A short clip from a 2017 interview featuring the cast of the movie Real has taken the internet by storm, racking up over 8.9 million views on YouTube Shorts as of April 10, 2025. The video, originally aired on June 27, 2017, during an episode of SBS’s Entertainment Night, shows actors Kim Soo Hyun, Sulli (Choi Jin Ri), and Jo Woo Jin discussing their neo-noir action film. What seemed like a casual promotional chat back then is now being dissected by fans and netizens, who are asking: Was Jo Woo Jin trying to say something deeper with his words?
The movie Real, released in 2017, starred Kim Soo Hyun in dual lead roles as Jang Tae Young and an unnamed character, with Sulli playing Song Yoo Hwa, a supporting role that included controversial explicit scenes. Directed by Lee Sa Rang (also known as Lee Ro Be), who is Kim Soo Hyun’s cousin and the CEO of his agency GOLDMEDALIST, the film was a commercial and critical flop at the time. It earned a mere 39% rating on CGV’s website and a 4.44 out of 10 on Naver, cementing its reputation as one of Korean cinema’s biggest disappointments. However, recent allegations tied to the film’s production and its impact on Sulli, who passed away in 2019, have brought it back into the spotlight.
What Happened in the Interview?
During the Entertainment Night segment, the reporter asked Kim Soo Hyun to describe Real. He gave a simple, cheerful answer:
“It’s like a gift set.”
Jo Woo Jin, a veteran actor known for his supporting roles, followed with a comment that has since raised eyebrows. He said:
“I could tell that Kim Soo Hyun was fully immersed in this movie.”
He then added:
“It’s a film of the Kim Soo Hyun, by the Kim Soo Hyun, for the Kim Soo Hyun.”
Kim Soo Hyun laughed nervously and replied:
“Sunbae-nim, if you say that in such monotone, it’s scary.”
Back in 2017, this exchange didn’t draw much attention. Jo Woo Jin’s deadpan delivery and Kim Soo Hyun’s flustered reaction seemed like light-hearted banter. But now, with fresh allegations surrounding Real and Kim Soo Hyun’s role in its production, people are looking at Jo Woo Jin’s words in a new light.
Why the Comment Is Resurfacing Now
The renewed interest in this interview comes amid serious claims made by Sulli’s older brother, Choi Da Hee, in March 2025. He has publicly questioned Kim Soo Hyun and director Lee Sa Rang about the filming of Real, particularly Sulli’s explicit scenes. According to Choi, staff and actors at Sulli’s funeral in 2019 told him that her bedroom scene with Kim Soo Hyun was not as detailed in the original script. He also claims a body double was available but not used, suggesting Sulli was pressured into filming the scene herself despite her discomfort.
These allegations tie into a broader controversy involving Kim Soo Hyun. In early 2025, the family of the late actress Kim Sae Ron, who died by suicide in February 2025, accused him of dating her when she was a minor—a claim he denied in an emotional March 31, 2025, press conference. The overlap of these scandals has fueled speculation about Kim Soo Hyun’s influence in the industry, including his role in Real. The film’s troubled production, including the mid-filming replacement of original director Lee Jung Sub with Lee Sa Rang due to “creative differences,” has only added to the questions.
With Real trending again—ranking second on Netflix’s Top 10 films in South Korea as of April 1, 2025—netizens are revisiting old footage for clues. Jo Woo Jin’s comment, once dismissed as a quirky remark, is now being seen by many as a possible hint at behind-the-scenes tensions.
What Are Netizens Saying?
The viral clip has sparked a flood of reactions online. Many fans and viewers are analyzing Jo Woo Jin’s tone, facial expression, and choice of words, wondering if he was subtly criticizing Kim Soo Hyun. Here’s what some are saying:
“So he meant Kim Soo Hyun decides everything. I actually wondered about this interview back then. I thought, maybe, Kim Soo Hyun, being the lead, was power tripping or something.”
“The way Jo Woo Jin looks at him says it all. He’s sick and tired of the guy.”
“Jo Woo Jin’s words really had some weight to them… Poor Sulli.”
“Literally smacking Kim Soo Hyun with his words! Just look at the change in Jo Woo Jin’s eyes when he talks about Kim Soo Hyun.”
Others point to Jo Woo Jin’s praise for Sulli later in the interview, where he said:
“The most memorable character from ‘Real’ for me is Choi Jin Ri for the role of Song Yoo Hwa.”
This comment stands out because Sulli’s role was smaller than Kim Soo Hyun’s, yet Jo Woo Jin highlighted her performance. Some see this as a sign of respect for Sulli, contrasting with his earlier remark about Kim Soo Hyun.
Was It a Statement?
So, was Jo Woo Jin making a statement? There’s no clear answer. In 2017, his comment could have been a playful jab at Kim Soo Hyun’s starring role and heavy involvement in the project—he was, after all, the lead actor in a film partly financed by his own efforts. But in 2025, with hindsight and new allegations, it’s easy to read more into it. His monotone delivery and the phrase “of the Kim Soo Hyun, by the Kim Soo Hyun, for the Kim Soo Hyun” could suggest frustration or sarcasm, hinting that the movie was overly centered on Kim Soo Hyun—perhaps at the expense of others, like Sulli.
However, Jo Woo Jin has not spoken publicly about the interview since it resurfaced. Without his input, it’s impossible to know his true intent. Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, GOLDMEDALIST, has denied any wrongdoing in Real’s production, stating on April 2, 2025, that Sulli was fully aware of her scenes and that no body double was present—only a stand-in actor for preparation. They’ve called the claims “groundless speculation” and urged people to stop spreading unverified rumors.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
The debate over Jo Woo Jin’s words reflects larger issues tied to Real. The film’s production was chaotic: a big budget of 11.5 billion won ($8.6 million), high-profile cameos from stars like Suzy and Park Seo Joon, and a last-minute director switch. Actress Han Ji Eun, another cast member, shared in a 2018 interview that she suffered emotional distress during filming, with most of her scenes cut except for explicit ones. These accounts paint a picture of a troubled set, where actors may have felt unsupported.
For Sulli, the fallout was especially harsh. After leaving K-pop group f(x) to focus on acting, Real was her first major film role. The public backlash to her scenes contributed to intense cyberbullying, which many believe worsened her mental health before her death in 2019 at age 25.
Whether Jo Woo Jin meant to call out Kim Soo Hyun or not, his comment has become a lightning rod for fans seeking answers about Real. It’s a small piece of a much bigger story—one that’s still unfolding as people demand accountability.
