Kim Namgil: The Key Theme of K-Content Is "Responsibility"

Vision as Both Actor and Producer Presented at BCWW Conference
"K-content in Crisis: Overcoming Through IP Protection and Mutual Growth"

"I think the word that came up most today was responsibility." This was what actor Kim Namgil identified himself at the special session "The World Beyond CUT" at the International Broadcasting Content Market (BCWW) conference held on the 14th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This single word ran through his 20-year acting career, simultaneous work as a producer, and cultural heritage preservation activities.

Actor Kim Namgil is speaking at the special session "The World Beyond CUT" at the International Broadcasting Content Market (BCWW) conference held on the 14th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. / Korea Creative Content Agency.

The first thread was acting. Kim Namgil first mentioned universality. "What matters is not the appeal of the character, but whether it is a story that people can relate to regardless of race or culture," he said. He then emphasized, "In a market where boundaries are breaking down, universality is the new standard for quality," adding, "I prepare for roles with a sense of responsibility that I am delivering culture." He expressed his determination to shoulder this weight, as it is work that carries his own name.

He did not remember the nearly 20 years as a burden. On the contrary, he saw the responsibility accumulated over that time as something that naturally comes across in his portrayal of characters. He noted that the gap between his actor persona and his real self, which once felt wide, has narrowed with time. The fact that he has become less tied down by genre as his experience has grown was a further extension of this.

The media environment is rapidly changing. As the main consumers and creators of content increasingly shift to people in their teens to thirties, and with the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), the industry has inevitably become focused on speed and commercialism. Kim Namgil has recently stepped into the field of production, not to blindly follow this trend. "As the market becomes more commercial, it becomes even more important to demonstrate the value of stories that are not commercially driven," he said, explaining, "The drive to spread these stories more efficiently to more people is what motivates me to work as a producer as well."

The weight borne by those in popular culture and the arts has naturally grown heavier. Kim Namgil reflected, "Just as I used to look up to role models when reading biographies as a child, there are now increasing numbers of young people who learn from the lives of figures in popular culture and the arts," adding, "What began as a personal dream became a responsibility I gladly accepted as I witnessed changes in the times." He emphasized, "It has become necessary to consider how to use public influence for good."

This pledge often led to concrete action, most notably in the form of the nonprofit private organization "Gilstory," which he established in 2013. Based on the belief that art may not save people from poverty but can offer comfort, he develops various cultural and artistic content and engages in public-service activities. Kim Namgil remarked, "Filling emotional deprivation is just as important as addressing material poverty," adding, "I want to share the comfort I once received with others."

Actor Kim Nam-gil is speaking at the special session "The World Beyond CUT" of the International Broadcasting and Video Market (BCWW) conference held on the 14th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. / Korea Creative Content Agency.

This practical approach is underpinned by a firm belief in the power of culture. He asserted, "Culture can break down walls that diplomacy cannot, and can lead towards harmony." He also added, "Comfort, too, can be fully conveyed to the next generation through the power of culture."

A representative example of this is the 2016 campaign "The Cultural Heritage We Create: Hanyangdoseong." This campaign, launched to convey the history and sentiment of the fortress, has transformed the Hanyangdoseong area into a must-visit course for foreign tourists. Kim Namgil stressed, "We did not approach it as merely walking fortress walls or giving tours of relics. The ultimate goal was to spark curiosity about Korea itself and attract visitors."

He did not limit the scope of culture to traditional heritage alone. He determined that Korean eating habits and lifestyles, which generate curiosity overseas, can also be excellent content sources. Kim Namgil shared, "When I was developing a project centered on convenience stores, I found that overseas stakeholders showed great interest in Korea’s convenience store culture." However, he firmly warned against the distortion of the global spread of K-content into a one-way export of culture. He pointed out, "There are many cases where foreign cultures are consumed carelessly under the pretense of making our own stories shine," asserting, "The foremost premise for overseas expansion must be unwavering respect for other cultures."

Behind the global expansion lies a harsh reality, especially as the domestic production environment has shrunk significantly due to industry trends and other changes. As a solution, Kim Namgil pointed not to capital, but to the protection of intellectual property (IP). "The foundation of K-content distributed through over-the-top (OTT) services is ultimately IP, but amid financial difficulties, creators are not properly safeguarding their legitimate rights," he warned, emphasizing, "IP should not be viewed solely as the creator’s private property, but as an asset we all must protect."

Actor Kim Namgil is speaking at the special session "Beyond CUT" of the International Broadcasting Content Market (BCWW) conference held on the 14th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. / Korea Creative Content Agency.

His sense of responsibility for protecting IP has recently expanded into a desire for greater mutual prosperity in the cultural sphere. Rather than pursuing only personal success, he places greater importance on a sense of community. He insists that the entire Korean arts and culture ecosystem should grow together, regardless of genre. "Senior professionals must present a clear vision so that the passion of younger colleagues aspiring to work in content creation is not discouraged," he declared.

This philosophy is directly linked to advice for the next generation that will lead the content ecosystem. In particular, he identified character rather than technical skills as the most important quality for good direction. Kim Namgil stated, "A director is just one of many cogs in the wheel that make up a set," declaring, "The best direction is rooted in consideration for others." He applies the same principle when examining the essence of media. "The key is how fully the genuine sentiment behind the facts is communicated," he remarked, "Ultimately, it’s important to deliver that sincerity with a sense of responsibility."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.