Actor Kang Hyung-seok heightened the tension of the Disney+ and Channel A drama 'Dive Into You' through his portrayal of the villain Yang Jun-mo.

'Dive Into You' (directed by So Jae-hyun, written by Kim Bo-geum and Lee On, produced by Dexter Pictures and Amuse Entertainment) came to a close with episode 11 released on October 31 and the finale on November 1. Kang Hyung-seok played Yang Jun-mo, who commits a series of crimes, including murdering Jung Woo-jae's (played by Park Seo-ham) father and kidnapping Yoon Ha-na (played by Kim Ji-yeon).

■ Obsession and Madness... Yang Jun-mo's Crimes

In the drama, Yang Jun-mo obsessively demanded that Jung Woo-jae retrieve Yoon Ha-na's camcorder in the past, revealing a fierce desire to claim the lead role in a film. Notably, he left a note saying, "I will stop time and lock you in the most perfect and eternal cage," creating a chilling atmosphere with his calm gaze. After finishing filming, he said, "True completion begins now."

Yang Jun-mo contacted Jung Woo-jae's father to have his family matters exposed to the media, and after being blackmailed over a secretly recorded conversation, he responded, "We need to take care of it, right? Cleanly?" He then looked down at the fallen father while holding a blood-stained trophy with a smile of relief, maintaining an unwavering demeanor even after the crime to sustain the tension.

He later kidnapped Yoon Ha-na, claiming that his life had been ruined because she came from the future, saying, "Does it only end if you die?" He pulled out a syringe and explained the process of dying to instill fear, but when Jung Woo-jae stopped him and he was stabbed with the syringe himself, he showed fear. Until the end, Yang Jun-mo defined himself as the savior of the two, justifying his crimes as art.

■ Cornered by SNS Exposure... An Unrepentant End

Eventually, a video of him threatening and attempting to murder Yoon Ha-na was released on social media, driving Yang Jun-mo into a corner. On the rooftop, he hinted at an extreme choice, saying, "I decide my own ending," but was shaken by Yoon Ha-na's words that he would remain a criminal and came down from the railing. However, he soon shouted, "This is all because of you, Yoon Ha-na. Die!" and tried to push her over the railing before being subdued. Days later, Yang Jun-mo stood at a photo line in handcuffs, showing no remorse until the end.

■ "I Pondered How to Express His Changes Over Time and His Heart Behind the Obsession"

Kang Hyung-seok deeply portrayed Yang Jun-mo's process of losing his sanity and falling apart, highlighting the presence of the villain. Regarding his acting process, he said, "I considered Yang Jun-mo's contrasting facets and his transformation from his university days to becoming a director as very important. I thought a lot about how to heighten the tension in his confrontations with the other characters. I also worked to show Yang Jun-mo's feelings for Yoon Ha-na even within his maddening behavior that went beyond obsession."

He also shared his closing thoughts, saying, "I am grateful to everyone who made 2026 a happy year and to all the viewers who watched the show."