Different from the original, director Kim Jin Won finally revealed the story behind Ahn Hyo Seop's transformation in the Netflix K-drama "A Time Called You."

Curious about what he said? Then read on!

Kim Jin Won Exposes Ahn Hyo Seop's Willingness to Join 'A Time Called You'

Following the worldwide release of "A Time Called You" on Netflix, the brilliant mind behind the adaptation, Kim Jin Won sat for an interview and shared more insights about the series.

"A Time Called You" is a mystery-romance that centers its narrative around Han Jun Hee, a woman in sorrow of her boyfriend who passed away. Through an old cassette tape, fate throws her into a twisted fate and time-travels to 1998. She meets Nam Si Heon, who looks exactly like her late partner, and his best friend Jung In Gyu.

When asked about casting Ahn Hyo Seop for the lead role, Kim PD'nim remarked that the heartthrob has a mix of seriousness and boyish charm. He felt that the actor's sync ratio with the drama's script and within their universe was exceptionally high.

Since Kim Jin Won really wanted Ahn Hyo Seop for the role, he admitted to going through considerable lengths to persuade him. Fortunately, it turned out that the actor loved the script, which made it easier for him to have the male star's approval.

"It would be more accurate to say that Ahn Hyo Seop chose to participate in this work."

'A Time Called You' Director Breaks Silence About Ahn Hyo Seop's Transformation in the Drama

Despite having a great cast, something caught the viewers' eyes while watching the series. In particular, Ahn Hyo Seop's disheveled styling of the 2023 version of Nam Si Heon became a hot topic online.

Kim Jin Won addressed the uproar and spilled tea on Ahn Hyo Seop's transformation, "I mentioned to him on set that I might face quite the criticism for making him look that way."

The director explained that his team had several discussions and styling tests with Ahn Hyo Seop. The most crucial part for them was displaying the depth of pain he endured over the past two decades.

He continued, "We thought the character should look worn out, and even though we tested different looks, he looked too dapper, so we ended up having that particular style on him."

Adding to the revelation, Kim Jin Won shared that there was also a formal reason for giving Ahn Hyo Seop that transformation.

"Ahn Hyo Seop plays four different roles in the series, technically six roles at different times. We needed to visually distinguish the characters. For the fans who were disheartened by Nam Si Heon's look in his forties, I was upset too. But for the sake of the drama's comprehension and emotional impact, we decided to make the college scenes and Koo Yeon Jun's character more appealing."

Kim Jin Won concluded that if the 40-year-old Nam Si Heon also looked tidy, it would make it difficult for them to convey the emotions they wanted.

What can you say about Kim Jin Won's revelation? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

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Shai Collins wrote this.