Acclaimed actor Nam Goong Min, widely regarded as one of South Korea's most dependable leading male actors, is returning to the small screen with an intense crime thriller. His new series, 'The Husband' (Korean title: 'The Completion of Marriage'), follows a couple on the verge of divorce whose lives spiral into chaos after an unexpected kidnapping, promising a suspense-filled story that will keep viewers on edge.
A press conference for KBS2's upcoming weekend miniseries 'The Husband' was held on Tuesday at The Saint in Guro-gu, Seoul. Director Kim Jung Hyun, along with stars Nam Goong Min, Lee Seol, Kim Dae Myung, and Lee Sang Hee, attended the event to discuss the drama and share behind-the-scenes stories ahead of its premiere.
The series centers on Kang Tae Joo, a neurosurgeon whose wife is suddenly abducted just as the couple is about to divorce. Forced into a desperate race against time, he battles a ruthless criminal to save her while becoming both a suspect and a fugitive himself. As distrust, fear, and suspicion consume the husband and wife, a mysterious kidnapper drives the story into increasingly dangerous territory, setting the stage for a psychological crime thriller unlike a conventional kidnapping drama.
Nam Goong Min, who plays protagonist Kang Tae Joo, has built one of the strongest resumes in Korean television. He made his acting debut in 1999 through the EBS drama 'Open Your Dreams' and initially attracted attention for his resemblance to actor Bae Yong Joon, earning the nickname "Little Bae Yong Joon."
His breakthrough came in 2017 with KBS drama 'Good Manager,' where he portrayed Kim Sung Ryong, an eccentric accountant who gradually transforms into a champion for justice. The series exceeded expectations despite competing against the high-profile historical drama Saimdang, Memoir of Colors, starring Lee Young Ae and Song Seung Heon, eventually becoming the highest-rated weekday KBS miniseries of the year.
He followed that success with SBS drama 'Hot Stove League' in late 2019, playing Baek Seung Soo, the newly appointed general manager tasked with rebuilding a struggling professional baseball team. Rather than relying on romantic subplots, the series focused on baseball management and workplace politics, earning widespread praise from viewers and critics alike. Ratings steadily climbed into the high teens, turning the drama into a major hit.
His performance in 'Hot Stove League' earned him a nomination for Best Actor in the TV category at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, and later that year, he received his first Grand Prize (Daesang) at the SBS Drama Awards, solidifying his status as one of Korea's top actors.
Director Kim Jung Hyun expressed complete confidence in his cast during the press conference. "Nam Goong Min hardly needs an introduction," he said. "He's an actor who portrays every emotional detail of a character with incredible precision."
He also praised Lee Seol, who plays Tae Joo's wife, saying she fearlessly explored the deepest emotional layers of her character.
Speaking about Kim Dae Myung, who takes on a rare villain role, the director noted that audiences typically associate the actor with gentle, kindhearted characters. "This time, he completely overturns that image and reveals a terrifying side as the drama's antagonist," Kim said.
Regarding Lee Sang Hee's mysterious character, the director remained careful not to reveal spoilers but described her as a "grounded actress" whose strengths were evident throughout filming.
Nam Goong Min described his confidence in the series, saying he believed it would deliver strong results from the moment he read the script.
"I've worked with KBS on many projects over the years, and I'm grateful that my recent dramas have received so much love," he said. "While filming The Husband, I became convinced that this project would also achieve great results. I'm feeling very confident."
He also spoke about reuniting with Lee Seol after previously working together on 'Our Movie,' saying their prior collaboration allowed them to quickly develop natural chemistry on set.
"There was no need to spend time figuring each other out," he said. "From the very first day, we felt comfortable working together, and our performances clicked naturally."
Lee Seol echoed those sentiments, saying working with Nam Goong Min again gave her a tremendous sense of comfort.
"Just being able to act alongside someone I respect so much made me feel incredibly at ease," she said. "Watching him perform, you can truly feel how deeply he loves acting. I learned so much from him during every scene we shared."
Kim Dae Myung, who transforms into the chilling villain No Man Hee, admitted the role pushed him outside his comfort zone.
"The actions this character takes are things ordinary people would never experience in real life," he said. "As an actor, I wanted to challenge myself with something much darker and more aggressive than usual. It turned out to be both fascinating and cathartic."
Lee Sang Hee, whose mysterious character Kim Kyung Ae plays a pivotal role in the drama, apologized for being unable to reveal many details. "My character holds one of the drama's biggest secrets, so unfortunately, there's very little I can talk about today," she said with a laugh.
She added that she frequently consulted with the director and fellow actors during filming to ensure she maintained the right emotional balance throughout her performance.
"There were definitely moments when I felt lost," Lee said. "But thanks to our wonderful director and supportive cast, I was able to find my footing."
Filled with psychological tension, brutal crime, and an unpredictable chase between desperate survivors and a merciless criminal, The Husband premieres on July 4 at 9:20 PM KST on KBS2.
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