"Thirty years feels almost unreal. Still, I'm proud that I've been able to show audiences at least one project every year without interruption."
Recently, News Culture met actor Park Eun-bin at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, where she reflected on her latest Netflix series Wonderfuls and a career that has now spanned three decades.
Wonderfuls is a supernatural comedy adventure set in 1999, following a group of unlikely heroes who suddenly acquire superpowers and band together to protect their town from a looming threat. The project reunited Park with director Yoo In-sik, following their acclaimed collaboration on Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
Park takes on the role of Eun Chae-ni, the rebellious granddaughter of Haeseong City's most successful restaurant owner. After becoming entangled in an unexpected incident, she gains the power of teleportation. Through energetic comic timing and emotional sincerity, Park once again demonstrates the versatility that has defined her career.
"I felt that if Chae-ni lost her energy, the entire series would become darker," Park said. "Wonderfuls shifts rapidly from comedy to action, then thriller, and back again. My task was to maintain the character's consistency throughout those changes. I worked hard to keep that energy alive. If I seemed too loud, I apologize," she added with a laugh.
Park explained that Chae-ni's rough edges stem from a life spent confronting mortality.
"She wanted to do so many things but couldn't because of her heart condition. That frustration shaped her personality," Park said. "She lives knowing she could die at any moment. If she keeps holding things in, the truth may never be heard. Chae-ni doesn't hide her feelings. She releases them. Her philosophy is simple: if her heart is already fragile, she shouldn't let stress finish the job."
The role demanded extensive physical preparation, particularly for the character's teleportation sequences.
"I never imagined I would spend so much time suspended by wires," Park recalled. "I think I experienced every kind of wire-action imaginable. It was a completely new challenge. The entire cast poured blood, sweat, and tears into this production. There were very few days when any of us looked perfectly fine on set."
She revealed that many teleportation scenes required filming months apart, making continuity a constant challenge.
"A tremendous amount of time and effort went into those scenes. It was difficult for everyone, but we genuinely enjoyed the process."
Park also reflected on the deeper meaning behind Chae-ni's supernatural ability.
"Chae-ni was living with the fear that her time was running out. She was essentially trapped in Haeseong City, but suddenly her world expanded. The power gave her the courage to think beyond tomorrow and take another step forward."
Regarding Chae-ni's relationship with Woon-jung, played by Cha Eun-woo, Park described it as something more subtle than romance.
"I don't think their feelings have reached the point of love yet," she said. "They're simply people who enjoy being together. They understand loneliness and loss, which creates a meaningful connection between them."
One of Wonderfuls' most memorable moments comes early in the series when Chae-ni dies with her eyes open.
"It was the first time I'd played a character who dies with her eyes open," Park said. "There was so much dust on set that keeping my eyes open for extended periods was genuinely difficult."
Park also spoke warmly about director Yoo In-sik, whom she first worked with on Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
"I came to deeply respect him during Woo. He's someone who allows me to put aside some of my fears as an actor and move forward with trust. That confidence carried over into Wonderfuls and helped me adapt quickly."
She described the director as "a lighthouse," praising his empathy and ability to guide actors through difficult moments.
According to Park, Wonderfuls had long been one of Yoo's dream projects.
"I was happy to help bring something he had wanted to create for so long to life. There were many challenges along the way, but I enjoyed every part of the journey. I even thanked him for turning me into a superhero."
When asked what superpower she would choose in real life, Park's answer was surprisingly modest.
"While I'm working, I focus completely on the job. But in everyday life, I'm actually very shy. I'd love the ability to go unrecognized by people. I think that would be fun."
Since debuting as a children's clothing model in 1996, Park has built one of Korea's most remarkable acting careers. After portraying younger versions of stars such as Song Hye-kyo, Kim Ha-neul, Han Ji-min, Song Yoon-ah, Moon So-ri, and Song Ji-hyo, she went on to lead acclaimed dramas including Stove League, Do You Like Brahms?, The King's Affection, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Castaway Diva, Hyper Knife, and Wonderfuls.
Looking back, Park rejected the idea that she intentionally pursued difficult roles.
"I never deliberately chose challenges," she said. "I simply selected projects that made my heart race. Perhaps that's why they appeared challenging from the outside."
She also addressed the pressure that accompanies success.
"The burden of ratings and commercial success is always there. No matter how much effort you put in, there are no guarantees. Ultimately, you have to wait for viewers to make their choice. In many ways, it feels like leaving things to fate."
As she approaches her 30th anniversary in the industry, Park remains remarkably grounded.
"When I think about it, thirty years feels distant and almost unreal. At the same time, it passed incredibly quickly. Still, I'm proud that I've been able to meet audiences with at least one project every year without interruption."
She concluded with a simple promise.
"People dedicate their valuable time to watching our work. As an actor, I hope to portray my characters honestly and allow viewers to naturally immerse themselves in them. I'll continue striving to deliver performances worthy of that trust."
Park will next return to television in the tvN drama Surely Tomorrow, scheduled to premiere in July. Three decades into her career, her ability to reveal a new side of herself with every project remains unchanged.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
Copyright ⓒ 뉴스컬처 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지
본 콘텐츠는 뉴스픽 파트너스에서 공유된 콘텐츠입니다.
