[INTERVIEW] Park Bo-young embraces a new side: 'It's okay not to be bright all the time'

By KTimes

Actor Park Bo-young, 35, appeared with a serious expression — this time on screen in the recently released Netflix drama "Melo Movie." Playing Kim Mu-bee, a film crew member, Park portrays a character who is cynical and emotionally guarded, speaking only when necessary in a low, restrained voice.

When Go Gyeom (played by Choi Woo-shik), a cheerful and outgoing character, shows interest in her, she asks him earnestly, "Isn't it exhausting to always pretend to be so cheerful?"

Park sat down for an interview at a cafe in Seoul’s Jongno District on Tuesday to discuss her transformation into this unfamiliar yet compelling role.

When Park received the offer to star in "Melo Movie," she initially questioned whether the role was right for her. Her character, Mu-bee, is a film crew member who has closed herself off from the world, hardened by a complicated relationship with her father — vastly different from the bright, lovable roles that have defined Park’s career.

Still, the opportunity to explore this contrasting side of herself was too compelling to pass up.

"This was one of the sides of me I’ve always wanted to show," Park said, explaining how she consciously lowered her naturally high-pitched voice to match Movie’s somber demeanor. "Since my voice is quite high, I focused on keeping my tone lower. Every time my natural pitch slipped out, the director helped me adjust," she added with a laugh.

While Mu-bee’s cold and guarded personality might seem emotionally taxing, the role brought Park a sense of relief. Known for her warm and charming image, Park said that maintaining this perception sometimes felt like a burden.

"I used to feel trapped, thinking I had to be cheerful every time I interacted with people," she said. "But through playing Mu-bee, I learned that it’s okay not to be bright all the time. It helped me accept that side of myself."

The experience also strengthened her emotional resilience. In her twenties, Park often appeared cheerful to others but struggled to feel the same toward herself.

Her ideal partner was someone "mentally stable," a reflection of her own inner insecurities. "Over the years, I’ve tried different ways to improve my mindset — writing gratitude journals and setting yearly goals like ‘love myself more than I did last year,’" she said. "Now, I’ve learned to tell myself, ‘You’re doing fine just the way you are,’ and that has helped me feel much healthier inside."

Park sees "Melo Movie" as a turning point in her career, describing it as a timely opportunity. "It feels like a stroke of luck to have encountered 'Melo Movie' at this stage of my life," she said.

The character name "Mu-bee" is a homophone of the English word "movie" in Korean. This linguistic play on words reflects the central theme of the drama — a movie-like story woven from the protagonist's journey through love and filmmaking.

Directed by Oh Choong-hwan of "Start-Up" and "Hotel Del Luna" fame, and written by Lee Na-eun, known for "Our Beloved Summer," the series depicts the emotional growth of 30-somethings who reconnect, support each other and confront their past wounds.

Beyond the 'rom-com queen' label

Park has long been recognized as a "rom-com queen" thanks to her roles in hits like "Oh My Ghost" and "Strong Girl Bong-soon."

"Having a label like 'rom-com queen' isn't a bad thing," she said. "But when I received the script, I found the story captivating, especially how Mu-bee's character arc unfolds toward the end. It was an irresistible project."

The opportunity to work with writer Lee and director Oh, as well as co-star Choi, sealed the deal. Park, who plays a film director in the series, felt comfortable on set.

"Drama and film sets are very similar — they feel like home to me because I've spent so much time there," she said.

Park praised Lee's script for its subtle yet relatable depiction of love and personal growth. "The lines are straightforward, but they really resonate with you," she said. "The romance feels authentic, but it’s also about how each character confronts and grows from their pain."

One scene between Mu-bee and her mother particularly moved her. "It made me realize that we often take our parents’ love for granted," she said. "I found it so meaningful to see them open up to each other, talk honestly and find closure."

Finding herself in her character

When asked how similar she is to Kim Mu-bee, Park said there are differences but also surprising overlaps. "Mu-bee is more overtly sarcastic and defensive than I am," she said. "But when it comes to processing her feelings or having heartfelt conversations with her mom, I could really relate."

Park even shared her mother’s reaction to the series. "She told me she was happy with how I looked in the drama and said the director did an amazing job," she said with a smile.

Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Choi also caught viewers' attention. "Melo Movie" marked her first time working with a co-star her own age.

"I usually work with older or younger actors, so I wasn’t sure how to approach Woo-shik at first," she said. "But we quickly realized we share similar concerns and perspectives. We became good friends in no time, which helped us stay relaxed on set."

She praised Choi's improvisational skills as well. "He has such quick wit," she said. "When scenes need adjusting, he’s full of creative ideas. Plus, he's incredibly considerate and even a bit mischievous — just like his character, Gyeom."

Park described the two of them as "worry warts" who often fretted over their performances. "At one point, we just said, 'Let’s stop overthinking and have fun with it,'" she said.

Despite nearly two decades in the industry, Park remains eager to challenge herself with diverse roles. "I do want it to do well. I even made it my birthday wish. But I've learned that success isn't something you can control, so I try not to stress about it."

Park also shared her desire to shed her youthful image. "I wore a school uniform again in this project, but I think it’s my last time," she said. "Looking young has its perks, but it also slows down the process of being seen in more mature roles. For me, 'Melo Movie' was a chance to show a more grown-up side."

As she nears her 20th year in acting, Park said she feels like she’s entering a new chapter.

"This is my second act," she said. "I've enjoyed great success with lighthearted roles, but I've always wanted to explore more diverse characters. With 'Concrete Utopia' (2023) and 'Light Shop,' audiences saw a different side of me. That makes me hopeful about this new chapter."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.