Uhm Tae Woong and Kim Ok Bin play star-crossed lovers in the new drama "The Blade and The Petal." His character is Yeon Choong, the son of the man who murdered her character's father, so no matter how much she loves him, they can never be together. You may know that it's not the actor's first historical drama as he played Kim Yoo Shin in "Queen Seonduk." But how much more do you know about this actor? Here are some fun facts:
1) Han Ga In once said she preferred kissing Uhm Tae Woong to kissing Kim Soo Hyun.
The actress shared her opinion shortly after shooting the film "Architecture 101" with Uhm Tae Woong and the drama "Moon Embracing The Sun" with Kim Soo Hyun. But she said that the situation had a lot to do with it.
"When I had to shoot a kiss scene with Kim Soo Hyun, I was so busy," said Han Ga In. "The camera was on all the time. When I filmed the kiss scene with Uhm Tae Woong I was really into the scene. It was easy to relate to the situation and I felt like I had become the character. Just thinking about it that way, the kiss scene with Uhm Tae Woong was more exciting."
2) Uhm Tae Woong has a famous older sister. His sister is singer-turned-actress Uhm Jung Hwa, who was known as the "Korean Madonna." He also has a famous wife. Earlier this year he married ballerina Yoon Hye Jin and last month they became the parents of a healthy baby girl. His sister introduced the couple.
3) His sister did not think he should become a regular on the show "1 Night, 2 Days." She worried that no one would like his corny jokes and that he would not fit in with the rest of the show's comedians. She admitted later that she was wrong to worry.
4) The star of "Queen Seonduck," "The Devil," "Man From The Equator" and the film "Cyrano Agency" became an actor because a girl he liked majored in theater.
"In order to win over my first love, I enrolled in to the theater department," said Uhm Tae Woong. "But she ended up leaving. I was wandering, wondering what to do, when I met the manager I work with now, and then I started acting in earnest. I went to that school to win her, but thinking about it now it's like I went to meet that friend. I think that's fate."
5) He has not completely adjusted to being famous. When fans approach him, he gets flustered.
"I know many people like me and want to express it, but I end up avoiding them because I'm embarrassed. When fans come up to say hi and tell me how much they are enjoying a drama. I wish I could be more easygoing and thank them but all I can think to say is "oh, yes...." and then I lower my head. When they leave, I regret what I've done."
So, if you see Uhm Tae Woong anywhere and he looks like he is trying to avoid you, remember that it's because he's shy.
