Kim Myung-min loses weight and the Kang-mae image
by javabeans
Kim Myung-min is Maestro Kang no more.
Shortly after creating a pop-culture phenomenon with his Daesang-award-winning role as the prickly, irascible “Kang-mae” in Beethoven Virus, Kim Myung-min is shedding weight along with that persona.
The first stills have been released for the upcoming movie My Love By My Side, which commenced filming on February 10 and also stars Ha Ji-won (Hwang Jini), who sports a new short haircut.
Back before filming had begun, I’d mentioned Kim’s intention to take a Method acting approach to his character, who’s dying of Lou Gehrig’s disease. (Despite his prognosis, the character displays a bright personality and positive attitude — a total 180 turnaround from the dour Maestro, no?)
Kim plans to drop a total of 10 to 12 kg over the course of filming, having initially gained some weight to make the contrast more stark. He’s already lost 5 kg, and will shed the rest in time with his character’s deteriorating health. Kim reportedly started at a weight of 72 kg, which is now 67 kg. His goal is 60 kg. YIKES. (In pounds, that’s 158 to 147 with a goal of 132.)
The first scenes shot involve a reunion of sorts for Kim’s and Ha’s characters, who had grown up in the same neighborhood. Now, twenty-something years later, they happen to meet again at his mother’s funeral (she works for the funeral home). He recognizes her at once — she used to follow him around back in their youth — but because his appearance has been worn down with illness, she doesn’t recognize him.
My Love By My Side will film over the next four months, and aims for a fall release.
Via Now News, Sports Chosun
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Tags: Ha Ji-won, Kim Myung-min
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1 Aaannie
February 17, 2009 at 10:19 AM
can't wait!....i couldn't imagine Kwon Sang Woo in this seemingly meaty role.
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2 lynn
February 17, 2009 at 10:58 AM
60kg??? how can that be possible? i mean i know he can loose weigh but isn't that too much??? and where's the "make up can do anything" magic?
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3 lily
February 17, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I like this actor. Very Good in BV. He stole the show for me.
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4 yumi-chan
February 17, 2009 at 12:14 PM
I AM EXCITED!
I can't wait til this movie comes out and rocks the crap out of me xDDD
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5 Seri
February 17, 2009 at 12:25 PM
I'm 159 pounds ;.;
MAESTRO KANG GIMME YOUR GUIDANCE!
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6 Beatrice
February 17, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Wow, he's not gonna weigh a heck of a lot more than me when he gets through. I'm not sure I'd have recognized him in that picture, although that probably has more to do with the hair style than with the weight loss.
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7 GGGG
February 17, 2009 at 1:01 PM
he's so inspiring~i wish i had da power to lose about 20 lbs~! i luv him!
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8 saryKIM
February 17, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Maybe it's the hair or the weight loss or both, but he looks younger in these photos.
Whoo hoo! Kim Myung Min you dedicated actor! Even if the movie sucks, he'll still shine.. I'm hoping it's good though; I'm excited for it.
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9 michi
February 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
totally love KMM and totally drooling over the new photos :)
fighting!!
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10 pplop
February 17, 2009 at 2:29 PM
wow he kinda sorta look like chunhee from family outing. maybe its the eyes that dull droopy look
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11 popcorn
February 17, 2009 at 2:33 PM
wow...he is actually doing it?
scary...
i only want to lose 20 lbs...and it's so hard. =D He will lose 12 kg...?
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12 azzuri
February 17, 2009 at 2:35 PM
#8 saryKim, I agree. He looks younger and more boyish.
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13 Helena
February 17, 2009 at 2:48 PM
He's a truly dedicated and amazing actor, I wish him all the best with this project. With director Park Jin-pyo at the driver's seat, I can't wait to see it. :)
I think many find him looking younger here because he looked much older in BV dued to the eyebrow & hair (he probably gained some weigh too?) there. Hehe. He looked fine in White Tower in 2007. :)
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14 Sere
February 17, 2009 at 4:11 PM
well, huh, I didn't recognize him! He looks a lot younger
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15 belleza
February 17, 2009 at 4:31 PM
"60kg??? how can that be possible?"
Welcome to Tokyo. ;)
I'm guessing he started losing weight at the beginning of this year. Losing 11lbs since February 10 would be absolutely insane.
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16 joonni
February 17, 2009 at 4:43 PM
I see the transformation, even in just a still photo. awesome.
