Interview 2012: Sleepless in Seoul (1)

An actor cannot just have one look. However, if the degree of transformation is small, he will also not be attractive.

Park Sihoo was not in a hurry, just as he was at the beginning. Is the time ripe now (Nance: maybe for his big break?) Has the opportunity come? Unlike previously, he now played a character who is close to darkness.

The transformation will take getting used to. Park Sihoo, who still has seven photo shoots left,  asked to draw a thin eyeliner around his eyes. His eyes are bright even if they are not drawn, but now without those black lines, his eyes appeared somewhat lonely.

Hopping from a historical hero to a murderer

As soon as the drama “The Princess’ Man” was over, Park Sihoo took on the role of the murderer in the movie “Confession of Murder”, which was filmed two days later. Even though he was the murderer, his character took the the lead, which was the opposite of the usual bad guys who were usually hiding (Nance: from the law). With the statute of limitations for his past murders over, the bold murderer published the story of his crimes in a novel and his work became a bestseller.

A very handsome perfectionist, Park Sihoo’s filming schedule kept him very busy last winter. Since the Director of his first movie was from an action school, he had been working on very difficult action scenes throughout the shoot. He also revealed a supple muscular style that was perfect for the swimming scene. At the beginning of the year, he won the Best Actor Award for “The Princess’ Man”, which gave him strong encouragement. Immediately after receiving the award, many magazines wanted to feature his face on their covers. His face being featured on these magazine covers have lined the shelves of Japanese bookstores.  This was a very good step forward for him.

Recognition of the brilliance of the drama and his performance

An award given to an actor would not change his existing mindset.  It was unusual for Park Sihoo to receive the Rookie Award four years ago, then the Excellence Award later, and now, the Best Actor of the Year Award. Looking back, it seemed to be the process of taking  slow steps to become a good actor.

SM: Many actors fail to win awards at the year-end award ceremonies even when they have worked hard during the year and had box office successes. Park Sihoo started with the Rookie of the Year award and then went on to win the best actor award. He had tears in his eyes and expressed the feeling of “becoming a tenacious actor”.

I didn’t expect to win an award. There was also a senior by my side. As I sat there, I thought I would not win it. I am overjoyed to receive the award.

Looking back on the past, I watched a video of myself receiving the “New Star Award” again, and it was refreshing to see myself so innocent. At that time, I expressed my feelings with a slight tremor. I always get nervous when I stand in front of the camera. This is especially true when seniors and juniors are together at the awards ceremony. I cannot really enjoy talking about myself as I do now, but when people listen to me, I feel even more conscious and will clam up.

An award winning performance

I have always been optimistic about my acting career in every interview. “I knew it would work out. (Laugh) I think it is time for the positive energy to come out.

Even if I fail at every interview, I always reminded myself that I should not be nervous. I can perform well if I don’t get nervous. At that time, I went to take up Danjeon breathing (Nance: a form of breathing to control blood circulation) and yoga in an effort to relieve this tension.

SM: His drama characters have been mainly of talented men who came from chaebol families. Was he hungry for an image transformation? The movie “Confession of Murder” was his first movie. This was the first commercial film to be produced by director Jung Byunggil. What fascinated him that he decided to appear in the movie?

First of all, the script was overwhelmingly interesting. The role I took on was also attractive, and it was a character I wanted to play. He is a mysterious person wrapped under a veil, a person with a dual personality, with a touch of a psychopath.

Sleepless in Seoul as was the interview headline

SM: Was it a major transformation from a prince to a psychopath?

First of all, he is a serial killer who killed eleven people. He published a book after the appeal under the statute of limitations had expired. It became a bestseller and he became a star. That is very attractive. The person and the setting itself are unique and interesting.

SM: The reporter asked if he was determined to transform himself into a muscular character? He remembered previous interviews with male stars who were showing off their muscles and saying, “Why I…”

Will I do that? The character must be a perfectionist. There was a swimming scene of the character who hid his past and even became a bestselling writer, so he needed a perfect body. I didn’t eat rice for two weeks, but only took protein and sweet potatoes. I didn’t even drink water three days before the filming. Now I’ve gained weight again. It is difficult to continue on the set with such a diet.

Yikes! Snakes alive!

SM: The Director graduated from action school. As expected, the action scenes were not to be underestimated.

The character has great charisma but he always fall at the end of the scenes. For example, he appeared in a high-end suit and was splashed with jajangmyeon (black bean noodles). Or he took off his dressing gown for a swim and got bitten by snakes. He was also flung about on a moving car relying just on a single wire.

Sometimes I wondered if this were all right. The feeling of being in ice cold water for more than 10 hours! (Laugh) So far, the only action I have done that could cause injury is riding a horse.

Snakes but what a feast for the eyes!

S: Do you know the reason why you were chosen to play the role of murderer?

Err…I didn’t ask. I guess I was chosen because I matched the character. (Laugh) There was a story that I don’t get along well with senior Jung Jaeyoung who was in pursuit of me (Nance: the detective in pursuit of the murderer). There was a need to present an expressionless face such that no one knew his thoughts because he is such a veiled character. 

SM: The harmony between actor Jung Jae-young and the murderer seems unique.

Later, I heard from the Director that I looked attractive playing the detailed parts. If I compare myself with my senior who already has an established image as an actor, I can see the complementary roles.

Dynamic duo!

SM: Jung Jaeyoung has a reputation as a good actor. What kind of conversation do you usually have on the set?

In fact, I wasn’t prepared for the movie. Before we started filming, we gathered together to analyze the characters. At first, it was not easy for me to immerse myself in the role. At the beginning, the historical style of drama also came across. (Nance: because Park Sihoo-ssi had just finished his historical drama “The Princess Man”, he had difficulty getting out of his character and at certain times, still presented a historical style)

My senior is an actor who is mainly cast in movies. He hoped that I would feel good about my first movie. I wanted to do well, so I paid a lot of attention to the different parts. Sometimes he would also ask about drama filming.

… watch out for Part Two of this interview tomorrow.

Instagram Reels Video – Park Sihoo: “Sleepless in Seoul (1)”, 23 May 2022

Credits – Many thanks!  Sure Magazine, Showbox “Confession of Murder”, Pinterest, ParkSihooSsi.com, ParkSihooHongKong.com