Wi Ha-joon Opens Up on Siren Kiss and His Romantic Goal

Wi Ha-joon wrapped up one of his most demanding roles yet — and he came prepared to talk about it. Just one day after tvN's thriller romance "Siren's Kiss" (세이렌) aired its finale on April 7, the 34-year-old actor sat down with reporters at a café in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, for an extensive round of exit interviews. What followed was a candid portrait of a performer who pushed himself harder than most viewers likely realized.

From cutting out sugar entirely to assembling a personal archive of "boyfriend-style" photos, Wi Ha-joon's behind-the-scenes approach to the role revealed a level of deliberate self-improvement that went well beyond memorizing lines. He also opened up about his chemistry with co-star Park Min-young, his twelve years in the industry, and where he wants to go next.

The Physical Transformation: 7kg Down, Sugar Out

Fans noticed a leaner, sharper-looking Wi Ha-joon in "Siren's Kiss," and the actor didn't shy away from explaining why. To inhabit the role of Cha Woo-seok — a coolheaded insurance fraud investigator with an intense, coiled energy — he dropped approximately 7 kilograms before filming.

The method was straightforward but demanding. "I cut out sugar completely," Wi Ha-joon explained. "I wanted that lean, sharp look for the character — someone who moves efficiently and does not waste energy." The discipline paid off visually, giving Cha Woo-seok an almost predatory stillness that suited the drama's thriller atmosphere.

"Siren's Kiss" followed Cha Woo-seok as he doggedly investigates Han Seo-ah (played by Park Min-young), a woman he suspects of insurance fraud — only to fall dangerously in love with her. The drama, written by Lee Young and directed by Kim Cheol-gyu, leaned into the idea that loving this particular woman could be fatal, blending romantic tension with psychological suspense across its sixteen-episode run.

The Boyfriend Photo Project

Beyond the physical transformation, Wi Ha-joon revealed an unexpected personal project he undertook during the drama's run: actively working on becoming more appealing to women — on and off screen.

"I have been making an effort to develop the kind of sensibility that women tend to appreciate," he said. "I have been learning songs, visiting art exhibitions, trying to expand that side of myself." But it went further than cultural hobbies. He started asking friends to photograph him in "boyfriend-style" shots — the kind of warm, candid frames that go viral on Korean social media as idealized couple content.

He would ask friends: "Take a photo of me like you are my boyfriend." Then he would collect feedback and reflect on what he could improve. The practice, earnest rather than calculated, reflected how seriously Wi Ha-joon takes the craft of being likable on screen — not just technically skilled, but genuinely warm in a way that cameras pick up.

He also credited a piece of writing that shaped his on-set behavior. "I read something that said noticing flaws first is human instinct, and noticing strengths first is a talent. That really stayed with me." Since then, he has made a point of finding and voicing the strengths of every person he works with on set, creating a more positive energy in the room.

Chemistry With the Melo Queen

One of the most-discussed aspects of "Siren's Kiss" was Wi Ha-joon's pairing with Park Min-young, one of Korean television's most beloved romantic leads. The actress has earned the nickname "melo queen" over a career defined by emotionally rich romances, and Wi Ha-joon made no secret of his admiration.

"Park Min-young has such expressive eyes and emotional range," he said. "As the drama moved into its latter episodes, the pining and aching feeling really came through — it became much easier to immerse myself in the character because of her."

He was less composed going into their kiss scenes. Park Min-young had mentioned on a variety program that one of their kisses felt like a suction cup in terms of intensity — a comment that made headlines. Wi Ha-joon addressed it with good humor. "The way she described it was just funny," he said. "But I genuinely was nervous going into those scenes. It is not something that gets easier automatically."

The final ratings for "Siren's Kiss" landed at approximately 4.5% nationwide for its finale — modest for a primetime tvN slot, but the drama cultivated a dedicated viewer base throughout its run. Wi Ha-joon acknowledged the numbers with pragmatism. "A dedicated fan base formed around it, and that is meaningful," he said. "I am satisfied."

Twelve Years In — Reflections and What Comes Next

Wi Ha-joon made his debut over a decade ago under his given name Wi Hyeon-i, building steadily through supporting roles before breaking through internationally with "D.P." (2021), Netflix's acclaimed military drama about soldiers tracking AWOL conscripts. "Siren's Kiss" marked another step in his evolution as a leading man in genre television.

At 34, he said the biggest change in his work is a sense of calm he did not have earlier. "After twelve years, there is a relaxedness that has developed," he reflected. "In my early career, I would get very anxious — not sure if I was getting it right, second-guessing myself. Now I have more of a foundation to stand on."

That confidence extends to knowing what he wants to do next. Despite the intensity of "Siren's Kiss," Wi Ha-joon was clear: he is craving a romantic comedy. "Playing a genre thriller character means there are acting constraints — I cannot express everything freely," he said. "I really want to do a full romance, something with more warmth and lightness. A romcom where I can let loose."

The aspiration makes sense given how systematically he has been working on his romantic appeal — from the boyfriend photos to the gallery visits to the active cultivation of warmth on set. Whatever project comes next, Wi Ha-joon appears to be building deliberately toward it.

On Endings and Gratitude

Wi Ha-joon closed out his wrap interviews with thoughts on what "Siren's Kiss" meant to him beyond a career entry. He spoke warmly about the production team — noting that he has a habit of buying Korean snacks and bringing them to set to share with crew members, and making a point of learning every staff member's name.

"The memories keep coming back," he said of the finale. "There is a real sense of loss when it ends. That is how I know the production meant something to me."

He added that one of the most rewarding things about completing "Siren's Kiss" was feeling that he had genuinely grown as a performer. "This role stretched me," he said. "Cha Woo-seok had to hold so much — coldness, obsession, devotion — and finding all of that within myself was challenging in the best way."

Whether viewers follow him into a romcom or a different genre entirely, Wi Ha-joon appears to be one of those actors who treats every project as a genuine opportunity to grow — and who prepares for that growth with the same seriousness he brought to dropping 7 kilograms and studying exactly how to be photographed like a boyfriend.