[Dispatch=Reporter Kim Ji-ho] Actor Park Ji-hoon, known as a "ten-million viewer actor," has returned to his main line of work after a long time. Instead of the sorrowful gaze of Dangjong, he wore a sugar-high expression. He gave fans an unforgettable day.

Park Ji-hoon held "2026 Park Ji-hoon Fan Meeting, Same Place" at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on the 25th and 26th. The performance runtime was 2 hours. However, Park Ji-hoon spent approximately 3 hours with Mae (his fandom name), including the hi-bye session.

Three hours before the fan meeting started, the venue was already crowded with numerous fans. Fans laid down mats and gathered in small groups to chat. They turned on the lights of their light sticks, took verification shots, and exchanged goods with each other.

Park Ji-hoon's unwavering love for fans was impressive. When fans made requests, cuteness poured out on the spot. He learned challenges on the spot. When a fan handed him broccoli, he made a sullen expression while striking a cute pose.

"Seeing the fans makes me so happy. I usually don't get nervous, but (today) I did. Seeing you on stage feels so good. Even though we're in different places, I prepared this fan meeting with the mindset that we're always in the same place. (Park Ji-hoon)

He never stopped his love for Mae until the very end. Through the hi-bye session, he made eye contact with approximately 1,000 Mae fans individually. He fulfilled every request written on sketchbooks without exception. Even on his way out, he rolled down the car window and greeted the Mae fans.

'Dispatch' visited the heated fan meeting venue on the 25th.

◆ "Inviting you to Jihoon's Theater"

This fan meeting was held with a movie theater concept. The protagonist was Park Ji-hoon, and the audience was Mae. In "Beyond the Movie," behind-the-scenes scripts and photos from the film "A Man Who Lives with the King," which drew 16.65 million viewers as of the 25th, were released.

It was the nightmare scene of Lee Hong-wee. Photos of makeup with arrows stuck all over the body were displayed on the screen. This scene was edited out in the film. Park Ji-hoon said, "I was really immersed. It was during a long shooting period, and I thought I could definitely suffer from nightmares."

He transformed into Lee Hong-wee wearing a gonryongpo robe. He explained a scene where Lee Hong-wee, sitting in a sedan chair, fidgets with blue cloth. "I touched it with a feeling of unease, unable to face the people's eyes, and sorry to my people," he conveyed.

He also shared behind-the-scenes details from a scene where Um Hong-do (played by Yoo Hae-jin) tastes wild strawberries picked from a place swarming with snakes. In the film, Lee Hong-wee furrows his brow at Um Hong-do's exaggerated explanation. Was it because the snakes were gross? Or because he pitied the people? The answer was the latter.

"People who live in high places grew up with dignity through prepared meals. But for the village people, picking wild strawberries in such a dangerous place is everyday life. If bitten, they wouldn't even have herbal medicine... That was my sentiment."

◆ "The Cook Kang Seong-jae is also coming"

Park Ji-hoon's next project is tvN's "Cook: Becoming a Legend" (hereafter "Cook"). On this day, Park Ji-hoon also released several unreleased stills from "Cook." Viewers could see Kang Seong-jae's school days and military service stills.

Regarding Kang Seong-jae, Park Ji-hoon said, "There's a 5% sync rate between me and him. When given a task, there's the aspect of not giving up and needing to see something through to the end," adding, "Besides the visuals, everything else seems different. I'm not that good at cooking."

The character is actually far from his real personality. For example, when he worked hard at cooking but was told it wasn't delicious. Park Ji-hoon said, "I think Seong-jae would say 'I'm sorry. Let me try again,'" and "I would say 'Oh well, I put in the effort, so please try a bit.'"

What if a superior treated him unfairly? Park Ji-hoon said, "I think Seong-jae would stay silent, hold it in alone, and then request a transfer," adding, "I think in the military, (you) have to follow orders."

"Cook" is a light comic drama anyone can watch. Park Ji-hoon said, "The comic scenes in the teaser video were also ad-libs not in the script," hoping "you'll find it healing and laugh a lot while watching."

