Popular Actor Confesses Struggles Faced During Three-Year Hiatus

Recently, actor Kim Ji Hoon appeared on Kim Jung Nan’s YouTube series and opened up about the pain and struggles he experienced during his three-year hiatus from the industry.

Kim Jung Nan recalled when he was a handsome guy.

Back then, you were a handsome guy. Why did you suddenly become such a macho guy? Was it because you came back from the military?

— Kim Jung Nan

Kim Ji Hoon replied, “I just got older and matured after experiencing hardships in life.”

Kim Ji Hoon also explained that his image from weekend K-Dramas was so strong that it was difficult for him to take on diverse projects.

I wanted to do movies and dramas and thought I could do them well, but no one seemed to think so. So I took about three years off from work.

— Kim Ji Hoon

He added that the lack of projects he wanted forced him into a long hiatus.

During this time, he confessed to experiencing massive stress from the repeated cycle of waiting and frustration.

One day, I woke up to a news article saying someone had been cast in a drama. That was the last straw, and I was so frustrated that I couldn’t stand it.

— Kim Ji Hoon

During those three years, he used up all his savings and felt that the biggest problem he faced was his lack of hope about how and when things would turn out.

He also experienced serious health issues, stating, “For the first time in my life, I had a headache so bad that even touching my head would hurt. It was so painful I wondered if I had cancer.”

Kim Ji Hoon admitted that he became obsessed with gaming during this period.

It wasn’t intentional. It’s a highly addictive game, even without any effort on my part. I was able to forget about the world when playing, and it served as my antidepressant for about a year.

Kim Jung Nan consoled him and felt that he had done everything he could have done.

Looking back, I think you’ve followed a normal course. Actors absolutely need that kind of time. That’s why your acting has improved. The mind indeed controls the body.

— Kim Jung Nan