Park Ji-hoon’s upcoming Weak Hero Class 2 has been gaining traction for some time. Within the run-up to its launch, anticipation for the extreme motion highschool drama has doubled since Netflix, in [what I believe] was a strategic acquisition, made the primary installment, Weak Hero Class 1, out there simply earlier than launching the brand new season, reviving the present’s recognition nearly three years after its preliminary airing. In impact, it has additionally influenced the recognition of its solid, notably Park Ji-hoon, identified for his consummate portrayal within the titular position.
Park has had a protracted profession in Korean leisure since 2006, making his mark in numerous roles and initiatives. Talking of Okay-dramas, the next are his greatest works within the style that I recommend you watch earlier than Weak Hero Class 2 arrives.
Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Company (2019)
This era drama unfolds within the Joseon era, when Hanyang’s well-known Flower Crew marriage company—comprising Ma Hoon (Kim Min-jae), Younger-soo (Park Ji-hoon), and Do Joon (Byeon Woo-seok)—is approached by the brand new king to assist him win a commoner lady he loves. Because the matchmaking group undertakes the problem of fixing her so she will mix in with the royalty, a number of secrets and techniques and mysteries are unveiled whereas relationship dynamics evolve by means of numerous plotlines on this participating romantic comedy.
Park Ji-hoon’s Younger-soo provides to the enchantment of Flower Crew with fashion, power, and cuteness (usually flashed in his aegyo moments). An adept groomer, Younger-soo is cherished for his impeccable style sense and makeover abilities. Nonetheless, he’s scarred from a harrowing previous, pushing him to camouflage his actuality and stay life as a distinct particular person—a portrayal that Park breathes life into seamlessly, inhabiting the contrasting and complicated facets of Younger-soo’s narrative.
Love Revolution (2020)
Primarily based on the webtoon of the identical title, this teen drama follows Gong Joo-young (Park Ji-hoon), an extroverted excessive schooler who falls in love with the very withdrawn Wang Ja-rim (Lee Ruby). She’s disinterested, bothered even by Joo-young’s advances and his flashy shows of affection. Even so, Ja-rim is compelled to simply accept his proposal when he retains pursuing her and by no means provides up on her.
Identified for deft appearing, particularly in enjoying nuanced characters, Park Ji-hoon was appreciated for exactly capturing the subtleties of adolescence as Joo-young navigates the sentiments of past love, the assorted heartwarming moments of camaraderie, his burgeoning feelings for Ja-rim, and his challenges whereas coming to phrases together with his sense of self, all of which contribute to the general allure of the drama.
At a Distance, Spring Is Inexperienced (2021)
At a Distance, Spring Is Inexperienced attracts consideration to the youth—their behavioral and psychological well being points by means of the challenges of faculty life, peer and educational pressures, monetary worries, and relationship struggles—dramatizing the hit webtoon however in a approach diverging from the unique story by eradicating the BL (boy love) angle.
The primary protagonist, Yeo Joon (Park Ji-hoon), is a wealthy child, jovial and the cynosure of eyes in his school circle. Nonetheless, beneath his cheerful exterior lies a deeper, troubled self, hidden from the world. When a severe and cynical senior enters the campus, Yeo Joon seeks to befriend him for need of an actual pal. They hit a rocky begin with contrasting personalities and backgrounds, inflicting friction, however their shared ache bridges the hole because the plot progresses.
Park aptly captures the advanced and sometimes unstated feelings of Yeo Joon, particularly when he’s battling himself. He very convincingly portrays that suppressed ache, his determined want for validation and love, and his wrestle to search out them exterior of a dismissive household.
Weak Hero Class 1 (2022)
One in all my favourite highschool dramas so far, this one has solely eight episodes however is so absolutely fleshed out and ends with the most intriguing cliffhanger, foreshadowing what’s to come back within the second season.
Actually one among his greatest portrayals, Park Ji-hoon had me hooked all through his run within the episodes as he etched out intimately Yeon Si-eun and his experiences within the violent and infamous world of his faculty, plagued with bullying, social stratification, and, in fact, teenage issues.
One other wonderful live-action model of this acclaimed webtoon, Weak Hero Class 1, facilities on Si-eun, who’s meritorious however bodily weak, leveraging his erudite mind to outwit his bullies. He beats and is overwhelmed, attracting extra foes when his classmate and knowledgeable fighter Ahn Su-ho (Choi Hyun-wook) involves his rescue, as does the timid Oh Beom-seok (Hong Kyung), the son of an influential assemblyman. The three forge a uniquely strong bond, solely to have it damaged when bullying worsens, fights escalate, and misunderstandings deepen, leading to a graphic story of motion, emotion, and betrayal.
The profound emotional connection between the standoffish Si-eun and the outgoing Su-ho hits a uncooked nerve, amped by phenomenal performances. The position earned Park a number of nods and awards, together with Finest New Actor on the prestigious Blue Dragon Collection Awards (2023).
Love Tune for Phantasm (2024)
Sajo Hyun, an enigmatic crown prince who doubles as a clothier, and the accursed Ak-hee, his alter ego who suffers extreme ache anytime Yeon Wol (Hong Ye-ji) touches him, are performed by Park Ji-hoon on this webtoon-based fantasy interval romance. Yeon Wol is definitely from a royal household and a sufferer of political scheming who now intends to kill the king, however issues get mired when she turns into Sajo Hyun’s concubine after shedding her reminiscences.
Park brings nuance to his characters, transitioning between being delicate and fierce in an in depth portrayal of every aspect’s feelings and agendas successfully. His onscreen rapport with Hong makes their relationship participating as they traverse the intricacies of their conditions and eventually fall in love.
