Park Seo Joon on how he brings his characters to life and what he thinks of the 'PSJ effect'
When it comes to South Korean heartthrobs, Park Seo Joon will always be on the list (at least for us). This oppa stole the hearts of many from the moment he introduced his good-looking face in the music video of Bang Yong-Guk's I Remember in 2011. From then, he has grown to be one of the most popular actors of his generation.
Seo Joon, who is the ambassador of IAM Worldwide, recently met with the press before his much-awaited Manila fan meet last Oct. 14. During which, he reflected on his journey as an actor and gave a bit of advice to his younger self.
“If I remember myself during those years, I was having a very hard time because I really had a vague future,” he shared through a translator. “But if I have the chance to give advice to myself, my 18-year-old self, I would say that if you just do your best, it will all work out. However, even though everything will work out, I hope you will never lose your own self.”
Having starred in many films and dramas of different genres, the seasoned actor explained his approach to character building and what he does to deliver authentic performances.
“I first try to look and take all of the information I can get from that. However, once I see some missing spots as an actor, I think it's my responsibility to fill it up myself,” he shared.
To illustrate his point, Seo Joon used the role of a doctor, saying, “For me as an actor, it is my responsibility to try to think what processes are and how this doctor [should be] and what he went through. So this is what I think about in this scenario.”
This was entirely true when he played the role of a resilient former convict-turned-businessman Park Saeroyi in Itaewon Class (2020), a narcissistic chaebol Lee Yong-joon in What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? (2018), or a professional soccer player Yoon Hong Dae in the film Dream (2023), to name a few.
Whatever his role was, Seo Joon could deliver, which is why his fans love him.
@philstarlife Park Seo Joon was all smiles at the Manila press conference, sharing his overwhelming excitement about meeting his Filipino fans! #parkseojoon #parkseojooninmanila #hallyutalkph #celebritynewsph ♬ original sound - philstarlife
When asked if he realized how big of a star he is in the Philippines, he said he “cannot grasp” the idea of it and that he was very surprised to see a crowd at the airport.
“I was very surprised when I arrived at the airport but I can truly say that I cannot grasp the scale of how big I am here. But being able to see how everyone is welcome makes me happy,” he said.
“I can really say that the reason why I'm able to stand and sit here with you is for my opportunity to meet my fans once again,” the South Korean actor added.
Throughout the conversation, Seo Joon talked about his adoration for his fans.
“One thing that I'm sure [of] is I can never forget the faces of my fans when it's the first time to be able to meet them, and the time we get to say goodbye, and wish for the next time we meet again.”
Seo Joon’s visit to the Philippines was short but sweet, but we’ll be seeing more of him this year on television as he is set to make his Hollywood debut for The Marvels in November and Gyeongseong Creature in December.
Who knows? He might even visit the country again next time! He shared that if given a chance to go around in the Philippines, he said he would “love to visit different tourist or vacation spots” and go on a vacation where he could “empty my mind.”
“I think the most important vacation is the ability to easily to empty your mind,” he shared. “It would be best for me to have a vacation where I get to empty my mind.”