Kim Jin Young, better known as Dex, is stepping into the acting world with a new mindset.

On Wednesday afternoon, the movie "Taro" held a special meeting at CGV I'Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul. Director Choi Byung-gil attended along with actors Cho Yeo-jeong, Kim Jin Young (Dex), and Ko Kyu-pil.

"Taro" is a mystery movie about a cursed tarot card that brings a brutal fate. The movie combines three episodes into one: "Santa's Visit" featuring Jo Yeo-jeong, "Please Abandon" with Kim Jin Young (Dex) in his first acting role, and "Going Home" starring Ko Kyu-pil.

Dex, known for his roles in shows like "Zombie Bus," "Taegye Ilju 2/3," and "University Sports Festival: Boys' Training Center," is now debuting as actor Kim Jin Young. He chose the new name to separate his entertainment persona from his acting career. "I've never approached acting lightly," he said. "I wanted to meet a good character and say hello."

Kim Jin Young felt connected to his role in "Taro." He shared, "The role of Dong-in is similar to me. I didn’t want to just try acting; it’s my homework."

Before "Taro," he had other acting opportunities but declined. "I got another offer but turned it down because the character didn’t suit me. I waited for a better fit and found it with Taro," he explained. He prepared for his role by watching YouTube videos of delivery drivers to better understand his character.

Reflecting on his acting journey, he said, "I felt a sense of achievement. I empathized with my character and enjoyed the work." Dex added, "If I get more opportunities, I want to try action roles and simple daily life roles. Even if my acting skills are lacking, I want to use my body more."

Director Choi Byung-gil saw Dex's potential early on. "I noticed him on social media and YouTube. Production companies didn’t know him well, but I did. I saw his sincerity and cast him," Choi said. "I think he did well."

"Taro" will be released on the 14th.

Sources: (1)

Single's Inferno 4 star Yook Jun Seo got real about the harsh comments on his looks and finally addressed his rumored relationship with model Lee Si An.

On the March 29 episode of MBC’s variety show The Manager (Ep. 340), Yook Jun Seo, who gained attention after appearing on Single’s Inferno 4, shared his daily life and struggles.

During the episode, he was praised for being the most sincere contestant in Single’s Inferno history. In response, he said, “I just acted like myself. I made one promise before going in—‘Be honest. Don’t try to fake anything.’ But after watching the show, I felt I might have been too sincere. I regret it a little.”

Many fans were eager to know if Yook Jun Seo and Lee Si An, who became the final couple on the show, were dating in real life. Fans even brought up supposed "proof," which he addressed one by one.

Regarding rumors that they traveled together to the U.S., he quickly denied it, saying, “I haven’t been abroad in 4-5 years.”

As for a group photo where they were seen touching, he clarified, “The lower hand is mine, but the upper hand can’t be Si An’s. The angle makes it impossible.”

Yook Jun Seo also spoke about the "mid-face controversy", where people debated the proportions of his facial features. He laughed as he demonstrated how his long nose made face masks too small to cover it properly.

He even joked about a running gag among his friends that his mid-face length was 40 cm, playfully showing a face-shortening massage he learned from a skincare channel.

When someone pointed out that he seems more humorous now, he responded, “I feel really comfortable and happy these days. "

He added. "After Steel Troops, people saw me as a ‘handsome guy,’ so I felt pressured to act a certain way. But now, I’ve accepted it like, ‘Yeah, sure, my mid-face is 40 cm. Fine, I’m ugly. My nose is long. So what?’ It’s freeing.”

The show also revealed his simple lifestyle. Unlike on Single’s Inferno 4, where he drove a Porsche, in real life, he drives an old truck inherited from his father.

Yook Jun Seo also admitted that being a painter isn’t a profitable career. “Holding an art exhibition costs a lot. When I held my exhibition last December, I spent about 30 million KRW (~$22,000) of my own money.:

He added, "My paintings are large, so they don’t have selling points. But I don’t do this for money—I just want to create and share the images I envision.”

Later, he met up with Lee Si An, Kim Jung Soo, and Kim Min Seol at a BBQ restaurant. When asked about memorable comments he received, he recalled, “The hateful ones stand out. Someone called me Australopithecus (prehistoric human).” Then, turning to Lee Si An, he joked, “You saw this face in real life. Thanks for accepting it.”

Lee Si An revealed, “He’s actually soft-hearted.” Yook Jun Seo admitted, “Now, I can laugh about it, but back then, I felt like my world was falling apart. I wondered if I could ever recover. It felt overwhelming.”

Lee Si An also shared that she had regrets about the early reactions to the show. “I was really honest throughout the show, but then I thought, ‘Oh no, maybe I shouldn’t have been like that on TV.’”

However, she added, “But even if I went back, I’d do the same thing.” She even said this includes the "bed scene", confirming that they really slept together and held hands.

But when asked again if they were dating, they denied it, saying they are just “like siblings”, leaving fans disappointed.

Source: [1]