Actor Jang Dong-gun praised the acting skills of Kim Woo-bin, by far his junior in terms of acting career, in an interview with local news reporters.

Jang, 42, said, “(Kim Woo-bin) is an actor who has acting in his genes,” in a roundtable press meeting that was held in a cafe in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul, on Monday. 

The questions were mainly about acting, as the event was held to promote Jang’s latest film, “Crying Man” (2014), set to be screened in cinemas starting June 4.

Jang recalled that Kim caught his eye for the first time in the film “Friend: The Great Legacy” (2013), the sequel to “Friend” (2001), which he also starred in.

“I first saw him act with my own eyes when we were both acting on the SBS drama ‘A Gentleman’s Dignity’ (2012), and I was very impressed,” Jang told reporters. “I was told that he was a beginner in acting, and I instantly realized that he was a born actor. He was amazing.”

Jang said he kept on telling his friends how impressive Kim was, and how the young actor reminded him of “Ryu Seung-beum when he first set out as an actor.”

“I knew he would become famous before long,” Jang added.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)