[Edaily Starin KIM HYUNSIK Reporter] "'I Prescribe Love' is a meaningful work that can never be left out when discussing my acting career."

Actor Kim Hyung-mook made these remarks during a roundtable interview with E-Daily held at a café in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 20th.
Kim Hyung-mook appeared before viewers for about half a year as Yang Dong-ik in the KBS 2TV weekend drama *Prescription for Love*. Speaking in an interview the day after the drama’s finale, he said, “It was the longest series I’ve ever been in, and it was my first time acting on a broadcast set. It was a great learning experience for me as an actor,” he said. “There aren’t many dramas with 50 episodes these days, but going through this, I realized how to move the story forward by understanding and considering my fellow actors, as well as how to view the production as a whole.”
Kim Hyung-mook continued, “The chemistry with the cast was truly great. Working together on such a long-running drama made us feel like a family. It left such a lasting impression that I find myself wondering, ‘When will I ever get to act with such wonderful people again?’”
◇“I Strived to Depict the Growth of an Immature Adult in Detail”
“Prescription for Love” is a family drama that depicts the journey of two families—entangled in a bitter feud for 30 years—as they resolve their misunderstandings, heal each other’s wounds, and ultimately reborn as one family. Yang Dong-ik, played by Kim Hyung-mook, is the director of “Yangjibaran Korean Medicine Clinic” and the father of Yang Hyun-bin (played by Park Ki-woong). Yang Dong-ik, once a materialistic traditional medicine doctor obsessed with attracting celebrity clients, displayed an “unlikable” side as he craved love and respect due to an inferiority complex and a need for validation stemming from a lack of affection. However, after reconciling with Gong Jeong-an (played by Kim Seung-soo), the director of the “Fair and Just Clinic” with whom he had long been at odds, he fulfilled his long-held dream of becoming a city councilman and was reborn as a much more mature character.

Kim Hyung-mook said, “Yang Dong-ik may seem unlikable at first glance, but upon closer inspection, he is a kind and sensitive character with inner wounds,” adding, “Contrary to appearances, aren’t there surprisingly many immature adults out there? I did a lot of research to meticulously portray Dong-ik’s journey of gradually growing up and becoming a mature adult, despite being like a child on the inside.”
He also expressed his gratitude to Kim Seung-soo, who played Gong Jeong-eun—with whom he shared many scenes—and So Yi-hyun, who played Yang Dong-ik’s wife, Cha Se-ri. Kim Hyung-mook said, “I’m truly grateful to Seung-soo hyung for taking on the role of Jeong-han. Ms. Lee Hyun also supported my acting so well that I wondered, ‘Will I ever meet a partner like this again?’” He laughed, adding, “I’m not usually one to be greedy for awards, but this time, I even found myself thinking I’d like to win the Best Couple Award with these two.”
“Prescription for Love” wrapped up with a final episode rating of 15.3% (based on Nielsen Korea’s nationwide standards), which was also its highest rating. Considering that its predecessor, “Glamorous Days,” ended with a rating of 20.5%, this result is somewhat disappointing.
Kim Hyung-mook said, “It’s a shame that the ratings didn’t gain momentum due to various factors, such as the Lunar New Year holiday, the WBC, and the World Cup,” adding, “Even so, I’m grateful to the production team for seeing this heartwarming story through to the end. I believe the messages of harmony, forgiveness, and growth resonated with viewers.”
He continued, “It feels like the viewership was around 25%,” adding with a smile, “I received feedback from viewers of various generations, and more people have been recognizing me since appearing in this drama. When I go to restaurants, I often get extra complimentary items.”
Kim Hyung-mook also shared, “Personally, I wanted to focus more on this project, so there were some roles I turned down along the way. It was a project I wanted to do well, so I gave it my all.” He expressed his hope, saying, “I’m confident that even when people watch it again years from now, it will still resonate deeply. I hope it becomes a show that people return to time and again, like a home-cooked meal, and that it’s talked about for a long time to come.”

◇“I Will Be an Actor Who Continually Upgrades My ‘Acting Software’”
Kim Hyung-mook, who debuted in the 1999 musical *Cats*, built up his skills over a long period on musical and theater stages before expanding his career into drama and film. He has starred in various productions, including the dramas *The Fiery Priest*, *Vincenzo*, and *The Tyrant’s Chef*, as well as the films *The Day the Country Went Bankrupt* and *I Can’t Help It*.
He said, “I was in theater and musicals for a long time. There were many productions that didn’t do well at the box office, but perhaps thanks to that accumulated experience, after I started acting in TV and film, I received mostly positive responses, with the exception of one or two projects.”
He cited the 2017 SBS drama *Whisper* as a major turning point in his acting career. *Whisper* was directed by Lee Myung-woo, who also directed *The Fiery Priest*, *Convenience Store Star*, and *Boyhood*.
Kim Hyung-mook revealed a behind-the-scenes story, saying, “Actually, Director Lee Myung-woo, who is an ROTC graduate, was my platoon leader during my military service.” He continued, “One day after I was discharged and working as a musical actor, I happened to see the director on TV working as an assistant director at SBS, so I called the station and got back in touch with him,” adding with a laugh, “I remember the director treating me to a set meal at a Chinese restaurant back then.”
Kim Hyung-mook said, “Since then, I’ve never once asked the director for work or for a favor. I joined *Whisper* after passing an audition.” He continued, “I had a very small role at the time, but many viewers loved it, and I was even nominated for a supporting actor award.”
He continued, “That show led to an offer to appear in the film *The Day the Country Went Bankrupt*, and after that, I received many offers for other projects. In a sense, *Whisper* was the project that paved the way for me to truly begin my career as an actor in the media.”
Kim Hyung-mook added, “Once a platoon leader, always a platoon leader,” noting, “Director Lee Myung-woo is like a mentor to me. Although he always tells me he’s grateful to me, I’m the one who’s far more grateful.”

Meanwhile, Kim Hyung-mook recently joined E-Entertainment. As he embarks on this new chapter, he expressed his determination, saying, “I will stay focused and continue my work with the goal of becoming a better actor every single day.”
He continued, “I recently rented a small office near my home to use as my personal ‘hideout.’ Even when I don’t have a project, I plan to go there every day like a regular office worker to read books, watch movies, analyze scripts, and practice my acting.” He emphasized, “I believe that to deliver good performances, I must continuously read many books, watch many movies, and observe the people around me. It’s also essential to gain inspiration by exploring various fields such as music, history, society, and culture.”
Finally, Kim Hyung-mook stated, “Those experiences ultimately shape every single detail of my acting. As an actor, I will never stop upgrading the ‘software’ within me.”