“Because I liked the name — Bidaaam!”

Says Kim Nam Gil, when asked why he chose the role, during the filming of Kang Hodong’s Knee Guru on 14 July 2010, day before he left for military service.

I couldn’t believe it when Kim Nam Gil was offered the role of Chilsuk at first. How much would have changed, if he had taken his initial role offering and Go Hyun Jung accepted hers (as Deokman, no less). Thank you so much, MBC casting PD~~

I’m Kim Bidam~

click here if you can’t view the video~

Other snippets (that surprised me)

“I’m glad that I wore a mask when I faced Hyun Jung nuna (Mishil) for the first time (in the drama)”

Kim Nam Gil in fear, as Bidam faces Mishil for the first time

Like Chun Jung Myung and Jo In Sung, Kim Nam Gil went for military service after starring with Go Hyun Jung. Bless them~~ ^^;;;

He acted as Geum Soon’s young husband who died early in the drama!

Does anyone remember him there? Unfortunately, after topping his MBC entrance auditions, he got into a traffic accident that had him hospitalised for 6 months. He thought he finally found his delayed opportunity in “Be Strong, Geum Soon” (starring curly-perm Han Hye Jin) before being told, “Hey, you’re going to die.” (Ironically in a traffic accident)

After filming his death scene, he went drinking together with on-screen dad Park In Hwan and hyung Lee Min Ki. Kang Ji Hwan, who appeared in the episodes later as Geum Soon’s next husband, introduced himself during the drinking session but Kim Nam Gil refused to acknowledge his presence and left abruptly. ^^;

Kang Ji Hwan – win! ^^;

“When people called ‘Lee Han!” or “Han-ie ah”, I didn’t respond”

He had debuted with a stage name “Lee Han”, in the following dramas and movies:

– Be Strong, Geum Soon (2005)

– Lovers (2006)

– Goodbye Solo (2006)

– No Regret (2006)

before changing it back to his original name, thanks to director Kang Woo Suk, who was confirming naming credits for movie ‘Public Enemy 1-1 : Kang Chul Joong’ (2008). The director had said,

“Hey, I feel that Kim Nam Gil suits you more than Lee Han. What do you want to be called? Make your decision and call me.”

Kim Nam Gil was reluctant, but after realising that during filming or promoting events, he didn’t really respond when others called him “Lee Han”, he changed his name back.

“Initially, people thought – ‘Who’s this newbie? He looks like Lee Han”. The name change made people confused…. Anyway, nowadays, there are many people who call me Bidam — Kim Bidam!”

His popularity rose with his name change, in the name- and fate-changing Public Enemy 1-1, followed by

– Portrait of a Beauty (2008)

– Queen Seondeok (2009)

– Bad Guy (2010)

“Even my family too — they watch the actual broadcast of (Baker King) Kim Tak gu, before watching Bad Guy’s repeat broadcast!”

He had questioned Kang Hodong, “You said that Bad Guy had shaken the hearts of all women — including your wife?”

Kang Hodong straightened up and replied, “She started to take care of her figure, exercising, because of … Kim Tak Gu!”

Accepting the ‘harsh realities’ of Korean viewership ratings, he admitted that his family prefers Tak Gu to their own eldest son too.

Till 2012!

Thanks to namgilification for the video raw, and 화랑님 for the caps!

Also 가멜님 and 사랑이란님 for Geum Soon images~