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You can only pick one: Park Seo-joon drama


You can only pick one, and boy the pressure is on. The DB team will answer a new prompt in each post, and you’re invited to do the same in the comments. Ready to play?
 

You can only pick one Park Seo-joon drama


 
missvictrix: It’s nearly impossible to pick, since I love Park Seo-joon in everything and forever more, but I’m going to go with Witch’s Romance, since it’s the first drama I saw with him, and it’s where he cast his turtle-boy spell on me. If K-dramas are to be held responsible for giving women unrealistic expectations of romance (no comment), then Park Seo-joon in Witch’s Romance is the first in line — his character is playful and swoony, but also loyal, dependable, and mature. This is the noona romance that gives life to noonas everywhere. Even this one.

DaebakGrits: This is a tough one because Park Seo-joon has been in so many great dramas! But after a quick peek at a list of his filmography to refresh my memory, the clear winner for me is She Was Pretty. It ticks off so many of my guilty pleasure tropes, but it also handles the dreaded childhood connection better than his later rom-com What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim. (No childhood kidnapping and PTSD here, folks!) There’s also something super endearing about watching Seo-joon’s character fall in love with his childhood best friend all over again without realizing it’s her. I love a cranky CEO who softens when he falls in love. If I had one complaint about this drama, it would be the secondary female character who lied and pretended to be the female lead for longer than necessary, but even she served a purpose and did so without being overly obnoxious. Definitely a drama I need to rewatch.

solstices: Itaewon Class still stands out for its rousing OST, uplifting atmosphere, and iconic Park Seo-joon hair, but I’d have to go with the friendships of Fight My Way. There’s something so simple, yet so sentimental, about the four friends who stuck by each other’s side through thick and thin. Just like its title, the drama feels like a toast to living life the way you want to — honestly, courageously, and without regrets. It delivered a lot more than I’d expected from its simple rom-com premise, gifting us with a wholesome tale of growing up and growing stronger.

Unit: What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim is one of the two Park Seo-joon dramas I completed, and it’s one of my favorite rom-coms. Plot wise, it’s nothing that hasn’t been done before, but it was a really enjoyable watch. Park Seo-joon managed to make the male lead’s narcissism very endearing (I mean, who can forget his “aura”?), and his self-love was so iconic, I’ve almost never seen someone have that much chemistry with himself! Lol. As the cherry on top, he also had really great chemistry with Park Min-young and a fun bromance with Kang Ki-young — and I want to see them together in another project.

Dramaddictally: Now we’ve stepped into difficult territory. The only way to pick just one is to be brutal with the cuts — and even then I’m kicking and screaming against having to choose. Fight My Way wins by a hair because I love both leads, their workout clothes, and the stoop they hang out on. This is a bit of a spicy drama, but also funny and heartfelt with memorable characters and a rooftop to die for, which adds up to a gold-star mix. Park Seo-joon is at his best here, beefed up for MMA but a regular guy when it comes to crushing on his neighbor, Ae-ra (Kim Ji-won) — who is one of my favorite female characters ever. These two together are magic, and that kiss where he grabs her behind the knees and pulls her flat on the bed is about one of the hottest drama moments there is. What can I say? I love the setting, the chemistry, and the story about how hard it is to achieve your dreams. And there’s also just something about Park Seo-joon in a jean jacket that I can’t get over.

 
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When I fell in love with his work:
Word From Warm Heart
Though I vaguely remember my heart being broken by his character.

Where I didn't like his character...or any of the characters:
Fight My Way
Ugh, the arguing... negotiating... more arguing... selfish decisions... then more negotiating... then more selfishness... then more arguing... then starting a relationship destined to fail because of unrepentant selfishness and arguing.
*Yup. Still salty that this script made me drop one of his dramas.*

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No question…hands down…Itaewon Class. My unqualified affection is more about me than him, but it’s partly about him. The dorky, but totally character-essential, haircut (the way he pets his hair to calm himself down!). The awkward relationships all over the place. The colors of the shots. The music. The revennnnnnge. The soft tofu stew. Chef’s kiss for me.

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I agree. I often think he might not have a big range as he relies on charm to get by. I hadn’t seen him in any challenging roles until “Itaewon Class” as his movies like most Korean films are hard for me to find.

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Given the way this thread has evolved below, it has me thinking of a few conversations in the variety-documentary (?) show In the Soop: Friendcation, the one that followed Choi Woo-shik, Park Hyung-shik, Park Seo-joon, Kim Tae-hyung and Kwon Sung-hwan around for a few days last year.

