Actor Kim Byung-chul took time out of his busy schedule to sit down with Dramabeans for an exclusive interview after the hit series SKY Castle wrapped up. Kim Byung-chul has had a long career in the Korean entertainment industry and his face is probably familiar to most Beanies. In addition to his turn as the intense Professor Cha in SKY Castle, some of his recent roles include the sinister Eunuch Park in The Lonely Shining Goblin and Il-shik the pawnshop owner in Mr. Sunshine. He’ll also be joining Namgoong Min in the upcoming KBS drama, Doctor Prisoner.
Dear Dramabeans viewers, thank you. ^^
—Kim Byung-chul
Dramabeans: Which scene from the filming of SKY Castle was most memorable for you?
Kim Byung-chul: There were a lot of memorable scenes, so many that it’s difficult to choose just one. There was my first appearance in the golf outfit. The time I kicked the cup ramyun my drama wife [Yoon Se-ah] gave me. Then there were the scenes with my drama daughter Se-ri [Park Yoo-na], like our airport reunion or when it was revealed that Se-ri had been faking her time as a Harvard student. Another scene that was memorable for me was when I realized my entire family had left home.
DB: Do you think Professor Cha is a good father?
KBC: Well, I think it’s good that he was interested and invested in his children’s lives. However, I don’t think it’s good that he tried to force his values onto them. As their father and as an adult, it’s easy to see that he experienced a lot in life and I understand that he would want to impart this knowledge onto his children. But I think it’s better to give children opportunities to experience and see life for themselves. They may come out with different opinions to his, but he should respect those differences. Of course, that’s easier said than done. A good father must first be a good person, and being a good person is not an easy task.
DB: Have you noticed a change in how people treat you lately since you acted as a prestigious professor in SKY Castle, compared to when you were the traitorous Eunuch Park in Goblin?
KBC: I haven’t noticed much of a change. Due to SKY Castle’s popularity, I think people are showing a little more interest in me than before.
DB: Would you say you’re similar to Professor Cha in any way?
KBC: I also occasionally enjoy cup ramyun.
DB: What are your personal thoughts on the pyramid model that Professor Cha was so fervent about?
KBC: In the drama, the pyramid was the a symbolic way of interpreting the world [where only those at the top mattered]. While I think there’s some meaning in that interpretation, there are lots of different perspectives and ways of looking at the world. They all have meaning. I think it would be a positive thing if a diversity of opinions and perspectives on life could coexist together.
DB: Do you have any “must have” items that you carry around with you at all times? Not including your wallet or cell phone.
KBC: Nope.
DB: Do you have any final remarks for your fans at Dramabeans?
KBC: Thank you for your support and I hope you continue to watch and enjoy my dramas. Let’s meet again in dramaland. Thank you. Dramabeans Fighting!