Omega X's Kevin channels his idol experience into acting debut opposite Kim Kang-min in BL K-drama My Bias Is Showing!. A webtoon adaptation about the unfolding romance between an high school teacher/idol fanboy Na Ae Jun(Kevin) and his celebrity crush Choi Si Yeol(Kang-min), the intriguing drama sees Kevin jump into acting with confidence and dedication.
On channeling his own experiences as an idol into the role and his creative process of getting into character, Kevin says, "There is an application I use to communicate with my fans, and I asked them a lot of questions to understand the perspective of fans. I think that helped me a lot in understanding Ae-joon’s emotions."
With his bandmates Jaehan and Yechan already having made their foray into BL dramas with A Shoulder To Cry On, Kevin's interest in acting is not entirely surprising. Diving into his interest in acting, he says, "I have always been interested in acting. And I felt very fortunate to be able to play a main character even though it was my first time acting, so I just had to take this amazing opportunity."
As a fresher to the craft, Kevin is open about the challenges that came with the journey, revealing, "I had a lot of pressure as I continuously thought to myself that I needed to do well. Of course, I need to give my best in everything, but I realized that it’s more important to immerse myself and enjoy the moment first."
His acting partner Kang-min's experience seems to have come in handy, as he comments, "Kang-min shared various tips with me. One thing that I always thought about when filming any scene with me was that his know-hows are incredible. I would be in such awe that sometimes I’d lose focus when I started having this thought while we were acting," adding, "There are several scenes I liked and had fun with, but I think the most memorable part is my role as a teacher. It was very refreshing to act a completely new career!"
Aside from Kang-min's guidance, Kevin also mentions drawing inspiration from a wide range of artists, saying, "I actually draw inspiration from many figures, as different actors have individual expressions and strengths that provide something new to learn from and motivate me in a positive way. I also think that there is no one correct way to act, so all actors and actresses are great examples and inspiration for me."
On the topic of inspirations, the conversation shifts to how BL in South Korea hones in on inclusivity and representation. While BL has established itself a powerful and popular genre in many parts of Asia including Japan, Thailand and the Philippines, Korean BL dramas are still catching up. So the success of My Bias Is Showing! could be the mark of changing trends in entertainment, with Kevin commenting,"I think it’s truly incredible that we’re able to receive positive influence, new lessons, courage, and comfort from the media."
The drama has kicked off Kevin's acting career in style, leaving open a path for plenty of experimentation. Speaking of roles he'd love to try in the future, he says, "As an actor, I hope to try more genres and showcase my inner emotions even more. I am also willing to try different characters in the future.I would love to try a role of a student, or a little brother from a rich family!."
Starting anything new can be daunting but asked what he'd like to be asked about his acting debut, Kevin's answer is one steeped in confidence and charm as he says, "The question would be, “Do you think you can do this?” And my answer to that would be, “I just gotta do it! Haha.”
Delivering a comfort watch, My Bias Is Showing! is a beginning for Kevin, but beyond that a showcase of what we can look forward to in Korea's BL subgenre.
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