”

Still from Things That Come After Love
Photo by Coupang Play

Hong Jong-hyun gradually grasped Min-jun's emotions through discussions with director Moon. He said, “It was important to leave unresolved emotions as they were.” How much does Hong Jong-hyun resemble his character? He said, “I don't have the patience to wait persistently like Min-jun.”

'Things That Come After Love' delicately and quietly examines fragments of emotions between characters. Does eternal love exist, like in the work? Hong Jong-hyun said, “I believe it does,” but added, “It's not easy to meet that person.” He explained, “Meeting the right person with whom everything fits and sharing eternal love is like encountering an alien or a UFO. Some people may never meet eternal love in their lifetime.” Hong Jong-hyun dreams of a subtle love rather than a fiery one. He said, “I wait to meet a love that grows slowly and steadily over time,” adding, “It's not easy for a love that burns hot at first to last long.”

Hong Jong-hyun debuted as a model at the Seoul Fashion Week in 2007 and began acting with the film 'Sanghwajeom' (2008). Since then, he has appeared in dramas such as 'Jeon Woo-chi' (2013), 'Woman's Comic Shoes,' 'Mama' (2014), 'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo' (2016), 'The King Loves' (2017), variety show 'We Got Married' (2015), and films including 'Sanghwajeom' (2008) and 'Again, Spring' (2019). He enlisted for active duty in December 2019 and was discharged in June 2021. Military service became an important turning point in his life. He laughed, saying, “COVID-19 broke out right after I enlisted.” Although it was difficult due to limited leave and visits, he became healthier during his 18 months of service. He added, “As an actor, I had lived irregularly all my life, but during military service, I woke up at 6 a.m. and went to bed at 10 p.m. As a result, my stamina improved and I became healthier.”

Actor Hong Jong-hyun [Photo by Coupang Play]

When told that his facial expression has softened compared to interviews before his enlistment, Hong Jong-hyun said, “I hear that a lot these days.” He said, “In the past, work came first and I was very ambitious. Because of that, I sometimes went astray. I used to worry excessively about relationships and outward appearances. Now, I enjoy and am happy with my work. The time spent taking care of myself until work comes has become more important. Going through these changes has made my mind at ease.”

Hong Jong-hyun's motto is 'Do what you want to do and live.' He said, “New experiences in new places help me grow. I try not to build walls around myself and am willing to learn anything. I want to spend my given time healthily. In that sense, I want to do what I want to do. I want to grow older with a positive mindset.”