Original subtitles

Director Bong Joon Ho once asked Woo Shik,

"Woo Shik, who’s the person you want to crush the most?"

"Director, of course, it’s Park Seo Joon."

A lot of brands reached out to me for ads.

But on the flip side, I was a bit disappointed because

no matter how intensely I act...

[I totally get that]

Ads still seem to prefer variety shows over dramas.

Actors might have trouble making friends because of that.

It seems hard to have friends who are the same age.

[Starting to tease him.] There were plenty of chances

to get close to female co-stars, right?

Isn’t it usually like that?

Oh, sorry, I’m getting a little too cheeky.

Ah, is there poison in this conversation?

So for 'Itaewon Class,' soldiers loved it so much.

Thanks to you, my hairstyle...

didn’t look out of style.

Why are kissing scenes

always such a big deal?

Um... Am I doing okay?

[Bursting with charm]

Hello, this is Jung Jae Hyung.

Welcome to Fairy Table.

[Applause erupts naturally]

Honestly, while preparing for Fairies and Music a little while ago,

[Still in its pilot stage,] it’s true that I had some concerns.

[new content from Fairy Jae Hyung] I was nervous about how it would turn out,

[Fairies and Music] but I was also excited thinking,

let’s keep our unique vibe.

I’m really happy so many people enjoyed the Son Yeol Eum episode of Fairies and Music.

Ah

Rather than saying many, I would say

[More like enjoying it in a deep way.] they enjoyed it very deeply.

[Tremendous comment participation with over 1,461 comments]

Making sure that our tastes matched our fans'

is always a pleasant thing.

So today, the person we have invited to Fairy Table,

I think might match such taste well.

We have actor Park Seo Joon with us.

Isn't he the symbol of youth?

Seo Joon, who's so mature that us public don't know much about.

Let's find out who he really is little by little.

I can proudly say that we have a sponsor for today's video.

It's CKD Healthcare's LactoFit, a very popular probiotic in Korea.

LactoFit is very well known for being Korea's number one probiotic.

What's especially interesting about LactoFit is

it ranges from products for all age groups, from children to adults, to blood sugar care.

The variety of product lines allows you to

choose one that suits you, and I think that's quite impressive.

[My goodness, they really must be number one (whisper)]

[The most famous products of LactoFit] These two are the most popular products.

[LactoFit Gold] Both kids and adults can take this product.

[From gut health to immune system all in one!] Preferences may vary.

[LactoFit Gold] I like this more than capsules

[A good habit for good gut health, LactoFit]

It's not too sweet and I love it.

It's just so convenient how you can just take them like this.

This is important for us too, but

when you get older, your gut probiotics decrease.

You really need to take care of it.

It seems like a great gift for parents, teachers, anyone.

[LactoFit Gold for the whole family regardless of age]

If you look over here, this one is LactoFit blood sugar care!

[LactoFit's first and only product for both blood sugar and gut health, LactoFit blood sugar care]

These days, there are so many sweet stuff.

[Our fairy is really concerned about blood sugar levels these days.]

[Essential for gut health and controlling blood sugar level]

[That's why fairies have started taking LactoFit again recently.]

[To prevent blood sugar spikes after a meal! No sugar!]

[LactoFit blood sugar care]

With one packet a day

you can take care for your gut health and blood sugar levels!

If you are worried about your blood sugar levels,

you definitely will feel healthier,

if you take this LactoFit blood sugar care.

Stay healthy.

[Stay healthy with Korea's number one probiotic, LactoFit]

[Fig Salad. Check out Fairy Recipe, if you're curious about detailed recipes]

[Endives au jambon. Check out Fairy Recipe, if you're curious about detailed recipes]

[Cordon Bleu. Check out Fairy Recipe, if you're curious about detailed recipes]

He's here!

Wow...

So good looking.

Seo Joon!

Nice to meet you.

Come in.

Oh, the wings seem a bit different.

Oh dear, I haven’t shown this side of me to him before.

Oh, you shouldn't have!

It felt wrong to come here empty-handed.

[LactoFit gift set]

Ah, are you promoting this?

So that’s why they sponsored us. Don't worry we'll do it well.

[Actor Park Seo Joon]

[Please move aside, Fairy Jae Hyung]

We've seen each other often at the bar.

Yes, about 2 to 3 times there.

Right, we saw each other 2 to 3 times there.

It feels a bit embarrassing to see you with my wings on.

[Could this be the main job..?]

It's the first time you and I are meeting with makeup on.

That's right.

I always saw you drunk.

No, that's not true.

Today will be a bit more formal and professional than usual.

Nice to see you.

Oh, he's really cool.

We couldn't match up with your filming schedule, right?

[Actually, he came here to promote Gyeongseong Creature Season 2]

[But our schedules didn't align]

I was so sorry, so I told you,

'Oh no, it looks like we can't find a date for the shoot.'

And Seo Joon was like, 'Oh, I'm fine, it doesn't matter.'

Ah, this is part of his charm.

You know, unlike other people, he has a sense of maturity, right?

- Is it so? - Yeah, there's a bit of that, right?

You probably have it without even realizing it.

Since I’m the eldest in my family,

I often get asked,

Are you the oldest by any chance?

- I get asked that a lot. - The oldest of three brothers.

Yes, so I think that might be it.

I’m the middle of three brothers.

