From the notorious 'national trash' in the drama 'The World of the Married' to a loving father in Netflix's 'The Accidental Narco', Park Hae-jun has showcased a wide range of characters. Now, he returns to the big screen with the film 'Humint'. Despite his villainous roles, Park maintains a straightforward approach, stating, 'If it's a good project, I'll do it.'
Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, 'Humint' tells the story of individuals with different motives clashing in Vladivostok. Park Hae-jun plays Hwang Chi-sung, the North Korean Consul General in Vladivostok.
Park expressed his excitement about the film's reception, saying, 'I had high expectations, and people have been saying it's a well-made film with no gaps. Just hearing that people enjoyed it makes me happy.' He added, 'It's great to see films like 'Humint' that are worth watching in theaters.'
Emphasizing the importance of theater viewing, Park stated, 'While some films don't necessarily need to be seen in theaters, this one is much better experienced on the big screen. It has qualities that can only be appreciated in a theater setting.'
Reflecting on his past role as a villain in 'The World of the Married', which earned him the nickname 'national trash', Park addressed questions about his evolving image. 'I want to keep showing change. It's not planned; if it's a good project, I just go for it,' he said.
Regarding his role as a loving father in 'The Accidental Narco', which moved audiences to tears, Park commented, 'Some say I became a villain too quickly, but I have no such plans. If the script is good and the working environment is great, I'm in.'
On playing a villain again in 'Humint', Park nonchalantly remarked, 'With Director Ryoo Seung-wan at the helm, being a villain is no big deal,' and laughed it off.
When asked if he expects a new nickname from this role, Park humorously replied, 'I didn't create all those nicknames. I hope people come up with something on their own. Maybe in a couple of weeks, something new will emerge.'
Asked if he feels suited to villain roles, Park answered, 'I don't have a desire to play villains specifically. If it's a good project, I'll do it.'
He candidly discussed his criteria for choosing scripts, saying, '(Jo) In-sung says he doesn't even read the script for Director Ryoo's projects. I do read them, but with Ryoo, the final product is always better than the script.'
Park added, 'With him, whether it's a small or big role, I trust that my character will be portrayed well.'
He explained, 'There are various criteria for a good project. It could be the environment or the excitement of filming. I don't want to overanalyze, but if there's even one good aspect, I lean towards that choice.'
Park also expressed his affection for co-star Jo In-sung, saying, 'In-sung has a big heart. His broad gaze in the final scene really anchors the film, and I loved it.'
He continued, 'Watching that scene, I felt like he was embracing us both on set and in the film, like a tall, supportive figure.'
'Humint' was released on the 11th.
Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr