[Photo] OSEN DB.
Actor Seo Kang-jun recently made a strong impression through the KBS 2TV weekend mini-series ‘Other Love,’ portraying everything from the raw reality of love to fresh excitement and a more mature inner transformation.
In the drama, which concluded on the 1st, Seo Kang-jun played the role of Nam Goong-ho, connecting with viewers through his relatable journey. From the familiar routines built over a long-term relationship to the unfamiliar fluttering excitement brought by meeting Park Su-a (played by Jo A-ram), and the process of self-reflection through relationship changes, he densely expressed the multi-faceted nature of love and anchored the center of the drama.
During the early episodes, Seo Kang-jun realistically depicted the 10-year history shared by Nam Goong-ho and Lee Mi-do (played by Eun-jin Ahn). He delicately captured the fluctuating emotional temperature over time, from the fresh excitement and affectionate gazes of early romance to the natural comfort built through years together. By sensitively portraying Nam Goong-ho’s inner conflictsโcaught between the unspoken feelings overshadowed by familiarity and the desire to maintain the relationship despite harsh realityโhe drew deep empathy from viewers who have experienced long-term relationships.
Seo Kang-jun’s attention to detail truly shone when expressing Nam Goong-ho’s inner turmoil, torn between holding onto a relationship and confronting long-ignored emotions. Without exaggeration, he injected subtle changes into his calm tone of voice, using tiny tremors in his gaze and facial expressions to convey the anxiety of potentially losing a loved one and the desperate urge to hold on until the end. By emphasizing the subtle weight of emotions embedded in everyday moments rather than inflating them, he deepened the quality of realistic melodrama.
His chemistry with Park Su-a revealed an entirely different charm. He naturally oscillated between playful mischief, attentive and seemingly indifferent care, and a straightforward charm in expressing his feelings, creating a fresh texture of romance. In particular, the scene where he proposes a one-month meeting with the line, “Can I be curious about you?” simultaneously captured his curiosity toward new emotions and cautious courage, clearly highlighting Nam Goong-ho’s transformation.
The playful banter laced with sudden warmth, the fluttering romance conveyed merely through eye contact, and the reliable presence during crucial crises further amplified Nam Goong-ho’s appeal. By fluidly transitioning between playful older brother vibes, heart-fluttering boyfriend charms, and steadfast senior reliability in times of crisis, he breathed vibrant energy into the romance. His natural synchronization with his co-star vividly brought the changing dynamics of their relationship to life.
In the latter half of the series, Nam Goong-ho’s growth narrative was portrayed with greater depth. Facing a complete farewell during his final trip with Lee Mi-do, he looked back on their decade-long journey and prepared for a new beginning. Seo Kang-jun expanded the process of letting go of a familiar love and discovering oneself through a new relationship beyond simple parting and meeting, transforming it into a genuine coming-of-age narrative. By clearly distinguishing the emotional nuances arising from different relationships while ensuring a smooth character evolution, he maximized viewer immersion until the very end.
Above all, his restrained acting while accepting the breakup left a lasting resonance. By delicately unraveling the bittersweet regret of wrapping up a long-term relationship alongside a calm readiness to move forward, he convincingly completed the timeline and transformation of Nam Goong-ho. Rather than overplaying emotional intensity, his performanceโbuilt layer by layer through gaze and expressionโconveyed the character’s growth with profound authenticity.
Ultimately, Seo Kang-jun comprehensively embraced a wide spectrum of emotionsโranging from the complexities of a realistic long-term romance to the excitement of a new love and self-discovery at the threshold of a relationship’s endโto render Nam Goong-ho a multidimensional character. By meticulously tuning every detail from his gaze and expression to his tone of voice, Seo Kang-jun fully captured the character’s timeline. As he broadens his unique acting spectrum with a fresh face in every project, anticipation continues to build for what he will bring next.
[Photo] KBS 2TV ‘Other Love’ broadcast screen capture
