[FLNK MAGAZINE] Interview with BAE IN HYUK
Actor BAE IN HYUK gazed coldly at the camera through his glasses. But after the shoot, he shyly mentioned that he wants to be connected with his fans like an unbreakable chain.
Q. Today’s concept is geek chic, with glasses. Do you usually wear glasses?
My eyesight isn’t great, so I wear glasses at home or when driving at night. I love glasses, and I often wear them as a fashion accessory. I usually go for thick-framed glasses, but this was the first time I tried ones like these. It felt new, and I think they looked great in the photos.
Q. Besides the photoshoot, we also asked you for a “Let’s break up?” video, and you looked a bit shy.
That’s right. I mean, there are so many videos like that on Reels or Shorts, right? It seemed easy when I watched them, but when I tried to do it myself, it was pretty difficult. Well, there were so many people behind the camera, and when I was about to start filming, everyone went from being noisy to suddenly quiet. And there I was, saying “Let’s break up” all by myself. (laughs)
Q. Isn’t it similar when you’re filming dramas?
It is, but it felt different. I can immerse myself in the role when I’m acting, so it's fine. But this time, it felt like I was just BAE IN HYUK.
Q. What’s your favorite movie genre as a viewer?
I love action movies. I recently watched Officer Black Belt and really enjoyed it. First of all, it featured incredible actors, so the performances were outstanding. I especially liked the variety of action scenes—they were complex, not easy at all, and had grand-scale sequences. Since it’s a genre I’d love to try myself, I even mimicked some of Kim Woo-bin’s lines, which made it even more enjoyable for me.
Q. You’ve participated in many projects set in different eras, such as historical dramas and time-travel stories. As an actor, what do you find attractive about these projects?
Historical dramas are fascinating because I get to wear the clothes and speak in the style of an era I’ve never experienced. And in the case of the movie Ditto, it’s set in the time when my parents were in their twenties. It made me realize how fashion comes full circle, and I enjoyed learning about the aspects and trends of that time. Time travel stories, on the other hand, are quite challenging since I have to rely entirely on my imagination. With historical dramas, I can ask about the past, but with time travel stories, there are no reference points. It’s essentially a type of fantasy, so finding the right balance in how much to emphasize that aspect was tricky.
Q. You said in an interview earlier this year: “I hope to become free-spirited and bold enough to try new things on set.” How is it going on the set of the drama Check-in Hanyang that you are currently filming?
I feel like I'm challenging myself a lot. Honestly, I tend to overthink and worry when I act. But now, I just go for it. If I try something confidently and the director thinks it’s too much, I can pull back; if it’s not enough, I can push further. In the past, I often felt anxious and nervous, which kept me in a box. Now, I’m taking risks and trying out whatever I want, as long as it doesn’t interfere with others.
Q. You had a lot of part-time job experiences when you were a student. What did you learn from them?
People are all different, as you know, so I believe the way we interact with each person should vary. When I was younger, I didn’t realize that. But through my part-time jobs, where I met a variety of people without any prior information about them, I learned how to interact with others and became more adaptable to different situations.
Q. You recently had a long break.
Yes, I had about five months off after finishing The Story of Park's Marriage Contract. It was my first time taking a break since my debut, so I didn’t really know how to rest properly, and it was quite challenging. The first couple of weeks were very relaxing and fun, but as time went on, I started feeling anxious and unsure about how to recharge in a healthy way. It was a bit stressful at that time, but eventually, I realized that when it’s time to take a break, I just need to focus solely on resting. This way, I would be able to fully channel my energy when it’s time to get back to work.
Q. You have many active hobbies. Which one helps you unwind the most?
Riding my bike is incredibly relaxing for me. There’s no one bothering me while I’m cycling; it’s just my alone time, feeling the wind and taking in the scenery. Playing golf also helps me relieve stress a lot. Walking on the grass and breathing in the fresh air really calms my mind.
Q. You have your first fan meeting in Japan coming up, right? What are you most looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to meeting all the fans together, as I’ve never had the chance to host an event like this. I feel excited, nervous, and a bit concerned. We’re currently planning the fan meeting, and I’m trying to share a lot of my ideas because I want to give everyone a great impression.
Q. What aspects of you do you think fans like?
That’s a tough question. I believe I have quite a few different sides to me. Some people even say things like, “Wait, is that the same person?” after watching one of the projects I was in. I makes me feel really good to see those kinds of comments. It indicates that I naturally immersed myself in that character, and the viewers felt that connection too. I guess that’s what fans appreciate about me.
Q. You recently opened your b.stage and have been actively communicating with fans there. What does it mean to you to connect with your fans in this exclusive space?
First of all, I’m really grateful for my fans. They support and like me, but as just one person, I can’t personally connect with each and every one of them. So I try my best to engage in that space. Through these interactions, I discover things I didn’t know before, and it seems to make the fans even happier, which I find enjoyable. Communicating through b.stage is one way for me to express my gratitude for their support.
Q. FLNK combines FAN and LINK, and it’s a platform that connects fans and artists. How would you like to connect with fans in the future?
I want to be connected like an unbreakable chain. I believe it’s possible if both my fans and I put in the effort until the end. Of course, if my fans support me, I will do my best to give back in return.
Do you want to connect with BAE IN HYUK?
Visit the BAE IN HYUK's official community at baeinhyuk.bstage.in now!
📌[BAE IN HYUK 1st FANMEETING in Japan] Tickets now on sale!
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Credit.
Artist: BAE IN HYUK
Editor: Seungmin Lee
Photographer: Chaelim Park @chaem_00
Visual Director: KIM SEUNG EUN
Content Marketer: JIAE JUNG
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