He Truly Lives the Emotions on Stage
The reason D.O. appears so powerful in his acting is that he truly feels the emotions on stage rather than simply “playing a role.” In the blindness scenes of the film “My Annoying Brother,” the director mentioned that after filming, he sat quietly with his eyes closed for a long time, physically disconnecting himself from the world. In nearly all of his crying scenes in TV shows and films, he uses real tears. Someone from the set crew said that D.O. refused to use artificial tears, saying, “This character is really sad, so my eyes should be too,” and that he preferred to trust his own emotions in scenes.
Master of Micro Expressions
D.O.'s acting is known for his use of small facial muscles rather than exaggerated movements. Directors particularly note the trembling of the muscles around his eyes in his performances. This allows the audience to immediately understand the character's emotional state, even in close-up shots. In the series “It's Okay, That's Love,” his ability to convey a character's panic attack by simply changing his breathing rhythm and eye contact without speaking has been analyzed in detail by many psychologists.
Producer of His Own Voice
D.O. occasionally contributes to EXO's vocal direction. He not only provides input on his own parts but also offers suggestions on the vocal lines of other members. In the studio, he can detect microphone distortions at specific sound frequencies during sound editing, so sound engineers sometimes rework the sounds based on his feedback. While listening with headphones during the recording process, he not only checks his vocals but also the naturalness of the echoes in the background. It is even known that he suggested using a real room echo recording instead of digital echo for an EXO song.
Culinary Arts and Secret Routes
D.O. is known as the member who cooks the most at home. However, he not only enjoys cooking, but also the silence and order that come with it. He has his own recipe book, which includes “fermented sauce experiments” that are not commonly found in Korean cuisine. His favorite relaxing activity is waking up at 7 a.m. and having breakfast at small, unknown restaurants. Even when abroad, he prefers to go for an early morning walk in the city instead of staying at a hotel and makes a point of drinking coffee at places without internet reviews.
A leader who commands respect with his silence
Despite being one of the least talkative members of the group, D.O.'s silence is so powerful that it can create pressure. It is well known that he can calm the atmosphere with a single glance during filming or behind the scenes.
Some members have nicknamed him the “silent captain.” In some organizations, D.O. represents the members to producers instead of managers. This is because he listens for a long time before speaking and only uses necessary phrases when commenting, which creates a sense of trust in the other party.
Minimalist Yet Hypnotic on Stage
When D.O. dances, he focuses more on body balance and eye lines than on energetic movements. Even during EXO’s intense choreography, he can capture everyone’s attention with a small head movement toward the camera. This “charm in stillness” style is seen as his unique stage language among fans. In his “Growl” performances, it is noted in backstage notes that after practicing the same choreography for weeks, he tried to create character differences between scenes by simply changing his eye movements.
Pre-Performance Rituals
Sipping his drink in a specific order before going on stage is one of D.O.'s almost obsessive routines. He always drinks a mixture of warm water and lemon before concerts and lifts the drink from the same handle, believing that doing otherwise will “ruin” his performance. During rehearsals, he has been seen singing alone for 10 minutes without a microphone while all the lights are off and the stage is empty. He describes this as “opening the stage to myself.” This habit is particularly meaningful in dome concerts, where he internalizes the sound in the midst of silence.
He did not abandon his professionalism even in the military
While performing his mandatory military service, he did not take a break from the stage. He joined the army band and took on vocal duties at official ceremonies, as well as doing voice-over work for military training films. Senior officers noted that his tone of voice had a calming effect on the soldiers.
Shortly after his discharge, he starred in the film “The Moon,” where he chose not to use a stunt double for scenes requiring physical endurance. It is known that the physical conditioning he gained during his military service influenced this decision.
Cool-headed but Emotional Behind the Camera
D.O. rarely raises his voice on film sets and is known for suppressing emotional outbursts. However, it has been observed that he often quietly cries alone after filming wraps. A director noted that he could only witness his tears after everyone had left the set, describing those moments as his “most genuine off-screen self.” He became so emotionally attached to the idea of his character in the film “Swing Kids” dancing in the midst of war that he refused to speak at the film's premiere. “Talking too much about this story would be a betrayal,” he said, simply bowing to the audience.
Intolerant of Nicknames
While it is common for EXO members to give each other nicknames, D.O. is quite strict about it. One of the things that bothers him the most is when people or media personalities mispronounce his name or give him mocking nicknames. This has caused him to become harsh in some interviews. His reaction to the nickname “penguin” is particularly well-known.
