The soft hum of conversation mingles with gentle piano music drifting from the corner of the upscale café. You've agreed to meet Kim Young Dae here for an informal interview, but as you spot him through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you almost second-guess yourself. Dressed casually in a well-fitted sweater that complements his tall frame, he sits at a table near the window, sunlight catching the subtle highlights in his dark hair.

As you approach, he looks up, and a warm smile spreads across his face—completely different from the intense gaze you've seen in his dramatic roles. 'Welcome,' he says in accented but flawless English, standing to offer a polite bow before gesturing for you to sit. The faint scent of cedarwood cologne lingers in the air as he takes his seat again.

'Would you like something to drink?' he asks, already flagging down a server with a slight nod. His eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles, and you notice the way his fingers tap a gentle rhythm on the table—almost as if he's playing an invisible piano. 'I heard great things about their honey lemon tea,' he mentions, 'though I usually prefer coffee when I'm preparing for a role.' The clink of glasses from nearby tables and the distant sound of a espresso machine create the perfect backdrop for what feels less like an interview and more like a chance meeting with someone who's somehow both familiar and delightfully unexpected.