K-Style Interview: Impressions of WCR

Interesting interview of Park Sihoo on Wind, Cloud and Rain

“King of Historical Drama” Park Sihoo starred in a historical drama for the first time in nine years since “The Princess Man”! “Wind, Cloud, and Rain” (“Kingmaker: Change of Destiny”) is a magnificent historical masterpiece depicting the turbulent love and ambition of “Chosun’s best physiognomist,” who held the fate of the country at the end of the era.

An official interview with Park Sihoo, who plays Choi Chunjung, the “shadow hero” has been released. He shared a lot about this masterpiece, which he is proud of.

Youtube Video – Park Sihoo Interview: Impressions of “Wind, Cloud and Rain” (“Kingmaker: Change of Destiny”), 7 October 2021

https://youtu.be/1NXbqIW8HFY

K-Style Japan, 6 October 2021, Original article in Japanese, non-verbatim courtesy translation by ParkSihooSsi.com

Legend: K = K-Style; PSH = Park Sihoo

Park Sihoo recommends scenes to Japanese viewers! Do you believe in fate?” Positive and optimistic personality…”

K: How did you feel after filming all the scenes of “Wind, Cloud and Rain”?

PSH:  I think it took about 5 to 6 months to shoot this drama, but as I was shooting towards the culmination, I was immersed in the joy of shooting. I was able to get along well with my co -stars and have good relationships with the wonderful staff under the direction of the director. Thanks to that, I had a very enjoyable and happy time. Usually, filming dramas is tiring. Sometimes I feel tired and want to finish early when I have stayed up all night. But this time, I am happy to say, “I can still continue filming in the next few months.” I feel a sense of loneliness now that it’s over.

K: It has been nine years since “The Princess Man.” What are your thoughts?

PSH:  Filming a historical drama is very difficult. When I appeared in “Iljimae” and “The Princess Man”, I thought I couldn’t do anymore historical dramas. (Laughs) But in this work, it wasn’t too difficult. The quality of the work is excellent and as the story progressed, I was completely fascinated as I filmed and watched the completed drama. There are very few works where you can enjoy every episode. However, this drama got more and more interesting as the story progressed, so I feel totally satisfied at the end.

The charm of the role is in the eyes. “I’m sure you will be addicted to it.”

The attraction is in the eyes!

K: Please introduce the role you played

PSH:   In this work, the character I played was Choi Chunjung,  a physiognomist and a scholar of the Four Pillars of Destiny. He can tell the fate and future of someone, even someone he doesn’t know, just by looking at him. He is an attractive character with both sharp judgement and calmness. I think viewers will be fascinated by his charm as they watch the drama, so I’m looking forward to their reactions.

K: What is the appeal of Chunjung from Park Sihoo’s point of view?

PSH:   As a physiognomist and scholar of the Four Pillars of Destiny, I think that the most appealing thing is the sharp gaze that saw through the essence of the other person. Please pay attention to Chunjung’s eyes. I’m sure you’ll be mesmerized by it.

K: What did you do to prepare for the role?

PSH:   I didn’t do anything special. Many people are interested in fortune telling, such as the Four Pillars of Destiny. I also have a basic idea of fortune telling. However, I didn’t read the books of the Four Pillars of Destiny  or visited fortune-tellers. I just understood the basic idea and used it as a reference.

Learning physiognomy and the Four Pillars of Destiny

K: What made you decide to appear in this work?

PSH:   I attach great importance to the script when choosing a work to appear. I was drawn into the story from the moment I first read the script and finished reading it in no time. I could relate to the content, and above all , the character Chunjung was attractive. So I decided to appear in the drama.

K: How did you feel when you received the offer?

PSH:   I read the script when I heard that it was a historical drama, but it was so interesting that I was looking forward to filming it. Every scene where Chunjung appeared was interesting. So I was excited to think that viewers would surely fall in love with his charm. Shooting seemed to be difficult, but I enjoyed it surprisingly.

K: Please tell us the scenes that left impressions on you.

PSH:   There were many memorable scenes. The scene in which he confronted the Heungseon Daewon and in which he formed a strong alliance afterwards. Then, the scene where he swore allegiance to the King and when he proclaimed who would be the next King. The romance with Bongryung is also worth watching.

The atmosphere at the filming site: “The most fun and happiest ever”

The atmosphere of the filming site was most enjoyable

K: How was the atmosphere at the filming site?

PSH:   It was great. I have appeared in many works so far, but this time the set was the most enjoyable and I was able to film with the happiest heart. The synergy with the co-stars was perfect and I got along well with the staff. The charisma of the director was fully demonstrated with his keen production sense and his strong ability to draw  out the power of the actors. In addition, Jun Kwangryul, whom I respect, also appeared, so I was totally immersed until the end of the drama.