Although fans gave him this nickname due to his quiet and upright demeanor, D.O. has clearly stated that he is uncomfortable being represented as an animal. He put an end to the matter by saying, “I am a human being; please don't call me that.”
The Unseen Hand in Song Lyrics
Although he is not officially listed as a lyricist in many songs, it is known that some of the lyrics in EXO albums were written by him. Especially before recording emotionally intense ballads, he has been known to rewrite the lyrics alone in a room.
A producer once mentioned that when D.O. felt the lyrics of a song didn't convey the emotion properly, he rewrote them in his own words and brought the new version to the studio, which was then used silently. While this contribution may not be visible in the recordings, fans can feel his touch in those lyrics.
Fan Interaction: Minimal, Meaningful, and Unexpected
D.O. is known as one of the most reserved idols in the industry when it comes to fan service. However, behind this shyness lies a calculated subtlety. His love for his fans is hidden in moments such as when he makes eye contact and bows his head or smiles quietly on stage. At a fan meeting in 2017, it was notable that he immediately put a letter given to him by a fan into his pocket after leaving the stage and kept it with him until the event ended. Such small yet profound interactions form the foundation of his approach to fans.
A Vocalist Who Can Only Speak With His Eyes
If D.O.'s voice is one of his most powerful weapons on stage, his gaze is the other. Especially during live performances, when he lowers the microphone and looks directly at the audience, fans refer to these moments as “the silent connection after the vocals.” It has been noticed that these gazes are often timed to coincide with the lyrics of the song. During his 2016 Japan concert, after singing “Moonlight,” he locked his eyes on a single point and remained motionless for several seconds, an action that fans still interpret as an unresolved “emotional code.”
Silent Home, Crowded Mind
D.O. prefers completely silent environments in his free time. He only turns on the TV at home to watch movies, and even when listening to music, he usually prefers instrumental soundtracks. But this silence does not mean that his inner world is calm. He often describes himself as “someone who thinks in silence” in interviews. Once, he mentioned trying to memorize a script by playing music but couldn't hear the character's voice. For him, silence is not a tool but a necessity to establish an internal connection with the character.
A protective attitude like a sibling relationship
While most EXO members joke around and tease each other, D.O. tends to take on a more protective role. There are videos where he steps in and maintains physical distance, especially when it comes to the maknae line (the youngest members).
Fans describe this attitude as an “invisible but felt older brother figure.” During Kai's health issues, he was seen staying by his side backstage and standing next to him during pre-performance breathing exercises. Since then, Kai has mentioned in many interviews that D.O. is the member he feels most comfortable with.
No Comfort Zone in Film Choices
Looking at D.O.'s filmography, there are almost no similar characters. He consciously displays his “I don't want to be stuck in one genre” attitude by playing in comedy, war, psychological drama, and even musical genres. This choice has even been deemed risky by his management company at times. For the film “Room No. 7,” he suggested shaving his head to parallel his character's moral decline with physical decay. Though the company was initially hesitant, D.O. convinced the production team by saying, “I can only convey the seriousness of the role to the audience this way.”
Clear Boundaries Against Dance
D.O. is one of the rare members of EXO who dances but does not stand out as a “dancer.” Although he pays attention to technical details when learning choreography, he believes that dance is merely a “vehicle for the song.” For this reason, he does not like overly acrobatic movements or figures that are too dynamic for the stage. It has been noticed that he intentionally lightens one or two steps in some scenes. Though this is sometimes criticized, D.O. makes this choice to draw the audience’s attention to the song rather than the dance. In his own words, “If the song isn’t heard, the dance loses its meaning.”
He Doesn't Strike a Balance Between Music and Acting, He Builds a Bridge
While many idol actors see music and acting as two separate careers, D.O. doesn't separate the two. He builds characters while singing and adjusts his tone like music while filming. This is why his success in both fields seems to complement each other. On a film set, he is known to create a melody by humming to himself all day in an empty room to convey the character's sense of loneliness. That melody was not used as film music, but the emotional state reflected on the screen carried the feeling of that humming.
