A New Villain on the Block: Park Jin-young in ‘High Five’

!Park Jin-young in High Five

On August 28, we met with actor Park Jin-young at a cozy cafe in Samcheong-ro, Seoul, to chat about his latest film, High Five. Directed by Kang Hyeong-cheol, the movie is a comic action tale of five individuals who gain superpowers through organ transplants, and the ensuing chaos with those who covet these abilities.

Stepping into a Villain’s Shoes

Park Jin-young, who is known for his charming roles, took on his first antagonist character as Young-chun, a New Age cult leader who regains his youth after a pancreas transplant. “Initially, I wasn’t sure if this role was meant for me. Like any actor, I wanted to seize the opportunity to showcase a new side and discussed with my manager how to make it happen,” he revealed.

The Unique Experience with Shin Goo

One of the most intriguing aspects of High Five is Jin-young’s partnership with veteran actor Shin Goo, sharing a role in an intriguing two-in-one performance. “The script made me eager, not worried. However, once the role was confirmed, the pressure mounted,” Jin-young shared candidly.

The Gift of Acting Notes

Interestingly, director Kang arranged for both Jin-young and Shin Goo to meet. “Mr. Shin recorded my entire script for me. It was an honor to keep the voice of a legendary actor on my phone,” Jin-young reported.

The opportunity allowed Jin-young to focus on his unique interpretation: “Mr. Shin advised me to hold onto my style while drawing from his speech patterns. Thankfully, this eased my nerves about mere imitation.”

A Fulfilling Journey

Reflecting on the project, Park Jin-young expressed, “Like all my work, I wanted to shoot without regrets. Each scene was enlightening, allowing me to discover new expressions and emotions.” With a smile, he noted that opportunities like High Five don’t come every day, yet they make the journey worthwhile.

> “Every scene was a chance to find what expressions or feelings I could deliver. It was such fun!”