Namgoong Min Reveals Insecurities as His Acting Motivation

On June 8, a new video titled 'Gentle Yet Casual, Namgoong Min is So Charming!' was released on the YouTube channel 'Yeojeongjaehyeong.' In the video, Jeong Jae-hyeong shared that he is currently working on music for an upcoming drama, expressing concerns about becoming too mechanical in his approach. He reflected on whether being overly diligent might hinder his creativity, prompting a discussion about the pressures of the industry.
Namgoong Min resonated with these sentiments, stating, "I believe this is my driving force—some form of inferiority complex." He recounted how he never thought he could become an actor and that no one expected him to take on leading roles, with some even telling him directly, "You can never be the main character."
He explained that his initial lack of confidence was overshadowed by his passion for acting, which he described as a constant source of self-criticism. "When I look back at my early performances, I can hardly bear to watch them," he admitted. Despite not having a natural talent for acting from the start, he emphasized that his love for the craft has fueled his significant growth.
Namgoong Min also expressed a fear of becoming complacent, questioning whether he should allow himself to relax now that he has gained experience. He noted, "Honestly, I feel like I could perform well even after just a brief look at the script, but I worry about falling into the trap of self-hypnosis and losing my edge."
Jeong Jae-hyeong commented on Namgoong Min's diverse filmography, suggesting that it reflects his enjoyment of acting, and noted that success seemed to come later for him. Namgoong Min humorously remarked, "I didn’t have the looks that would guarantee early success. Nowadays, most male actors are over 185 cm tall."
He reflected on his journey, stating, "I think the time I spent honing my skills has made me realize how much I still have to learn. Even now, when I succeed, my first thought is not 'I did well,' but rather 'I’m still lacking.'" He concluded by sharing that he feels a deep sense of regret and pain when a project doesn’t succeed, which motivates him to give his best effort in every role he takes on.