IN CONVERSATION WITH KAHYUN KIM
interview by JANA LETONJA
Actress Kahyun Kim will next be seen starring in NBC’s new sitcom ‘St. Denis Medical’, which premieres on 12th November. Kahyun is best known for her role in Universal Pictures ‘Cocaine Bear’, and has previously starred in ‘A Family Guide to Hunting’, Starz drama TV series ‘American Gods’ and in Disney’s 2018 film ‘Freaky Friday’.
You’ll be starring in ‘St. Denis Medical’. Can you share a bit about your character and what drew you to this role
In the pilot episode, I hump a desk pretending it’s a nurse from Montana. When I read that, I was like “Well this is undeniably me.” Serena is fun, says what’s on her mind, sometimes maybe too brutally honest, but she cares. A lot. And is surprisingly good at her job. That's what I love about her. She’s so much like me.
‘St. Denis Medical’ is described as a mockumentary. What was it like working in this comedic format, and how did you find the experience compared to more traditional sitcoms?
I absolutely love it. Looking into the camera and breaking the fourth wall is truly my favourite thing to do, especially for Serena. You really get the inside of what the character is thinking and feeling, and Serena has a lot of opinions to share in any circumstance, so by having small moments with the camera, the audience really gets to connect with Serena. Camera is a whole another character in this show and it’s so fun to play with.
What can viewers expect from this show, and how does it stand out from other medical shows?
I’m not just saying this because I’m on the show, but I promise the show is really funny. Whenever I read the scripts to prepare for our table reads, I laugh out loud alone and then scare myself like a lunatic. The characters are so unique and relatable, and our cast is so talented and special in our own ways. The way the ensemble works is chef's kiss. Also heart. There’s so much heart in the humour.
What initially drew you to acting, and how did your time at Juilliard shape your approach to your craft? Were there any specific actors, films, or performances that inspired you to pursue acting?
I started as a dancer and then moved on to musical theatre from watching musical ‘Cats’ on VHS way too many times. I was a full blown theatre nerd. But at some point I realised I wasn’t the best singer and maybe didn’t have the ideal body, whatever that means, to support a long dance career, so ended up with the last of the three criteria in musical theatre, acting. And boy, I’m glad. I love acting so much. It’s so fun to pretend like I’m somebody else and not deal with my own issues.
In all honesty, I am so lucky to do what I love, and Juilliard was one of the first places that gave me a stamp of approval and really made me step up my game. I am an actor who highly relies on my instincts, which in some ways is a great strength, but because of it I didn’t really believe in techniques or finding my own process. I liked turning on my charm and that was it, which could’ve limited a lot of my abilities down the line. At some point one of my professors, who I really respect, had to sit me down and tell me I had to actually do my homework and work on techniques instead of relying on my usual charms, and it really woke me up. So Juilliard taught me how to create depth in a character and help me develop my own process so to speak, which I’m so grateful for. Also, my classmates. They’re still to this day very special people in my life who crafted me into who I am now.
You’ve worked on a diverse range of projects. How do you approach such different roles, and do you have a particular preparation process?
I think each project is different. Some require more work in certain areas and some I just do my best to let it all go and have fun. I think finding the balance in what works for the character and the project is key.
You’ve worked on both TV shows and films with strong fan bases, like ‘American Gods’ and ‘Freaky Friday’. How has working on well-known franchises or adaptations influenced your career?
‘American Gods’ was a blast. I’ve always been a Neil Gaiman fan, so to be a part of his universe was an honour. My character New Media was an upgraded version of Media from the book, so it was nice to have the foundation of the character so well built, but then also have the freedom to have my own twist. It was truly the best of both worlds.
‘Freaky Friday’ was fun because it wasn’t just a franchise from the film, but an adaptation of the staged musical version. My character Torrey wasn’t a part of the original film, but a character from the musical, so listening to the soundtracks and singing my own version was really fun.
You’ve worked in projects that highlight cultural diversity, like ‘A Family Guide to Hunting’. How important is it for you to represent diverse stories and perspectives in Hollywood?
It’s funny, because that’s something I wasn’t always conscious of. I was born and raised in Korea, so I identify as a Korean, not necessarily Korean American. I have never felt like I needed to push my own identity or stories because I always felt like a foreigner, working in a different country. No matter what, my Koreanness will come through, from both my looks and general existence. But now that I’ve been living and working in America for more than half my life, I have grown to understand the American-ness of it all. In a country like this, where it’s truly a melting pot and so many diverse cultures coexist, representation and diverse perspectives is not only good, but a necessity for us to strive in our culture and society. Only in being exposed to and learning about people who are different from us, will we truly be able to grow. So long answer short, representation is very important.
How have you seen the changes in Hollywood regarding diversity and inclusion, and how have those changes impacted you personally?
I think it has grown, especially since I’ve first started out acting. Not as fast or as much as it should have grown, in my humble opinion, but there is definitely a change. I think for me, I started to be able to see myself leading a story and not just being a supporting character to somebody else's story. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a good supporting character, some of my favourites in a story are the magnificent supporting characters, but my mind has shifted over the years, thanks to the change, that I am no longer limited to just that. I can do both.
What can you share with us about your upcoming projects and goals?
I am so excited for the world to see ‘St. Denis Medical’. I really think it’s a special one. I love my job right now, so I am really cherishing what I have and taking in every moment of it. I would love to work on a Korean project down the line, whether that means a K-drama or a Korea and US co-produced movie. Who knows, but I would love to tap into that territory.
photographer KRISTEN JAN WONG
