Park Bo-young: 'I wanted to show a new face... audiences kept me going for 20 years'

Actress Park Bo-young, widely known as the "nation's little sister," is celebrating her 20th anniversary in the entertainment industry. Reflecting on her career, she admits to being her own harshest critic, rarely feeling completely satisfied with her performances after the "cut" is called. Her self-assessment often lands on a modest "not bad."

“

I didn't have many opportunities to get blood on my hands, so this project was a goal to show a different face of myself.

Park gained widespread recognition at just 18 with the blockbuster film "Scandal Makers," which drew over 8 million viewers. Looking back, she wishes she could revisit the role, feeling she could have delivered a more nuanced performance. A persistent desire for acting transformation has driven her to seek diverse genres, including "A Werewolf Boy" and "The Silenced." However, her overwhelmingly sweet image often overshadowed these attempts, prompting her to actively search for villainous or darker roles.

Her first foray into crime thrillers came with the Disney+ series "Gyeongseong Creature," where she portrayed a woman caught in a web of greed after obtaining a gold bar. Park saw this role as an opportunity to reveal an unfamiliar side of herself, stating, "I didn't have many opportunities to get blood on my hands, so this project was a goal to show a different face of myself."

“

When I was young, romantic comedies were the most fun, but in recent years, I've become interested in people with broken hearts.

While Park acknowledges the audience's role in her sustained career, she also notes a shift in her recent artistic interests. "When I was young, romantic comedies were the most fun, but in recent years, I've become interested in people with broken hearts," she shared, finding a unique sense of accomplishment in these more emotionally resonant projects. Yet, she also expressed a desire to return to lighter fare, aiming to bring everyday joy to audiences once more. Ultimately, Park finds profound motivation in viewer feedback, stating, "There are people who tell me, 'This became the best work of my life' after watching my films. The power of the work has had a huge impact on them in ways I can't imagine."

“

There are people who tell me, 'This became the best work of my life' after watching my films. The power of the work has had a huge impact on them in ways I can't imagine.