"Behind Your Touch", starring Han JiMin, Lee MinKi, and EXO's SuHo as Bong YeBun, Moon JangYeol, and Kim SeonWoo, respectively, is easily one of the most popular and beloved K-Dramas on air. Premised on an unlikely supernatural event that grants our heroine, Bong YeBun, the power of psychometry (but with a catch), this K-Drama is a must-watch if you enjoy slice-of-life or thrillers. It is equally plot-driven as it is character-centric, which allows for outstanding pacing as well as fleshed-out characterization. The masterful balance of crime thriller and comedy with elements of rom-com peppered throughout keeps things fresh and exciting, making the audience look forward to each episode. In other words, "Behind Your Touch" is the ultimate dose of entertainment that you do not want to miss.
While all three protagonists of "Behind Your Touch" have gained much love and appreciation from fans all over the world, it is Kim SeonWoo, played by EXO's SuHo, who is piquing the interest and intrigue of viewers most vividly. From his enigmatic identity to the air of dreaminess that you can't help but be drawn to, the multifaceted development of Kim SeonWoo makes for an incredible highlight that is worth paying more attention to.
You're reading "Character Sketch", a monthly Kpopmap series where we deconstruct your favorite film and TV characters, and the star of this month's feature, as you can already tell, is EXO's SuHo as Kim SeonWoo in "Behind Your Touch".
Spoiler Alert!
The Perfect First Impression
"Behind Your Touch" posits Kim SeonWoo as a major suspect in the cat-and-mouse chase that forms the center of the narrative. Yet, the only crime we see him committing is stealing our hearts. This isn't SuHo's first time at the rodeo, and SuHo knows how to make us swoon all too well. So, when Kim SeonWoo shows up in episode 2 of "Behind Your Touch" with the most adorable little kitten in his arms, the audience is disarmed at once, ready to fall into his charms.
SuHo's pure aura and mature charisma create the perfect first impression for Kim SeonWoo that gives away everything yet nothing at all. He smiles radiantly at the kindness of others but doesn't hesitate to draw boundaries; his prim and proper appearance is a little too immaculate, and even the smallest details, like the sand-colored shirt under SeonWoo's white jumper, convey a sense of innocence and warmth. He is a man of few words but is gentle and soft-spoken. However, there's a sense of confident command in his voice that doesn't let his words be taken lightly, almost as if indicating that there's more to him than meets the eye.
Kim SeonWoo works at the convenience store, leading us to believe that he must be living an honest life as a hard-working young man. Surprisingly, he's an English major from the prestigious Hankook University, which, you'd think, would get him a better career, but SeonWoo seems to be taking on this job out of will rather than circumstance. Then again, working at the convenience store is quite the ideal job to acquaint yourself with the neighborhood, especially when you're new to town. So, perhaps, there's a motive to it after all.
SunWoo is trustworthy because he loves animals (of course) and reliable because he takes care of them well. Now, if you were Bong YeBun, you'd be taking this man at face value, believing in his inherent goodness. Moreover, YeBun's all-access pass to his memories also paints him in a positive light, so there's not much to do but fall in love. However, in Moon JangYeol's eyes, the more flawless Kim SeonWoo appears, the more suspicious he gets, even though the detective's intimidation tactics have no effect on him. By presenting these opposing perceptions of Kim SeonWoo, the drama artfully toys with our judgment, leaving us wondering whether SeonWoo is a little too perfect for comfort after all.
In particular, "Behind Your Touch" has a way of subverting expectations through red herrings. So, if you find yourself doubting Kim SeonWoo, you're almost certain that it's because the show wants you to, and thus, there must be no real reason to. As the episodes continue, this pattern persists, building towards an affirmation of our faith or a complete reversal of the same.
Either way, Kim SeonWoo's true nature shines through in the little things, and SuHo does an excellent job of bringing out the heart-fluttering magic of them all. He has a habit of smiling to himself out of fondness; his eyes widen in wonder or curiosity and light up when he's excited, and the corners of his mouth curl up when he's amused. Yet, his tone remains consistently careful, and he never seems to let his guard down, even when he is divulging his secrets to YeBun.
