[Interview] 'Melo Expert' Ahn Hyo-seop's Love Theory

Actor Ahn Hyo-seop has shared his personal thoughts on love.

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Following the conclusion of the SBS drama "Sold out on You", Ahn Hyo-seop, who played Matthew Lee, spoke candidly about his approach to romance acting during a post-series interview.

In the drama, Matthew Lee is a genius researcher and perfectionist farmer who lives with emotional scars from his past. As he meets Dam Ye-jin, played by Chae Won-bin, the two gradually heal each other's wounds and develop a heartfelt romance.

Viewers throughout the series widely praised their relationship for its realistic and comforting portrayal of love. Rather than relying on dramatic twists or exaggerated romantic moments, the drama focused on everyday warmth, emotional healing, and genuine connection.

Speaking about his chemistry with Chae Won-bin, Ahn Hyo-seop revealed, "We talked a lot about not trying to force romantic feelings onto the audience".

He continued, "Instead, we wanted the process of gradually becoming more aware of and caring for each other to feel natural. We discussed many details, such as the pauses between lines and the way our characters looked at one another".

Ahn Hyo-seop's comments on the nature of love particularly drew attention.

"I wanted to create moments where silence was more exciting than words", he said. "The feeling of falling for someone usually doesn't begin with a grand event. More often, it starts in the smallest, most ordinary moments".

He added, "I hoped that kind of realistic flutter of emotion would come across on screen, and that's what we focused on while working together".

Through the role, Ahn Hyo-seop portrayed not only a romantic lead but also a wounded individual learning to trust others again. His nuanced performance highlighted the emotional journey of healing and reconnection.

"People are not loved because they are perfect", he reflected. "I think we truly begin to breathe when someone understands and accepts our imperfections".

Looking back on the character, he said, "Matthew is a role that will stay with me for a long time. Watching someone who had forgotten how to trust others gradually return to human relationships felt incredibly warm and meaningful".