김혁 “예체능 출연 뒤 얻은 관심에 얼떨떨”

Published : Dec 11, 2013 - 15:11 Updated : Dec 11, 2013 - 15:11

최근 KBS2 “우리동네 예체능” 농구편에 출연하면서 인기를 끌고 있는 배우 김혁은 11일 “예체능 출연 후 인기를 실감한다”며 높아진 인기에 대한 소감을 밝혔다.

김혁은 이날 오전 서울 여의도에서 열린 기자간담회 도중 “아무것도 아니었는데 '예체능' 출연 뒤에 관심을 너무 많이 받아서 얼떨떨하다. 어떻게 해야할지 모르겠다”고 소감을 전했다.

그는 자신에 실력에 대한 많은 관심에 대해 “어떻게 보면 선수 출신이다 보니 잘하면 '선수 출신', 못하면 '왜 저래' 소리를 들을 것이 뻔하니 부담도 된다”면서 “그래도 즐기려 한다”고 전했다.

또한 김혁은 최근 “예체능”으로 인해 농구에 대한 관심이 늘어나는 것에 대해서 “많은 사람들이 봐주고 농구라는 운동 좋아해주셔서 농구붐이 일어났으면 좋겠다”고 전했다.

김혁은 “예체능” 출연으로 인해 가족들이 기뻐했다고 전했다. 그는 “농구 선수 꿈을 접고 배우의 길을 걷는다고 했을 때 사실 부모님은 날 보지도 않았다”면서 이번 기회를 통해 부모님께 연락도 받고 응원도 받았다고 말했다.

한편 '우리동네 예체능' 크리스마스를 맞아 자선 경기도 준비하고 있다. 성탄자선 경기는 이전까지와 달리 연예인으로 구성된 팀과 경기를 펼친다. 대신 입장료로 라면을 받아 모아진 라면을 기부한다.

<관련 영문 기사>

Actor Kim Hyuk finds unexpected fame through basketball

Actor Kim Hyuk said Wednesday he is “bewildered” by his skyrocketing popularity, which was initiated by his appearance on the KBS variety show “Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education.”

“I started receiving an enormous amount of interest after I started appearing in ‘Our Neighborhood.’ I really don’t know what to do,” he said at a press meeting held in Seoul with the co-hosts of the KBS show. In the show, celebrities form a basketball team and compete with top amateur teams throughout the country.

The 39-year-old actor, who mainly performs on stage, was nearing nonentity status prior to his appearance on the popular variety show. According to Kim, he was “a nothing.”

His fate changed in November when the producers of “Our Neighborhood” called him and offered him a spot on the team.

“I was so glad when I learned that Kim is joining the team, because I know how good he is,” said Kim’s teammate, actor Seo Ji-suk. “Not only is he good but he is also very considerate of others.”

Since joining the team, Kim has impressed viewers and teammates alike with his skills and athleticism. He had played organized basketball until his college years, when an injury forced him to give up on his dream of becoming a pro.

Kim said his appearance on “Our Neighborhood” boosted his love for the game of basketball.

“My love for the game grew after I quit basketball. I get to meet new people as I play basketball.”

He added that his newfound fame has even helped improve his relationship with his parents, who had fiercely objected to him becoming an actor.

(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)