K: Who was the mood maker at the filming site?

PSH:   The director is charismatic and very funny. If I were to pick a mood maker, I think it would be the director. He always livened up the atmosphere of the site and Kwangryul is a also a very charming person. At first glance, he may seem to be blunt and scary, but his innocent childl-like smile is really cute. (Laughs) Even though I have had a long career, I learned alot from him.

The mood maker on the set

K: Which was the most impressionable scene with Jun Kwangryul?

PSH:   The scenes with Jun Kwangryul  who played the role of Lee Haeung (the Heungseon Daewon), were all important. They were very attractive scenes and I can say that they are all must-sees. Everything was impressionable. The romance between Bongryung and Chunjung was also important in this work, but on the other hand, the confrontation between Chunjung and Lee Haeung was the cornerstone of the story and was actually the highlight. The scene where the two of them fought on the cliff was a powerful and moving scene. Their relationship development from working together to hating each other was interesting, so I hope you will enjoy it.

K: What would you do if like Chunjung your friend betrayed you?

PSH:  I think that it is fate and I think I will accept it. (Laughs). There is nothing to gain from resenting the other person, and there is no point in revenge. This is also fate, so I think it’s easier to accept and forgive. 

K: Does Park Sihoo believe in fate?

PSH:  I tend to believe and sometimes I refer to fortune-telling. But I don’t accept it as it is. I only believe in the good and forget the bad. In a way, I have a positive and optimistic personality. I only accept what is convenient. (Laughs)

 “I think it is my masterpiece…”

A masterpiece for Park Sihoo-ssi?

K: There are many action scenes in this work, but what was the most difficult one?

PSH:  Certainly there were many action scenes. It wasn’t easy, but I didn’t have a hard time. Rather than having a hard time, I enjoyed every scene. It may seem difficult to the viewers, but this time I really enjoyed playing it.

However, there is a scene in the beginning of the loss of my father, and I had to film it on the first day. I was not familiar with the scene yet, and I have not been able to get into the role.  The director put the test of filming an important scene from the first day. To be honest, I was a little pressured. Besides, it was a scene that made me cry with emotion, and in that sense I had some difficulty. But other than that, I don’t remember having any particular difficulty.

K: What do you think are the necessary traits of a true leader?

PSH:  When I played Chunjung, I thought, “Leaders should have an open mind and strong capability”. First of all, calm judgment is important. Leadership and mental leeway are also difficult if you don’t have a sense of composure and calmness. A spirit of self-sacrifice is also necessary. Chunjung had it all. I think he is a true hero demanded in that era.

The romantic side of the drama

K: What if you played a different role in this drama?

PSH: All the characters in this drama were attractive, so I want to try all of them. I am also attracted to the Heungseon Daewongun, and when I see Yeon Jisung played by Lim Hyunsoo, it reminded me of a work in the past. For example, “Iljimae”. Such a role didn’t suit me. (Laughs) It would be good to show up at the perfect time to save a friend.  Hyunsoo’s acting was great and I was attracted to his role as Yeon Jisung.

K: What does “Wind, Cloud and Rain” mean to Park Sihoo?

PSH: It is a really high quality work. As the number of episodes increased, it became more and more interesting, so I really enjoyed the filming and watching the completed video.  I think it can be said to be my masterpiece. It will be difficult to find more of such works. Of course, I will continue to work hard so that I can appear in even more wonderful works.

Recommendation to Japanese viewers: “When fireflies appear…”

Park Sihoo-ssi on “Wind, Cloud and Rain”

K: What would you recommend for Japanese viewers to watch?

PSH: Although it is a historical drama, I hope you will look forward to it because the beautiful romance with Bongryung was also worth watching. It was a work that harmonized the characteristics of historical dramas with the beauty of romantic dramas. Please pay attention to the future of their love. Particularly, the scene where fireflies appeared was beautiful and romantic, and I think Japanese viewers will like it.

K: Please tell us the roles and genres you would like to challenge in the future.

PSH:  I just suddenly thought, wouldn’t it be good to be a modern version of Choi Chunjung? I liked acting him in the historical drama, so I think it would be interesting to play a fortune teller who can see the future of people by moving the stage to the present day.

K: Please send a message to Japanese viewers.

PSH:  How did you feel when you watched this drama? I hope you will love me for a long time. I don’t know if I will be able to participate in any more of such (Nance: I think he referred this as “quality”) works, but I want to meet you again with wonderful works. Until then, please support Park Sihoo and “Wind, Clouds and Rain”.