◆ "A ten-million actor, but a thousand-year stone"

Park Ji-hoon showcased 3 songs on this day. For the opening song, he chose "360," released in 2019. A mature and dreamy song. Park Ji-hoon's disciplined performance and languid voice were charming.

The second song was "Would You..." Park Ji-hoon's signature love confession song. Park Ji-hoon held a stand microphone and sang a serenade to the Mae fans. Midway through the song, an extremely deep rap that shifted the mood was sweet.

The song fans most anticipated was "Bodyelse," which closed the show. "Bodyelse" is the title track of his first single album "Reflect," set to be released on the 29th. Park Ji-hoon presented the stage of the new song first to Mae before its official release.

He said, "The reason I can move is because of you, Mae. I won't forget your heart either, and I will always remain unchanged in the same place, walking my path quietly," adding, "I prepared the 'Bodyelse' stage to keep this promise," bringing emotional responses.

"Bodyelse" was a refreshing, Pocari Sweat-like emotional song. The repeating hook "Bodyelse" lingered in listeners' ears. Cute and lively choreography like boxing was a standout point. Fans waved their light sticks and sent enthusiastic cheers.

◆ "King of fan service"

Park Ji-hoon was the king of fan service. When wearing the gonryongpo robe, requests for a line kept coming. Park Ji-hoon said, "I'm too happy to express that emotion," but collected himself. He shouted loudly. Fans also got to see the gonryongpo version performance twice.

In the "2026 Remastering Re-release" corner, he showcased the 2026 version performance. It was a sexy and charismatic choreography. When he lay flat on the floor and did a wave, screams erupted from the audience.

He also reprised lines from his child actor days. He said a line cutely. He learned the "Hate" challenge on the spot. He also attempted the Kim Sun-ho smile challenge from another project.

Photo time was very stone-like. He attached animal ears and tails and posed. He created a cannon camera time using props fans casually handed him, including broccoli, headbands, and plushies.

Park Ji-hoon said, "It was so much fun. It felt like something was released," adding, "There hadn't been much interaction (with fans) for a while, so I think I was looking forward to this time too. I feel happiness the most when working during moments like this. I'm really grateful."

Below are love confessions from Mae fans met at the fan meeting on the 25th.

"I fell for Park Ji-hoon after watching A Man Who Lives with the King. I kept searching for videos. Park Ji-hoon is considerate, polite, and genuine. Besides his face, his character is even better. He's an actor with good character. I can't help but like him." (Jung Jin-i, 44/Gwangju, Gyeonggi)

"After watching A Man Who Lives with the King, I searched for behind-the-scenes stories about the film. I was moved by Ji-hun's attitude toward fans in interviews and stage greeting videos. He's good at acting and as an idol, and he has talent, but I think his character is even better. He seems kinder and more serious than his peers, and I like that aspect too." (Cho Mi-sun, 41/Gyeonggi)

"I became a fan because of Park Ji-hoon's eyes in A Man Who Lives with the King. He has charisma. And his face is so, so handsome. I don't have a ticket today, so I came to see him on the way to and from work!" (Nickname 'Eung-ae Ji-hoon', 23/Masan, South Gyeongsang)

"Ji-hun is so cute and sexy, with a charm I can't express in words. His love for fans is also huge. I think I fell for his polite manner. I'm not at the 'same place,' but at an 'empty place,' yet I came to cheer him on in the same space." (Nickname '529 Hun-jiya', 34)

"I became a fan during Produce 101. Ji-hun is so cute. Personally, my favorite work by Ji-hun is 'Fantasy Romance.' I watched it thinking Ji-hun also has masculinity. Ji-hun! (Your) hyung always cheers for and loves you!" (Nickname 'Nabi'/Seoul)

"We all came from Hong Kong. We're friends who love Ji-hun. Ji-hun is so cute, handsome, and lovely. Ji-hun is an artist who makes us feel like we're growing together with him." (Kanam, Pony, Anita/Hong Kong)

<Photo=Dispatch DB>