[Seo Joon's gaze with a lot of meanings.] Ah. So you’re the middle child.

Hey, what's up with that look.

[Haha.]

No, you are a middle child with a lot of charms.

But from what I can tell, you seem like a really devoted son.

No, let me do it.

Nice to meet you.

What’s your favorite kind of alcohol?

I like Soju.

And whiskey.

I can't really drink red wine.

So, you cannot drink red wine. And do you cook at home?

Not so often.

But on variety shows, didn’t you always cook so diligently?

I really love cooking.

It’s just that cleaning up afterwards is such a hassle.

[It's such a hassle]

Cooking takes hours.

But it takes only 10 minutes to finish the dish.

So, I’ve been learning more about you.

Surprisingly, the public do not know much about you.

You’re such a mature and thoughtful actor.

There's not much information about all the other things.

Oh, really?

Right? You haven’t really opened up or talked about yourself anywhere.

So today,

The guests we’ve had before were all very calm.

We even had a classical pianist, you know.

So this time, we need something with a bit more poisonous.

Poison?

No, we need to be more poisonous.

Ah, wee need to be more poisonous.

We’re aiming for something more stimulating.

Ah, more stimulating!

[Oh, you want something stimulating?]

[Request accepted.]

[High stimulation coming right up, served with salad]

This is our seasonal special fig salad!

[Seasonal special. Fig salad]

[Tends to smile when eating something delicious.]

How is it? The salad?

- It's really good! - Right?

My salad tastes a bit sour, doesn’t it?

But this fig seems to balance it all perfectly.

[Fairy Jae Hyung thinking]

Do you think I can make it to Black and White Chef?

Oh, I can't stand it.

Okay, I won't even try.

No, but you totally should!

[Moving on to a different subject.]

A musical chef sounds great, right?

[Fairy Table operated by a musical chef]

Nickname!

[Continues talking about Seo Joon's real personality]

You often show that side of you when you're with your friends.

I saw this side of you when you were with your friends, right?

You said they're your high school friends?

Yes, that's right.

But at that time, you kind of seemed like a character from Midnight Runners.

It's not like you are still at that age.

Yet still, you seemed very comfortable.

You are not the kind of person who acts silly when with friends.

Just a little quiet.

Strangely enough, the closer I become to someone,

I tend to talk less.

I just say what needs to be said.

It's like, since you already know everything,

let's just have a drink.

- No need for unnecessary words. - Right.

Meeting once a month seems just right.

We just talk about how we have been for the past month.

And I think one hour is enough for that.

[One hour is enough to cover your life updates.]

When I first met you, you surprised me.

This is what shocked me the most.

The Korean word Oppa is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary

And you are also mentioned in it.

[The most famous Oppas in 2021 are Lee Min Ho, Park Seo Joon, Lee Jong Suk, Ji Chang Wook]

[The most famous Oppas in 2021 are Lee Min Ho, Park Seo Joon, Lee Jong Suk, Ji Chang Wook]

Oh, that's what is says?

Your name is there with four others.

Oh, really? I'm among the four? Wow.

When the K-drama wave first hit,

you seemed to be the most popular actor.

But now, I think it's time to adjust that.

I'm no longer an Oppa.

I’ve officially become Mr. now.

[Please don’t remove it just yet, Oxford.]

When did you decide you wanted to be an actor?

You actually went to an arts university!

Yes, Seoul Institute of the Arts

Why did you enlist in the military so early?

Because I had nothing.

I didn't have any connections.

When it comes to that stuff,

I'm basically a black spoon.

[For your information: Seo Joon really enjoyed Black & White Chef]

When everyone else was worried about what to do after graduation,

That time just felt so bleak, like there was no clear path ahead.

Yes, it's really bleak.

Especially for someone trying to get into acting, without any connections.

For you, it must have been extremely difficult back then.

Yes, it was overwhelming, really overwhelming.

It felt like running into a brick wall.

Even then, there was no guarantee I'd make it.

It was so overwhelming, so I just thought, let’s get the military out of the way first.

- Before even finding an agency? - Yes.

Then right after returning from the military,

Did you find an agency then?

Yes, through a friend's friend.

At that time, that friend was close with actor Kim Soo Hyun.

My friend asked if he could introduce me to the company.

And Soo Hyun gladly did so.

When I first went to the agency,

the very day I visited, they started talking about contracts.

The CEO confidently handed me the contract and said,

“This is a standard contract. If you're unsure, feel free to consult a lawyer.”

So, I was like,

"Alright, I'll check and get back to you."

It was my first time at a company, so I didn’t really know what to expect.

Right, you were so young back then!

The contract seemed scary, it was hard to understand at the time.

It was indeed scary, thinking, ‘What if something goes wrong?’

Just seeing all those legal terms, looking at the contract became overwhelming.

But the agency was a huge one back then.

- It was Keyeast, right? - Yes.

So I joined the agency.

Once I joined, though, there were a lot of challenges.

For example?

Newcomers didn’t get many opportunities.

That's true.

At that time, the three major broadcasting stations were dominant,

which meant there weren’t many productions.

So there weren't many opportunities for auditions either.

And even if there were, hundreds or even thousands of people would show up for auditions.

So in such environment back then,

Did you become familiar with others you’d often see at auditions?

Is there anyone from that time who’s doing well now, whom you still keep in touch with?

