SBS drama “That Winter, the Wind Blows,” which ended last April 3, will probably remain as the most talked about drama of the first half of 2013. The cast’s acting, detailed directing, and poignant script came together to touch the viewers with a cold yet warm wind as winter changed to spring.

In the heart of it was Kim Beom (24). In the drama, he appeared as loyal Park Jin-seong who shares the adventures and dangers of Oh Soo (Cho In-sung). He is an archetypal loyal friend who trusts the bold and daring Oh Soo unconditionally, as well as a fun, romantic boyfriend of bad-mouthed but warmhearted Mun Hee-seon (Jeong Eun-ji).

In the last episodes of the drama, he is forced to put Oh Soo’s life in danger in order to save his sister, but this betrayal made the happy conclusion of the drama more heartfelt. Kim Beom, however, admits that he has regrets about the betrayal scene.

”I had the biggest role in the last episode. Some people who expected to see more of me were disappointed, but I knew what role I had to take in the drama, and I wasn’t worried about that. In the original story, my character betrays Oh Soo. The plot wasn’t changed in the drama, but the portrayal was different. I found it difficult to grasp the emotions in the last episode. Unlike Oh Soo, whose emotions build up slowly, I had to change all of a sudden. It was confusing and difficult, but In-seong and the director helped me out a lot.”

“I finished my scenes before the others, so I didn’t feel that the drama had ended. Although when I went to Jinhae and watched the final filming, and when the director gave a farewell speech, everyone cried. I got teary as well. The sadness I felt at the end of this drama was different from what I had felt before. It wasn’t because the drama and my character had ended; I was sad that I did not know when I would meet these people again.” 

Kim Beom described Park Jin-seong as a “cool guy who runs headlong into danger to protect the people he loves.” He could understand Jin-seong because he, too, values loyalty.

”It’s funny for me to be saying this, but I really value loyalty. That’s why I could understand why Jin-seong showed unwavering loyalty to Oh Soo as well as respect, and wished he would not get hurt and tried desperately to make him live. Of course, I don’t know if I would be able to go to the same extent as Jin-seong if I were in the same situation. Haha.” 

Kim Beom showed multiple qualities in the drama, from masculine to romantic. After appearing as a romantic guy who rented a whole restaurant to propose to his girl in “Boys over Flowers,” he made women’s hearts flutter with his masculine appeal in the latest drama. “That Winter, the Wind Blows” brought out his masculine and romantic charm.

“I am grateful people saw me like that. To be honest, I find the romance genre the most difficult as an actor. I can’t do those cheesy lines, and I was really confused at one point. There was a clash between the sweet romance people wanted to see and what I was good at and wanted to do. I am glad that the two came together well in this drama. But I wouldn’t be confident expressing the deep, poignant romance of Oh Soo. I should be able to handle different characters, so I am going to have to study more from now on.”

Regardless of that confession, Kim Beom grabbed the female viewers with his soft, romantic heart that lies beneath the tough, masculinity he expressed in the drama. Even in real relationships, he is more about sincerity than sweetness.

“During the press conference, I was asked about the meaning of ‘wind’ in the title. The reporter asked me whether the tree moves because the wind moves or because the tree shakes. I answered, ‘It’s just your heart that shakes.’ That’s similar to the way Oh Soo and Oh Young think differently and have different values, but come to understand each other and share their emotions. I still think like that. I think for me, the wind of ‘That Winter, the Wind Blows’ was a very warm wind. It was a cold winter, but it felt warm.”

Bolstered by that warm wind, Kim Beom is now heading to another challenge. He showed that he has no qualms about putting on and taking off a character when he appeared in “High Kick!” “Boys over Flower,” and “East of Eden.” He has propped up his sail again to embark on another adventure he has never taken before.

“I am working nonstop, but I still have the energy to run. I want to run again, without taking a break,” he said with a spark in his eyes, as he gets ready for the next season.