Kim Ho-young hits burnout when Lempicka lines refuse to land

"I'd rather make others cry than cry myself" — Kim Ho-young's Tears

Musical actor Kim Ho-young, often called a "human vitamin" for his constant bright energy, has opened up about the psychological distress he experienced behind the scenes.

In a video released on the YouTube channel 'Too Much Kim Ho-young' on the 7th, Kim Ho-young recalled experiencing his first-ever burnout while preparing for the musical 'Lempicka.' Having always been skilled at emotional regulation—to the point of saying, "I'd rather make others cry than cry myself"—he confessed that the intense psychological pressure at the time led him to call senior actor Choi Jung-won and burst into tears.

The lines were particularly difficult for him. As he faced a continuous stream of unfamiliar phrasing and long dialogue not used in daily life, his struggle with the lines being hard to deliver deepened, and his sense of responsibility to achieve perfection led to a slump.

Choi Jung-won's Advice: "It's more impressive because you're saying things you don't normally say"

What pulled Kim Ho-young back from the edge was advice from senior actor Choi Jung-won. To Kim, who was suffering because the lines wouldn't come naturally, Choi offered the words: "It's more impressive because you are saying things you don't normally say."

Kim Ho-young cited Choi as a grateful presence who helped him make a positive turnaround, stating, "My thinking changed instantly at those words." It was the moment he realized that the painful process was actually the process of creating his uniqueness as an actor.

"A career-defining character is being born" — Choi Jung-won on Kim Ho-young's transformation

Choi Jung-won expressed affection, noting that she witnessed Kim Ho-young's transformation firsthand. "From the very first reading, Ho-young had already become a different person," Choi said. "At that moment, I thought his career-defining character was about to emerge."

She continued to offer her support regarding Kim's efforts, saying, "He grumbles sometimes, but that process itself is a process of growth. He is someone who loves and strives more than anyone else."