Not really friends, but I see the same people all the time.

Not friends, but it's like, "Oh, they're here again."

You end up greeting them anyway, even if you don’t know them well.

It was often like that, seeing them from time to time.

Actors might have trouble making friends because of that.

Having friends of the same age is very difficult for us.

Because you are all some sort of competitors, am I right?

There wasn’t really a competitive mindset, but to put it vaguely,

male actors starring in different projects rarely meet.

While with female co-stars, we might encounter each other more often.

If two male actors are leads in different shows,

it’s tough for us to cross paths.

Actors need to be in the same project to really get close,

which doesn’t happen much. Meeting casually is harder too,

since they’re work friends,

it’s tough to deepen those relationships.

So, in that sense.

[Starting to tease him.] There were plenty of chances

to get close to female co-stars, right?

That’s just how it is, right?

Haha.

Oh, sorry, I’m getting too provocative.

Oh, is there poison in here?

[Sorry, Seo Joon.]

I cannot do this.

Well, you're making it too obvious though.

[Failed attempt at provoking.]

But looking at you, so mature.

If we talk about what kind of person Park Seo Joon is,

earlier during shooting, I asked our producers

[Seo Joon and the producers in a tense standoff]

"What kind of person do you think Park Seo Joon is?" and they said

"An actor who works hard," that's what they said.

But you really seem to work hard, don’t you?

I work extremely hard, yes, extremely!

When you faced those tough auditions early in your career,

did you feel like, you needed to work really hard because of those experiences?

But you didn’t spend long acting for supporting roles though, right?

Didn’t you almost start with lead or major roles from the beginning?

No, actually.

In high school, I even worked as an extra.

I really took it step by step.

Oh? You worked as an extra too?

Yes, I did.

Back then, it was just for experience.

In high school, I went to this acting academy for the first and the last time.

I went to an academy that also managed extras for acting agencies.

Back then there was kind of an unspoken steps, right?

I started with 3rd or 4th ranked roles.

[Impressed by the gripping opening hook.]

Then gradually

I got a 3rd-ranked role in a mini-series,

followed by a 2nd-ranked role in another.

[Step-by-step growth]

Then I reached a point where I had to make a big decision.

tvN was established,

But at that time, tvN was

For those who had been acting for major broadcasters, it was kind of...

It was new, so still kind of unstable.

But they were offering lead roles to newcomers at that time.

So, it was a choice between taking a lead role on tvN

or sticking with more traditional broadcasters and taking another step up.

That’s what they usually call lead-supporting roles, right?

Which project was this?

What did you end up doing?

The projects did you do?

I got close to Woo Shik while working on a sitcom called Family.

Then I did an MBC weekend drama called Pots of Gold.

At the time, KBS dramas dominated the weekend slots.

[Weekends were for KBS]

MBC’s weekend dramas

were only pulling in around 3% viewership,

[A viewership rating of 22.7%] but then we hit 22.7%.

That really helped get my name out there.

After that, in fact, I didn't need to

audition anymore.

Without even realizing it, I start clapping just thinking about it.

Right? Moving up from weekend dramas to mini-series.

So when you think about it, Seo Joon.

It wasn’t an overnight success as a youth star.

You really built your career step by step.

But unless someone’s a fan, they might not know that.

So, when you were in A Witch's Love with Jung Hwa, was then you really became the lead?

[A Witch's Love] Ah, that time?

A Witch's Love

So you were Jung Hwa's co-star?

Yes.

You must feel proud of how steadily you’ve built your career.

At the time, it just felt natural,

but looking back, I do feel a sense of pride.

Having gone through those experiences,

During A Witch's Love, Jung Hwa must have had a tough time.

We pulled all-nighters for 70 consecutive days.

But since it was a romantic comedy, I'm sure she felt the same.

So she was having a hard time, and I was exhausted too.

It felt like a tough beginning.

I though, 'So this the life of a lead actor?'

It was such a physically demanding time.

I felt like I'd die 30 years earlier living like this.

Because it was so exhausting.

But that's how you finally became a lead,

and when I reached a point where you didn't even need to audition,

You muct have been like, "See, I told you!"

[Surprised by the childish remark in the middle of the conversation.]

Look how well I'm doing!

Producers, look at me!

I keep that kind of mind set

as a form of self-confidence to protect myself.

But it felt like a test every time.

A test regarding the role?

It's more about the result. Every time!

And after that,

I took the second lead role with Ji Sung's in Kill Me, Heal Me.

[Won Teen Star Award, Netizen Popularity Award] You received awards for that.

[Best Actor in a Mini-Series, Best Couple Award]

After taking a lead role in the same year, I took a lead role for an MBC's series.

But what's really important here is that,

you can move to lead from the second role.

But if it doesn't go well, it's hard to become a lead again

It's really harsh, but that's the truth.

Especially since it was during the peak of prime-time mini-series on major broadcasters.

If the outcome is not as good, it's very difficult for us.

Did you know that at that time though?

You must have been more excited about becoming a lead, right?

Of course, I was really happy.

But more than that, you were anxious about the outcome?

That anxiety naturally follows, but anyway.

All I could do was work hard and do well here.

Because results will follow, so I thought I'd just do my best as always.

[Viewership 18.0%] I did that, and fortunately, it turned out well.

After that, my options started to expand a bit.

That's true.

Then you get another test from here.

