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The bubbly Park Bo-young
Park Bo-young - Courtesy of Blitz CGVSouth Korean actress Park Bo-young, who debuted almost a decade ago in a series alongside Lee Min-ho, came to Jakarta to discuss her bubbly girl image, her awkward relationship with the horror genre and how working on a series honed her cooking skills
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Park Bo-young - Courtesy of Blitz CGV
South Korean actress Park Bo-young, who debuted almost a decade ago in a series alongside Lee Min-ho, came to Jakarta to discuss her bubbly girl image, her awkward relationship with the horror genre and how working on a series honed her cooking skills.
Park came to the city to attend the 2015 Korea Indonesia Film Festival, where her movie Collective Invention, opened the five-day festival, on Oct. 28.
The comedy, Collective Invention follows the curious case of Park Goo-who, who as a result of the side effects of an experimental drug, mutated into a man-fish. Taking the leading role is Lee Kwang-soo, best known as a cast member in the immensely popular Korean variety show Running Man.
Park took on the role of Joo Jin, character Park Goo-who's girlfriend, who posted a mutation story on the internet about her boyfriend, catapulting him into a national celebrity. In the film, Park stepped out from her good girl image.
'Joo Jin is a little bit aggressive and her social skills are not good,' Park told journalists during a press conference at CGV Blitz in Grand Indonesia, Central Jakarta.
'But towards the end we see her personality transform,' she added.
Filming was filled with hilarious moments, she said, as she had to act alongside Lee Kwang-soo who, most of the time, wore an 8-kilogram fish mask.
'He could hardly breathe and couldn't see very well from behind the costume,' the 25-year-old star recalled. 'So myself and fellow cast mate Lee Chun-hee were constantly providing directions for him, such as 'directly in front of you, there are two stairs down' or 'the seat is behind you, sit down now'.'
The film was directed by Kwon Oh-kwang, well known for penning the drama thriller Safe, the first-ever Korean short film to win at Cannes International Film Festival.
Collective Invention was selected to screen at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.
On set, Park also helped Lee Kwang-soo cope with his webbed hands prop.
'He could not use the chopsticks, so I presented a special gift to him; a fork. However, even this, he could not use normally because of the webbed hands. He had to hold the fork with all his fingers,' Park laughed.
Park made her debut on screen back in 2006, acting in the teenage series Secret Campus, in which her character, an adorable student by the name of Cha Ah-rang, falls in love with the school's soccer star Park Doo-hyun, played by Lee Min-ho, who is now one of the most popular stars in the Korean drama industry.
Park gained her popularity thanks to drama Scandal Makers, which became the highest grossing Korean film in 2008. In 2012, she was paired with Song Joong-ki, a Running Man cast member, in the hit fantasy romance film, A Werewolf Boy that amassed 7 million viewers.
Over the years, her portfolio of films and television series has shaped Park an on-screen image of the cute and kind girl.
'Actually, I am not that cute. However, because I had played so many cute characters, I am starting to be influenced by them.'
In addition to romance films, Park has received praise for her roles in two horror films, Don't Click and The Silenced, although she is not a fan of horror films.
'I can't watch horror films because I am easily scared. So when I acted in those two horror films, I genuinely felt scared. Maybe it helped me to act better.'
After seven years away from the small screen, Park made her return this year with romantic comedy Oh My Ghostess, in which she takes dual roles. Park acted as sous chef Na Bong-sun, who is possessed by a lustful ghost named Shin Soon-ae.
'Taking a role in a drama series takes a lot of energy, as new episode must be made every week. We have limited shooting time, so I have less time to sleep and get tired.'
Despite the tight shooting schedule, series Oh My Ghostess has been of benefit to her cooking skills. 'Now, thanks to my sous chef role, I can make an excellent crème pasta,' she said.
In spite of her collection of successful television and films and rising popularity, Park said that she can still go about her activities without much interruption.
'I am short. I just need to wear a hat so people won't recognized me,' she chuckled.
Her new film Talking About Things Like Passion, will hit the cinema in South Korea in November. Park plays as a college graduate who is thrilled about her first job as an entertainment reporter. 'In Korea, it is hard to find a job. So when she gets a job, she is overjoyed. She thinks that everything will turn out just fine, until she meets her boss, who is as fierce as a lion.'
Entering the ninth year in entertainment industry, Park said that she would open her arms to any kind of role. 'But if I could choose one, I want to take part in a mellow love story, because I have never been offered a role like that.'
When questioned about her interest in Indonesian movie work, Park answered: 'Of course, if I am given the chance, I would be willing.'
Park explained that she felt familiar with Jakarta as she had visited the city once before. During her first Jakarta visit, Park tried and loved sambal (spicy chili sauce), visited the National Monument (Monas) and was invited to attend an Indonesian wedding party.
'My friends and I rode on a public bus and attended a wedding reception here. And Monas was great, I am amazed by the gold flame on top.'
