Interview on Babel: Twist of love & revenge

Intriguing twists and turns

To commemorate the release of Park Sihoo-ssi’s TV Chosun drama “Babel” DVDs in Japan, K-style Japan did an interview with Park Sihoo-ssi on 8 May 2020. During the interview, our favourite actor shared his views on the drama and his impressions of  his co-stars.

The original interview feature was in Japanese. ParkSihooSsi.com has done a courtesy translations (non verbatim) into English.  I hope you like it and get to know more about our Oppa Park Sihoo-ssi and how he works on his projects.

Babel: Twist of Love and Revenge

Babel: Twist of Love and Revenge by K-style Japan, 8 May 2020

Legend: Q = Question; PSH = Park Sihoo-ssi

PARK SIHOO CONFUSED BY THE MANY KISSING SCENES? WHEN BROADCASTING IN JAPAN, IT MIGHT BE BETTER TO REDUCE THEM A LITTLE…

The latest work featuring the high-viewership popular top star Park Sihoo has been released on DVD. Intended for an adult audience, the full fledged romantic suspense has drawn much excitement and intoxicated its audience since the DVD has been released for sale and rental.

Park Sihoo played Prosecutor Cha Woohyuk who had devoted his life to seeking revenge for his parents. He lived for revenge, but fell in love unexpectedly and had to struggle between the conflict in his beliefs and the fate of love. His heart-breaking emotions were conveyed through his sad eyes and his charismatic presence.

In commemoration of this DVD release, Park Sihoo’s official interview has also been released! He shared a lot of insights, from the secret story of the kissing scene that became a hot topic to the behind-the scenes of the action shots.

Babel is a tale of love and revenge with a twist

Q: Please share your impressions of “Babel: Twist of Love and Revenge”.

PSH: When I first saw the script, I was so captivated by its content. That is the most important thing, isn’t it? I thought the story was interesting and the character Woohyuk was very attractive. It was my first time to appear in such a love-hate drama (melodrama). My expectations were high and it was also the first time I am in a Restricted 19 rated drama. I wanted viewers to see different aspects of me, so I took up the role.

Q: What was your impression when you read the script?

PSH: My first impression was that it was a masculine-oriented drama. It was completely different from the romantic comedies that I have done in the past. And since it was a passionate melodrama, I was interested in how to create this character. Thankfully, the viewers liked it and it was all worth the effort.

Q: How would you describe this work in one word?

PSH: I think there are various elements involved, but the word “shocking” is the best fit.

Q: What are your thoughts on challenging the genre of mystery?

PSH: It was my first time doing this genre, so I thought it would be very interesting. I was also curious about a Restricted 19 rated drama. Furthermore, I am thankful to be able to work with great directors and actors this time. The quality was high and the drama was more like a movie. It was really rewarding.

Masculine focused Babel

Q: Maybe because you are in a different genre, you have a different attitude toward the shooting?

PSH: At the shooting site of my previous drama “Lovely Horribly” (in Japan it is called “Lovely Star Lovely”), I acted very funny and made a lot of jokes. Even as the other character, I enjoyed the shoots as if I were filming a variety show. On the other hand, Cha Woohyuk in “Babel: Twist of Love and Revenge” had a calm, masculine and cold image.

Perhaps because of that, I was also rather quiet on the set. I talked less on the set than my previous work. I seemed to be so absorbed in the role so naturally without being conscious of it, and must have been influenced by the heavy character and atmosphere. This time, I realize that my normal personality also changed with the character I played. 

Cha Woohyuk invoked trust and loyalty

Q: Please tell us about your character Cha Woohyuk

PSH: Woohyuk was a man who lived for revenge and I think that was his charm, and a characteristic that attracted women. Also, although Woohyuk was smart and a prosecutor, he was very open-minded. I was also drawn by his good looks.

Q: Woohyuk was a man who was admired by his colleagues. How different was he from Philip Yu from your previous work “Lovely Horribly”?

PSH: Woohyuk was popular and the people around him always trusted and supported him. Phillip, Yu in my previous drama was a top star who was self-centered and demanded from others (laughs). However, for Woohyuk, the opposite was true and the people around him were always worried about him, tried to take care of him and kept him warm… That’s the difference.

The secret behind-the-scene of the hot topic

ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SHOOT, HE SAID THIS OF THE KISS SCENE, “THANKS TO YOU, I BECAME CLOSE.” 

Q: There was a kissing scene at the beginning and it became a hot topic

PSH: We filmed the kissing scene on the first and second day of the filming. Woohyuk and the heroine Han Jungwon kissed each other on the stairs. I felt awkward because I could not open up to Jang Heejin then (laughs). It was embarrassing to shoot (a kissing scene) and usually only shot midway (in the production). But because of this, we got closer to each other and I was able to relax with her from the beginning.

Q: How do you prepare in advance for scenes that make you feel emotional?

PSH: When you have to act emotionally, you don’t make any special preparations. For example, even if I were chatting, I could quickly get into the scene at a single word of “action”! That is more natural. I think it’s rather unnatural if I try to play a certain emotion intentionally. My style is more of spontaneity and I can immerse myself at a moment’s notice.

Q: What was the highlight of the love scene?

PSH: It was a melodrama that you can’t see in my previous dramas. It had a Restricted 19 rating. It was an intense melodrama and a mystery. Please look forward to it!

Q: Which scene with Jungwon left the most impression?

PSH: It was the scene of Jungwon’s arrest. I was happy that the music, the images and the acting of the performers were all in harmony.