It's whether you have an eye for good projects or not.

You might stumble once,

but there is always pressure to keep performing well.

It must have been even harder at that time.

It was, it really was.

Because when you've just become a lead,

if the results or reviews aren't great,

No other industries take the sweet and spit out the bitter like they do here.

But once you accept that,

You get up and check the ratings of the program at 9 every morning.

At a young age, those results must have been brutally harsh.

I think it all started from there.

You definitely are mature,

but also you don't get too excited?

This was his face when I first saw him.

"Nice to meet you, Jae Hyung!"

Usually, with emotions, he remains with no emotions on his face.

Someone who manages to set aside both their highest highs and lowest lows?

That’s such a sharp insight, honestly.

[Definitely very surprised]

I don’t usually experience a lot of emotional highs and lows, even in general.

I don't get surprised easily.

Even when I am surprised,

it's just to this extent.

[Maximum expression of surprise, up to this level.]

That is so true, because you even greet people like this.

So the emotions.

It’s strange because my job requires me to express emotions,

but in my everyday life, I’m actually quite awkward when it comes to expressing myself.

Also I think that is why I found acting so enjoyable

Right, so people often say that your acting feels very restrained,

like you're just slightly ahead or behind the emotional beat.

That's what all actors want to achieve.

Slightly pressing down the extreme emotions like excitement,

and slightly lifting the low emotions such as sadness.

People say that those are the most fulfilling in the end.

You're naturally born with that, you are just gifted.

Well.

I can't express the emotions.

I'm just someone who can't do that

Not someone who does it well, but more like someone who can't.

Ah, it's a failure today.

Nothing is going as planned.

Hey, just have a meal before you go.

Ah, I know you are just being humble about it.

[Actually preparing the meal right away]

[Muttering to oneself] I'll just heat it for 5 minutes.

What?

No, no, no.

Not you haha.

Are you going to stay there for 5 minutes?

[In front of the oven for 5 minutes.]

Most of all, what you said.

[Unexpected Situation, Fairy Jae Hyung suddenly starts taking his arm out.]

[Dangling.] Is this too gross?

[Staring.]

I think it's a bit fascinating.

[Fairy Jae Hyung's unique ability to detach his own arm]

[It's hot in here.]

I thought it wouldn't come off completely.

[Back to the topic after detaching arm] Before it was aired, I watched it through once.

The role in Fight for My Way.

I couldn't believe you did such role.

It's the beginning of what I call the youth series by Seo Joon.

[The three youth series performed by Park Seo Jooon]

What I liked was that youth has bright side.

[Fight for My Way's fatal fighter, Ko Dong Man] but it also has that dark side.

Youths have something unresolved, yet to see the light.

Such concerns about themselves? Loneliness?

You portrayed those dark sides of youth

so brilliantly.

Those characters are like a comic book character,

but there are so many mature lines.

["I wasn't just pretending to be pretty, I was simply born pretty."]

[The writer who wrote 'Fight for My Way' wrote 'When the Camellia Blooms' as well.]

What's the most important thing for you when choosing a script?

To put it simply,

it obviously has to be interesting, and the character too.

I look for something I think I can do well.

and the character shouldn't overlap with the previous work too much.

To show a new side!

But in that 'Fight for My Way'

I see you worked with actor Woo Shik there too.

Woo Shik kind of helped me a lot.

Oh really?

We've worked together a lot, so in the case of Parasite,

Director Bong Joon Ho once asked Woo Shik,

"Woo Shik, who’s the person you want to crush the most?"

"Director, of course, it’s Park Seo Joon."

Oh really? Haha.

Of course, it was a joke.

But that story is so funny.

Asking who you'd most like to crush.

For me, it's Lee Juck.

The dark side of 'Fight for My Way' really seemed to become an asset for your character.

Which kind of led to success.

'Midnight Runners' was so funny.

You know, all our classmates just

want to crush each other, right?

It showed that chemistry where you could talk to each other like that.

So really, the work itself was critically acclaimed.

Plus, the director wrote the lines so amusingly.

And you brought it to life so well.

You know, this scene.

When you did this, wow.

Weren't we all the same? It reminded of high school.

- That proper childishness. - Yeah! That childishness is necessary.

I actually think comedy is the most difficult genre.

It is difficult, really difficult.

While watching comedy, you just laugh and do not think too much.

But I think acting in it is the hardest.

So I hold myselt, let's never try to be funny on purpose.

And let's not laugh out loud either.

But like you told me, your nickname is 'Hard working Joon'.

You work so hard.

Isn't it challenging to film action scenes?

There were lots of action scenes, right?

[Unexpectedly many action scenes in 'Midnight Runners'.]

Action scenes are really tough.

They said you even followed a car and exceeded it, causing a retake.

[At the time of 'Midnight Runners' filming, in a scene chasing a moving car]

[he actually caught up, causing a retake] Because the road was like this.

The car seemed to slow down a bit.

You ran so fast, and they said you actually got injured there.

But with action scenes, it happens all the time.

Are there injuries?

I think injuries are inevitable.

When doing action scenes,

I go there thinking, 'I hope I get hurt less this time'.

But you do coordinate the moves.

Yes, but you never know where you might get hurt though.

For example?

From a place you never even thought of.

Like suddenly getting hit by the tip of a knife.

Even if you approach it thinking 'let’s get hurt less'.

