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[JoyNews24 Reporter Park Jin-young] Actor Kim Seon-ho’s work is compelling in several respects. The play ‘Secret Passage: INTERVAL’ made that abundantly clear. Kim reaffirmed his sturdy acting craft and undeniable ticket appeal, and that momentum is set to carry into the upcoming Coupang Play variety show ‘Bonjour Bakery.’
‘Secret Passage: INTERVAL,’ which closed after 100 performances on the 3rd, is adapted from Maekawa Tomohiro’s play ‘The Conference Room of Flaws.’ The piece follows two men who, having lost memories of their lives, confront one another in a strange, unidentifiable space. Using books that contain intertwined memories, they search for connection, reckon with mortality, and probe the meaning of recurring lives—prompting audiences to rethink the relationships and purposes that shape them.
Kim played Dong-jae, alternating performances with Yang Kyung-won and Kim Sung-kyu. Dong-jae presents as a man who seems to have long inhabited the mysterious space; he arrived there before the other man, Seojin. When Seojin becomes disoriented, Dong-jae describes what he experienced and helps him piece together their shared memories.
A devoted theater actor, Kim has consistently returned to the stage despite a packed schedule, and ‘Secret Passage’ was no exception. He began rehearsals while wrapping the final shoot of the series ‘Temptation’ and promoting the film ‘Can This Love Be Translated?,’ and he brought a deeper emotional register and seasoned technique that gripped the house. His performances sold out night after night and drew steady praise.
Critics have noted Kim’s ability to convey character through subtle eye work and precise diction. ‘Secret Passage’ demanded that he distinguish multiple personas across past lives, so he dove deep into character analysis. From a figure who persuades Seojin while implying hidden depths, to a genial older brother encountered in a shoe shop, to a father at odds with his son, and finally to a father desperate to save his daughter, Kim differentiated each role through shifts in speech, tone and expression—inviting genuine empathy and immersion.
Another of Kim’s strengths is his agility. He honors the set blocking and script while slipping in well-timed ad-libs and gestures that enrich the production. His expressions and reactions are vivid and nuanced; he has an instinct for comic timing and a knack for making an audience laugh. That blend of precision and spontaneity makes his work consistently engaging and leaves viewers wanting more.
After a three-month run of ‘Secret Passage,’ Kim will appear on the Coupang Play variety show ‘Bonjour Bakery,’ which premieres on the 8th. Beginning with a press conference on the 6th, audiences will get another look at his warm, magnetic presence. Disney+ will also release the series ‘Temptation’ later this year, making 2026 shaping up to be a full, high-profile year for Kim.
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