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17 thunderbolt
February 17, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Hoho, in that top pic he looks young enough to be in Boys Before Flowers... as one of the boys.
Anyways... it's Kim Myung-min! Someone revive me!
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18 Annie
February 17, 2009 at 5:55 PM
It's about time. Don't get me wrong, Kim myung min did an outstanding job as Kang mae but the character itself is extremely annoying to me. He looks much younger like this. I'm excited for his new movie with Ha Ji won.
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19 ami
February 17, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Nooo Ha Ji Won... your hair! Your hair! ... yeah, okay I'll stop now. She just looks so much prettier in long hair.
But yes Mr. ex maestro looks very young...
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20 stargazer377
February 17, 2009 at 6:39 PM
i miss ha ji won's long hair too, ami!!!
but i don't mind the short look either. what's up with everyone cutting their hair these days?!
i'm excited for this movie to come out as well!
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21 fizzle
February 17, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Gosh, he does look younger. And this movie actually sounds kind of interesting.
P.S. No matter how "similiar" Cain & Abel is to East of Eden, at least we know C&A will have MUCH better acting. Right?
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22 kellie
February 17, 2009 at 7:37 PM
I knew we could depend on you, Dramabeans, thanks! After seeing that first photo I feel like sending the great man a CARE package. Or Lindsay Lohan's diet plan---Big Macs.
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23 Heejae
February 17, 2009 at 7:47 PM
The show stopper is going to bring the house down with this one :D
It's really admirable what he's doing. Admirable is not quite the right word; more like...commendable? It needs even more gravity than that.
Really, he deserves lots of praise for this<3
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24 Jill
February 17, 2009 at 7:55 PM
And he can be young too!..Awesome! He's definitely the right man for this role!
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25 stay
February 17, 2009 at 8:04 PM
gah I loved him in BV and White Castle... can't wait for this :D he's very talented.
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26 Sly
February 17, 2009 at 8:08 PM
OMG.. I though he was Kim Rae Won when I saw the pic then read the title and it's Kang Mae... woot woot, he's such a dedicated actor indeed.. love him ^^^
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27 jujube
February 17, 2009 at 8:10 PM
i can't wait for to see this.
it looks interesting!!!
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28 hanneebuff
February 17, 2009 at 8:25 PM
hope he stays healthy after this movie.
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29 ilovekangmae
February 17, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Totally ecstatic seeing him in those photos!
But I'm worried about his method of losing weight. Hope he stays healthy.
KMM fighting!
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30 saharial
February 18, 2009 at 2:45 AM
this sounds like a really worthwhile and interesting drama to watch. cheers fir the heads up!
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31 zero2303
February 18, 2009 at 4:23 AM
Actually looking at KMM expression here already hinting a melodrama movie to watch....Come Fall, must get tissuebox ready before watching it.
Hope KMM takes care of his health as well.
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32 chajjye
February 18, 2009 at 5:46 AM
AHHHHHH....he looks younger....but oh still so him...
i'm already expecting great things from this man. i salute you, kim myung min for your never ending commitment.
can't wait for this movie! but it won't reach my country's shore anytime soon.... :_(
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33 belleza
February 18, 2009 at 9:01 AM
"I though he was Kim Rae Won when I saw the pic then read the title and it’s Kang Mae… "
I always thought Kim Myung Min and Kim Rae Won could pass as relatives. Maybe even brothers.
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34 belleza
February 18, 2009 at 9:16 AM
@fizzle,
SO FAR. Word on the 1st episode doesn't seem much like East of Eden or MiSa at all. For one thing, So Ji Sup's character starts out HAPPY (i.e. quirky, cute, etc.) And I guess Han Ji Min's character isn't North Korean; she's from Pusan, so she'll get to the satori too. Heh.
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35 crypticbluerose
February 19, 2009 at 9:58 AM
wow, such a real actor. his hair cut looks boyishly cute, lol
(from the time he annouced losing weight, i don't think i've lost any.LOL)
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36 sheto
February 27, 2009 at 9:11 AM
amazing...he's definitely a pro
i admire him so much
gud luck KMM
XD
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37
June 19, 2009 at 12:46 AM
im you r greatest fans
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38 michi
September 1, 2009 at 2:31 PM
My Love By My Side trailer with English subs out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0msCkoTR6A
MBC Special Kim Myung Min Was Not There with English subs out:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0293D754F44589E5
Credits to MyungMin International Video Team
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