You'll still get hurt somehow?

Yes.

You seem to be this type.

Like when a mom says,

"Speak up, speak up! Why aren't you saying anything!"

"You need to speak for us to know you're in pain!"

And you are like, "No, I'm okay, really."

Actually, from what I know, I heard the injury was quite big.

Did your personality have something to do with wanting to become a baseball player originally?

So struggling with these challenges isn't tough for you, right?

But more than that, the beginning was difficult.

So I came to realize how precious these opportunities are.

I don't want to lose it

In the past, my goal was just, 'I wish I could act in even just one scene'.

And maybe 'I hope to become an actor who acts in as many scenes as possible'.

That was my goal.

But now,

there are so many people watching and so many expectations from people.

[Despite numerous injuries] On top of doing well,

[there is responsibility] It's now I have to take responsibility.

To take responsibility, you obviously have to do well.

But doing well is just the basic step.

It's basic and

now, you have to be lucky

You need luck to do well

or to do a little better

If you're super lucky, you might hit it big.

Do you feel that way about someone?

[Looking for another opportunity to tease him.] Do you know a friend you think survived on luck?

[Huh?] Survived on luck, you say?

I'd like to say it for your sake,

but honestly, there really isn't such a person.

There really is no one. It does not make sense at all.

It's true that luck has to help too,

but on top of luck, everyone survived because of their skill and talent.

As you said, you need luck,

and you also need an eye for good scripts and overall acting skills.

It's more like you need to be talented.

Right, everything needs to align well.

I don't know why, but I suddenly think of it as 70 percent luck, 30 spirit.

The spirit also needs to be good

Skill is a basic, definitely a basic.

You obivously have to do well.

Do you worry about what you need to accomplish next?

Uh.

Yes, recently, I’ve started to.

My age seems really ambiguous as an actor.

[How old are you?]

I'm now thirty...

Isn't it always awkward talking about age?

[Born in the Year of the Dragon, 1988.] I was born in 1988.

It's an age where choosing roles seems really ambiguous.

Going for a younger age does not seem quite right anymore.

But going for a role in their 40s I feel like I'm a bit too young for that.

So that's why I say my age feels somewhat ambiguous.

Right, it doesn't seem right for Park Seo Joon to play a married man yet.

Of course, there are plenty of married men at my age.

But these days, I think about wanting to navigate through this well.

One project takes a year.

How can I go through that year well.

But before that.

A brief explanation of the dish. What kind of food is this?

I've been enjoying this dish so much, but have no idea what it is.

- It looks so healthy, right? - It's so delicious.

It's called Endives au jambon.

Endive is something that looks like cabbage in a salad.

Wrap the endive with jambon, which is this ham right here.

[Endives au jambon]

[Seo Joon finished the whole dish] How did you build your career step by step,

from 'Midnight Runners' to 'Itaewon Class'.

Because Itaewon is our neighborhood here.

Didn't everyone have that hairstyle when it was aired?

[Number 1 male hair trend of 2020.] They wouldn't have been able to recognize you.

Honestly, it's hard to feel the popularity, because I am always

just stuck on some set, or somewhere.

I don't wander around much, so I was not really aware.

And for 'Itaewon Class,' COVID broke out in the middle.

So we had a really hard time finishing the filming Itaewon Class.

But in a way, the timing was perfect.

Netflix became really successful at that time.

Everyone was staying home and only watching TV.

While they were staying home and glued to their TVs,

luckily 'Itaewon Class' was airing right at that timing.

[Japanese version to be produced.] It was also extremely successful in Japan.

By chance, Japan likes revenge dramas.

Japan also has izakayas.

Many young people in Japan dream of opening a successful izakayas.

There are so many kids who dream about that.

So everything just aligned well.

But we did not plan it expecting all of that, right?

Just, the role was so good and the lines were so great.

And the message it tried to convey was clear.

And also I could try

such hairstyle.

Since it was developed from a web toon, I could try that hairstyle.

So for 'Itaewon Class,' soldiers loved it so much.

Thanks to you, my hairstyle, didn't look out of style.

People don't know I'm a soldier, things like that, haha

I'm so relieved.

When you keep looking at Seo Joon, there's something here.

He doesn't get overly excited.

Yeah, right, I don't get overly excited.

If things are going well, you can't hide the something like 'Oh, I'm looking good'.

Positive energy?

Oh, rather than positive energy. How should I say it?

Confidence?

But there's none of that at all.

[Calm.] He's always like that.

I was really curious about how nothing can make you you overly excited

But ironically, inside, it's very noisy.

Too many thoughts in my head.

But I just cannot express that.

There's so much noise inside.

When 'Itaewon Class' was doing so well

It must have been more special especially for you, when people said they are really enjoying it.

But as far as I know, I heard you actually struggled back then.

Yes, I often thought I wanted to quit instead.

Quit acting? Why?

Feeling like I couldn't do anything better.

Like I couldn't express anything better.

I felt like I ran out of bullets.

So being dominated by that thought,

it made me consider quitting acting.

I thought I should not be acting if I have such mindset.

Because it involves a lot of investment,

and many people's time and such.

If I can't do it with a good intention and good energy.

I thought that would be a bit disrespectful for all the others.

So I often thought of quitting.

During filming? Or after finishing filming?

During and continuously.

It seems like my energy gets depleted quickly.

