Actor Park Jung-min shared his thoughts on working with Shin Se-kyung in the film 'Humint' (directed by Ryu Seung-wan) and his perspective on romantic acting. He also opened up about his own dating experiences.
Recently, Park Jung-min was interviewed at a café in Sogyeok-dong, Seoul, where he discussed his role in 'Humint.' The film is set in Vladivostok, where secrets and truths are submerged in the icy sea, and features characters with different motives clashing. Park plays Park Geon, a security officer dispatched to Vladivostok, who risks everything to save his former fiancée, Chae Sun-hwa (played by Shin Se-kyung). The role required intense action sequences as well as deep emotional performances.
On working with Shin Se-kyung, Park Jung-min remarked, "Shin Se-kyung has a magical power. There's a force that comes out when she embodies a character, through her eyes and voice."
Park recalled, "I first felt it while taking prop photos." Before filming began, the two actors took couple-themed photos at a university in Korea. "We were awkward at first, but we had to pose as a couple," he said. "Se-kyung, being a veteran, led the way naturally."
The overseas location shoot in Riga, Latvia, brought them closer. Park reflected, "In Latvia, spending time together as a group helped her open up, and we became comfortable with each other." He added, "Once we were comfortable, it was much more natural in front of the camera, and I saw Se-kyung's charm shine through."
Park emphasized that much of the romantic scenes' success was due to Shin Se-kyung's influence. "The scenes with Se-kyung were largely thanks to her. I had to express a love I hadn't acted out much before, and she guided me well," he said.
Park Jung-min also made headlines with his performance alongside Hwasa at an awards ceremony. Having played her ex-boyfriend in the music video for 'Good Goodbye,' he delivered a sweet performance with her on stage. In 'Humint,' he again plays an ex-boyfriend, earning him the title of 'national ex-boyfriend.' Reflecting on his own dating history, Park shared, "I've never ghosted or been ghosted. I've experienced many breakups, and those memories are ingrained in me. There are so many forms of breakups," he laughed.
Park named 'The Letter' (1997) as the most memorable romantic film from his childhood. The film tells the story of a terminally ill protagonist leaving letters for his beloved wife. "I cried my eyes out watching it. I think that was the last time I cried so much over a romantic film," he recalled.
He also enjoyed 'Christmas in August' and 'You Are My Sunshine.' 'Christmas in August' features Hwang Jung-min, a senior from the same agency and a frequent collaborator. "Come to think of it, Jung-min has done a lot of romance films. It gives me courage," Park said with a smile.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr