Kim Jae Won, humble TV drama ambassador

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Sporting a formal black suit, clean-cut actor Kim Jae Won hardly looked like a young star of Korean TV dramas, where the latest fashions are always a vital element.

"We, Koreans, regard etiquette highly. I view this press conference as an important and formal occasion, so I dressed formally," Kim said to the largely informally dressed journalists.

During the one-hour press conference, Kim, whose trademark moniker is "Killer Smile", emanated South Korean grace and charm, smiling a lot and politely nodding at every question.

A student majoring in performing arts at Sangmyung University, Kim, 24, said he would not make a pictorial book like other Korean stars.

"To make such a pictorial book, you better have enough confidence about your face," he said in Korean.

The interpreter said that, apparently, Kim did not see himself as having the proper material for a pictorial book.

His fans, who were waiting outside the conference room with a large banner proclaiming the Korean version of 'I love you', would probably have begged to differ.

Kim, who has been active in the entertainment industry for five years, said that there were 1,200 actors and actresses registered in South Korea.

He said he did not know why he was appointed as the first international spokesman for TV Korea Showcase, saying that of the 1,200 Korean actors, he was not the best.

"I think, the more talented actors and actresses are busy (working), while I have much more spare time," Kim said.

Kim Jae Won has starred in 12 TV dramas and movies, all of them with love themes.

Indonesian audiences know him through the TV drama My Love Patzzi.

For a change, though, Kim said he would like to star in an action movie.

"So I will look a bit macho," he said, smiling politely again.