Mixed group KARD member BM has made his way into Hollywood. Although it was his first attempt at acting, he left a strong impression and successfully completed the global hit project "The Angry People Season 2." Just beginning his acting career, BM has become deeply absorbed in the fun that acting brings.
BM appeared in the Netflix series "The Angry People Season 2," released on Apr. 16, as coach Ushi, who runs the tennis shop inside a country club. He worked alongside actors Yoon Yeo-jeong and Carey Mulligan, delivering an impressive performance that made it hard to believe it was his first acting role.
"The Angry People Season 2" is the story of a fierce battle of persuasion and pressure that unfolds between two couples and the Korean billionaire owner of the club after a young couple witnesses the shocking fight between their boss and his wife at a country club frequented by the privileged.
BM said he saw, learned and dreamed a lot from this work. Oscar Isaac and Charles Melton, who acted with him, became good acting seniors and role models, and he learned their approach to acting. He received a precious compliment from senior actor Yoon Yeo-jeong and his desire to do action acting grew. If "Bloodhounds 3" is produced, he definitely wants to be part of it.
Of course, KARD is preparing for its 10th anniversary. Celebrating 10 years since their debut, KARD is preparing an album and has completed film shooting domestically. They plan to responsibly develop direction for both music and acting without neglecting either.
I met BM and asked about his acting debut and Hollywood entry with "The Angry People Season 2," and about his steps as an actor.
Q. How did you come to join the global hit "The Angry People Season 2"?
A friend contacted me saying they were auditioning for "The Angry People Season 2" and asked if I wanted to try. I thought it would be good to show my face to the casting director, so with no expectations I planned to attend the audition. I thought that if I showed my face once, another audition might come up. After sending the audition tape, director Lee Sung-jin contacted me asking if I could do a Zoom audition, and I heard that was a good sign, so we proceeded that way.
During the Zoom audition, director Lee Sung-jin would come in smiling every time a scene ended. I thought the reaction was good and hoped, "I wish they'd pick me. I wish they'd look favorably on me." Later they told me to coordinate schedules, and I was surprised. I thought it wouldn't happen, so it felt like a miracle.
Q. Did you have an interest in acting before "The Angry People Season 2"?
I had only taken three months of classes three years ago, but in other interviews over the years when asked, "What's next?" I mentioned, "I want to try acting." I had been auditioning before, and "The Angry People Season 2" was the third. I also auditioned for one of the Lion Boys in "K-pop Demon Hunters" before. Acting had been on my mind, but it felt so far from reality. It progressed quickly in a situation I never expected.
Q. This was your first acting role and you entered Hollywood. Did director Lee Sung-jin tell you why you were chosen for the role of Ushi?
I sent the tape and did the Zoom audition, but I was still very lacking. I think I got the role of Ushi not because I proved I could act well but because the image fit. After filming, people said they saw talent in me, but I still don't really know. I try not to believe others too much and look for my shortcomings. A writer told me they were looking for someone with swag, someone who could act cool.
Q. Has your interest in acting grown after your first role?
After "The Angry People Season 2," I also shot a film in Korea. There were many more lines and scenes. We had to film in a short time, but I wanted to experience it. I wanted to see how difficult it was, what I could handle, and what I did well or poorly. It feels like I gained one more acting experience.
I've been going to boxing diligently, and actor Lim Seong-jae also trains there. He adapts so well to each role that I think I should become that kind of actor. If an opportunity comes, I want to be able to take on any role and perform it well.
Q. How did you prepare for the character Ushi?
Ushi is a tennis coach at the country club who flirts with female members and ultimately sells his own skincare products and earns commissions. Everyone has social and economic ambitions, so I tried to recall and hold onto emotions from my own experiences when those ambitions felt distant or close. Because the other actors performed well, I felt the back-and-forth worked smoothly.
Although he is a tennis coach, he is also someone who sells skincare products. I took tennis lessons and, since I usually like exercise, I made it believable. I didn't know much about skincare products, and since I was going to sell them, I had to learn. I even went to a dermatology clinic and thought, "I've been foolish not to have gone until now." I got to know the products well, and that gave me more confidence in Ushi's lines.