Looking at that schedule, it's understandable why it would be like that.

And actually, once I decide to do a project,

I'm constantly engaged in it.

- Continuously thinking about it. - I know exactly how that feels.

Even unconsiously.

So the energy to hold onto it until it ends,

I think is really significant.

During that time, the project is my whole life to be honest.

But as the filming goes on for quite a long time,

my energy was just up to here,

and after using it all up,

is really painful.

Oh, I understand that feeling so well.

I endured it with a sense of responsibility.

Ironically, despite being under so much stress, Itaewon Class was very successful.

To be honest, there weren't many moments for me to enjoy its success.

Because I kept filming even after that.

Continuously, up to 'Gyeongseong Creature'.

I continued up to season 2

- Without a break? - Yes.

And since then, I haven't acted for

just over a year.

So now I really want to do it.

Because I took a break!

So that's why I've seen you so often at the bar for the past year?

Ah, yes!

When he's taking a break!

I really relate to this because,

we don't really know when to take a break, do we?

While I was composing the music for the drama 'The Atypical Family'

what I thought was,

'I'm not suited for such long-term work.'

After I read the script

It took me over two years

From the moment I thought to myself, 'I should do this'.

Really, constantly, like non-stop pushing

At the end, I was kind of

not able to make any decisions, disliking everything.

Disliking everything, not wanting to think about anything.

That's called burnout.

I think I experienced that too.

I can't define how I feel.

While many people are saying it's great and really praising it,

it felt like I'm not even there.

So after finishing 'Gyeongseong Creature', are you taking some rest now?

Yes.

So what do you want to do next?

Right now, I just want to do something, anything really.

[After resting, you always want to work again.]

So now, I'm thinking about what my next project should be.

Could you give a little clue to the writers watching right now?

[5 seconds before Park Seo Joon’s next project's open recruitment]

Now the clue is...

[Now I’m getting hesitant.]

Genre

I need to speak carefully.

Genre? Well, as for the genre, like I mentioned earlier.

Like I said before,

I want to play a role that's as different as possible from my previous ones.

[Thinking.]

I want to tell stories about people's lives.

In the past, I rather focused on the scale of the project.

But now I really want to try something more down to earth.

You just said, a drama!

And how about the scale?

Budget-wise?

[What?] Budget?

If I were to give a hint, it's a drama.

Not too big, humble.

I am music director Jung Jae Hyung.

I started with a fantasy movie,

I'm also very humble,

and down to earth.

[End of a random self-promotion.]

But after acting for such shows,

you suddenly went to film variety shows

with producer Na Young Seok?

How did you get persuaded?

Haha.

Na Young Seok

must have found you to be a very charming person.

How did you end up doing variety shows?

How did that happen?

[How did that happen?]

- How it started. - What was it?

Was it '2 Days & 1 Night'?

No, 'Youn's Kitchen 2'.

How did it happen with 'Youn's Kitchen 2'.

I found 'Youn's Kitchen' to be very entertaining.

After watching the whole season,

I was continuing my acting, working hard as always,

I got an offer to appear on 'Youn's Kitchen 2'

So it was really fascinating for me,

because it wasn't something I had been doing.

But since I was a fan of 'Youn's Kitchen'

Honestly, I was a bit scared.

Since it's not a familiar genre for me, and I was always a viewer.

And in a way, the public will be able to my real self, right?

My real self, not a character.

But that itself also feels very frustrating, you know?

I'd hardly ever been on talk shows.

The reason I couldn't go on them is

I felt like I had to amuse people or something.

Like I had to come up with something for the program's sake.

Poison.

[Bullseye!]

These days, people create shorts video with those 'poison'.

Those short, impactful moments.

I thought I couldn't do them, so I didn't.

But with 'Youn's Kitchen',

I really liked its slow vibe

and I watched very comfortably.

It was fascinating that there was no poison in the program, yet it make me kept watching.

And more than anything, the most attractive part was

going abroad and start a business?

Would I ever get to experience this in my life?

That was huge for me.

On top of that, when it comes to Na Young Seok, actually,

there's probably no one who wouldn't want to work with him.

I was so grateful that he reached out to me.

Honestly, until just before going to shoot 'Youn's Kitchen 2', I was so stressed,

even more than during my senior year in high school.

Because this wasn't the start of a new program.

It was season 2, and Youn Yuh Jung was there,

Lee Seo Jin and Jung Yu Mi,

joining them as the youngest, it's impossible to meet their expectations.

On top of that, I had to show my true self!

With all these pressures like, finding my role here.

Right, because the role isn't clearly defined.

I think that's the hardest part for the cast

It was an experience I had for the first time in my life.

You take a long flight to the shooting place.

On the way back, we needed to have a layover, but from there, it was a direct flight

And thankfully, they even upgraded me to first class.

So I was in first class,

but even in first class,

I sat like this, as if I were in economy class.

[Polite.]

As soon as I got on, I fell asleep, and when I opened my eyes,

we were landing.

[Closed eyes, opened, and told to get off] For over ten hours.

Seriously.

Just sitting in this position for so many hours.

And that is how much pressure I felt until it ended.

Were there any side of your true self, you didn't want to show the people?

I was always ashamed of my slow and clumsy way of speaking.

Even now, it's still awkward, but it used to be worse.

So I practiced pronunciation a lot.