His Signature Is Present Even When His Name Is Not Mentioned in Film Music
D.O. contributed directly to the background melodies heard during the interludes of some of the films he starred in. It was revealed that the short piano motifs heard in the film “Cart” were improvised by him between takes and later integrated into the film by the composer. For “The Moon,” it is known that he hummed a few notes on a melodica one night off-set, and the producers recorded this sound and used it as background noise in a scene representing the loneliness of the astronaut character. However, D.O.'s name was not officially credited for these contributions, as he stated, “It's not important for my name to be written.”
His Dream Job: Not a Chef, but a Kitchen Philosopher
Although many EXO members know that D.O. is a good cook, he sees cooking not as a profession but as a philosophical pursuit. In a special interview, he said, “Cooking is not for me; it is an effort to understand the spirit of food.”
He doesn’t follow recipes by heart; instead, he reimagines them each time based on the texture of the ingredients and the atmosphere of the day. It’s known that he once made the same kimchi soup in three different moods and asked his friends to taste them, asking, “Which one makes you feel the spice?” According to D.O., food is the embodiment of an emotion through a recipe.
Another Life: The Back Corner of a Bookstore
His most decisive answer to the question, “What would you be if you weren't an artist?” is, “Someone who works in the back of a quiet bookstore.” He imagines an environment away from the crowds, where he can have short but polite conversations with people. In fact, when he finds free time amid his busy EXO schedule, he has been seen secretly going out not just to buy books but to spend hours waiting in bookstores. He also visits independent bookstores in cities outside Korea. Fans have recorded him in quiet bookstores in Kyoto, Japan; Shoreditch, London; and Kreuzberg, Berlin.
A Strange Sense of Humor Beneath a Tough Exterior
Despite appearing serious and distant on the outside, D.O.'s sense of humor is quite unusual. The other members of the group say that his “well-timed jokes” help ease tense moments. However, these jokes often consist not of words but of glances, facial expressions, or sudden movements. In a backstage video, while everyone else was serious, he suddenly started acting like a tomato and, while walking on stage, suddenly spun around himself and acted as if nothing had happened. This was described by group members as “Kyungsoo's absurd theater coming from within himself.”
He Leaves an Impact Even on Social Media He Doesn't Follow
D.O. is not an active social media user. In fact, he doesn't even have a personal account. However, fans notice that his influence is strongly felt even on EXO's official accounts. He is one of the members who poses the least but attracts the most attention in the behind-the-scenes photos shared on social media.
In 2019, a photo of D.O. simply standing in the background with his hand on his chin received thousands of comments within hours. Fans believe that even his “silent poses” are aesthetically pleasing and argue that his apparent disinterest is what draws attention.
Meaningful Silence: Strategic Speaking in Interviews
In interviews, D.O. is one of the members who speaks the least, but his statements often make headlines. This is not a coincidence; it is his strategy. He listens for a long time before speaking, tries to understand the real purpose of the question, and only says what is necessary, which sets him apart in the media world. A reporter once noted that D.O.'s answers are not only thoughtful in content but also in word choice. Even when asked a simple question, he thinks like a philosopher before responding, which is why his interviews are published uncut.
Respect for Acting Comes Before Popularity
D.O. does not view acting as a side project added to his idol career. He evaluates every role offer not based on its contribution to his career but on whether he can understand the character's essence. It is known that he rejected a major production offer in 2021 because the script lacked “depth of the role.” A producer once summarized his approach to acting as follows: “Do Kyung-soo is not willing to stand in front of the camera; he is willing to step into the character.” This attitude has led him to be recognized in the industry as “an actor beyond an idol.”
Hidden References to EXO Songs
D.O. makes references to EXO songs in some of his solo performances or interviews, but he does not explicitly mention them. In a solo song he performed in 2020, the lyrics included a transformed version of metaphors from EXO's “Miracles in December.” Fans noticed the similarity in the tone of voice and key words. Additionally, during an interview in the “Love Shot” promotional period, while commenting on the song's stage aesthetics, he said, “Some emotions are conveyed not just through fragility but through confidence.” This statement was interpreted as a direct reference to the dual body balances in the song's choreography.
His Silent Connection with Foreign Languages
Although D.O. is not fluent in languages such as English, Japanese, and Chinese, he has an extraordinary sensitivity to their phonetic structures. When singing, he perfectly mimics the mouth positions specific to each language. A Japanese vocal coach once remarked that when singing in Japanese, he “doesn't sound like a native speaker, but like a native speaker's musical memory.” During an event with Japanese fans in 2018, despite using only a few Japanese words, the entire audience was emotionally moved, which can be attributed to his phonetic empathy. The fact that he uses few words but emphasizes their intonation is the foundation of his communication style.
