Omega X’s Kevin finds himself on the other side of the stage as he fanboys over a K-pop idol in the new BL (Boy Love) drama My Bias Is Showing! An adaptation of a popular Korean webtoon known for its unique blend of idol fandom culture and romance, the series also marks Kevin’s acting debut, a long-cherished dream come true.“My dream was always to become an actor. I was very grateful for the chance to stand in front of the camera and act,” he tells SCREEN in an exclusive Zoom call from Seoul.The story follows Na Ae-joon (played by Kevin), a high school teacher who happens to be a longtime fan of Choi Si-yeol (Kim Kang-min), a member of the popular boy group A-One. Their paths cross when Si-yeol arrives at his school to film a variety show.What was it like playing a fanboy?“Since this drama tells the story of a fan and an idol, I was able to learn more about the fans’ perspective, which was meaningful for me as an idol myself. Our fans also gave me a lot of advice and encouragement, which really helped me take on this new challenge. I believe many people will be able to relate to different parts of the drama,” he says.Also Read | Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae swaps survival games for rom-coms: ‘I can separate my roles from my life’Kevin is candid that making his debut required a lot of preparation, studying, taking acting lessons, and watching and observing dramas and films.Given the soaring popularity of the BL genre over the past few years, and with K-dramas increasingly becoming inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community, even as South Korea remains largely conservative — does he feel audiences are becoming more receptive, since popular celebrities like him are helping push the equality discourse?Story continues below this ad“I think there are still conservative sides to our society, but regardless of the genre, this drama is really about a pure love story. I believe anyone who enjoys this kind of story will be able to relate to it and find comfort in it,” he says thoughtfully.Kevin further adds that he wasn’t concerned about his image, something that often makes many actors cautious about audience perception.“I had no concerns about my image. I was just really thankful for the opportunity to act. Beyond the genre, I loved being able to show different sides of myself and my charms, so the whole experience was a lot of fun.”Referring to K-Pop: Demon Hunters, Kevin admits being a fan of the film, saying its portrayal of the symbiotic relationship between artistes and fans resonated deeply with him.Story continues below this ad“The plot of the movie was how songs can attract and resonate with people, and how that love and energy can defeat the demons. Similarly, fans help the artiste on stage, and the artiste performs for them in return. That interaction and relationship really resonate with anyone who enjoys K-pop or this movie.” A still from Kevin’s My Bias Is Showing!On the musical front, his band Omega X (formerly just Omega) faced several challenges, including harassment and bullying by their former agency in 2022. Having signed with a new agency and rebranded themselves, Kevin says he and his bandmates are grateful for the unwavering support they’ve received.Also Read | ‘It was ambitious, maybe foolish’: KPop Demon Hunters co-director on its success, a sequel and the human touch in animation“Our fans still waited and supported us throughout the journey. We were just so surprised and grateful for that.”Story continues below this adAs for the soaring popularity of K-pop and K-dramas in India, Kevin says he’s aware of the growing fandom. “If I could be in an Indian movie or drama, I’d feel so honored,” he says with a smile.