By ALL | Marie Claire Korea
Park Hyungsik, the actor from Doctor Slump, continues his journey
He doesn’t back down in the face of hopelessness. Even when the path is unclear, he keeps going. Actor Park Hyungsik continues to move forward with unwavering determination.
The drama Doctor Slump starts in a week, and I think this is the most nerve-wracking time for an actor. All I can do is patiently look forward to it.
I met the director the other day during a post-recording session. I got a brief preview at that time, but I told him, “No, I’m going to watch it live.” Even though it’s a drama I’ve been involved in, I want to enjoy it as a viewer too. The tension is high because I have a lot of affection for this work, but the excitement outweighs the anxiety.
Did your affection for the work come through in the script, or did it develop during filming?
The script was captivating, and its themes deeply moved me. It tells the story of overcoming a slump, and as I read it, I felt comforted without even realizing it. Everyone goes through moments of doubt, wondering, “Is it just me? Everyone else seems to be doing well.” This drama reassures us that everyone experiences pain, big or small, and that we’re never alone in our struggles. Most importantly, the way it addressed this theme with humor was crucial for me. It’s a drama that makes you laugh while you watch.
It’s amazing how overcoming a slump and experiencing joy can go hand in hand.
I played Jeongwoo, a very positive person who tries to smile even in the face of despair. At first, I was a bit puzzled. The crisis Jeongwoo faces is so immense that an ordinary person might not be able to cope, yet he tries to smile nonetheless. I wondered if this was a form of relaxation or an attempt to turn a blind eye. As I delved deeper into his character, I realized that his positivity was a way to protect his body and mind from falling into deeper depression. He is someone who keeps building a wall of positivity before the waves hit.
Isn’t actor Park Hyungsik also doing well? I guess there wasn’t much of a gap with Jeongwoo.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure, too. But… (laughs)
Isn’t it as good as Jeongwoo’s?
I didn’t find it funny, but I refuse to get caught up in a crisis. If you’re stuck in it, it drags you down and spreads negative energy to others, which I can’t stand. So I push myself by thinking, ‘What are you going to do? Make a decision. Act now.’ (laughs)
I noticed the expression “cardiopulmonary resuscitator” in the introduction to the drama. Whether it’s a slump or burnout, the most important thing when facing a crisis is to breathe well. That’s why you need someone who can breathe comfortably or regulate their breathing.
It’s absolutely necessary. Jeongwoo is a strong person, but sometimes he relies on others to catch his breath. Watching him made me wonder who can help me catch mine.
Have you found the answer?
I consider them my friends. I met them in elementary school, and we’ve been together ever since. We bonded while working with my childhood friends who know everything about me. They always protect me. These are powerful people, and I believe I’m less vulnerable because of them.
Do you play the same role with your friends?
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Yeah, I guess so. If I hadn’t taken it, I would’ve let myself down. What’s the point, right? (laughs)
Q: In the video content before the interview, you mentioned that you gained a lot from appearing in Doctor Slump and playing Jeongwoo. What did you learn and gain from this experience?
First of all, there were several instances when I was pleasantly surprised while acting alongside my counterpart, Park Shinhye, especially during scenes involving tears. Achieving deep immersion is crucial in such moments — you need thorough preparation to reach the required emotional state. However, when the director called ‘Action,’ tears would instantly well up in her eyes. Her ability to immerse herself so quickly was truly amazing. Although I didn’t show it outwardly, I couldn’t help but applaud internally. I learned a great deal from the director about guiding scenes to flow smoothly and harmoniously under any circumstances. As I observed, I picked up several techniques to achieve this myself.
Haven’t you already learned how to make the scene pleasant? Han Hyojoo once said that you, in the drama Happiness, are an actor who lights up the scene. Actor Jeon Soni, who played opposite you in Our Blooming Youth, mentioned that you never get distracted or annoyed, even on days when you’re tired or things don’t go as planned.
