Actor Park Ji-hoon remains humble amid consecutive box office hits

"I am grateful that so many people love me, but there is no change within me. I am always just doing my given mission. Even if my works are successful one after another, I don't get more excited. I feel good, but my attitude remains the same."

Actor Park Ji-hoon, who is at the center of a consecutive box office storm with the film 'King and the Clown,' which surpassed 16.88 million cumulative viewers, and his next project, the TVING original 'The Legendary Mess Hall Cook,' was calm and composed.

Meeting Park Ji-hoon on the 2nd in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, he said, "My duty is to meet the expectations of those who like me, whatever I do." He added, "Whether it's on screen or on stage, that's always the quest (mission) I have."

He has shed the image of the tearfully tragic King Danjong from the screen and is now delivering refreshing B-grade laughter to viewers with 'The Legendary Mess Hall Cook.'

This work is a military-themed fantasy that depicts the process of Private Kang Sung-jae, who wields a kitchen knife instead of a gun and an apron instead of a bullet belt, gaining cooking abilities like in a game and becoming a 'legendary mess hall cook.'

In the drama, Park Ji-hoon plays Private Kang Sung-jae, who walks the 'path of a chef' and grows into a 'legendary mess hall cook.'

The drama is enjoying high popularity thanks to Park Ji-hoon's performance. It was also released on the TV channel tvN, with viewership ratings reaching the 7% range. On TVING, it recorded the highest number of paid subscribers in its opening week among TVING original dramas in the last three years and ranked first in paid subscriber contribution for three consecutive weeks.

Despite the consecutive successes of 'King and the Clown' and 'The Legendary Mess Hall Cook,' he waved his hand, saying, "I hate showing off. I can't even imagine seeing myself with my shoulders puffed up."

He also showed humility, saying, "It's disgusting to say 'I'm a 10-million-viewer actor now' when countless people work together for a work to succeed, and I alone did well."

Park Ji-hoon's lovable B-grade comedy acting is cited as a key factor in the popularity of 'The Legendary Mess Hall Cook.'

His dedicated performances, such as parodying the 'Creation of Adam' scene with seaweed wrapped all over his body, and playing a spine flute and a acorn jelly accordion with great passion, are gaining attention every episode.

Park Ji-hoon explained that such comedic performances were possible thanks to the on-site atmosphere that allowed for natural ad-libs.

The spine flute and acorn jelly accordion scenes, considered highlights of the work, were also completed when Park Ji-hoon asked to play a song and danced spontaneously.

He said, "There were many scenes not in the script. When the staff members burst into laughter, I didn't feel any '현타' (reality check time). Rather, since they enjoyed it so much, I thought, 'Should I try a little more here?'"

Regarding the secret to his comedic acting, he explained, "I tried not to overdo it and to grasp the character's core. I didn't just want to make it comedy, but I wanted to make viewers laugh by thinking, 'That's cute.'"

He added, "My acting chemistry with the other actors was really good. I feel like I just put a spoon on the rice table because I'm acting with such wonderful actors."

Park Ji-hoon, who has not yet completed his military service, also revealed his plan to become a real soldier next year after finishing the drama.

Although he experienced the importance of a mess hall cook through the drama, his dream is to serve in the Marine Corps reconnaissance unit.

He said, "I don't know the exact timing, but I really have to go to the military next year. The Marine Corps also has an age limit." He added, "Even if I apply for the reconnaissance unit and get rejected, I am determined to go to the Marine Corps no matter what."

With consecutive box office successes, it is said in the industry that all works go through Park Ji-hoon.

Park Ji-hoon also said, "I've received a lot of scripts," but he flatly stated that he has no regrets about having to enlist at the peak of his popularity. He also humbly referred to himself as a "beginner to intermediate actor" and vowed to faithfully perform the given roles as he has done so far.

"So far, I feel like I've only expressed the sweet and bitter tastes, but there will be spicy tastes too. There are many tastes I haven't experienced yet, like villains or crime noir, so I think it would be good to show those tastes in the future."