The play Life of Pi faced an unexpected cancellation on the 10th of last month due to technical issues with the lighting. The announcement came just five minutes before the show was set to begin, leaving 1,200 audience members disappointed. At the time, actor Park Jeong-min, 39, was scheduled to perform. The incident led to a wave of complaints from the audience, and while the production company issued an apology and promised a “110% refund,” the backlash continued.
In response, Park Jeong-min took it upon himself to address the situation directly. He personally wrote and posted a 1,000-character apology letter, despite advice from those around him that it wasn’t necessary. He explained, “They came to see me.” In his letter, he repeated “I am sincerely sorry” three times and pledged to organize a special performance. True to his word, five days later, he took the stage twice in one day. For an actor required to perform intensely for 140 minutes straight, this was no small feat.
In a recent interview, Park Jeong-min shared his thoughts on the experience. “The sincerity of the team members who joined the additional performance gave me strength,” he said. “I was able to finish well because I wanted to help them shine even more.”
Park Jeong-min has been a subject of public discussion since last November, when he delivered a memorable “Good Goodbye” performance at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. When asked if excessive media and public attention had contributed to the controversy, he responded, “Even if there are some misunderstandings, I try to accept them.” He added, “People don’t like me, but a different version of Park Jeong-min that I created. If people knew me to the bone, would they like me so much?”
When questioned about whether the “fake Park Jeong-min” might overshadow the real one, he admitted, “What makes me anxious isn’t popularity or attention, but myself. I’m afraid I might fail to control myself and fall short of my standards.” His standards are almost perfectionist. Lowering them would reduce anxiety, but he has no intention of doing so. “I believe actors must set their standards as high as possible to satisfy the public. I have to meet them somehow.”
Last year, Park Jeong-min took a break from acting. Yet, he was busier than ever. His publisher, Muje, received much love, and the film Face, in which he appeared for a “0 Korean won guarantee,” was a box office success. “I wanted to rest because I felt like I was just getting by, but being busy allowed me to collect new emotions and stimuli,” he said. “I think I’m entering a different trajectory and changing appropriately.”
This “appropriate change” also became evident during the filming of Humint, where he played a North Korean security officer. “In the past, I would have followed Jo In-sung around the set, but during Humint, I thought, ‘I can’t burden just my senior.’ Buying meals for the younger actors and looking out for them made me feel the weight of responsibility anew.”
Park Jeong-min called Humint “the most special film I’ve been in.” This is partly because it’s a Ryu Seung-wan film. Director Ryu cast Park in the 2014 film Sinchon Zombie Manhwa’s “Ghost” episode when Park was unknown. “Director Ryu wanted to write for Park Jeong-min because he liked him,” Park said. “Director Ryu recognized my value when I was nothing, and I can’t help but be grateful always.”
Park separates his characters from his real self when acting. However, Humint’s three-month shoot in Latvia made it hard to detach the character from daily life. Even he, recognized for his acting skills, had a moment of weakness near the end. “It was a simple action, but my limbs moved on its own,” he said. “I felt ashamed for disappointing the director.” After returning to his lodging, dejected, Director Ryu sent him a text: “You’re doing great right now.” Park Jeong-min teared up upon reading it and filmed well the next day.
A cold overwhelmed Park as the promotional schedule for the play and Humint overlapped. During this interview, his voice was hoarse, and his face looked gaunt, yet he actively answered, saying, “Ask me anything for the work.” He said, “It was my first time pouring everything into a shoot for Humint,” and “When I meet Humint audiences at theaters, emotions well up, and I have to steady myself.”
Life of Pi will begin its Busan performances on the 7th. The 15th will be his final show. After that, he has no confirmed schedules for films, dramas, or performances. This is a different approach from other actors who grab any project when their “stock price” rises. “I think about turning 40,” he said. “After the play, I plan to take a break.” “When I was 19, the seniors in my theater group looked like uncles, and now I’m that age. I might not be able to act much longer, and I’m not sure how long I’ll stay interested in this work. I want to think calmly.”
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55000원 상당의 신문-잡지 8종 마음껏 보기, 조선멤버십
현금처럼 쓸 7000포인트 받아 알뜰한 쇼핑, 조선멤버십
