'Heroes Next Door' Yoon Kye-sang proved the name 'Choi Kang' to the end.
Actor Yoon Kye-sang put a successful period on the Coupang Play X Genie TV original series 'Heroes Next Door' (written by Ban Gi-ri and Kim Sang-yoon, directed by Cho Woong and Kim Kang-gyu). In this work, Yoon Kye-sang played Choi Kang, an insurance Researcher and former special operations unit agent, alternating between lightheartedness and gravity while asserting his presence at the forefront.
'Heroes Next Door' maintained a steep upward trend until the end. In the finale it surpassed a nationwide household peak minute rating of 5.5% and a Seoul metropolitan area household peak minute rating of 5.2%, finishing first among Monday-Tuesday dramas with a nationwide household 5% and achieving a successful ending. Yoon Kye-sang's unrestrained performance led to word of mouth, and he drove both ratings and buzz, producing another well-made drama.
Yoon Kye-sang's strength was also proven by ranking first in the movie actor brand reputation. According to the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, Yoon Kye-sang ranked first in the 2025 December movie actor brand reputation analysis with high scores across the index. Yoon Kye-sang's popularity and influence in 'Heroes Next Door' were reflected and shone through.
In this way, although Yoon Kye-sang usually has a sly and relaxed expression, in the face of danger he instinctively moves and solves incidents, convincingly portraying 'Choi Kang' with Yoon Kye-sang's signature action and dense emotional acting. The eyes and breathing that change starkly depending on the situation added dimensionality to the character, and Yoon Kye-sang completed 'Heroes Next Door' by giving extreme suspense through a balance of action and emotion.
Yoon Kye-sang once again proved his value through 'Heroes Next Door.' Having filled the year densely, attention is focused on what activities he will continue in 2026, and as he parts with 'Heroes Next Door' he conveyed sincere stories about the work along with words of thanks to viewers. Below is the full Q&A with Yoon Kye-sang.
Below is the full Q&A with Yoon Kye-sang about 'Heroes Next Door.'
Q1. All episodes of 'Heroes Next Door,' which consistently rose into the top 10 in both ratings and buzz, have been released. After completing another project following 'Try,' how do you feel?
A. After 'Try' and then 'Heroes Next Door' received so much love, to be honest, my first feeling was "what is happening?" Now I only feel grateful. I think it's thanks to the actors and staff who worked together and the viewers who watched until the end. I am especially grateful to Jin Sun-gyu hyung, and I want to say, "As expected, my brother!"
Q2. At the press conference you previously cited "the main character coming out in a crisis situation different from his normal state" as Choi Kang's charm point. In building the Choi Kang character, what did you focus on most?
A. In the end, I thought Choi Kang's absolute action revealed in crisis situations was the most important. Of course, I didn't expect while filming that I would end up doing almost all the fight scenes necessary for the plot by myself. I thought the other characters would also have combat skills comparable to Choi Kang. (laughs) It wasn't easy physically, but I think it was a time that allowed me to immerse myself more deeply in the character.
Q3. Choi Kang's action, visible only in 'Heroes Next Door,' was one of the charms of the work. As you challenged the action genre again after a long time, was there a particular image you especially wanted to show viewers?
A. I think I showed almost everything I planned during the preparation of the work. At first I had many concerns about how to portray the character Choi Kang, but I completely focused on this work during filming to the point that I can't think of anything else I additionally want to show now.
Q4. Compared with 'Try,' your leaner physique stood out. Was that an intentional setting for the Choi Kang character?
A. I didn't deliberately change my body type; from the beginning I had the visual concept of Choi Kang in mind with suits, and that image seemed to fit well. Wearing a suit makes you look a bit leaner, and I thought that look suited Choi Kang.
Q5. The reunion reminiscent of the film 'The Outlaws,' including actor Jin Sun-gyu, also became a topic. What efforts did you make on set to sync with the other actors?
A. For each project, I try to have ample script reading time with the actors I work with whenever possible. As those processes accumulate, we naturally come to trust each other and build confidence. Ultimately, I think those times lead to good chemistry.
Q6. Is there a scene that remains particularly memorable or that you poured the most affection into?
A. Honestly every scene was enjoyable, and there was no scene I didn't put affection into. However, I do feel some regret that if we had had just a little more physical shooting time, it would have been even better.
Q7. You ended the year with 'Heroes Next Door.' How do you think this work will be remembered?
A. I think it will be remembered as an "enjoyable work" and a "fun work." I enjoyed the filming throughout, and if that energy was conveyed to viewers, I am fully satisfied.
Q8. Through the two works 'Try' and 'Heroes Next Door,' you visited living rooms in the latter half of the year and even completed a g.o.d concert, making it a busy year. Please tell us how 2025 will be remembered for you.
A. I was really busy this year, but it was also an incredibly happy time. There were so many moments of gratitude that I wonder if such a time could come again. Next year I will keep the love I received this year in my heart and, as always, walk steadily with the mindset of starting from the beginning.
Q9. Lastly, a message to the viewers who loyally watched.
Thank you sincerely to everyone who loved 'Heroes Next Door.' Happy new year, and I hope you always stay healthy and happy. I hope you live joyfully doing everything you want to do to your heart's content.
[Photo] Provided by Coupang Play.
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