And studied articulation quite a lot.

How was it in the past?

Back then, I always ended my sentences,

like this.

But that's really

a child's way of speaking, like little kids!

But I sounded like them so much, and I spoke very slowly.

But that's your charm, right?

And now this is me speaking faster.

It must have been hard to listen to me before.

Because I couldn't speak well.

That was a bit awkward, but honestly, going on a variety show

there is a burden in talking about myself.

But how did you say you wanted to come on Fairy Table?

First of all, I really enjoyed watching it, and people around me love it.

What did you enjoy watching?

[Detail Test] You'll be caught if you lie. What did you watch?

I watched the episodes with the actors.

Oh, you watched quite a bit?

[Okay, passed]

Surely there must be changes in you after doing a variety show.

Changes?

But surprisingly, it didn't feel like a variety show.

What was really amazing was

I thought since it’s a variety show, I should do something, but when I got there

I naturally became a restaurant staff.

I was not an actor but just a staff at a restaurant.

I was the youngest, and I had a lot of tasks.

I had to wake up the earliest

and go to bed the latest.

Naturally, you found on your role!

Should I say that I was immersed to the role? It just happens.

It's really funny.

What shows your personality there is

you learn cooking very diligently.

But luckily, it was fun!

You said you were so tired you just passed out for over ten hours.

Did you see me jogging every morning?

That was my only free time.

[Seo Joon takes a break by exercising] If I didn't do that.

Unlike dramas or such, the producer of a variety show

steps aside to bring out the character.

It must have been a very different experience from filming a movie.

It's so different, so it's fun.

So isn't it a bit creepy?

But now, after doing several seasons together,

[Was 'Fairy Table' always like this?]

You should have said, "It was a bit creepy" for the sake of our show.

It was a bit creepy.

[Not saying who.]

[Unusually happy.]

You showing yourself there was really loved by people.

It feels like you became quite close with people.

People don't think you're a difficult person anymore.

Ah, I think that's true

Because you had a bit of a wall.

Like, 'Never come into my space, and I won't enter yours either'.

That's the maturity of an oldest child,

And the steadiness for someone who was a professional athlete, those things combined.

I think you became really approachable through variety shows.

It actually feels that way.

A lot of brands reached out to me for ads.

But on the flip side, I was a bit disappointed because

no matter how intensely I act...

[I totally get that.]

Ads still seem to prefer variety shows over dramas.

[Ads prefer variety shows.]

What I felt on 'Infinity Challenge'!

After appearing on 'Infinity Challenge' and people recognized me so much.

It kind of made me think that 'Music isn't necessary at all.'

I studied music for 10 years,

but that was how I truly felt.

I hesitated about appearing on variety shows, but deciding to do it anyways,

then people welcome me too.

But I didn't really know that at the time.

If a person is charming,

their main job can also seem more appealing.

Now I joke about it like this,

but back then, it was really confusing.

When I was working hard on acting like this,

no advertisers contacted me.

But suddenly getting one ads suggestion every two days.

I thought, 'Does this even make sense?'

I got a bit serious and discussed it with people around me.

And they told me that because I'm doing a good job as an actor, I'm getting all these ads.

I hadn't thought that way.

I hope that's the case.

Oh, you quickly accepted it.

Because it is actually a happy worry when you look at it now.

It's a happy worry because

you can feel that people like you so much is through these ads.

So then, how was 'Gyeongseong Creature'?

It was another fantasy.

[Gyeongseong Creature, Seasons 1 and 2 simultaneously on Netflix's Top 10 list]

- What should we call that genre? - The genre?

[Released on 2024.9.27] The setting is historical.

['Gyeongseong Creature Season 2'] Creatures just appear, but actually

I think of it as a youth romance and survival story

During the film, the character I played also matures.

But I really wanted to work on a piece depicting that era.

Yes, exactly, that's it!

It's actually the same musically as well.

Historical dramas seem to be very appealing to everyone.

In a foreign place I didn't know well,

involving some history that happened there.

But it's actually a bit difficult because it's fantasy as well.

Because, for us, that period is really tough to address.

It's hard to address such history as a work of art.

But it expressed that so smoothly and well.

Now 'Gyeongseong Creature Season 2' is out.

How was it? How was it during filming?

First of all, it was really enjoyable and this time the director

was only three years older than me.

- Surprising. - Did you get along well?

It must have felt different communicating with a director so young.

And with So Hee as well.

It took some time for us to become close, but now we're very close.

Since we shot Season 2 after getting close.

Season 1 and Season 2 had different vibes.

But is that possible?

Can lead actors not be close from the start?

Well, for me.

Does it take some time?

It takes time.

I worried that I'll make a mistake if I speak too comfortably.

At first, but it's not that I intentionally try to keep a distance.

I'm quite shy.

Afraid of making mistakes?

What kind of mistakes?

Have you ever made any mistakes?

Just while talking.

If I get more passionate?

[Passion can't be stopped] Isn't that possible?

When it comes to passion, it's Park Seo Joon!

Your kissing scenes are actually very famous, right?

[Everyone faints at an unexpected talk drift]

People share your kissing scenes as clips.

I do those passionately too.

[The atmosphere heats up.]

Hold on, I'll prepare this for a moment.

You work out a lot too, don't you?

These days, not much, just regularly.

Why? Did you take a break from working out too?

