TV
Actor Park Hee-soon Reflects on His Role in 'Judge Lee Han-young'
Park Hee-soon played the role of 'Kang Shin-jin', the Chief Criminal Judge at the Seoul Central District Court, in the MBC drama 'Judge Lee Han-young', which concluded on the 14th. He delivered a compelling performance as a ruthless and merciless power figure, showcasing intense confrontations with various characters through his piercing gaze and unwavering demeanor, creating a unique tension.
With his solid acting skills, Park Hee-soon brought to life the 'unprecedented villain' Kang Shin-jin, once again proving his irreplaceable presence through 'Judge Lee Han-young'. Here is an exclusive Q&A interview with Park Hee-soon, who demonstrated his undeniable talent in the series.
Q. How do you feel about wrapping up the drama 'Judge Lee Han-young'?
A. I'm pleased that we were able to conclude the series successfully. I would like to extend my gratitude to the fellow actors and staff.
Q. 'Kang Shin-jin' is a character at the pinnacle of judicial power, showcasing desires and distorted beliefs under the guise of justice. As the series concludes, how would you define 'Kang Shin-jin' as an actor?
A. I think Kang Shin-jin is a character who hides his desires behind the justice he claims. Outwardly, he appears to maintain order, but internally, he is a dangerous figure filled with a desire for control and distorted beliefs.
Q. 'Kang Shin-jin' is convinced of his righteousness. How far do you think this conviction pushed him?
A. I believe this conviction ultimately led to his self-destruction. He never doubted himself, ignored warnings, and inevitably headed towards ruin.
Q. 'Judge Lee Han-young' features various villainous characters, but 'Kang Shin-jin' creates an 'invisible fear'. What do you think sets 'Kang Shin-jin' apart from other villains?
A. The biggest distinction is that his distorted beliefs gradually solidify, blurring the lines between good and evil. This made him feel more unsettling and threatening.
Q. As the series progressed, Kang Shin-jin made more extreme choices. Was there a scene you found most immersive and challenging as an actor?
A. The scene where he impulsively kills Woo Kyo-hoon (played by Jeon Jin-ki) at Suo-jae. It was a momentary decision leading to irreversible consequences, which required a lot of thought on how to portray it.
Q. Everyday elements like food and dining scenes were used to reveal Kang Shin-jin's inner self. What did you focus on while acting these settings?
A. I saw 'eating' itself as an expression of desire for Kang Shin-jin. I wanted to naturally convey his emotional state and sense of power through his attitude towards food and dining scenes.
Q. Once again, your portrayal of a villain has been praised. What does 'Kang Shin-jin' mean to you as an actor?
A. He's an unprecedented villain. Even while acting, I thought, 'I couldn't easily forgive him myself.' (laughs)
Q. Lastly, any words for the viewers who loved 'Judge Lee Han-young'?
A. I sincerely thank all the viewers who stayed with us until the end. Thanks to your support, I was able to complete the character of Kang Shin-jin. I look forward to greeting you with a different character in the future.
Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr