“Family By Choice” is coming to a close after a successful run!
On November 26, Soompi attended a round interview with Bae Hyeon Seong, in which he spoke to media outlets about his latest drama “Family By Choice” and also shared some more insight about himself.
“Family by Choice” is a drama about Kim San Ha (Hwang In Youp), Yoon Ju Won (Jung Chaeyeon), and Kang Hae Jun (Bae Hyeon Seong), who are not related by blood but spent their teens together while insisting that they are family, reunite after 10 years. The drama achieved great international success, scoring No. 1 in 140 regions on Viki.
Ahead of the finale episodes on November 27, read Bae Hyeon Seong’s interview below!
Only the final episodes of “Family By Choice” remain. How are you feeling?
I feel very thankful because I am growing while receiving so much help from other actors in every project, and I did so with this drama also.
I think episodes 15 and 16 will be fun because there are still a lot of stories to be unraveled, so I am looking forward to them.
Please show lots of love and interest for the final episodes.
You had to cry a lot for your role in “Family By Choice.” Did you have any difficulty with that? Did you develop any specific skills for acting out these scenes?
I think I cried at least once every episode. A lot of people ask me if it’s difficult, and of course it is, but I think there is a great sense of pride I feel after acting.
Choi Won Young gave me a lot of advice for filming these scenes. Because my character has many crying scenes, he advised me that rather than shedding tears endlessly, there are certain scenes where it might seem more sad to talk while holding in the tears so the viewers can feel the different levels of emotion.
What was it like working with Choi Won Young?
I really learned a lot from him. Like I mentioned, he gave me so much advice for emotional scenes. When the three of us were acting with him, he put a lot of trust in us and was also very patient with our acting. It really felt like a family when the five of us were filming together, so I feel very thankful to him.
Did you watch the original Chinese drama “Go Ahead”? What did you take into consideration after watching?
I watched the parts of “Go Ahead” where they are students because the relationships between the three and with the fathers are shown more in those parts, and I thought watching would be helpful for me to take into consideration.
While watching, I thought that the three look really close, and I wanted to also express how [Hae Jun] just unconsciously cares for them because they have lived together since they were young. For example, like putting food on their plates when eating or carrying Ju Won’s backpack on the way home from school, these types of things aren’t in the script but can show how close they are.
How was the process of practicing basketball for your role in “Family By Choice”?
I started learning basketball in August of last year, and thankfully, they adjusted the filming schedule so the part where I would have to play basketball would be toward the end, so in about April this year. I was also wrapping up filming for “Gyeongseong Creature 2,” so I would practice basketball on days that I didn’t have filming, going about twice a week for one to two hours each time.
Also when I did the ceremonial toss at a basketball game, the parents of the child actors contacted me to tell me that they would come support me at the game, and when I told Hwang In Youp and Jung Chaeyeon about that, they said that they wanted to come also, so I invited them. And I did score!
How about the Gyeongsang dialect?
I started learning the Gyeongsang dialect around the same time as I started learning basketball. I learned from an acting teacher from Gyeongsang province all the way through the end of filming, meeting the teacher on the days I didn’t have filming. On set, I always asked questions to my staff members who are from Gyeongsang province, or I sent voice recordings to my teacher
How would you rate your Gyeongsang dialect in the drama?
Not just my dialect, but I always find flaws in my work. I think I’m not completely satisfied because I’m not from Gyeongsang province myself. I’ll have to prepare more if I do it again in the future.
In a way, it seems that preparation for your role must have been the most difficult because you had to learn basketball and dialect also.
Many people do say to me, “Hyeon Seong really had it the hardest,” but I don’t think it was too difficult. I think it was similarly difficult for everyone as that level just feels different for everyone based on individual standards. I really had fun preparing because it was my first time learning everything, so I don’t think I had a hard time.
You portrayed Kang Hae Jun as both a 19-year-old and 29-year-old in “Family By Choice.” What kind of difference did you try to portray?
19-year-old Hae Jun hides his emotions and doesn’t really express them outwardly, and his family often finds him crying alone. When he grows up though, he doesn’t hide his tears in front of others and expresses his emotions first before the situation gets worse
There were many eating scenes in “Family By Choice.” Were there any difficulties while filming them?