Specifically, there's the one while the group is watching Our Beloved Summer. They talk about their (waning) interest in acting, and PSJ states that he feels Woo-shik is the best actor of the group. Sounds like most folks here would agree with that! I'm not naive enough (I hope) to take any of this pseudo-unscripted conversation as a direct reflection of their innermost thoughts, but if you're interested in hearing these guys talk about their work they do quite a bit of it in this show.

In fact [to DancingEmma's (@dncingemma) point the other day about "SK Husband Hunting Tourism" (!?@#!@?)], I remember Park Hyung-shik noting that one of the reasons he enjoys acting in dramas is that he would never, ever have the capacity to express those emotions to anyone in real life. FWIW, everyone in the room murmurs in agreement.

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In the Soop was really fun. I liked being able to get to know more about each actor there in a natural setting and seeing the interact with each other. Its nice to see their real life friendships with each other. I did watch it for Taehyung but having the gang all together was an added plus!

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Fight my way!!

As much as I love Witch's romance (my first drama of his), I loved him here and the leads chemistry was on fire. I love how he brought Dong Man's friendship, love, vulnerability and fighting spirit on screen.

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FIGHT FOR MY WAY.

OMG, first time I didn't hesitate to pick one drama. That show is my medicine.

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Yep no arguments here, it was an easy pick for me too.

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Fight for my way, because…the story, the friendship group, the coach, and most importantly it’s a rom com with a happy ending

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And no serial murders which is a rare now

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And don't forget the fight scenes!

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What's Wrong With Secretary Kim. Despite the creepy tragic backstory, detestable brother, and boss-secretary power dynamic, I still love this show. I give all the credit to Park Seo-Joon and Park Min-Young, both individually and as an off-the-charts-chemistry couple. PSJ found the warmth, humor, and vulnerability in a character who could have easily come off simply as an arrogant prick. And I thought the pair did an excellent job of making the couple feel like equal partners, despite the power imbalance. I also loved both of the families—especially how they defied the usual expectation that the groom's wealthy upper-class family would look down on the bride and her lower-class family (especially the hippie dad). What a pleasant surprise that they welcomed them with open arms!

My favorite drama with Park Seo-Joon in a supporting role is unquestionably Kill Me, Heal Me. Who can ever forget Poor Ri-On getting chased around for some hugs and kisses by Do-Hyun in his teen fangirl Yo-Na persona?

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✨ AURA ✨ It's got to be What's Wrong With Secretary Kim - any one else would've made the ML character feel too wooden or annoying, but PSJ's charisma really shone and made the character so much more likeable.

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I only have one - What's Wrong With Secretary Kim.

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Park Seo Joon is one of my top-most favorite actors, but strangely I have only liked his character in Kill Me Heal Me.

BUT! I have watched Midnight Runners a million times, and it is one of my most favorite movies EVER! Can I choose a movie?

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Tell us what’s awesome about Midnight Runners!!

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Well, I love a good comedy/thriller buddy cop. The two boys are ridiculously dumb but earnest. The scenes were they are slowly realizing that this is REAL and somebody might really die, are incredibly well-acted. And do watch past the credits.

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If you go with the film MIDNIGHT RUNNERS (2017) I will go with the film THE DIVINE FURY (2019) (Viki US).

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Ugh, I love looking at The Devine Fury posters and movie stills, but I simply cannot handle horror.

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I was so looking forward to Midnight Runners, being a big fan of both Park Seo Joon and Kang Ha Neul, but I was really disappointed with the film. I felt there was great chemistry, but they were unfortunately let down by a really lame script. It would be great to see the two of them paired in another buddy movie!

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People's tastes vary so much, it is fascinating, right? Same way that I dislike Fight For My Way while so many people love it.

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What’s just as interesting is that people can agree about loving or hating a particular thing, but for vastly different reasons.

For the record, I liked, but did not LOVE Fight For My Way.

I actually love really, really bad movies…so bad, they’re good. (I even own a book called “Bad Movies We Love.”) I wonder if there are any Beanies who like a particular kdrama just because it’s so awful…?

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What’s just as interesting is that people can agree about loving or hating a particular thing, but for vastly different reasons.

EXACTLY!

I actually love really, really bad movies

Oh no 😂 I don't think I can ever have a patience for that.

