Park Jihoon revealed an extraordinary connection with his character Yeon Si-eun in Weak Hero Class 2, saying that the emotional depth and sorrow of the role came naturally to him.
In a recent media interview, the actor opened up about how this resonance allowed him to embody the character’s painful yet powerful journey fully.
The Netflix series Weak Hero Class 2, written by Park Hyun-woo and Yoo Soo-min and directed by Han Jun-hee, follows the gripping story of Yeon Si-eun—a bright student who transfers to Eunjang High School after a traumatic failure to protect a friend from violence. Determined not to let history repeat itself, he faces even more brutal challenges as he grows through adversity.
Park, who plays the lead role, described Yeon Si-eun as a strategist with razor-sharp insight, a cool-headed tactician who wields intelligence and improvised weapons to survive.
When asked which role most closely matched him, Park immediately chose Si-eun. “I relate deeply to him,” he shared.
“Growing up as a child actor, I was often alone, with only my parents to lean on. I really understand Yeon Si-eun’s solitude. That’s why I could portray his quiet pain from the back.”
He candidly reflected on his own struggles, saying, “I still don’t know why I never had friends. Maybe it was my strong dialect or constantly moving for work in the countryside. It just turned out that way. It’s a wound I haven’t figured out.”
Despite the character’s dark emotional weight, Park revealed he was able to easily switch between his real self and Yeon Si-eun on set.
“The director was surprised. One moment I’d be joking around, and the next, I’d transform into Si-eun the second the camera rolled. I don’t know how—it just happened.”
Speaking about watching Season 2 with the cast before its release, Park expressed heartfelt affection for the role.
“Yeon Si-eun is a character that breaks your heart. I wanted so badly to tell his story again. I’m proud of what we created. It was a meaningful project—and I made great friends along the way.”
Park admitted that watching Si-eun’s final scenes brought him to tears. “Every time I saw her, I cried. I don’t even know why—it just hit me. Maybe it was all the memories and emotions crashing in. It reminded me why I gave it my all.”
Having debuted in JTBC’s Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency, Park has since built a steady career with dramas like Love Revolution, At a Distance Spring is Green, Love Song For Illusion, and the film Audrey. He’s currently working on his next project, The King and the Man (working title), promising another exciting chapter in his career.
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