There weren’t many difficulties, but because we had to talk often while eating, we had to be careful with the amount of food we eat. There were also instances where we filmed those scenes before actual meal times, so like Choi Moo Sung would just use the scene as his meal instead of eating a separate meal. The cooking team always made us great food, so I ate a lot too.
How was it cutting your hair so short for “Family By Choice”?
It felt very awkward at first. Usually, there are bangs in front of my eyes, but when I cut my hair short, there was nothing in my view, so that felt a bit awkward. It was much easier to dry my hair though.
I had never cut my hair that short before, so I wanted to show a new side of myself. Hae Jun also plays basketball, so I think cutting my hair also gave a bit more character to Hae Jun and was ultimately a good choice.
There are many reactions that you as Hae Jun resembles Park Bo Gum in “Reply 1988.”
I am just thankful for such comments. (laughs shyly)
Do you monitor your acting closely when watching “Family By Choice”? How much do you search reactions online?
I try to meticulously monitor the scenes that I appear in and find what I could do better. I watch the scenes that I do not appear in just as a viewer though. Because I didn’t film them, they often feel new and are enjoyable to watch.
I don’t usually try to search reactions, but this time, there were many people who sent them to me. We have a group chat with In Youp, Chaeyeon, and the director, and the director sends a lot in the chat, so I saw a lot thanks to him.
How are your friends and family’s reactions to “Family By Choice”?
My friends watch the drama a lot and tell me that they are enjoying it. Because Hae Jun has sad scenes in almost every episode, I heard my parents cry while watching every episode. Last week, I went home and watched with my family, and I actually saw my parents crying while watching. I felt proud thinking that I did a good job. I am happy because many people around me are enjoying the drama.
“Family By Choice” is showing international success, and you also seem to have gained a lot of Instagram followers. Do you know approximately how many followers you have gained? Are you feeling the love from international fans recently?
“Gyeongseong Creature 2” and “Family By Choice” aired around the same time period, so I think I gained about 700,000 followers since that time. I didn’t check constantly, but the staff kept on telling me whenever the numbers went up.
I have felt the support from international fans as there are many foreign languages in my comments now. They seem to watch “Family By Choice” a lot through Viki and Viu.
You seem very close with Hwang In Youp and Jung Chaeyeon. How was the process of building your friendship? Are there specific aspects that you found especially admirable about them?
I did know Hwang In Youp personally before the drama, but when the three of us were together at first, I thought it might take a while for us to become close because all three of us are introverted. At first, we barely talked at all, so the director talked a lot in the middle and created lots of opportunities for the four of us to meet up. In Youp and Chaeyeon are both so kind, and they said we should all speak informally to each other [although I am the youngest]. As our three characters are very close in the drama, I think the three of us also worked to develop that relationship in real life. We met up and talked a lot, and we got closer while filming, so I think we are continuing to maintain that friendship well to this day. I’m happy that I found good coworkers who are also good friends while filming this drama.
They are both such good people. In Youp is the eldest, so he always takes good care of us. He just takes good care of people in general, like the other actors and staff on set. I take good care of others too, but I felt that I could be more expressive like he is. Chaeyeon is the one who always takes the initiative and plans for us to hang out, and In Youp and I follow her lead. She is a very bright person filled with laughter like her character Ju Won, so she brightens the vibe on set, and I thought that I should work to always be like that on set also.
I think we were able to become more close because there are similarities in our personalities. We are considerate of each other, and if someone wants to try something when acting, we all just agree to try it together.
Since the characters of Hwang In Youp and Jung Chaeyeon have a love line in the drama, did you ever feel lonely on set like your character does?
When we finished filming the school parts and were filming the adult parts, there weren’t as many scenes that the three of us filmed all together, so whenever we did, it felt more exciting and fun. Even when filming the scenes with the three of us together, their characters are often being lovey-dovey while I’m just sitting there, so the staff would be like, “Hae Jun looks lonely.” (laughs) So I thought, “Oh so Hae Jun looks lonely.”
With the scene where Hae Jun finds out about their relationship, I first thought that Hae Jun is getting too angry, but after realizing that Hae Jun seems lonely, I came to understand that scene more. He was so happy when the three of them were together and thought they would always be family, so I understood his anger.
The love line between Hae Jun and Dal also received lots of love. How was it filming these scenes with Seo Ji Hye?
