Kim Min-jun Reveals Past Contemplations of Leaving Acting Behind
A candid conversation on Channel A’s “Best Friends Tocumentary – Table for Four” revealed that acclaimed actor Kim Min-jun once seriously considered abandoning his acting career. The revelation came during a discussion with longtime friends and fellow actors Park Joong-hoon and Heo Jae, offering a rare glimpse into the pressures faced by those in the entertainment industry.
The broadcast, which aired on November 3, 2025, featured Park Joong-hoon recounting his experience directing Kim Min-jun in his debut film, “Top Star.” According to Park, Kim Min-jun was initially hesitant to accept the lead role.
“The Min-jun I see looks like a star when you look at his body shape, eyes, and face,” Park explained. “The main character in the movie is a movie star, so I said it would be good for him to do it. At that time, I asked him to do it, but he said he wouldn’t do it. It’s not that he won’t do my movie, but he won’t be an actor himself.”
When pressed about the reason for his reluctance, Kim Min-jun described a period of self-doubt and feeling overwhelmed. “Isn’t there a time like that when you’re a second-year middle school student?” he asked rhetorically. “Something doesn’t go the way you want, and you feel weighed down by the surrounding environment. Then, I thought that my true self would be greatly damaged in this state. That’s why I tried to protect myself.”
He further elaborated that his concerns extended to his ability to convincingly portray the character. “And when I read the script, I thought, ‘Can I really do this?’ You know that well. I’m not a star enough to do this, so the first thing I thought was who might be in the project. Secondly, senior Park Joong-hoon was casting me, and I thought he could cast someone better than me, so I wasn’t sorry about turning it down at first.”
Park Joong-hoon revealed the extent of his efforts to persuade Kim Min-jun, stating he pursued him for a month before finally securing a commitment – albeit with a unique condition. “I followed him around for a month and finally said that. ‘I respect your opinion, but make a promise to me. From today onwards, you are not to become an actor until you die.’ So he said he would do it in a few days.” Heo Jae, witnessing this recollection, playfully questioned Park’s controlling nature, remarking, “Why do you control other people’s lives?”
This anecdote highlights the internal struggles even established actors can face, and the powerful influence of personal conviction in navigating a demanding career. The conversation offers a compelling insight into the vulnerability behind the public persona, and the importance of self-preservation in the entertainment world.
The report was filed by OSEN journalist Kim Na-yeon ([email protected]). A photograph accompanying the report is credited to Channel A.