Kim Woo Bin recently opened up about his changed perspective on life since his previous battle with nasopharyngeal cancer.

In a recent interview with Korean media outlet News1, the actor promoted his new Netflix movie 'Officer Black Belt,' opening up about his character Lee Jung Do, a martial arts expert with 9th-degree black belts in Taekwondo, Kendo, and Judo. Combining his martial arts talent with his sense of justice, he becomes 'Officer Black Belt,' working alongside probation officer Kim Seon Min (played by Kim Sung Kyun) to prevent crime.

During the interview, he confessed he did not know much about real-life martial arts officers before working on the project, commenting, "[Through the experience,] I discovered everyday heroes I was previously unaware of, realizing that they make our lives safer and happier. I wanted to share that feeling with viewers, and I’m glad this movie has brought more attention to the martial arts officers. I tried not to forget my gratitude toward them during filming, and I still strive to keep that in mind."

Kim Woo Bin added that he found Lee Jung Do's personality easy to relate to, saying, "Jung Do lives joyfully every day, and I’m also focused on living each day fully and finding happiness within it. Although it wasn’t shown in the film, Jung Do's mother passed away from illness, and he was bullied as a child until his friends stood up for him. As an adult, he tries to protect those friends. I imagined his mother’s final wishes might have encouraged him to seek happiness, and I hoped to reflect that in his expressions."

He also shared that, like Jung Do, he is focusing on finding happiness. "I’m happy now, and I’m trying to live each day well. One practice I’ve adopted recently is looking more often at the faces of the people I talk to. There were moments when I couldn’t even remember what my friends were wearing after spending hours with them. By focusing on the person in front of me, I feel like I’m living better, and that makes me happier."

Reflecting on his past, he added, "A few years ago, I was always living in the future – thinking, 'I'll be a better actor in ten years, so I have to work harder now,' or 'I need to do better in tomorrow's scene, so I'll stay up all night.' I kept pushing myself to be better in the future, often at the expense of the present. Now, looking back, I realize I missed out on enjoying the moments."

He continued, "When I was filming dramas, I would often stay up all night four or five times a week, and I was always on edge. If I had three hours to sleep, I'd sleep for one and spend two working out. I pushed myself to the limit. But over time, I've started to feel sorry for myself, and my thoughts and approach to life have shifted, especially after battling nasopharyngeal cancer."

Meanwhile, when asked if actress Shin Min Ah, Kim Woo Bin's girlfriend of nearly ten years, had seen the film yet, he confirmed that she had. "She really enjoyed it and liked learning about the role of martial arts officers," he revealed. "She appreciated knowing about their hard work."