In the drama, there are many scenes where Hae Jun unintentionally flirts with Dal. We discussed how we can bring those scenes to life more, and I ultimately didn’t tell Ji Hye the details of the actions I would do so her reactions could be more natural. For example, I told her like, “I won’t tell you how, but I’m going to flick your head, so don’t be surprised,” or, “I’m going to approach you more closely,” without telling her how close I would get. We discussed a lot to bring out the emotions more in such scenes.
In the drama, Hae Jun doesn’t realize Dal’s feelings for him although she makes it obvious. Is that similar to you in real life?
I’m not like that in real life. (laughs) When I was acting as Hae Jun, I didn’t really realize that he was that oblivious because I was just living as Hae Jun at the time. When watching the drama now though, I could see how oblivious he is and wondered how he still doesn’t get the hint.
“Family By Choice” seems to have emotional power without being too forcefully sad. What do you think is the reason behind this?
I think the core of this drama is that it is about family, so people can relate and feel moved no matter what member of the family they are in real life.
What kind of son are you in real life?
I like to think that I am a good son, but I’m not sure how my family feels. (laughs) I try to call every day when I’m not busy, and I think we are very close as a family.
In the drama, Hae Jun saves up 800 million won to give to his father. Is there anything big you have done for your actual parents?
I am saving up to do something big for them one day. They’re not the type to just talk about what they want, so I might have to find out through my sister.
How is your relationship with your real sister? Can you relate with Hae Jun’s relationship with Ju Won?
I wouldn’t say we’re extremely close, but our relationship isn’t bad either. I think it’s somewhere in the middle, but I’m not sure how she feels. We never really fought since we were young and get along well, and she always joins the conversation when I call my parents.
My relationship with my sister is different from Hae Jun’s with Ju Won’s, so I cannot relate completely, but I think the feeling of always worrying about my sister is the same.
In the drama, Ju Won has to deal with a lot because of her brothers’ popularity. Have you experienced anything like that in real life? Does your sister talk about her brother being a celebrity?
I went to the same school as my sister when I was in Jeonju, so her friends from back then know, but besides them, I believe no one else knows because I think she doesn’t tell anyone. She is very introverted, so I don’t think she would even if I told her to.
She is two years younger than me and is graduating soon, and I’m thinking about maybe showing up at her graduation, but she might not like it.
You seem to actively communicate with fans through the app Bubble. How is that experience? Do you have plans to interact with fans in other ways such as holding a fan meeting?
About one year has passed since I started using Bubble, and I am having a lot of fun with it. It is my first time interacting with fans like this, and I send messages almost every day when I can. Because I use it almost every day, I talk about just everyday things like I’m talking with friends or send photos like on my way to work.
I would also like to hold a fan meeting one day if a good opportunity comes.
Do you have hopes to star on any variety shows or explore other fields?
I would like to appear on a diverse range of content, so I would like to appear on variety shows if the opportunity comes. Honestly, I am not very confident about being funny with my words, so I think I would do better on a variety show that requires moving around instead. If I am given the opportunity for a talk show, though, I can try my best for that also.
I personally watch “Running Man” every week. I usually watch it while eating.
What kind of genre or role do you hope to try next?
There is nothing really specific that comes to mind, but I would like to try a sad romance genre project or also a disaster genre project. There is so much I want to try. I also want to try an action genre project.
How would you describe your personality to those who do not know you well?
I am someone who tries to be helpful to people around me, so I’m not completely affectionate to my friends but rather more objective and factual. When I first meet someone, I am shy and introverted, but when I get close to someone, I joke around a lot although I am not extremely talkative.
What do you think is your greatest strength as an actor?
I think my eyes are my biggest strength as an actor. Even when I just talk to someone, I like to talk while making eye contact, and I have been told by people around me that I have good eyes, so I try to express a lot with my eyes a lot when acting.
How has 2024 been for you? What are your hopes for next year?
It was a year that I feel very thankful for. I feel this way every year, but I am spending each year happily because I am able to show diverse sides of myself while filming productions and can receive love and interest from viewers.
Next year, I will also work hard to impress viewers. I don’t have any specific goals yet. I just hope to be healthy and work hard.
Watch “Family By Choice” below:
