In a drama where almost every character carries a red flag, Kim Do Hoon’s Kim Jae Oh in Dear
Framed through the perspective of the cunning and often ruthless Baek Ah Jin (played by Kim Yoo Jung), Dear X builds a dark world of manipulation and power plays. Yet, in this dark moral landscape, Jae Oh emerges as a character full of warmth, loyalty and silent pain, making him more beloved than even the main protagonist Jun Seo (Kim Young Dae).
Jae Oh’s past is marked by tragedy: raised by an alcoholic and abusive father, he ends up accidentally killing the man in an attempt to protect his younger brother. After serving time in prison, he returns to society and continues to serve Ah Jin, the only person who has ever recognized his worth, with unswerving loyalty.
“He’s funny, capable and knows exactly when someone needs him,” one viewer commented, echoing the sentiment shared by many fans who were touched by his selfless acts. Whether it’s carefully placing his brother in safe hands before turning himself in or accepting his aunt’s rejection with gentle understanding, Jae Oh consistently chooses grace over resentment.
Unlike the other characters marked as tools or obstacles by Ah Jin – his so-called “X” list – Jae Oh has always been his “O”. It’s a symbolic nickname stored in his phone, playing on the Korean pronunciation of “Oh” in his name, but also representing someone he would never want to lose or harm. Even in his final sacrifice to unmask the monstrous Moon Do Hyeok, his last thoughts were of Ah Jin: a whisper of unspoken affection left unanswered in a voicemail.
Kim Do Hoon’s performance breathes life into Jae Oh with subtlety and emotional nuance. His expressive body language and instinctive improvisations – such as jokingly calling Jun Seo “cục cưng” or crying during his last mission with Ah Jin – gave depth to a role that could easily have fallen into cliché.
Behind the scenes, Kim Do Hoon and Kim Yoo Jung also enchanted fans. Although the two faced dating rumors after visiting Vietnam in September, both agencies made it clear that it was a team trip. At a press conference, the actors laughed about the incident, saying they called each other and laughed for three minutes straight after hearing the voices.
While he may not fit the classic “flower boy” mold, Kim Do Hoon’s charisma lies in his versatility. From the brooding class president in Moving to the distraught villain in The Seventh Run, and now the tragic hero in Dear X, he continues to carve his name as one of the most promising Gen Z talents in Korean drama.
In the end, Jae Oh may be fiction, but the longing for a person like him is very real – and that’s a testament not only to the script, but to the actor who gave it his heart.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
