Actor Kim Kap-soo in a scene of "Queen of Tears" / Courtesy of tvN

Approximately 80 seconds — that's how long it took for actor Kim Kap-soo, 67, to appear and then die in the drama "Home Sweet Home" (2010).

In "60 Days, Designated Survivor" (2019), he died in a bomb attack in the first episode.

Known as the icon of short-lived characters, Kim often leaves his drama roles through death, but not without first making a profound impact with his intense performances, earning him this nickname from fans.

Recently, in the hit drama "Queen of Tears," Kim met a similar fate. He played Hong Man-dae, the founder of the conglomerate Queens Group, who, after being betrayed by his trusted housemate Mo Seul-hee (played by Lee Mi-sook) and losing control of his company, died in a wheelchair with a faint smile in episode 12, aired on the April 14.

Reflecting on his role, Kim said, "When I received the script, I wondered why Chairman Hong, who had built his business from scratch since his days as a shoeshiner, made such a choice. I thought about the regrets that must have surged after being betrayed by the only person he trusted, and what realization he might have come to," describing his approach to his character's death scene.

This was shared during an interview in a studio in Gangnam, Seoul, ahead of the drama's finale on April 27.

Kim Kap-soo is seen as he is about to die in "Home Sweet Home" just 80 seconds after his initial appearance. Captured from MBC

'I died later than planned'

Known as a specialist in portraying characters that meet untimely deaths, actor Kim is often approached with a variety of roles that involve his character's demise. In "IRIS" Season 1 (2009) and Season 2 (2013), he uniquely died twice, first as nuclear physicist Yoo Jung-hoon and then as his brother the following season.

When deciding whether to take on these dark roles, Kim does not consider the amount of screen time he will have. Instead, he focuses on the impact of the character's death within the story. "I look at what the character's death means in the context of the work," he explains.

In "Queen of Tears," his character, Chairman Bong, leaves behind a confession admitting to his life's mistakes and a will expressing his hope for others to live differently. This message forms a central theme of the drama and was a compelling factor for Kim's decision to join the cast, even though his character dies midway through the drama.

Reflecting humorously on his frequent portrayal of dying characters, Kim says, "Sometimes I think I can't escape death as an actor, and then I also think about living a long life."

He acknowledges the significance of death in life, equating its importance to birth, and takes these roles seriously. In "Queen of Tears," his character's death was postponed from episode 7 to 12, leading Kim to remark with a laugh, "It seems I died a bit later than planned."

Actor Kim Kap-soo, who played the founder of Queens Group, says he tried to infuse humor into his performances to prevent the character from becoming too stern and flat. Courtesy of F&F Entertainment

Enjoying his time on set

Kim's acting journey has been one of continuous audacity, marked not just by his repeated on-screen deaths but by his powerful presence and unconventional role choices.

Kim ventured into portraying a queer character in the drama "Sad Temptation" (1999), written by Noh Hee-kyung, further demonstrating his willingness to embrace challenging and diverse roles.

Beginning his acting career in 1977, Kim was known for his passion for acting, even holding his wedding in a theater in Daehangno. However, he also faced a significant emotional struggle as he approached his fifties.

After filming scenes, he often found himself retreating to secluded spots to sit alone, overwhelmed by the demands of acting and questioning his ability to continue.

However, he found solace in the passage of time and now approaches his work with the mindset of trying to enjoy his time on set.

Kim Kap-soo, right, in a scene for "The Taebaek Mountains" / Courtesy of Taeheung Production

Future electric guitarist

Currently, Kim is known for being the mood maker on the set of "Queen of Tears." He lightens the atmosphere with humor, joking with co-star Kim Soo-hyun when lines get mixed up, "Is the role too much for you?"

This jovial interaction not only brings laughter among the younger actors and staff but also helps alleviate the stress and tension that is often present in the filming environment. "You have to make work fun," Kim says, "otherwise, it's hard to last in this industry."

Off-camera, Kim maintains his cheerful spirit and is currently learning to play the electric guitar, with plans to start his own YouTube channel.

He wants to encourage his peers not to feel embarrassed by new technology or changes, reminding them that "There's no shame in not knowing how to use a kiosk. These were not around when we were young."

Kim said he embraces a philosophy of living life with curiosity and fun, aspiring to always remain a learner.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by a generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.