The most memorable line was “Where?”

Q: The most heart-stirring scene?

PSH: The most heart-stirring was the first kissing scene and it created an impact due to its unexpected development. That’s why I think viewers will enjoy this scene.

Q: What is the difference between “Babel: Twist of Love and Revenge” and your other dramas?

PSH: There were so many kissing scenes in this drama that I joked with the Director that, “When you’re broadcasting in Japan, don’t you think you should edit the kissing scenes a little bit and reduce them?” (Laughs). Also, although this was a melodrama, it was more masculine and heavy going. It was a drama with a movie-like atmosphere. I think viewers will feel the difference in atmosphere from the dramas I have been in. I am glad that I made the appearance because many movie production staff participated in the shooting and lighting and the quality was very high.

HOW WERE YOU WITH YOUR CO-STARS

Q: How do you like working with co-star Jang Heejin?

PSH: Heejin is a very nice person. I met her for the first time in this work and she is more beautiful in person than on TV. And I felt very comfortable working together with her. During the filming, we got along well. She is also considerate, and thanks to her, I enjoyed the shooting right to the end.

More beautiful person off screen

Q: What about working with the three Geosan siblings?

PSH: First, let’s talk about Song Jaehee. I thought he is a dignified man but unapproachable. But on the film set, he was kind and polite like an angel, and yet charismatic.

Kim Ji Hoon is a really charming actor. His villain was so enthralling that I was so fascinated watching his work. He showed that even a villain can be attractive.

Like Jaehee, Jang Shinyoung is an angelic person. She is considerate and patient. She always smiled and acted cheerful even though she had to wait a long time at the shooting site.

From this point of view, no one resembled the Chaebol family (laughs). I felt really close to  these three siblings on the set. The cast of this drama are all good people. There was no dissonance among the actors and everyone had fun during the shoots.

Sibling rivalry

Q: What about Kim Haesook who played Shin Hyunsuk?

PSH: Shin Hyunsuk was not a very nice person. Haesook-nim said she felt catharsis while shooting. “I’ve never played a villain and it is an attractive role.” She seemed to really enjoy the shooting and even though she didn’t get enough sleep, she didn’t even show it. I was surprised at that point and thought that I should learn from her.

The memorable scene was the last scene when we talked together in the prison. It was an unexpected ending. Haesuk-nim’s crying performance was so impressive that I got goosebumps. It was a very important scene, so please look forward to it.

Q: She was a very scary presence in the drama, but what about Kim Haesook?

PSH: She was really scary when she was acting. Her performance was so good in the scene when she was in conflict with me, so I was really scared when I watched the drama. However, in reality, she is very gentle and gives advice and jokes with her juniors. She is a senior who deliver great performances and whom I can learn many things about acting.

A scary villain so well performed

INJURY IN ACTION? “WAS THE BONE FRACTURED?”

Q: What was the most memorable line?

PSH: “Where?” At the airport. It was a short word, but it carried different thoughts. I think it was a line that the audience can relate to.

Q: What was the most memorable scene?

PSH: The scene that impressed me the most was when Woohyuk found out who he really had to take revenge on. In that scene, I was so angry that I hit the desk. I hit a punching bag, but because the bag burst during the shooting, it hurt as I hit the desk instead (laughs). I thought my bone was fractured. The scene itself was impressive and accompanied by the pain, I will remember it well (laughs). I felt like fainting due to the pain when I dislocated my shoulder during one of the action scenes. I also got hit in the face. I’ve never been hit in shoots before, but this time I was injured by the actions (laughs). From now on, I have to wear protective gear during action scenes (laughs).

Q: What was the most difficult scene?

PSH: I mentioned earlier that I was injured in the scene of hitting a desk, but there were many action scenes. In that scene of fighting with Hyunsuk’s minion and being thrown on my back, I felt a numb pain when I dislocated my shoulder. It hurt so bad that I had wanted to push the dislocated shoulder back on my own, but fortunately, the martial arts team were on hand to help. We were still in the middle of filming, so the rest of the scene was performed using only my left arm. I was glad we managed to finish this high-quality scene by hiding my injury during the acting. 

Q: Did the role you play affect your personal life?

PSH: This time I felt it. In my previous work, I was told to appear as if it were in a variety show (laughs). I thought I was funny. I was often told that I appeared rather honest. Because I was so immersed in this (Babel) role I felt that my own personality also changed, unlike in previous works. It was surprising to see a person change with the character. I thought I wouldn’t change my personality, but I was like the character I played.

Park Sihoo challenging a new genre

Q: What role do you want to challenge in the future?

PSH: I want to be challenged in the future in a drama of a male noir. I experienced it a little this time, but I would like to appear as a manly and sophisticated noir.

Q: Please send a message to your Japanese audience

PSH: The drama I starred in “Babel: Twist of Love and Revenge” is an intense melodrama for the adult audience. It is a high-quality drama by great actors and cast and crew and it is like a movie. I think you’ll like it. Please cheer for “Babel: Twist of Love and Revenge”. Thank you very much.

Dear sisters, I hope you enjoyed reading the interview and got to know more about our Oppa Park Sihoo-ssi and his Prosecutor Cha Woohyuk in “Babel”! And yes, the drama certainly lived up to the claim of “Babel: Twist of Love and Revenge”!

Credits – Many thanks! TV Chosun “Babel”, K-Style, ParkSihooSsi.com, ParkSihooHongKong.com