The subtle ways in which SeonWoo does open up to YeBun become evident when contrasted with his reserved, indifferent, and unmoved body language around other women, such as Kim SiA (Choi HeeJin). In fact, it is quite possible that SeonWoo's affection for YeBun dates back to an uncharted point of connection yet to be explored, quite possibly related to their mothers. Could this be a case of childhood first love? We might find out soon, but until then, SunWoo is a kind-hearted city boy with a secret and for all YeBun knows, he's just her type.
Dark Side Of The Moon
The strength of Kim SeonWoo as a character lies in restrain and muted expression. He is as calm and steady as the ocean but just as deep, too, and the first time we see a glimpse of this depth is when he is investigating an animal abuse case with YeBun. Just like a child would, SeonWoo wishes all the "bad people in this world would just disappear", and no matter how you look at it, there's juvenile frustration in such an extreme wish. One may infer that the case of the helpless puppy being buried alive stirred something deep within from long ago, hitting a raw nerve. SeonWoo might be carrying trauma too colossal for him to address, and the emotional wounds it left are still fresh. Despite being momentary, SuHo delivers this scene with nuance, and when Kim SeonWoo snaps out of it, the transition is seamless and natural, as always. SuHo is truly giving us one of his best acting performances in "Behind Your Touch", and the writing supports his talent wonderfully, bringing Kim SeonWoo to life.
In episode 6, we notice a clear animosity that Kim SeonWoo harbors towards Assemblyman Cha JuMan (Lee SeungJoon), ushering in a major arc that will take us to the climax. Cha JuMan insists that it is his first time meeting SeonWoo, but there's an immediate recognition on SeonWoo's part, hinting at a hidden, shared history with darker undertones. SeonWoo's gaze is cold and unwavering as he greets Cha JuMan for the "first time", betraying his resentment for the man. On more occasions than one, SeonWoo stands up to Cha JuMan's corrupt ways, voicing his disapproval despite being shut down for being an "outsider". However, his hostility is more than that between a citizen and a politician. No, this is deeply personal, and it shows. With how visibly perturbed he is by Cha JuMan, you'd think he was suddenly reminded of his purpose in Mujin. So, it is no surprise that soon after, SeonWoo finds himself a workshop to take his woodworking hobby seriously, like he had been spurred into action.
SeonWoo's revulsion at Cha JuMan grows more intense in episode 9, and that is where he admits that "everyone has a little evil inside". This is starkly in contrast to his demand that all evil be eradicated from the world but is a much more complex assertion that seems to have been birthed from experience rather than innocence. Similarly, it must be experience that tells him not to let YeBun open up her heart to him because when she offers to tell him her secret, he takes a step back, lest he get too comfortable, too close. When SeonWoo says, "You don't know how I could change", he isn't talking about being the wanted serial killer. Instead, it reflects his concern about failing to meet YeBun's expectations if his pain overwhelms him, transforming him into someone he neither intends nor wishes to become.
Misdirection or Unraveling?
Just when you think SeonWoo is in the clear, episode 9 steers us towards suspicion once more. Thanks to SuHo's effortless acting, such a development is quite believable, especially as a dark shadow seems to cast itself over his eyes in these moments. His jaw tightens, his cheeks lose color, and his gaze transforms into that of a predator tracking his prey. The mastery with which SuHo portrays a switch so delicate yet effective is proof enough of his commendable acting prowess. This is not the SeonWoo we know. Something is amiss, and we can't quite put our finger on it, but it is impossible to ignore.
It certainly doesn't help that SeonWoo refuses to be touched by KwangShik (Park NohShik), which, in hindsight, is suspicious only in the universe of this K-Drama, and is further implied as the killer after he is shown to be the 3rd person in the barn on the night of the meteor shower and, hence, the third one to get the power of psychometry. However, if we've learned anything from "Behind Your Touch" so far, it is that cliffhangers are misleading, to say the least. So, it will be interesting to see where episode 11 takes us next.
You can watch "Behind Your Touch" on Netflix.
What did you think of EXO's SuHo in "Behind Your Touch"? Tell us your favorite thing about his character in the comments section down below!