South Korean actor Ahn Bo Hyun is celebrating a major milestone in his career. Marking his 10th anniversary since his official acting debut, the star recently sat down for an in-depth interview to reflect on his journey from the boxing ring to the red carpet. With his latest tvN drama ‘Spring Fever’ just wrapping up a successful run, Ahn Bo Hyun is taking a moment to look back at how far he has come and how his mindset is changing for the better.
The interview, held in Gangnam, Seoul, on February 11, came right after the February 10 finale of ‘Spring Fever.’ The drama, which also starred Lee Joo Bin, ended on a high note with solid viewer ratings of 5.7% and has been a hit with audiences looking for a healing romance. For Ahn, the role of Seon Jae Gyu was more than just another job; it was a character that pushed him creatively and reminded him why he loves acting.
From Boxer to Blue Dragon Winner: A Changed Mindset
Long before he became a household name in hits like ‘Itaewon Class’ and ‘Yumi’s Cells,’ Ahn Bo Hyun was a different kind of fighter. A graduate of Busan Sports High School, he was a dedicated amateur boxer who even won a gold medal in national competitions. However, a series of injuries forced him to hang up his gloves. This athletic background, he admits, shaped his personality for years—specifically his tendency to be incredibly hard on himself.
In the recent interview, Ahn Bo Hyun explained how his past in sports influenced his approach to acting. “Because I used to box, I tend to whip myself rather than give myself carrots,” he shared. “I was strict because in sports, results depend on how much you push yourself.” This self-critical nature drove him to succeed but also consumed a lot of his emotional energy.
Everything changed last year when he won the Best New Actor award at the prestigious 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards for his role in the movie ‘The Devil Moved In’ (also known as ‘Pretty Crazy’). That moment of recognition was a turning point. “I used to think I wasn’t someone who had award luck, so the joy of winning at the Blue Dragon Film Awards was truly different,” he said.
Now, as he enters his second decade in the industry, Ahn Bo Hyun is consciously trying to be kinder to himself. “I’m trying to be more positive now,” he admitted. “I want to tell myself, ‘It’s okay to keep going in the direction you’re worrying about.’” This new, more forgiving attitude marks a significant shift for the actor, who is learning to balance his natural drive with a healthier outlook on life and work.
The Unique Romance and Chemistry of ‘Spring Fever’
‘Spring Fever,’ which premiered on January 7 on tvN and streamed globally on Prime Video, tells the story of a cold-hearted teacher, Yoon Bom (Lee Joo Bin), who moves to a rural seaside town and meets Seon Jae Gyu (Ahn Bo Hyun), a warm but intimidating local with a hidden past. The drama quickly gained popularity, even reaching No. 2 worldwide in Prime Video’s TV Shows category shortly after its release.
For Ahn Bo Hyun, the role of Seon Jae Gyu was special for several reasons. It allowed him to use his natural Busan dialect for the first time in a lead romance role, something he felt very confident about. He also threw himself into the physical demands of the character, who is described as having a “comic-book-like physique.” “Seon Jae Gyu is a character born with a strong constitution,” Ahn explained. “I thought he needed to have a human touch rather than just defined abs, so I focused on bulking up to create a larger physique.” He even maintained a distinctive hairstyle, which he called “Lego hair,” that required trimming twice a week to perfect the character’s unique look.
Working with Lee Joo Bin
A major highlight of the drama was the undeniable chemistry between Ahn Bo Hyun and his co-star, Lee Joo Bin. Standing at 187cm, Ahn noted that the visual dynamic between them was a key part of the show’s appeal. “Because Lee Joo Bin has a petite frame and a small face, standing next to her or hugging her created a visual chemistry different from other dramas,” he said.
The feeling was mutual. Lee Joo Bin shared in a separate interview that they both took time to warm up to each other, meeting with the director before filming began to discuss the script. “After the first shoot, when I saw how Bo Hyun was portraying the character Jae Gyu, I felt like he was completely in tune with the character,” she recalled. “So, I thought then that I would just follow his lead.”
Ahn Bo Hyun was particularly impressed with how Lee Joo Bin handled the action sequences, which were designed to be “playfully over-the-top” and “delightfully comic.” He noted that she had the right physicality for it, which made filming those scenes easier and often allowed them to wrap up earlier than scheduled.
When it came to the romantic scenes, including the much-talked-about kiss scenes, Ahn Bo Hyun focused on authenticity rather than perfection. “It wasn’t about being skillful,” he explained. “It was about showing Jae Gyu’s clumsiness—hesitating with clenched fists—that made the scenes look beautiful.” One particular moment where he lifted Lee Joo Bin during a kiss gave the scene a comic-book vibe that he felt blended in perfectly with the drama’s style. He even ranked Seon Jae Gyu among the top three characters of his entire acting career, showing just how much the role meant to him.
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Looking Back at a Decade of Growth
As Ahn Bo Hyun celebrates this 10-year milestone, he acknowledges that his journey hasn’t always been easy. After quitting boxing, he stumbled into modeling by chance when friends and family suggested it due to his height. He modeled for five years while working odd jobs like delivering goods to pay for acting lessons, experiencing the tough reality of a struggling artist. He made his official acting debut in the 2016 film ‘Hiya,’ though he had taken minor roles starting in 2014.
His big break came with the 2016 mega-hit ‘Descendants of the Sun,’ where he played a loyal soldier. But it was his chilling portrayal of the villain Jang Geun Won in ‘Itaewon Class’ (2020) that truly put him on the map. Rather than getting typecast, he deliberately chose diverse roles, such as the sweet Goo Woong in ‘Yumi’s Cells’ and the action hero in ‘My Name,’ proving his range as an actor.
Now, with a Blue Dragon Award on his shelf and a hit drama behind him, Ahn Bo Hyun is looking forward to what’s next. He has already confirmed his return for ‘Flex X Cop Season 2’ and is also set to appear in a new series called ‘God’s Beads.’ Reflecting on the end of ‘Spring Fever’ and the start of this new chapter, he shared a poetic thought that perfectly captures his current state of mind. “I feel like I’m waiting for spring,” he concluded. “The cold season has passed, I spent the winter well, and now I’m at a fluttering moment waiting for what comes next.”
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