Actor Kim Young-kwang is boosting the show's immersion by showing polar opposite charms as a warm teacher and a mysterious club MD in the KBS 2TV weekend miniseries Walking On Thin Ice (directed by Song Hyun-wook / written by Jeon Young-shin / produced by Baram Pictures · Slingshot Studio). From delicate emotional shifts to tension-filled action and an unpredictable two-faced narrative, we looked back at his multifaceted performance.
◆ "By day an art instructor, by night a club MD" Kim Young-kwang's extreme double life
In the series, Kim Young-kwang plays Lee Kyung, a dual character who is an after-school art instructor attending a prestigious university with attractive looks and a pleasant personality, but who secretly works as a famous MD at the well-known club Medusa, dealing only with VIPs. Kim Young-kwang captivated viewers by presenting the warm, kind teacher and the club-dominating James with a stark contrast in tone. In particular, the styling that clearly distinguished the two characters surprised viewers, prompting them to ask, "Is it the same person?"
◆ Kim Young-kwang alternates between a cold partner and a sloppy human touch in his acting
Even after Eun-su (played by Lee Young-ae) discovers his identity, Lee Kyung accepts an offer he cannot refuse. He draws a cold line toward Eun-su and drafts a contract just in case, but he gradually begins to let his guard down. The shift in address from calling Eun-su "mother" to "ajumma," and the wavering he showed in front of Eun-su when she pleaded desperately for her family, vividly revealed the character's inner layers. Kim Young-kwang convincingly portrayed Lee Kyung's cracks by expressing both cold calculation and human agitation.
Especially in dangerous situations, the bickering and collisions between the two often brought laughter and at times created tension, helping to appropriately relieve the drama's weight. Kim Young-kwang, in his acting chemistry with Lee Young-ae, displayed variations that moved between a cold partner and a flawed humanity, bringing both enjoyment and vitality to the series.
◆ from meticulous detailed acting to flashy action
Kim Young-kwang once again proved his presence with detailed acting and thrilling action. His meticulous manner when filming Eun-su's contract scene and constantly scanning his surroundings emphasized the character's cold calculations and thoroughness, amplifying the show's tension. In the subway chase with Phantom, his agile movements and explosive action maximized the thriller's suspense. The acting spectrum that moves between intense psychological battles and flashy action was more than enough to reaffirm Kim Young-kwang's true worth.
In this way, Kim Young-kwang portrayed three-dimensional acting by switching between a kind teacher and a cold club MD, two polar opposite characters. His performance, which immediately captured viewers' attention, promises even more thrilling developments as it intertwines with past stories and secrets that will be revealed.
Meanwhile, Walking On Thin Ice has scheduled a special airing of "Walking On Thin Ice – binge day" on Oct. 3, Friday, from 5:15 p.m. to 6:35 p.m. The marathon of episodes 1–4 is expected to offer an immersive experience akin to watching a single film.
Walking On Thin Ice airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 p.m.
[Photo] "Walking On Thin Ice"
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