“Doctor Cha” Kim Byung Chul on playing father roles many times, “I’m single so it’s burdensome”
Kim Byung Chul has created a new iconic character in his acting career through “Doctor Cha”.
In JTBC’s Sat-Sun drama “Doctor Cha” (written by Jung Yeo Rang/ directed by Kim Dae Jin & Kim Jung Wook), which ended after airing episode 16 on June 4th, Kim Byung Chul played Seo In Ho, a chief surgeon at a university hospital. He pleased viewers with his portrayal of a character that can be either serious or humorous.
“Doctor Cha” is a drama about the struggles of Cha Jung Sook (Uhm Jung Hwa), who becomes a first-year resident after being a housewife for 20 years. The drama became so viral and even ranked 4th in JTBC’s dramas with the best ratings of all time. In this drama, Seo In Ho created by Kim Byung Chul’s excellent acting is an attractive villain, a ‘bad husband’ but viewers cannot hate him.
Regarding what he gained through “Doctor Cha”, Kim Byung Chul said, “As actor Kim Byung Chul, I was able to experience leading a romantic comedy. Although my role was negative, connecting it directly with the romantic comedy genre might be a little difficult. Despite that, I think the fact that I managed to make the character look cute in a romantic comedy has opened up various possibilities. I can think of it as a way to expand my acting range. Rather than having a specific preference for genres, it is great to explore genres that I haven’t tried before and gain new experiences.”
Although Seo In Ho seems to be familiar to drama fans, Kim Byung Chul made it look different and created a new character with his own acting style. The actor shared, “I don’t know the exact know-how, but when it comes to a character, I try not to forget to look at various aspects that can be revealed depending on how I perceive that character and the contexts they appear”.
He added, “Some characters may commit wrongful acts and solely focus on that aspect. However, I personally try to keep in mind that there are other aspects and believe that these points can have an influence on the image of the characters. Therefore, I strive to make my characters feel more alive. Playing good characters can be enjoyable, but if these characters are too simple, they easily lose their appeal in viewers’ eyes, reduce the fun to watch, and feel unrealistic. I believe that I can create an impact while working with that mindset.”
Despite being single, Kim Byung Chul, who has played diverse characters, took on the role of a married man and a father of two children in “Doctor Cha”. In this regard, the actor explained, “It’s very challenging and burdensome, but I’ve received many offers for such roles, so I want to digest them well in any way that possible”, adding, “I fill my lack of such experience through indirect stories, personal anecdotes, or imagination.”
Kim Byung Chul’s efforts really paid off, and “Doctor Cha” gained recognition as the drama with the highest viewer ratings in 2023 until it ended. Expressing his gratitude, Kim Byung Chul said, “Thank you so much. I’m touched by your interest, which has become a driving force for me to work harder in my future works. I hope to receive such energy again when I greet the audience with more interesting projects”.
Source: Daum
