Actor Hyun Bin: ‘I Give Myself 30 Out of 100, I’m Still Working On Getting To The Other 70’ [VIDEO]

Hyun Bin just recently wrapped his Asia Tour, where he interacted with fans from many countries who have been eagerly waiting for his comeback.  After his return from the army in December, Hyun Bin laid low. During his Asia Tour, an oft-repeated refrain from the actor was that he was not expecting such a warm welcome or that he would still be known as much as he is now.

During his Singapore stop, KpopStarz was lucky to have been part of the press conference where Hyun Bin was his most candid self.  There, he revealed his final selection of his comeback movie.  A few days later, news spread to the media, making his comeback official.  Being himself, Hyun Bin honestly told the audience that although he has been in the business a while, the Asia Tour still made him nervous.

Having gone into the army quite ‘late’, when he was approaching his 30th birthday, and thus the final year of enlistment, also meant that Hyun Bin left his military enlistment way past the typical marrying age.  Hence, the audience in Singapore was quite curious about the actor’s preferences in relationships.  He reveals through the press conference his ideal relationship, deviating from his usual response on his ideal types of women.  In another moment, he talks about how the audience has loved the characters he portrayed, not necessarily him specifically, and thus he has grown a certain gratitude for the characters he played that catapulted him into the fame he enjoys now.

Still Hyun Bin is up for the challenge.  For his next project, he wishes to be able to play a character he hadn’t played before.  He also wants to act alongside someone he hasn’t worked with yet. Prior to enlisting, Hyun Bin worked on movies that has gone on to be internationally-acclaimed.  Working opposite controversial Tang Wei in “Late Autumn” which was shot in the USA (Seattle to be exact) playing the role of a gigolo on one, and then portraying a distressed husband in “Come Rain, Come Shine” making the most of the last hours of his marriage, Hyun Bin has proven that he has capability to understand and play a quite diverse spectrum in acting.  Therefore, his choice of his next film project, playing a bipolar man, is not entirely unexpected, but definitely anticipated given his now quite stellar film report card.

While he hadn’t yet decided on a drama comeback, the actor still seems attached and thankful for his character in Secret Garden, who he claims is opposite to his real self.

Showing his humility, when asked to rate himself, he doesn’t hesitate to give himself a 30 out of 100.  Where the other 70? He says “I am working on that.”  With that kind of modesty and drive, the rest of the measurement, the next 70, can only promise his fans and audience a phenomenal actor. 

Watch his entire press conference in Singapore here:

And continued here:

The full transcript of the press conference at Singapore’s Bugis+ is below:

1. You have visited several countries before Singapore. And now you are finally in Singapore. How do you feel about your earlier stops in Taiwan and Hong Kong? What is your impression about Singapore? 

A: Yes, I just came back from Taiwan and Hong Kong. It was great and I am very excited to meet all of you here in Singapore. I think it is going to be great meeting everyone of you tomorrow and Singapore is not so new to me because I filmed a drama here once here in Singapore. I'm pretty used to Singapore. I'm very glad to be back.

2. Are there any particular Singapore food that you miss since you have filmed a drama here before? 

Is there any particular place you want to visit this time as well? 

A: Because I just landed last night, I haven't tried any Singapore food yet but I'm  hoping to try today. I think I am going for seafood so I am very excited.

3. As the leading cast of the popular drama "Secret Garden", have you expected this great success? 

A: No! I definitely did not expect it. But now looking at this mall, it looks like a little like the mall I filmed "Secret Garden".

4. Can you spot a leading actress from the audience maybe for your next drama? 

A: It's so hard to pick. [He picked a lady waving at him.]

5. What are the similarities and differences between you and the character inside "Secret Garden"? 

A: I am not that insensitive or selfish like the character in "Secret Garden".

Like in terms of probably relationship with other people, (like the character) I tend to care for the one I love.

7. Can you share with us the most romantic things that you have ever done to your love ones? 

A: I don't really do anything special. But it's just a little side note that if the person wants something, I will remember that. And on a special occasion, I will probably present to her.

8. Who do you wish to act with in your next drama? 

A: I will like to try with someone I haven't filmed with before. It will be a new challenge for me. And it will be a new way to approach the audience as well.

9. Are there any particular characters you look forward to act as? 

A: I think you will be seeing me soon. This character will probably involve me having two characters, something like bipolar.

10. Please choose a favourite flower colour. 

A. Black or Coffee // B. Dark Purple // C. Green // D. White // E. Pale yellow

A: I choose “A” (Black or Coffee)

It means sometimes you request yourself a bit too much in a relationship, to the extent you may have a high expectation of the person you want to marry. So if you find your mate does not meet that standard, you may not want to continue the relationship.

Hyun Bin agreed to the test but clarified it is not 100% but similar. 

(In what way is it similar?) 

If I feel repressed and pressured in a relationship, I don't think it will be an ideal relationship I am looking for. I would like something I could relax myself and all.

