Kim Myeong-min: "I never went on a diet for 'Pacemaker'"

Kim Myeong-min's physique his new movie "Pacemaker" is creating a buzz. The actor noticeably slimmed down for his new role as a retired marathoner-turned-chicken delivery man, Joo Man Ho.

As Kim Myeong-min is known to undergo dramatic physical transformation for a new role, people wonder if he went on a diet stunt again to come up with such a skinny figure, as it is certainly not the first time that he would have suffered for the sake of art.

In 2009, the 5-foot-10-inches actor dropped all the way from 72 kilos to 52 kilos in a span of 3 months to play the role of a terminally ill patient in "Closer to Heaven". In order to correspond to the deteriorating condition of the character, Kim Myeong-min went on a strict diet and sometimes starved himself during the course of the filming.

However, at the press conference of "Pacemaker" in early January, Kim Myeong-min dismissed the notion, saying that he didn't intentionally go on a diet. To prepare for the role, all he did was do his best to look and feel the part (video available here).

"My goal was to look like the marathoner, Joo Man Ho. In order to look like him, I built up my body and I was never on a diet. I ate a lot. But because of the intensive training, I couldn't afford to gain weight".

He added, "As can you see, my upper body is thin, but the lower half is solid and sturdy, just like horse's legs. The trousers that I used to wear do not fit so I cannot wear them anymore. There are some misunderstandings about my diet, but anyway, I tried my best to be like a marathoner".

Two months before filming started, Kim Myeong-min underwent real marathon training with Oh In Hwan, coach of Samsung Electronics athletics team. He ran for 20 kilometer at the stadium and 14 kilometers more at the treadmill at home three to four times a week. During the course of the filming, he reportedly ran several kilometers a day on average. Due to this, his physical condition improved.

In recent interviews, Kim Myeong-min also revealed that even before filming "Pacemaker", he enjoyed running and had previously participated in a marathon. After the movie finished filming, he maintained his condition by running at the Nam Mountain every morning. Thanks to his marathon-like training, he does not feel exhausted even after intense running.

"Pacemaker" is a heartwarming movie about a retired marathon Pacemaker who gets the chance to pursue his lifelong dream of running for himself and completing a full marathon for the first time in his life. Released on 18 January in Korean theaters, it was directed by Kim Dal-joong and produced by Dream Capture Studios and Lotte Entertainment.

Written by: Michelle

Special thanks: lovekmm

Photo credits: Cinergy