Park Ji-hoon Opens Up About Childhood Bullying on 'Salon Drip'

Park Ji-hoon revealed his childhood experiences with bullying on 'Salon Drip'.

On the 20th, the YouTube variety show 'Salon Drip', hosted by Jang Do-yeon, featured actors Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon from 'The Man Living with the King'.

During the show, Yoo Hae-jin praised his junior, Park Ji-hoon. He remarked, "Ji-hoon has a genuine sincerity, not a calculated friendliness. He is a straightforward person," adding, "Even when director Jang Hang-jun invited him to the Jecheon Film Festival, he didn't make empty promises. He doesn't say things he can't commit to," commending his eloquence.

Park Ji-hoon, who played the role of Danjong in 'The Man Living with the King', surprised everyone by revealing, "I lost 15kg over two months for the role." After filming 'Weak Hero', he gained weight during his break, and Yoo Hae-jin noted, "Danjong should look gaunt in exile, but he had gained weight. However, seeing him lose it all for the shoot made me trust his acting and his words."

Yoo Hae-jin described Park Ji-hoon as "a truly good friend" and added, "I didn't know he started as a child actor, but it seems he has built his career well."

When asked if he watches the "Tear Battle with GD" videos suggested by YouTube's algorithm, Park Ji-hoon replied, "I do watch them. I wonder, 'How did I cry so well?'" He then shared, "I didn't have many friends during my school days. Being from Masan, I had a strong accent and was overweight, so I was teased for being on TV despite my size. I thought my way of speaking was why people didn't want to be friends with me," evoking sympathy.

Regarding the 'Cafeteria Dance Battle' video filmed during his time at an arts high school, Park Ji-hoon humorously pleaded, "I wanted to win a cafeteria pass as a trainee, but of course, I didn't win. Please delete it," bringing laughter.

By Eun Jung Kim, TenAsia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr