Actor Park Jin-young Discusses His Role in 'Hi-Five' and His Journey as an Actor and Singer

"I wasn't anxious."

Actor Park Jin-young expressed his relief that the film 'Hi-Five,' which faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and casting risks with Yoo Ah-in, is finally reaching audiences. Filmed from June to November 2021, 'Hi-Five' is a comedic action film about five individuals who gain unique superpowers through organ transplants and encounter those who covet their abilities. Park Jin-young plays Young-chun, a cult leader who gains the power to absorb youth after a pancreas transplant.

"I vividly remember those times. It's nostalgic to think, 'I did it like that.' I'm happy to finally show this work. During that time, I went to the military, which made me healthier in body and mind. I was focused on military life, so I didn't feel anxious."

Known for playing good-natured characters, Park Jin-young admitted he was initially skeptical about being offered a villain role. "At first, I couldn't believe it," he said. "The director saw a different side of me and cast me, so I wanted to do my best and worked hard." He found the rejuvenated cult leader character "fun." The older Young-chun is played by Shin Goo, and Park Jin-young shared the role, feeling the pressure but striving to perform well.

"The director arranged a meeting with Shin Goo. He read all my lines and allowed me to record them. During practice, I mimicked his voice and tone, and during filming, I worked on making it my own. The director suggested adding my own color to the character to maintain its charm."

In the film, Young-chun showcases his powers on stage at a religious gathering, mesmerizing the audience. As a member of the idol group GOT7, Park Jin-young's stage experience aided his performance. "Having stage experience made it comfortable, and the audience wasn't intimidating. I approached it as a theater performance, focusing on projecting energy. I had to deliver unique religious lines authentically, so I learned from a theater director how to make difficult words sound genuine."

In the movie, Young-chun, who was once in a coma, rejuvenates and gains a muscular physique, revealing a 'king' character on his abdomen. Park Jin-young showcases his transformation through a shirtless scene. "I was hungry. It was my first extreme diet. The script described him as 'beast-like,' and I wanted the audience to feel his strength. For two and a half months, I ate chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, and sweet potatoes. I focused on how I looked on camera rather than weighing myself. After the shirtless scene, I ate immediately and got indigestion. I should have eaten porridge. Haha."

Park Jin-young is also receiving praise for his role in the drama 'Unknown Seoul.' He mentioned, "The filming for 'Unknown Seoul' wrapped up safely, and I'm discussing my next project with my agency." As a singer, he expressed a desire to create an album with new elements he hasn't tried before. "Just as I explore different characters as an actor, I want to present music to fans that they haven't heard from me yet." Amidst his busy schedule, Park Jin-young shared the superpower he wishes he had.

"Teleportation. It's tough spending an hour on Olympic Boulevard after work. It would be great to instantly go home and then to the set. Hahaha."

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr