"I wish I had two bodies."
Park Ji-hyun laughed as she said it, but the remark perfectly captured where she stands today.
Fresh off her transformation into Domi, the center member of the fictional co-ed dance group Triangle in Wild Sing, Park is enjoying one of the busiest periods of her career. With a successful comedy film in theaters and a new television drama on the way, she finds herself constantly looking ahead rather than dwelling on what she has already accomplished.
"There are so many roles I want to play," she said. "There are still so many sides of myself that I want to show audiences."
Recently, News Culture met Park in Seoul's Samcheong-dong neighborhood, where she spoke candidly about Wild Sing, comedy, music, and the challenges that continue to push her forward as an actress.
Wild Sing follows Triangle, a once-beloved three-member co-ed dance group that dominated the music scene before an unexpected scandal led to its abrupt breakup. Twenty years later, the former stars are handed a final chance to reclaim the spotlight, leading to a chaotic and heartfelt comeback story. The film has attracted audiences with its nostalgic humor and the unexpected musical transformations of Kang Dong-won, Uhm Tae-goo, Oh Jung-se, and Park herself.
Playing Triangle's center member Domi, Park moves between two stages of the character's life, portraying both a charismatic idol in her twenties and a woman navigating adulthood years later.
"We released songs and music videos before the film opened, and the response was much stronger than I expected," she said. "I felt pressure at first, but after watching the completed film, I gained confidence."
The screenplay immediately caught her attention.
"When I first read it, I thought it had exactly the kind of fun audiences are looking for right now," she said. "By the time I received the offer, Kang Dong-won and Uhm Tae-goo had already joined the project. As I imagined them in those roles, I kept thinking, 'Can this really work?' The images forming in my head were so absurdly funny that I became convinced the film would succeed."
Comedy was another major reason she signed on.
"As both an actress and a viewer, I've always loved comedy," she said. "More importantly, I felt Wild Sing would allow me to show audiences a completely different side of myself."
Park has never shied away from new challenges.
"I've always enjoyed challenging myself," she said. "Becoming an idol wasn't intimidating. It was exciting. The idea of playing a singer genuinely thrilled me."
To prepare for the role, she spent nearly five months training. She took vocal lessons, practiced choreography with her co-stars, and devoted countless hours to rehearsals.
"I may not have been perfect, but I enjoyed every moment," she said with a smile. "I'm naturally energetic, so even the lessons themselves were fun."
One of the most memorable aspects of Domi's journey is her transformation from the bright image of Triangle's debut song "Love is" to the more powerful concept showcased in "Shout it Out."
For inspiration, Park turned to one of K-pop's most iconic stars.
"I referenced Lee Hyori," she said. "During her Fin.K.L days, she had such a refreshing image, and then she completely transformed herself as a solo artist. I drew inspiration from both sides of her career."
Park also spoke warmly about her co-stars' dedication.
"The first time I saw Kang Dong-won doing head spins, I was amazed," she recalled. "He was always the first person in the rehearsal room. He practiced difficult choreography relentlessly and was constantly drenched in sweat. I realized how disciplined he is."
She laughed when discussing Oh Jung-se.
"The moment I saw him in costume, I honestly thought Triangle might get overshadowed in the movie," she joked. "It made me feel like I needed to work even harder."
As for Uhm Tae-goo, she teased him for trying to steal the spotlight.
"I think he secretly wanted to be the center member," she said. "Every gesture that should have belonged to me somehow ended up becoming his."
Still, she remained confident.
"No matter how hard he tried, I believed I'd still be the cutest member of the group."
Her convincing performance naturally raises the question of whether she would ever pursue music professionally.
Park laughed at the suggestion.
"I got all the satisfaction I needed through this movie," she said. "People responded positively because I had so much support. If I became a real singer, I think people would quickly realize my limitations."
While she remains open to future roles involving music or musical theater, she insists there is a clear difference between portraying a singer and becoming one.
"Domi exists thanks to editing, technology, and a lot of support," she said. "If someone asked me to become a singer tomorrow, I wouldn't be ready."
Still, she hasn't completely ruled out a reunion.
"If the movie becomes successful enough for us to be invited to Coachella, maybe Kang Dong-won would change his mind," she joked. "But we'd have to reunite as a complete group."
Beyond its comedy, Wild Sing explores what happens when people who once stood at the top suddenly find themselves forgotten. Park believes the theme extends far beyond the entertainment industry.
"It's something many actors think about at least once," she said. "But it's not limited to celebrities. Every profession faces moments like that. That's why I think so many people can relate to this story."
Since making her debut in The King in Love in 2017, Park has steadily built an impressive body of work through projects including Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, Yumi's Cells, Reborn Rich, Flex X Cop, Eun-jung and Sang-yeon, Hidden Face, and Wild Sing.
Her momentum shows no signs of slowing. Following Wild Sing, she will soon return to television in the tvN drama See You at Work Tomorrow!.
Yet despite her growing success, Park remains focused on the future.
"There are so many great scripts out there," she said. "Sometimes I really do wish I had two bodies because there are so many roles I want to play."
Then she paused.
"I'm still learning. I still feel like I'm at the beginning. I'm constantly studying what I do well and how I can improve the areas where I'm lacking. Right now, I'm going through growing pains. Physically, it's exhausting. But I hope all of it helps me become a better actor."
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
Copyright ⓒ 뉴스컬처 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지
본 콘텐츠는 뉴스픽 파트너스에서 공유된 콘텐츠입니다.
