Actor Ahn Hyo-seop got candid about everything — from his per-episode pay in his rookie days and the moment he almost quit acting, to his unfiltered reaction to the runaway global success of Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters.
On the 26th, producer Jung Jae-hyung uploaded a new video featuring Ahn to his YouTube channel. Ahn looked back on his time studying in Canada, when he passed a JYP Entertainment audition and became a trainee. “I really loved music, but once something you love turns into repetitive training, I thought I might end up hating it,” he said. He added with a laugh, “To be honest, I also got cut because I wasn’t good enough as a trainee — I would’ve cut me too,” before admitting, “I thought I could manage singing somehow, but dancing was just too hard.” That’s why he ultimately chose acting over becoming an idol.
The early grind was brutal. “My first TV appearance fee was 500,000 won per episode,” Ahn shared. “It wasn’t even enough to cover labor costs back then, but I was still grateful for that amount.” Recalling the MBC drama Happy Home, he said, “For three episodes, my only line was ‘Yes.’ And I still got scolded for that one word.”
There were moments he wanted to walk away. Thinking back to filming SBS’s Still 17, Ahn said, “It was a record-breaking hot summer. On top of that, the role itself was emotionally draining, so I felt like I was standing on the edge.” Ironically, the show’s strong reception opened the door to his first leading roles.
His true turning point was Dr. Romantic 2. Ahn expressed deep gratitude to veteran actor Han Suk-kyu, who co-starred in the series. “Han Suk-kyu sunbae is a truly good adult — like a father,” Ahn said. “When I opened up about my worries about acting, he told me, ‘You’re going to keep doing this anyway, so why worry?’ That one line changed my entire acting life.” He added, “From then on, I learned to look long-term instead of chasing short-term results. In the end, taking care of your mindset is what matters most.”
Fresh off the global buzz of K-Pop Demon Hunters, Ahn admitted, “It was a fun project, but I didn’t think it would blow up this much.” He revealed that the director offered him the role after seeing his English acting in SBS’s Business Proposal, adding, “That’s why you have to give your all to everything. You never know when or where an opportunity will come.”
Meanwhile, Ahn Hyo-seop is currently starring in SBS’s Sold Out on You, which premiered on the 22nd.