10. Were there any funny incidents in military? How does he feel about winning an award in the military? 

A: Certainly it was a great experience for me. I learnt a lot through experiences. In terms of the award I received, I think it was because I was equally the same in military with every other soldiers. So it was to present the others in my position.

11. Are there any instances like maybe the friends or people inside the military that recognised you as Hyun Bin and they requested for photos or autographs? 

A: When I joined the army, there was pressure from the top, not to treat me like a celebrity and we are all the same as a soldier. I honestly thank all the officers who allowed me to have a great experience.

12. In your own opinion, what do you think is your appeal? 

A: Ok. What do you guys like about me?

I think many enjoyed the productions I was involved in. And thankfully the characters I was with, were quite admirable. So I am very thankful for the kind of characters that I have done. But I don't know. I think it is more on the characters which I am very thankful for.

13. If you were to give yourself a score, what will it be? 

A: 30%

Where are the other 70%?

I am working on that.

14. Is it true that you only wear underwear at home? Won't you afraid that your fans will hug and kiss you? 

A: Of course, I am startled when I heard my fans tend to be way overboard. but I appreciate because I believe one sort of an expression of their love to me. I really appreciate it.

But frankly speaking I haven't have such experience because I have my entourage with me. They are usually stopped before such things happening.

15. At your fan meeting tomorrow, you will only get to high five with a thousand fans. Are you disappointed that you will not be able to engage everyone personally and what do you think is the best way to interact with your fans? 

A: I thought very much into it and of course I would love to meet every one of my fans who are there. But there are going to be other technical issues and something that I can't control. So I'm just hoping that the event tomorrow will run successfully and I am very excited to meet my fans tomorrow.

16. Of all your dramas and movies, which has been your most difficult scene and how do you overcome it? 

A: There was this movie called "I'm Happy". I think I was involved in this in about 2007 or 2008. In terms of understanding the character, it reflected a lot on myself so I took a lot of time thinking about the movie and the character I was involved with so it was the most difficult one for me.

17. What do you usually wear? 

A: Of course it depends on occasions but usually on the daily basis I would like to go casual so I would dress casually on normal days. But in cases like today, when there is formal event, I would usually dress up. And even for functions I need to attend, I will usually dress up in suits.

18. After making three stops (for the fan meet) in Taiwan, Thailand and Hong Kong, how has this experience changed you in any way? Is it difficult for you to act cute on stage for your fans? 

A: I am definitely more relaxed than how I was so nervous in the beginning. And thanks to that, I am able to enjoy every minute of the time that I spent with my fans. So in Singapore, I hope to enjoy myself and let my fans have a great time as well.

19. Can you do an aegyo (act cute) for us? 

A: It's hard! I do get those requests a lot; trying to act cute or can you try something for the fans, but I tried and I tried to learn but I don't think it is my type of thing...

20. Was acting a childhood dream or were you influenced to become an actor? 

Actors are supposed to be press savvy. How much of it is being "Jin Sim" (Sincere) or being press savvy?

Maybe five years down the road, would you give up acting in the  name of love? 

A: On the first question, I took up the dream of acting when I studied theatre in my high school and that's when I started having the dream of being an actor. And that's when I went on to study acting in my uni and that's how it started.

Second question. I am not so sure if I am that press savvy and I hope I could be. I guess I should learn that.

On the third question, I guess that will happen sometimes in the future whether it is far or short. But it's not to say because of the kind of relationship that I will be involved in but in terms of whether the audience will probably want to see me at that point in time. So it depends probably the love of my fans...

21. Would you consider going to other fields like hosting or behind the scenes as a producer or director? 

A: No. Not really because my job at this point is an actor. So I believe that I need to receive the direction on the film and for me to express it in the best way the director wants it. But at this point in time, I don't think I am experienced enough or I want to focus a lot more on acting to understand more and learn more from it.

22. If you are not an actor today, what do you think you will be? 

A: Before I took on the dream to be an actor, I honestly wanted to go to the police university. So I would probably be a policeman...

23. You mentioned earlier about the comeback project as a "bipolar character". Is that confirmed to be your comeback project? If not, what are some of the considerations? 

A: No, it is not fully confirmed yet but I currently have narrowed it down to that particular film. So hopefully soon, there will be news whether it will be confirmed.

24. Not so long ago you just came out from the army. Has it been difficult for you to come back to the entertainment scenes? What challenges have you faced so far? 

A: No, I didn't really have much difficulties but definitely I was very happy to be 'freed'. On the side note, when I take pictures, I do receive comments that I look a little too fierce and my eyes contact are a little too serious and all that. I hope as time passes, I will get better..

25. Question from a fan... Will you marry me? 

A: Since it's our first time meeting right? I am not so sure what to say to you.

Writer: Dorothy A | Reporter and Photographer: Ong Melin