Five Park Seo-joon Films

A more in-depth look at Park Seo-joon’s career suggests that he has built an archive through choices that may be the most significant variable in quickening his progress. A prime instance of a “Blue Chip of Chungmuro”—a solid resource in Korean cinema yielding blockbusters—Park is one of the top Korean actors today and an iconic Hallyu superstar. The ones that follow are just five of his, but of course, they are his must-watch films.

The Chronicles of Evil (2015) – Beak Woon-hak

Thanks to the director for giving Park, Cha Dong-jae, one of his breakout roles in this first-rate thriller. After Choi Chang-sik (Son Hyun-joo) kills a taxi driver in defense, we learn that the famed detective has been set up and must examine his past transgressions to determine the reason for the framing. A nightmare turns out as Choi attempts to sabotage the inquiry and cover testimony, causing freshman detective Cha to suspect him.

It’s an interesting chronicle in its intricacy, twists, and acting. Park excels by tapping into his lucidity as an artist to boost his character’s arc.

The Beauty Inside (2015) – Baik (Baek Jong-yul)

On his 18th birthday, Woo-jin, a furniture designer (played by Park, among other actors), awakens to an unfamiliar face and body. While aghast, his mother regrettably accepts his predicament, and thereupon, Woo-jin continues waking up in different bodies every day. Regardless of his external changes, he remains the same on the inside.

Park’s vivid portrayal of Woo-jin and attention to dispositional nuance keep him endearing through the ensuing chaos in this agreeable romantic comedy.

Midnight Runners (2017) – Jason Kim (Kim Joo-hwan)

In a starring role, Park won the Grand Bell Award and the Korean Association of Film Critics Award for Best New Actor, attributed to his stellar act in Midnight Runners next to Kang Ha-neul. As opposed to the latter, who is nerdier and weighs more while doing less, the former’s Ki-joon is an impulsive individual, a risk-taker.

The action-comedy is an abundance of fun with two terrific players at its heart, where Park expertly alternates between being funny and profoundly serious.

The Divine Fury (2019) – Jason Kim

The actor pulled off Yong-hoo in a mind-bending action horror flick with entrancing skills. Yong-hoo had an agonizing childhood and lost both of his parents. He will still flourish as an adept MMA fighter with time. Later in his life, an event propels him to seek the aid of an exorcist who discovers Yong-hoo’s occult skill sets, and the two team up to take on the forces of evil.

Dream (2023) – Lee Byeong-heon

Park never ceases to amaze. In my mind, he is a man with the Midas touch, turning his portrayals into gold. He knocks out once more in the setting of Dream, a moving opus starring Yoon Hong-dae (Park), an ace footballer tasked with coaching a homeless squad of non-soccer players for the Homeless World Cup. Dream touches as a tale of hope, drive, will, and winning, replete with poignant moments, feel-good factors, and, of course, Park Seo-joon’s magic.