Kim Woo-bin reveals he gained 8 kilos for his role in ‘Officer Black Belt’

‘Officer Black Belt’, the highly anticipated action film, held its production presentation on the morning of September 10 at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The event featured director Kim Joo-hwan alongside lead actors Kim Woo-bin and Kim Sung-kyun, who shared detailed insights into their roles and the film’s production.
‘Officer Black Belt’ revolves around Lee Jeong-do, portrayed by Kim Woo-bin, a martial arts expert who holds a 9th-dan ranking in Taekwondo, Kendo, and Judo.In the story, Jeong-do is paired with probation officer Kim Seon-min, played by Kim Sung-kyun. Together, they monitor criminals under constant electronic surveillance, aiming to prevent crimes before they happen.
During the presentation, Kim Woo-bin provided an in-depth look at his character, explaining, “He’s someone who enjoys games and exercise with his friends, and he holds a 9th-dan in Taekwondo, Kendo, and Judo. He accidentally helps a martial artist who is attacked by a criminal, which leads probation officer Kim Seon-min to suggest he try filling in as a moonlighter”, as quoted by Kbizoom. Kim Woo-bin elaborated on the transformation his character undergoes, emphasizing, "I thought the emotional and mental changes of the character were the most important. It’s fascinating to see how a character who chased after fun changes after encountering real work, and I carefully dissected that process. I think I created the character step by step while discussing it with the director”.
The actor also detailed his extensive physical preparation for the role, noting, “Since the character needed to excel in martial arts, I learned Kendo, Judo, and Taekwondo from a martial arts director and trained for three to four hours a day”. In a surprising revelation, Kim Woo-bin disclosed that he intentionally gained weight for the role. “I thought it would be better if I appeared strong and able to overpower others, so I gained 8 kilograms”, he said.
He concluded saying, “Since the character loves exercise and lives a happy life, I wanted him to look solid and a bit swollen, not like someone with a chiseled physique, but someone with some bulk. I wanted to show a new side of myself”. Meanwhile, ‘Officer Black Belt’ is scheduled for an exclusive release on September 13, bringing an engaging blend of action and drama that highlights Kim Woo-bin’s dedication and transformation for the role.