Q. Were you a fan of "The Angry People" series before?
I watched it thoroughly and considered it a life-changing drama. In season 1, actor Steven Yeun plays Danny, a character who grew up in the U.S. as a Korean American, so there were many experiences he actually had. There were many relatable points, so it was one of the life dramas for me. I had no idea I would be part of season 2.
Q. How do you feel about joining the "The Angry People Season 2" project?
Attending the preview and the Hollywood red carpet event was amazing. Hollywood was such a distant place, and back then it was really rare for Asians and Koreans to stand in that spot. There were only Lucy Liu and Jackie Chan. Now it's proud and good that Korean Americans and Koreans can stand in those places. It also made me want more. It reminded me of my childhood. I hope I can be someone other Koreans, Korean Americans or Asians can look at and think, "I can become like that, too." I feel a responsibility to work harder.
Q. How was your interaction with Carey Mulligan, who plays Lindsey?
Carey Mulligan was an actor I knew very well. The most surprising thing when working with Carey Mulligan was that our first filmed scene together convinced me I was Ushi, not BM, with just two words. With the single line "Hey Ushi," I thought, "I am Ushi now," and it pulled me into the world of "The Angry People." Later other senior actors told me, "The other actor is that important." I don't think I did anything particularly well; it seems a highly skilled veteran senior pulled me out.
Q. How did KARD members and your family react?
The reaction that made me happiest was that family and close friends said, "Matthew or BM has a very distinctive persona, but that didn't show and he looked like Ushi." My family is very happy. My mother used to say when I was young, "You should be someone like Jim Carrey, an actor who makes people laugh and brings happiness." I felt I had taken the first step on that path.
Member Somin said, "He doesn't seem like someone acting for the first time," I think, and I haven't heard from the other members yet. J.Seph is busy preparing his solo, and KARD is preparing, so Jiwoo is always busy too.
Q. Are there roles you would like to try as an actor in the future?
If "Bloodhounds 3" is produced, I definitely want in. I'm confident I can do action. I've been boxing for over three years and have competed in amateur tournaments five times with a 4-1 record. I might be in the top 10 among entertainers (laughs). I love exercise to the point of ignorance and want to try stunts. I really want to do action acting in "Bloodhounds 3."
I want to be an actor who can show variety like Lim Seong-jae. I want to be seen as the character in the film, not BM or Matthew. I also like melodrama and romantic comedy. I really like senior actor Kwon Sang-woo from "Hitman," and senior actor Park Jeongmin from "Humming" was shockingly cool. I also want to play nerdy characters or characters who are bullied.
Q. "K-pop Demon Hunters 2" production has been decided. Would you consider auditioning again?
If an opportunity comes, I will definitely go. Since I am active in the K-pop scene, it is a great regret not to have passed the season 1 audition. If they call me for season 2, I will definitely do it.
Q. Do you have a role model as an actor separate from being a KARD member?
Working with them may be a factor, but watching their acting on set it was Oscar Isaac and Charles Melton. I think very highly of them. I asked Oscar Isaac what he focuses on when playing a new role, and he gave a very striking answer: "People all die." He meant to approach each role as if it were the last, with genuine commitment. When I first met Charles Melton and said, "I'm very nervous," he said, "Nervousness is a good thing. It means you care." That resonated with me. Many actors are not like that, but I thought I must not let my nerves slip on any project. They took great care of me and told me to call anytime if I needed to talk. I gained a lot from my first project.
Q. What will "The Angry People Season 2" mean to you?
Although I'm a new actor, as I continue to gain experience, any praise or good feedback will likely be thanks to this project. I gained so much. I am most grateful to everyone, especially director Lee Sung-jin. My future task is to become the actor who clearly proves they made the right choice in casting me.
Q. Future plans as both singer and actor?
First, KARD's album is the biggest plan. A 10th anniversary album will likely be released, and they plan to tour. I think it will be the most emotionally affecting album yet. We are continually considering direction. In July there will be a solo concert in Taiwan, and I am continuing music work. I also enjoy helping create other artists' albums. I want to continue working as a producer. (continued in interview ②)
[Photo] Provided by Netflix and DSP Media Co.
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