It’s not intentional. (laughs) I’m grateful that everyone sees me as energetic. I believe there’s a significant difference in the outcome when it comes to influencing the atmosphere on the field. It’s about genuinely conveying affection rather than merely going through the motions. I’m confident that it makes a difference. Besides, since this is something I enjoy, I naturally find happiness in doing it.
It wasn’t intentional. You initiated it because you enjoyed it, but maintaining that affection for the long term won’t be easy.
Whenever I’m asked this question, I always say that I still don’t think I’ve fully grown up.
Have you ever experienced a slump or burnout similar to what Jeongwoo went through while working?
Of course there is. Right now, there’s a shift in physical strength. In the past, even when filming until dawn, I used to ask, ‘What’s the next scene?’ (laughs) I didn’t realize it then, but I also faced moments of mental crisis. Sometimes, things felt overwhelming, and I remember moments when my jaw felt tightly clenched. Back then, I was simply flustered, trying to move forward somehow. Looking back, I now realize I was experiencing burnout for quite some time. After 14 years of nonstop activity, except for my enlistment period, it feels like I had no choice but to go through it. The most exhausting part was starting as a trainee in high school and spending well over 10 years struggling since my debut at 20. Now in my 30s, it feels like a new beginning. (laughs) I no longer have the energy to burst into a nosebleed, so how do I start anew? Have I lost my passion? I felt lost for a while, unable to see the way forward, but I decided to move forward regardless. Strangely enough, it led me back to where I am now.
What motivates you to act now? Are you still passionate about your work
Whenever I engage in activities in the field, I feel truly alive. During these times, actors often ask, “Should we do it like this?” The process of piecing things together step by step, experimenting with phrases like “Let me try this here,” feels like a game to me. I continue doing it because I find joy in the process. Despite my love for the work, I sometimes feel uncertain when it’s assigned to me. It’s a recurring pattern of “Oh, I’m not sure,” yet when I’m on set, I dive in as if I’ve done it countless times before. This was my experience during Doctor Slump. Initially, I found it challenging, but it turned out to be quite enjoyable. The energy on set was infectious, often leading to spontaneous laughter. Particularly memorable was the scene involving ‘Haneul’ (Park Shinhye) and her family, which was executed exceptionally well. One day, while filming a scene where we were grilling pork belly, they casually remarked, “You guys focus on filming; we’ll just stay here,” and began eating. It wasn’t clear if this was part of the scene or real life, but it was a delightful gesture nonetheless.
You mentioned that putting a lot of affection into it makes a difference. I believe the drama scene was brimming with that affection.
I deeply care about it. However, we are uncertain about the outcome. Nonetheless, it holds significant meaning and value. I believe that’s what matters most.
When did you first realize the joy of the process? Was it right from the beginning?
Oh, I didn’t know anything at first. It was a very brief minor role, and I had zero acting experience back then. Just a month or two before starting, my agency urgently asked me to take acting lessons. Even the acting teacher seemed a bit embarrassed by my lack of experience.
It’s like private tutoring. (laughs)
That’s right. Initially, I didn’t have much time to start from the basics, so he simply said, ‘Do this.’ It worked best for both of us at the time, so we headed to the scene and followed the teacher’s instructions. However, the director gave another directive: ‘Oh… When I ask, “Should I do it like this?” and you say, “Yes!” — deep down, I know there’s only one way to do it.’ (laughs) Encountering this prompted me to delve deeper into studying it myself. I began by reading books and randomly choosing works to read. Then, in the drama special series Sirius, I took on the challenge of playing a single role and gained valuable experience. About three years later, I appeared in the dramas Hwarang and High Society, which helped clarify my approach to scene processing. It took quite some time to fully grasp the process.
There’s joy in breaking down a wall that seemed hopeless. That would be a pleasure.
I’m becoming increasingly greedy. I think I’ll try that next time. I’m considering doing this.
There’s no such thing as ‘I can’t do it,’ right? There’s only ‘I’ll find a way to do it.’
It’s more like saying, ‘I can see the gap. I think I can do something about this?’
Some parts of the translation have been paraphrased to better fit spoken English and improve readability while still conveying the meaning and nuances of the original context as accurately as possible. Please refer to the original article for further details.