He Makes Memory Recordings Without Using a Camera
D.O. doesn't like taking photos, but he has a very strong visual memory. He hardly ever takes photos with his phone when he travels; instead, he keeps the sounds, lights, and smells of places in his mind. This method is a technique he uses when setting the stage in acting. In the series “100 Days My Prince,” it is said that during the filming of nature scenes, he sat alone in a field the night before the shoot and listened only to the sounds of nature to connect with the character's “rural loneliness.” This experience was reflected in his gestures and walking style during filming.
Conscious Escape from Popularity
Despite being one of the most popular members of EXO, D.O. is one of the rare artists who consciously slows down the pace of popularity. In 2015, he turned down most of the intense offers for personal advertisements or sponsorships. His reason was, “There is a fine line between recognition and exhaustion.” Even in his collaborations with fashion brands, he prefers simple, logo-free, and plain designs. For this reason, he has not collaborated with some luxury brands. His style consultants describe his preferences as a “strategy of being visible by being invisible.”
Silent Participation in Fan Theories
D.O. rarely comments on fan theories, but from time to time he makes subtle references to them in his performances. At a fan event, after hearing the theory that he “sends messages through music silently,” he began the next scene with bare vocals without any music starting. This move was a silent endorsement of both the fans' theory and his own stage philosophy. In the comments of the video, thousands of fans noted that he “didn't believe in the theories, but listened to them.”
The Silent Actor Directors Trust
Directors who have worked with D.O. say he is one of the actors who speaks the least on set but is the quickest to grasp things. Kang Hyeong-cheol, director of the movie Swing Kids, said that D.O. read a scene only once, then performed it without rehearsal and completed the shot in one take. Some directors who are open to improvisation outside the script describe his improvisations as “lines that flow directly from the character's mouth.” Even in scenes without written dialogue, the lines D.O. uses are left untouched in the final edit.
The Source of Calmness Felt on Set
He is seen as someone who creates order not only with his acting but also with his presence on set. The technical crew working on film and TV series say that they notice a distinct silence on set when D.O. enters. This silence does not come from pressure but from his intense focus and concentration. Some production teams even shared that they could predict when D.O. was about to enter the scene even when he wasn't filming because “the energy in the air changed.” This aura makes him a natural balancing force on set.
He Uses Not Only His Face but Also His Breath in Acting
D.O. is one of the rare actors who builds scenes with his breathing rather than dialogue. The short, inward breaths he uses during his character's crisis moments in the series “It's Okay, That's Love” have even been analyzed by psychological counselors. In a film magazine, it was written that the moments of silence in his scenes function like music and create the character's inner rhythm. His breathing pattern is not only physical; it becomes the sound of emotional transitions.
The Quiet Power Among EXO Members
Despite not being the leader of EXO, D.O. is the person you wait for to have the final say when decisions need to be made. When there is a problem within the group, the members usually look to his reaction to shape their own attitudes. This is particularly noticeable during interviews and important stage moments. Baekhyun once said, “If Kyungsoo doesn't laugh at something, it's not really funny.” This statement shows that D.O. is not a passive observer but a central figure who maintains balance through his silence.
Being Remembered Over Being Nominated
D.O. keeps the desire to win awards in acting in the background. For him, having the audience remember a character is far more valuable than an award ceremony. When he was nominated for Best Actor at a film festival in 2019, he said in his acceptance speech, “I’d rather the character still be talked about.” This approach has led him to be known in the industry as “an actor of the story, not the system.” As a result, some big productions hesitate to cast him because he doesn’t fit into award-focused marketing, while he stands out as a prestigious name in art films.
Behind-the-Scenes Contributions Remain Hidden
He is not only an actor but also provides intuitive contributions to stage design and atmosphere creation. During the filming of “The Moon,” he offered physical suggestions to the director about how sound should echo in the interior of the spaceship. This suggestion was implemented in the film's sound design. Similarly, during a series of shots, he pointed out that the direction of the light felt off when a character entered a room and suggested changing the camera angle. The lighting director later commented, “This suggestion not only improved the visual balance but also the emotional balance.”
Not Distant from Fans, but Leaving Emotional Space
D.O. is not cold toward his fans; he simply avoids ostentatious displays of affection. He defines the concept of fan service not as “visible love” but as “respectful distance.” That's why he rarely waves to the audience, but when he looks directly into a fan's eyes for a long time, the entire hall can fall silent. At an event, when a fan asked, “Why aren't you smiling?” he replied with a smile, “I see you, that's enough for me.” Such simple yet emotionally charged feedback forms the foundation of his relationship with his fan base.
An Icon of “Anti-Fan Service” in Fan Culture
D.O. rarely engages in gestures commonly seen in traditional fan culture, such as making heart shapes or acting cute. However, it is precisely this stance that has made him a name that connects him to his fans in a unique way. His fan base embraces the idea of “loving him for who he is, not what he shows.” During a fan meeting, while everyone else was dancing on stage, D.O. simply swayed his head to the rhythm and stood off to the side. This attitude was described on social media as “maximizing hearts with minimalist fan interaction” and went viral.
A Soloist Who Blazes His Own Trail in Music
D.O.'s solo music career follows a path that stands outside the mainstream but has a strong gravitational pull. Most of the tracks on his 2021 album “Empathy” are written with piano or acoustic guitar as the foundation. He believes in the narrative power of sound spaces rather than electronic backdrops. In his song arrangements, he amplifies emotion by placing elements around the sound rather than on top of it. In tracks like “I'm Gonna Love You,” the silences between guitar tones are as impactful as the song itself. As a result, his solo work speaks to an audience that feels rather than just listens.
An Artist Who Takes His Time in Music Production
D.O. completely suspends the concept of time in his solo production process. During album preparations, he can spend weeks experimenting with the vocal tone of a single song. In an interview, he said, “Some songs make themselves heard at unexpected times.” One of the known aspects of his production process is that he sings each song in different environments to experiment with tones suitable for that space. It is known that he repeatedly sings the same song outside the studio, in nature, or in an empty theater to test the atmosphere reflected in the recordings.
A Character Who Demands Artistic Freedom
D.O. clearly defines his “creative boundaries” before getting involved in a project, whether it's music or acting. If he's only wanted for his looks or to fit into a pre-existing mold, he rejects the project outright. For this reason, he is known to steer clear of certain commercial projects. In his solo music or TV series projects, he prefers to participate in the early stages of production and have one-on-one meetings with the creative team. If he feels he cannot contribute to the emotional flow of the scenes or the musical structure during these meetings, he may decline the project. For him, it is not about the project itself, but about being able to contribute to it.
The First Idol to Respect the Silence of Fans
While most artists expect enthusiastic cheers from fans at concerts, D.O. never criticizes audience members who remain silent during his concerts. On the contrary, he once said, “Your silence makes me feel like you are responding to me with music.” This attitude has allowed him to form a special bond with fans who don't speak Korean but can feel the music, especially at overseas concerts. In post-concert comments, many fans noted that his music broke down the language barrier.
He prefers professional solitude
D.O. is an actor who enjoys spending time between projects. Before starting work on a new film or album, he always goes through a long period of solitude. During this time, he hardly sees anyone and responds minimally to phone calls. This is his method of mental and emotional cleansing. It is known that before starting a project in 2022, he did not leave his home for three weeks, only going to the supermarket at night to buy groceries. He mentioned in an interview that during this period, he did not speak to anyone and only wrote character observations in his notebook.
Counts His Words in Front of the Media
D.O. pays attention not only to what he says when speaking in front of the media, but also to how many sentences he forms. If he notices that he has said something unnecessary, he either corrects his answer or remains silent. This is why his interviews often feature “short but impactful” answers. A journalist commented after an interview with him: “He spoke 10 words in 10 minutes, but it felt like he had thought about those 10 words for an hour.” For this reason, media members prefer to give him questions in advance when conducting interviews with D.O., as he does not enjoy improvising.
More Loyal to Nature than the City
In his free time, he prefers to spend time in rural areas rather than walking around city centers. Quiet forest walks, nighttime mountain air rituals, and a habit of working with the soil keep him away from the hustle and bustle of the city. During the pandemic, he is known to have spent a long time immersed in nature at his family's home outside the city. Instead of listening to music on his solitary walks, he carries a small voice recorder to capture the sounds of nature. He collects natural sounds such as birdsong and the rustling of the wind with this device and sometimes uses them as melodic inspiration.
Silent Communication with Animals
D.O. feels a special connection with animals. Despite not having any pets of his own, his interactions with animals he encounters on the street are very sincere. He believes that you don’t need to touch animals to love them, and he typically connects with them through eye contact and body language. In a behind-the-scenes video of EXO, a dog consistently sits next to D.O. and stays there quietly. Even when the other members call the dog, it does not leave. Fans interpreted this scene as a moment of silent understanding between two beings. Details like this show the depth of his nonverbal communication with nature and living things.
Introverted but creative as a child
Do Kyung-soo loved drawing and listening more than talking when he was a child. According to his family, the silence at home wasn't because of him, but because he wanted a peaceful environment. His classmates described him as “calm but absent-minded.” His teachers noticed his observational skills from a young age. It's said that he would make up song lyrics while listening to music at home and even secretly play some of them for his mom. These lyrics were usually single lines but had a melodic and emotional structure. Even at the age of 10, he recorded his own version of a movie soundtrack he had heard, and these recordings are still kept by his family.
Consciously Avoiding Popularity to Stay Authentic
In the K-Pop industry, popularity is often equated with visibility. However, D.O. has chosen the opposite path, finding peace in obscurity rather than fame. Since 2018, he has turned down numerous offers for talk shows and entertainment programs. Instead, he only appears in the media when necessary for character or album promotions. While this choice initially surprised his fans, it has since been accepted as his unique way of connecting with his art. Despite being one of the most recognizable members of EXO today, he also has the fewest media-related videos.
A Quiet but Lasting Bond Within EXO
D.O. may be one of the quietest members of the group, but he is one of the most influential among those he forms bonds with. His friendship with Baekhyun and Kai, in particular, is based on a relationship that conveys a lot with few words. His silence within the group often helps maintain balance. During concert tours, when a member is feeling down, D.O. is usually the first to quietly visit their room. He doesn't say a word; he just sits beside them. This approach is described by other members as “a friendship that doesn't require words to be understood.”
He Doesn't Speak to Correct Misconceptions, But He Doesn't Shy Away from Showing Who He Is
He avoids making direct statements about the “cold, indifferent, arrogant” labels he often encounters online. However, over time, he has quietly shattered these perceptions through his actions. He is the EXO member who spends the longest time looking at the same person at fan events; the first to kneel down to a child's eye level. On one occasion, he noticed a translator quietly asking for help backstage, immediately went over to give them water, but this act remained unknown to the public as it happened off-camera. D.O. does not defend himself; but over time, his true personality becomes evident.
A Transformative Figure in Popular Culture
While most artists in the K-Pop world are evaluated based on the number of followers, visibility, and virality, D.O. is one of the rare examples who rose to fame through quality and consistency. As a result, he has become a figure of respect not only among fans but also among critics, directors, and music industry professionals. Director Kim Yong-hwa once said about D.O.: “Do Kyung-soo is not an actor; he is a storyteller. He speaks to the heart, not the camera.” This description highlights that his place in the industry is not just on stage but in the very meaning of the stage.
He Doesn't Announce Future Projects, He Quietly Builds Them
D.O. never announces new projects while he is working on them. He explains this by saying, “If it remains unfinished, I would be doing myself an injustice.” Announcements for his solo albums usually come after they are completed. He also does not appear on set without an official announcement for film deals. There are rumors that he is currently working on a short film project, which he wrote himself and will not appear in, but will direct. Although it has not been confirmed by the company, this project may be his first creative directing attempt outside of EXO.
Quiet Investment in Education and Learning
D.O. is someone who is constantly learning outside of the camera. He is known to take private English lessons and follow online certified programs in music theory. Additionally, he has received one-on-one consulting on classical cinema and has been noted to watch and take notes on film analyses by some European directors. He does not present this learning process as a public image. For him, “knowledge that is internalized is more valuable than knowledge that is displayed.” In his own words, “I learn not to become something, but to understand something better.”
Sought After in the Industry, But Hard to Reach
Although many production companies and music producers want to work with him, D.O. only accepts work from people who respect his art and work ethic. For this reason, even in the early stages of projects, offers that are not suitable for him are rejected with the statement, “Kyung-soo is not right for this project.” Directors who wish to work with him often note that D.O. does not focus on the script first; instead, he seeks an answer to the question, “Why should this story be told?” This approach makes him one of the rare figures in the Korean entertainment industry who acts as an internal filter.