“I Couldn’t Even Eat Dinner Properly”— Kim Jae-young Opens Up About His Kissing Scene with Park Shin-hye in The Judge from Hell

Insights from Kim Jae-young’s Interview on *The Judge from Hell*

On November 5, 2024, actor Kim Jae-young opened up about his experience filming a kiss scene with Park Shin-hye in the new drama The Judge from Hell, during an interview with Star News. This pivotal scene appears in the series finale of the 14-episode show, which premiered on November 2 and has since generated significant buzz online.

Behind the Scenes: Emotions and Concerns

As reported by News1, Kim Jae-young, who is 36 years old, spoke candidly about his working relationship with his seasoned co-star Go Hyun-jung. He mentioned that he didn’t let preconceived notions about Park Shin-hye’s personal life impact their professional dynamic. Instead, he expressed curiosity about her comfort with the romantic elements of their roles.

He admitted to feeling a degree of anxiety during the romantic scene, particularly considering Park Shin-hye’s marriage to fellow actor Choi Tae-joon. Kim reflected on his concerns:

“I worried a bit, thinking that Choi Tae Joon, her husband, might not be too fond of the romantic scenes. But then I thought, since he’s an actor as well, he’d likely understand.”

Nervous Moments During Filming

In discussing the climactic kissing scene, Kim Jae-young admitted to being nervous throughout the shoot. He recalled fumbling over his lines, prompting Park Shin-hye to question his shakiness:

“Shin-hye also asked me, ‘Why are you so nervous?’”

He elaborated on his experience:

“It felt like it had been a long time. I forgot how to do a kissing scene. If you watch dramas, they don’t film it all at once, but several times. I think I couldn’t even eat dinner properly that evening.”

The Dynamic Between Co-Stars

Kim Jae-young praised Park Shin-hye for her expertise in romantic comedies, noting that she provided him with valuable insights during their time on set. She not only guided him with verbal directions but also demonstrated impressive expressive skills that showcased her talent as a rom-com actress.

The Plot of *The Judge from Hell*

Continuing the trend of light-hearted dramas on SBS, The Judge from Hell follows the life of elite judge Kang Bit-na, portrayed by Park Shin-hye, who leads a dual life as a demon. Her quest is to deliver justice by punishing those who inflict harm on others, sending them to Hell without remorse.

On the flip side, Kim Jae-young plays Han Da-on, a compassionate detective working in the Violent Crimes Unit 2 of the Nobong Police Station. Although gifted with remarkable observational skills, Han carries an emotional burden unknown to others. The collision of their paths transforms both characters irrevocably.

Kim’s Reflections on His Character

During his interview, Kim Jae-young elaborated on his role as Han Da-on, expressing gratitude for Park Shin-hye’s unwavering support. He commended her stamina and mental fortitude, which helped maintain a consistent pace on set. He also mentioned how Park enthusiastically engaged in action scenes, demonstrating her versatility and excitement for the role of Bit-na:

“I think she’s mostly played kind characters, but she was excited to play a wicked and mischievous character this time. I felt that she was doing what she wanted to do.”

Emotional Depth in Performance

Reflecting on his portrayal, Kim shared how the character’s range of emotions drew him to the role. He emphasized Han Da-on’s duality as both a human and an intermediary in a narrative featuring supernatural elements:

“Isn’t Han Da-on’s emotional range really wide? I wanted to try to play a character with a lot of bright sides that I haven’t been able to do before.”

Kim also highlighted the challenges he faced during emotionally intense scenes, citing a funeral scene as particularly taxing:

“Didn’t I go crazy during the funeral scene? I got so caught up in the emotions while filming that I ended up getting hoarse later.”

Celebrating Success

Finally, Kim expressed appreciation for the show’s impressive viewership ratings, attributing its success to its innovative theme and emotional storytelling. The Judge from Hell achieved a peak nationwide rating of 13.6% for episode 8 and finished its run with a commendable 11.9% for the series finale. Viewers interested in catching the series can find it streaming on Disney+.

For a deeper look, you can check the full interview and insights from Kim Jae-young regarding his kiss scene with Park Shin-hye here.