[Interview] Park Ji-hoon on Going From Danjong to a Military Cook, and From Rookie to Midlevel Status as an Actor

※〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉 actor Park Ji-hoon's interview continues from Part 1.

〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉 features many well-known comedic actors. In particular, the chemistry with Lee Hong-nae, who plays Sergeant Yoon Dong-hyun, stood out. How did you get along with Lee Hong-nae — and with other cast members such as Yoon Kyung-ho?

I think I clicked with Lee Hong-nae really quickly. After all, he was my direct senior in the unit and we spent a lot of time together. In work situations too, he played off everything I did in a really fun way, so he quickly became like an older brother to me. With Yoon Kyung-ho, during our first meeting scene he told me, "Hey, you're really quick on your feet. How do you catch everything I throw at you like that?" and I think that's when we got close. He even asked, "Did you see that Reel?" I also worked really well with the other actors, and honestly, it felt like I was just showing up to a fully set table. (laughs) Yoon Kyung-ho, Ahn Gil-kang and Jung Woong-in are all so good at comedy that I learned a lot just by watching them, and seeing how hard they work made me want to work harder as well.

As someone preparing to enlist, what was it like to play a military cook? Did the role make you appreciate the importance of military cooks, and would you consider volunteering to serve as a cook after you enlist?

No, I think I'm actually moving further away from becoming a kitchen soldier. (laughs) But I learned how important military cooks are. As the drama says, "The morale of battle comes from a full stomach," and working on set made it clear how much strength comes from food. That said, my original dream is more about intense combat training, and I actually prefer that. One thing's certain: I feel even further from becoming a kitchen soldier now.

You previously said you wanted to join the Marine Corps. Are you really planning to enlist with the Marines? Why do you want to go to the Marines in particular?

Yes, I really have to go next year. The Marine Corps has an age limit, so I have to go next year. If I attempt to join Marine Recon — the Marine Corps' special reconnaissance unit — I'd have to take a test for it, and even if I don't pass, I still plan to join the Marines. I don't know why—I'm just, strangely, drawn to it. No one around me has a Marine Corps background, either.

〈A Man Who Lives with the King〉 drew more than 16 million moviegoers and was a huge hit, and 〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉 has also been receiving a lot of love. I heard you've been getting a lot of scripts. How do you feel these days? Has your mindset changed at all?

Yes, scripts have really come in. Everything from ordinary office-worker roles to villain roles. I'm very thankful that so many people like what I do. But internally I haven't changed. I just keep focusing on the work in front of me. I'm grateful for the support, but I'm not getting carried away—I'm happy, but my attitude hasn't really changed.

You filmed 〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉 right after 〈A Man Who Lives with the King〉. As 〈A Man Who Lives with the King〉 started posting big box-office numbers, how did the director, the production team, or your fellow cast members react?

Yoon Kyung-ho joked that the project was doing so well that, "At some point, you started making me a little self-conscious." (laughs) I hadn't noticed anything different on set—we were getting along as before—but at some point he began teasing, "Oh dear, our Danjong must be exhausted on set~" and I actually found that a little awkward. (laughs) Even so, he said those things and looked after me more. I was really grateful and it felt very nice.

After the success of 〈A Man Who Lives with the King〉, did friends or colleagues react differently?

I have a long-time friend who works in an office and usually doesn't follow my projects. He told me, "If I don't see the movie, I won't be able to join conversations at work, so I went to see it." That made me realize how well the movie did.

Then how did your parents or family react?

My family's KakaoTalk messages sounded like lines from a historical drama. (laughs) I recently finished a concert, and my family kept saying, "Oh dear, Danjong, you've worked hard."

After the success of 〈A Man Who Lives with the King〉, your fan base seems to have broadened in age. When you were active as an idol you had many young fans, but now more adults recognize and like you. That must feel different.

I went to Taean to briefly film 〈Wanna One Go: Back to Base〉 (the variety program by Wanna One, the group I belong to). Taean Beach is where we shot the "Hwal-hwal" music video before. After dinner on the beach, I went into a convenience store and some middle-aged women came up and asked, "Are you Danjong?" That moment reminded me that the movie had been so successful that people recognized me.

Success can make people complacent or carried away, but you always seem very even-keeled. In another interview you said your whole family tends to be reserved. Is that innate, or do you make efforts to keep your composure?

I really hate showing off. It grosses me out. A production brings together many people working toward something, and it's off-putting when someone acts like, "Now that I'm an actor whose movie drew 10 million viewers, I'm going to start strutting around." I can't imagine behaving like that. I think my family influenced me the most. I remember when I was little my father asked if there was anything I wanted. I asked, "Why are you asking that all of a sudden?" He said he had won the lottery and wanted to buy something for each of us. I think it was third prize. If someone wins the lottery they'd normally be ecstatic, but because my family always acted calm and unshowy, maybe that rubbed off on me.

You acted from childhood, went through idol activities, and have now appeared in 〈Weak Hero〉, 〈A Man Who Lives with the King〉 and 〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉, gaining wide recognition as an actor. If you had to name your acting secret, what would it be?

If there's a secret, it's probably that I read the script a lot. I read scripts very slowly. I imagine each line as an image. By the time I finish reading a script once, I feel completely drained. What helps me immerse myself is constantly visualizing the scenes as I read the script—picturing everything in my head. If a co-actor is already cast, I watch their work and think about how they'd deliver a line and how I would react. Turning those possibilities over in my head is my method.

〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉 traces a journey from an inexperienced cook to a legendary kitchen soldier. Where do you think you stand now on the road to becoming a "legendary actor"?

A legendary actor? (laughs) Maybe an early-to-mid-level actor. (laughs)

As an actor, what additional skills would you like to develop?

If I describe it in flavors, I think I've only shown sweet and sour so far. But there are bitter and spicy flavors too. I'd like to try villain roles I haven't done yet — like a bad guy — or work in noir. There are many flavors I haven't experienced, so I'd like to try those in the future.