I just didn't want to do it.

But you don't do anything other than weight lifting, right?

I've been playing golf these days.

I don't really do other things, just weight lifting and golf!

That's enough since I do them like 4 hours each.

[Looks delicious.] Looks delicious.

I was very curious about what that is.

[Thank you.] Thank you.

The cooking school in France is called Le Cordon Bleu.

I've heard of it.

- Are you taking a photo? - Yes!

[Photo time.]

Hye, try cutting it like this to see the cross-section.

Is this that crispy outside, tender inside thing?

[The chef in black and white stripes faints at the unexpected question.]

Thank you, I'll enjoy this meal.

[Thought Fairy Jae Hyung only shots poison.]

It's so delicious.

I really want to learn how to make this.

[If you want to know the Cordon Bleu recipe,]

[it's available in Park Seo Joon's episode of 'Fairy Recipe']

[The guest eats more deliciously than ever.]

And this is a mushroom sauce.

It's made with morels, a mushroom I love.

Bought it in Paris.

Personally.

[Bragging a little, quite funny.]

I like this density.

I only eat pound cake, because I like the dense texture.

It's totally my style.

It has dense texture but soft on the inside, right?

It's completely moist,

and this cheese

makes my mouth so happy.

Ah, right!

How was 'Concrete Utopia'?

I really like actor Lee Byung Hun.

It was the first time, right? Meeting actor Lee Byung Hun?

So at the company they said, "There's a project with Byung Hun,"

"There's a role in that project, do you want to see it?"

So I said, "I’ll definitely take a look!" and read it.

And it turned out to be director Uhm Tae Hwa.

I really like director Uhm Tae Hwa too.

The story was really interesting.

I really wanted to see how Byung Hun works on set.

Oh this story always comes up.

I was so curious.

'How does that person act so well?'

Along with that,

for me it always felt like I'm the one that drive the bus,

but this time it feels like I can just ride the bus.

Good metaphor!

'Ah, this opportunity is perfect!' and we started filming.

It's set in the near future, under disastrous situation.

It's set in extreme cold.

But actually we filmed in extreme heat.

[Surprised] This can be a downside for actors.

We have to portray winter.

In reality for us it was summer.

['Concrete Utopia' (2023)] You filmed it in summer? Wearing those clothes?

In the middle of summer!

We were already sweating this much before the shooting starts.

[Filming 'Concrete Utopia' in the middle of summer wearing padded jackets]

What did you learn from actor Lee Byung Hun?

He focused solely on acting.

He jokes a lot more than I thought.

Acting isn't just that!

He's not like that?

Not at all.

He is such a flexible actor!

Not that I’m in a position to judge him.

But when you watch him act,

you just know that he must have thought about this a lot.

But he's really fun.

Just in conversation, it's really fun.

Yeah, I heard he’s really cheerful.

And he has such great sense of humor.

I want to be that kind of person on set as well.

So I always doubted myself.

'Am I doing this right?'

Because you can't see how others do it on set.

Seeing Byung Hun, I felt,

confident?

I think I gained some confidence.

Ah, I'm on the right track.

It eased my mind! Creating enjoyable vibe.

So the acting might seem more natural because of that.

You start seeing more extreme sides.

It's really comfortable when a senior actor is on set, right?

So comfortable, very much so.

Is it more so as you get older?

These days, there aren't many seniors wherever I go.

But I'm so happy when they are there.

Your dream!

You've had enough rest, right?

You've recharged, haven't you?

To put it simply.

It's to be healthy!

Both physically and mentally.

Ah that's right.

Physical pain hurts a lot, but mental pain hurts even more, I think.

Yeah, that's really tough.

- But since it doesn’t show externally. - Yeah, the emotions.

Actually, mental health is really important.

So my friend Kang Min Kyung, who lives nearby

The prescription she received turned out to be my prescription too.

Min Kyung received advice to double her exercise routine.

You know what that means, right?

When I had burnout and things like that,

I was really just in that room all the time.

I was told to exercise twice or three times more.

Because there's no harm in that.

That's why I asked you why do you like exercise earlier.

There's no definite answer in our industry.

It's not like seniors have the answer, I don't think that's the case for us.

Also how you should live, there seems to be no answer to that either.

You took a year off and found your answer.

You've worked really hard until now.

You rested for quite a year, so now work hard.

Yes, now I’ll work hard again.

Do four projects a year!

[Pardon?]

Looking at you,

I think in several ways, you've definitely

made your youth deep and meaningful.

Doing variety shows, I think many people

must feel like they are maturing together with you.

Don't feel too pressured.

We'll always be by your side.

Like this all the time?

[Created by Fairy]

[Cast Park Seo Joon] That's so scary.

Like The Truman Show.

Thank you so much for coming here today.

I'm the one who should be thankful.

[Talking about him being a big fan of LactoFit.]

Oh? After drinking,

it feels like you're being more honest.

Ah, about LactoFit?

CKD Healthcare.

Then tell me that story too.

Which one?

The kiss! Why are all the kissing scenes.

Yes.

Why are they all such a hot topic?

[Seo Joon deeply pondering]

Am... am I good at it?

[Full of playfulness]

There it is. I shot the poison properly this time.

Shot the final poison

- Good-bye. - Handsome, definitely handsome.

But really, am I good at it..

Go, Seo Joon. Good-bye.