The saying “hair makes the man” applies perfectly to Kim Joong Hee. Once overlooked by audiences due to his unflattering on-screen appearance, the actor recently went viral for a transformation so dramatic that many can hardly believe he is the same person.
For viewers of “Squid Game”many may remember the creepy pink-clad guards and creepy figures behind the scenes. Kim Joong Hee played one of the figures involved in the operation, appearing with thinning hair, gaunt face and intense expressions. His overall appearance was intentionally designed to look harsh and unattractive, even leading some viewers to label him as “uglier” actor of the series.
In “Marrying my husband”, Kim Joong Hee once again played a purposefully unattractive looking role. He played a middle-aged man with an old-fashioned hairstyle and aged appearance to fit the character. Not only was his appearance criticized, but his character’s unpleasant personality also made him widely disliked by viewers.
For this reason, when photos of Kim Joong Hee in real life started circulating online, netizens were stunned. The thinning hair and rough styling were gone, instead he appeared with thick, well-coiffed hair and a much more polished appearance. His facial features, once hidden under a heavy style, now appeared balanced and refined, even exuding a rugged, masculine charm that was completely different from his on-screen image. The transformation was so drastic that many people said they wouldn’t have recognized it without knowing it first.
Netizens quickly flooded social media with reactions:
- “What is this???”
- “It can’t be the same person”
- “His hair and makeup team is incredibly good”
- “Hair really saves face”
- “I thought he was just a good actor, I didn’t expect that”
- “It’s like he’s completely changed his mind.”
- “I still can’t believe it, even after watching it several times”
- “Hair represents 80% of images, this proves it”
- “This is unreal. He looks so young and beautiful in real life”
In film and television, especially for supporting or villain roles, style is often intentionally designed to reduce appeal in order to serve the story. A thinning hairstyle, an old-fashioned cut or poor lighting can completely alter the way a face is perceived.
Born in 1984, Kim Joong Hee began pursuing acting around 2015. He has appeared in various notable projects such as “Voice 4”, “Moving”, “The Nokdu Flower”, “Squid Game”, AND “Marry my husband.” Although he often takes on supporting roles, he has always left a strong impression with his versatile and reliable acting skills.
Sources: K14
