A quiet conversation with Kim Min reveals the kind of presence you never forget.
Beyond Pasin: From “Big Bet” to the Global Stage
From scene-stealing in “Big Bet” to theatre roots in England, Kim Min’s journey is marked by stillness, discipline, and wonder.
Some actors leave a trace on screen.
Others leave it in the room with you.
Kim Min belongs to both.
Audiences first embraced him as John in Disney+’s “Big Bet,” where his quiet strength made him a standout presence in a story already stacked with seasoned actors. But it was “A Shop for Killers” that turned him into a rising global sensation. As Pasin, his sharp presence and layered stillness resonated beyond Korea, marking him as one of the most compelling faces of a new wave of Korean talent.
Yet to sit across from him, away from the camera, is to understand that the magnetism he brings to the screen is not an accident.
It’s who he is.
The Art of Silence
He doesn’t fill silences — he shapes them. Min’s presence draws you in, not by force, but by truth.
He speaks with pauses. With intention. When he answers, it’s measured, not rehearsed. The rhythm is unlike most actors — less like a performance, more like an offering.
At one point in our conversation, I said aloud what many might think:
“Girls like me never get to talk to guys like you…”
He looked at me, half amused, and asked what I meant.
“Plain, normal girls like me,” I replied.
He laughed, shook his head, and answered with disarming simplicity:
“I am plain AF!”
But he isn’t. Not at all. His refusal to decorate himself, his ease in shrugging off a pedestal, his honesty — that is what makes him shine brighter than he realizes.
Shakespeare in His Bones
He began as an architect before debuting in theatre. Kim Min tells me about his time in England, about how Shakespeare has never really left him. He once played Romeo in a minimalist production, suspended on a rope as he spoke his lines — an image that lingers even in the retelling.
And then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he begins to recite Hamlet. From memory. In English. Without hesitation.
“To be or not to be…”
For anyone who loves Shakespeare, it strikes straight to the heart. It isn’t a performance. It’s a man remembering what first made him fall in love with the stage.
That’s what makes Kim Min singular. He doesn’t just act. He carries memory, discipline, craft, and wonder — and lets all of it bleed into whatever role he takes on next.
The Pursuit of Happiness
When asked if he’s happy, he doesn’t dodge. He pauses, then answers with a small, certain smile:
“Yes. I am. Because I still find magic in what I do. And I still wonder.”
It’s a simple answer, but it reveals everything. Behind the intensity of Pasin, behind the theatre roots, behind the choices that brought him here — there is still someone who hasn’t stopped seeking.
Straight to the Heart, the Interview
Q: Looking back, what were the biggest challenges in your early years as an actor?
Kim Min: When I first walked into an acting class, I didn’t even understand what the teachers were saying. My classmates sometimes had to translate entire lessons for me. It was frustrating, but also strangely fun — like piecing together a riddle. That confusion became the beginning of me falling in love with acting.
Q: Was there a turning point when you knew acting was truly your path?
Kim Min: One night on Cuba Street in Wellington, I sat with an old principal I used to avoid. Out of nowhere, he started singing Sinatra’s That’s Life under the moonlight — fedora tilted, voice raw. For a moment, Broadway was right there in front of me. He was beautiful, and I thought, damn, I want to be like that. From then on, mentors kept showing up — teachers, directors, friends — each of them leaving something in me. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.
Q: Many viewers first discovered you in different projects, but “Big Bet” on Disney+ was a real breakthrough for you. You played John, a Filipino man from the gangster world. The series initially aired on Disney+ and recently returned to Korean audiences through a broadcast run on MBC, where it continues to draw strong viewership. How do you look back on that role and its reception?
Kim Min: When “Big Bet” came out, people kept saying to me, “You’re not Korean, right?” I had to laugh, but honestly, I took it as a compliment. My Filipino friends guided me through their culture and dialect, and I worked hard to make John feel real, grounded in Pampanga and the Visayas. Playing another ethnicity is a responsibility. Respect comes first — learning their history, their rhythm of life, their voice. The fact that viewers embraced John means a lot. It tells me the effort was worth it, and I’m grateful.
The Journey with Director Kang
Q: How did working with Director Kang shape your journey?
Kim Min: I came back to Korea in 2017 after my father passed, to take care of my mother. I promised him I would protect her. Since then, I’ve done everything — flying out for gigs, juggling part-time jobs, trying to fill the shoes of the man I admired most. When the pandemic hit, I started again from the bottom, taking on an extra role. Then came a small role in an indie film, and at its premiere, I met Director Kang. A year later, he called to say he had written John for me in “Big Bet.” That call changed everything. Kang feels like an older brother — calm, sharp, steady. You trust him completely.
