[INTERVIEW] Actor Jin Sun-kyu on ‘Husbands In Action’, His Acting Career and His Hopes For The Future

The Seoul Story had the opportunity to interview actor Jin Sun-Kyu recently on his latest title, ‘Husbands In Action’. Playing Choon-shik, a detective who teams up with his ex-wife’s husband to chase down her kidnappers, he shares memories from being on-set and reflects on his acting career so far.

Q: Please introduce yourself to The Seoul Story readers.

A: Hello, readers of The Seoul Story. I’m Jin Seon-kyu, and I play Hwang Choong-sik in Husbands in Action.

Q: Your popularity has grown steadily over the years. How have you adapted to the increasing recognition and public attention?

A: I’m truly grateful that more people have come to know me and take an interest in my work. But I’ll admit the attention can feel like a weight sometimes. Whenever it does, I try to go back to how I felt when I first started acting. Building characters with my colleagues on stage, putting a single scene together piece by piece — those moments have always been my greatest source of strength.

Q: What factors do you consider when deciding on your next project or role?

A: The first things I look at are the story and the character. I spend a lot of time thinking about what kind of life this person has lived, what situation they’ve landed in, whether I can feel my way into it. Villain or hero, comedy or drama — I think every character has their own reasons, their own story. So more than how big or small the part is, what matters to me is whether I can understand this person’s heart and follow it.

Q: Has your approach to choosing roles evolved over the course of your career? If so, how does the way you select projects today differ from when you first started?

A: Early on, just being able to act at all — any role — felt like something to be grateful for, something precious. Honestly, that hasn’t changed much even now. What has changed, I think, is that over time I’ve come to look at characters a little more deeply. Back then I focused on doing well by whatever role I was handed. Now I think more about what this person does inside the story, and what feeling they can carry to an audience.

Q: Looking back on your journey, was there a defining moment when you felt you had truly established yourself as an actor?

A: For sure, The Outlaws was a major turning point in my life as an actor. A lot of people came to know me through that film, and it opened up new opportunities for me. But the moments when I really feel I’m living as an actor come less from any one film’s success than from the simple fact that I’m still making work with good colleagues.

Q: In your opinion, what are the most important qualities or characteristics an actor should possess to succeed in the industry?

A: I think steadiness and sincerity matter most. Acting is a job where you keep meeting new people and have to work at understanding their lives. And it isn’t something you can pull off alone — it’s made together, with the director, your fellow actors, the crew. So trusting the person across from you and breathing in time with them is just as important.

Q: From Extreme Job to Husbands in Action, you have acted in multiple genres. What is a new genre you would want to try in the future?

A: I’d like a shot at a love story – a romance. I’ve played a lot of genres and a lot of characters so far, but romance is the one I haven’t gotten to yet. I’d love for the change to show another side of myself through a proper romance/melodrama.

Q: How was it like filming with the other cast members in Husbands in Action? How was the chemistry during the shoot and do you have any interesting TMIs to share?

A: The atmosphere on set was wonderful. Every actor took full ownership of their own role while still looking out for their scene partners, making sure everyone could come off better. Gong Myoung and I have been building a rhythm together for years now, since Extreme Job, so the give-and-take was easy. The other actors were such good people that the chemistry came together fast. The cold-storage warehouse scene with Gong Myoung especially — I remember laughing a lot while we shot it.

Q: You play an ex-husband willing to do anything to protect his loved ones in Husbands in Action. Do you share any similarities in real life to your on-screen character?

A: I wouldn’t say I’m quite like Choong-sik in the rough, hot-tempered department — but the wanting to love your family and protect them, that part we share. If there’s one thing that’s unmistakable about him, it’s how sincerely he loves them. And I think that’s something not just I but a lot of people can recognize in themselves.

Q: If you could say something to yourself in your rookie actor era, what advice would you give him?

A: I’d tell him, “You’re doing fine, just as you are.” Back then I didn’t know much about acting, and I didn’t know what was coming, so there were a lot of anxious moments. But the time I spent on stage with my colleagues is what made me who I am. I’d tell him not to rush. Keep going a step at a time like you’re doing, and the good moments will come.

Q: Describe yourself in three words.

A: Colleagues, consistency, sincerity – these are the three. I get so much strength when I’m with my colleagues – it’s the driving fuel behind my passion as an actor and what keeps me going all-in with whichever role I am fortunate to portray.

Q: Have you visited Singapore before? Is there anything in particular you’d like to do given the chance?

A: I don’t think I’ve ever been to Singapore. If the right chance came along, I’d love to visit and talk about my work with audiences there. And I’d want to take in the food, the streets, the feel of the place for myself.

Q: We are already halfway through 2026. What can we expect from actor Jin Sun-kyu for the remainder of the year?

A: Right now, I’m filming a new series, 100 Days of Deception, which is set to come out this October. Every time I meet a new character, I feel like I’m learning a little more and growing as an actor myself. With that, I look forward to greeting you again with roles that show new sides to Jin Sun-kyu, the actor, as well as the familiar sides that I’ve been so fortunate to have shown you already. Thank you again so much for your love and support.

Husbands In Action is now streaming on Netflix.
Thank you to L’July Entertainment for the interview opportunity!

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