[Dispatch=Lee Ajin Reporter] "The time spent researching a character, observing, putting myself in their shoes, and studying. That itself is interesting." (Park Jihoon)

Park Jihoon made his entertainment industry debut in the 2006 drama 'Jumong' as the son of a salt merchant. He later appeared in supporting roles in 'The King and I' (2007) and 'Eul-ji-mae' (2008). He built a foundation in acting from a young age.

The boy who grew up this way created a syndrome in the music industry. In 'Produce 101 Season 2,' he captured the public's heart with a single wink. He even created a viral phrase: "Save it in my heart." With support from a global fanbase, he emerged as a popular idol.

He did not settle for popularity. Following his idol career, he began walking the path of an actor. He opened possibilities as an actor through romantic comedy dramas and then flawlessly handled genre works. He completely shed the idol label.

Behind this lay his passion for acting. He gave variations to characters in each work and developed his craft. By impressing the public with his distinctive gaze, he finally rose to the ranks of a ten-million-viewer actor.

'Dispatch' reviewed Park Jihoon's acting career.

◆ "The Beautiful Man's Challenge"

Park Jihoon's greatest weapon is his eyes. They convey a range from pure and endearing warmth to dark and melancholic emotion. When Wanna One reached its peak in popularity, many film and drama industry figures took note of that gaze.

A staff member who handled marketing for 'Weak Hero' praised him, saying, "I thought from audition programs that he was an excellent prospect as an actor. Probably many producers felt the same way," and added, "He's fundamentally pure and clear, but there's depth in his gaze."

He cited actor Lee Byung-hun's eyes as an example. "The reason Lee Byung-hun's acting is on another level is his gaze. When he speaks with his eyes, everyone is convinced," and added, "Park Jihoon has the same kind of eyes as Lee Byung-hun."

Park Jihoon began his full-fledged acting career with roles that capitalized on his idol-era charm. These included Ko Young-soo in 'The Flower Crew: Joseon Love Story' (2019) and Gong Ju-young in 'Love Revolution' (2020). He displayed coy yet sharp and cunning acting based on aegyo.

He did not stop there. He immediately chose 'Blue Spring' (2021). He began depicting deeper narratives. The college student Yeo-jun was a character requiring complex inner depths. This was because he wore a thoroughly bright, smiling mask to hide the trauma of domestic violence.

Park Jihoon focused on Yeo-jun's hidden side. He delved into concealed trauma, deprivation, and anger. Particularly at the bungee-jumping moment, he revealed a chill in his eyes over his bright face. He delicately grasped Yeo-jun's flaw—his inability to feel ordinary emotions even before a frightening challenge.

◆ "Removing the Idol Label"

That gaze led to the casting of 'Weak Hero Class 1' (2022). Park Jihoon developed his strengths decisively to remove the idol label. He became a voluntary outsider Yeon Sieun himself.

In the early episodes, he expressed the emptiness and sensitivity from an unstable home environment. As he grew closer to his friends, vitality began to appear in his gaze. He made the audience understand how important his friends were to Yeon Sieun's life, clearly conveying the drama's narrative.

When his friend An Su-ho (played by Choi Hyun-wook) fell into a coma, Yeon Sieun completely lost his composure. He uncontrollably slapped his own cheeks and rampaged. As Yeon Sieun shed his self-loathing and anger with his whole body, Park Jihoon likewise burned through the maximum range of emotion he could express. It was the moment he firmly impressed 'actor Park Jihoon' upon the public.

A staff member from 'Weak Hero' recalled, "In the latter half of Episode 1, in the scene where he beats a classmate with a book, his face became relentlessly taut due to his wicked expression. But Park Jihoon didn't mind his face being damaged. Even during poster shoots, he was cool about it. He didn't even make the typical retouching requests."

Park Jihoon continued to expand his spectrum. He began knocking on the screen with independent films. In 'The World is Beautiful, Audrey' (2024), he expressed the complex emotions of a son with a dementia-stricken mother in a plain yet sorrowful tone.

In 'Fantasia' (2024), he took on a dual personality. He completely differentiated his voice and pronunciation, alternating between opposite personality types. He threw himself into action training. Using this as a springboard, he showcased weighty fight scenes in 'Weak Hero 2' (2025).

◆ "Transcending Limits"

As his acting depth accumulated in multiple directions, his heyday opened. Park Jihoon played the tragic King Danjong in the film 'The Man Living with the King' (2026). He presented the young king with sparse historical records through his own interpretation. He first lost 15 kg to complete an emaciated and gaunt appearance.

He meticulously refined his voice tone. His breathing in the very early scenes was depicted as precarious. As he met collaborators in his place of exile, he gradually grasped a firmer tone. He sprinkled in the energy unique to a boy king at intervals. Facing death, he unleashed the commanding voice of a stern monarch.

He added his signature eye-acting on top of this. However, its texture differed from previous works. It was not fear of domestic violence. It was not the desolation of losing a friend. Within the despair of a monarch stripped of everything, he simultaneously conveyed the poignancy of a fearful boy.

His acting moved audiences' hearts. Praise poured in from critics, audiences, and the industry alike. Park Jihoon received the 'Best New Male Actor in Film' award at the Baeksang Arts Awards. He proved his presence as a lead actor in commercial films beyond dramas, ushering in the Park Jihoon era.

The reason Park Jihoon's trajectory is even more intriguing is because he has established his own unique field. In fact, Park Jihoon is not an actor who showcases the model-like physique that is recent trend. Yet he turned this to his advantage, integrating it with character narrative.

Instead of melodrama, he threw himself into genre works. For example, Yeon Sieun, who suppresses large perpetrators with venom and strategy. This character was possible because of Park Jihoon. Danjong too was given a frail physique, maximizing the tragedy of life circumstances.

◆ "Transformation Continues"

The next project revealed after 'The Man Living with the King' is also an excellent choice. In 'Becoming a Cook's Legend' (2026), he displayed B-grade humor. He immediately shifted 180 degrees from his melancholic image. He danced folk dances naturally, wore seaweed clothing, and even pulled off grandmother makeup.

That's not all. With his gaze, he created another chilling acting point. The game rendering is precisely that. Park Jihoon acts while looking into empty space under the assumption that a game window floats before his eyes. He reads the game window or touches buttons.

Remarkably, Park Jihoon's acting permits not the slightest bit of discord. With precise gaze handling, he accurately tracks text on screen. He flawlessly absorbed the unique grammar of webtoon source material.

Park Jihoon is also loved for his on-set attitude. An industry staff member who observed him said, "I get the impression of a diligent student with high scholarly enthusiasm. He has sense and intelligence, but is unassuming and humble. He's not finicky," and relayed, "Good stories come out from every set."

Based on innate talent, he transforms infinitely. He shows no fear of variation or concern about being damaged. It is also remarkable to see him grow one step at a time with each project. This is why his next persona is already anticipated.

<Photo sources=JTBC, KakaoTV, KBS-2TV, Playlist, BCM Backus Media, Showbox, tvN>