Q: Speaking of Director Kang, his latest film, “Run to the West,” is set to premiere on October 15th at CGV Cinemas. It’s already being described as avant-garde. You even shared the trailer — are you connected to it in some way?
Kim Min: “Run to the West” is Kang’s newest work, and it’s unlike anything I’ve seen. It experiments with the blend of live-action and AI, but at its core, it’s rooted in Eastern mythology — a journey between life and the afterlife. Yes, it looks like a blockbuster, but beneath the spectacle it asks very human questions: about existence, about mortality, about what it means to cross from one world to another. I think audiences will walk out with both awe at the visuals and a quiet reflection on life itself. And… if you pay close attention, you may notice a face you’ve seen before.
What to Expect from “A Shop for Killers” Season 2
Q: Season 1 of “A Shop for Killers” made Pasin a fan favourite. What can we expect in Season 2?
Kim Min: Honestly? I don’t even know yet. Sure, the script is there, but I don’t lock a character until I’m on set. Each scene is alive — it shifts, surprises you. That’s how I like to play Pasin. Real, unpredictable.
Q: What excites you most about this new season?
Kim Min: Forget the guns. At its heart, this story is about us. About family, about friendship, about the people who walk you through the storm. Even if you can’t see it, you’re not alone.
Q: The action sequences are a highlight. How do you prepare for them?
Kim Min: I do my own stunts, so training is part of my life. Martial arts keep me sharp, both physically and mentally. You never fight exactly as planned — same as acting. The best moments happen when you improvise. For “A Shop for Killers,” I went deep into Muay Thai. It taught me discipline and flow. And let me give a shout-out to my Kyokushin Karate brothers in Ashford, Kent. Osu.
Q: How does it feel to be back on set with the team?
Kim Min: It’s like finding your long-lost family. We laugh, we tease, we push each other — and in between, we create something powerful. That bond shows on screen.
Q: What kind of roles do you want to explore next?
Kim Min: I want roles that get to the root of humanity. Love, loss, survival — the raw stuff. I’d do a shirtless fight scene in the rain or play a broken man at the edge of the world. As long as it’s real, I’m in.
Q: Who are the filmmakers or actors you’d love to work with?
Kim Min: So many. Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan, Guy Ritchie — each one sees life differently, and I’d love to step into their worlds. Acting is about crossing paths, about exchanging souls for a moment.
Future Plans & Dreams
Q: What do you hope people will remember about Kim Min in ten years?
Kim Min: Not a star. Just someone who could be beside you, making you laugh at this absurd world.
Q: Finally, do you have a message for your growing international fans?
Kim Min: The world isn’t that big, and time isn’t that long. So let’s live today like it’s the best day we’ve got — until we meet somewhere down the road. See ya, mate.
Q: Before we go, 3 songs on your playlist.
Kim Min: Oh, that’s hard!
1. Going out west – Tom Waits
2. Where is the love, The APL song – The Black Eyed Peas (I love the whole album Elephunk TT)
3. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
A Quiet Star, Carving His Own Path
Kim Min doesn’t chase the moment — he lets it arrive.
And when it does, he meets it with a presence that doesn’t demand attention, yet holds it completely.
Acting, for him, isn’t an escape.
It’s homecoming.
From “Big Bet” to “A Shop for Killers,” this path is clear: each step reveals more of what makes him unforgettable. Not because he reinvents himself for the spotlight, but because he doesn’t need to.
If you look closely — really look — you’ll see it too.
A presence that doesn’t demand attention but holds it naturally.
He won’t ask you to notice.
But you should.
Because some souls are quiet stars —
And you only need a moment of stillness to see how brightly they shine.
Connect with the author Maggie A. R. on LinkedIn
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A great actor and I can’t wait to watch him in shop for killers s2
It was a very interesting reading! I had no idea Kim Min is such a versatile actor and such an interesting person! Thank you 🙂
Beautifully written and getting to know the person behind the actor is such a gift. So much care in every single word: Min Kim is a talented actor but more importantly a very profound human being. Thanks for sharing this!
I honestly believe this is the best interview here on Kpoppost. The author managed to capture Kim Min's essence, Ms. Maggie's writing is cinematic. I forgot how many times I read this article. As Kim Min's fan, it makes me proud to know he is not only a great actor but also a good person!