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When I'm in a cheeky sort of mood, I love to watch bad dramas

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I’m pretty sad that I’ve only seen one Park Seo-joon drama, but not sad that it’s WWWSK, which I unapologetically loved start to finish. His narcissism? Endearing, especially when you could tell he was much more complex than he initially let on. The childhood trauma? I was unfazed by it, and apart from giving us an incredibly annoying SML did not detract from the story at all for me. I loved the journey that the leads went on separately, with her figuring out what she wanted to do with her life and him learning to hold her hand without holding her hostage.

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…holding her hand without holding her hostage

Because you said it…I see it. Thank you.

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I agree that it was endearing, especially when they started building a bit of depth to his character!! I didn't expect to cry at all in a romcom but I found myself crying when he finally told his parents about how he lied about not remembering this entire time.

If you want some character whiplash, I suggest doing a quick Secretary Kim rewatch and then trying Fight For My Way. I watched both shows for the first time back to back, and it was such a treat trying to get used to the PSJ in Fight For My Way, after being so used to his chaebol character in Secretary Kim!!

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This is easy, I’ve only finished one , I Summon You, Gold!

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I forgot he was in that! On paper, it's not my type of show, but I like a lot of the actors in it, and there was a lot of humor.

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"it’s where he cast his turtle-boy spell on me" This! This is exactly why Witch's Romance is my pick as well. Tied for 2nd would be Fight My Way, ( terrific friends-to-lovers done so well), and What's Wrong With Secretary Kim because the chemistry was off the charts.

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It's a tough call between Witch's Romance and She Was Pretty, but I'm going with She Was Pretty. I second everything @daebakgrits said about it as far as my reasons for choosing this one over his other dramas.

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I'm gonna be crucified for this, but I don't like him much. No dislike either, just a strong indifference - if such feeling can even be strong. His acting is ok, his visuals are not my cup of tea, his famous charm doesn't work on me at all and he cannot do sageuk to save his life which is truly the final nail in the coffin. I watched quite a few shows of his, so I'm positive it isn't the case of wrong first impression, we're just not meant to be at all))) Now for a drama... KMHM, I guess, that was the most fun one I've seen, even if not because of him. Pls no more fauxcest romances tho - previous 2 were already 2 too many.

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I gasped and then laughed at the fact that I actually gasped 😂 It's funny especially because my best friend feels the same way but she tries her best to put up with it when I go on one of my PSJ love-rants hahahaha! Totally fair though and 👏 for putting your thoughts out here - not everyone is everyone's cup of tea!

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Honestly I think having very different taste in guys is one of the best things that can happen to female friendship))) Me and my bestie proved this - there's some overlap, of course, or we wouldn't been able to talk about dramas at all, but generally if I'm REALLY into certain actor it's safe to say that she won't feel the same and vice versa. Her reaction to my latest drama crush was literally: "Uhm, he's so-so, reminds me of that japanese dude, what's his name... Don't tell me to watch him in motion first, I know what I see!"))) And this happens all the time for like a decade already lol. We've gotten used to each other's passionate rants, it's often equally hilarious. But the most fun is probably in rare cases when we both strongly dislike someone. It ain't for the record though, for obvious reasons^^

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That's very true!!! Having common interests but different tastes within those interests makes for great conversation and fun debates!

"Don't tell me to watch him in motion first, I know what I see" - I'm glad this line seems to be a universal one, along with "trust me he looks better in person" 😆

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If only I could attest how my faves look in person I'd use that one too... Never had such chance in my all life((( I was THIS close once when my very first favorite actor attended movie festival in my city but rotten luck just happened to lock me overseas at the time. And now he's gone forever (of old age, he was from my grandparents generation) and so are my hopes to tell him how much I loved him since I was a kid and how huge of impact his roles had on my general perception of good acting *sniffs*

Not to focus on sad parts, among our duo I'm the easy one actually - she has VERY specific high standards, especially in regards of looks, and never lowers them under any circumstances. I, on other hand, can be won over by someone not my type if there is some strong unexpected charm involved... And this happens often enough for her to tease me about building a harem endlessly)))

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@gikata omg noo, that's so sad you weren't able to let him know in person :(

Also SAME, I'm the 'easy' one as well and my friend is on the other end - she also jokes about how the rules keep changing all the time for me, because I'll often message her with my new obsession, like I wasn't supposedly head over heels for someone else just a few hours ago 😂 What can I say, people like us just have a lot of love to give clearly 😉

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Well, I assume he knows now anyway, so it's just my side being at loss. That I can accept)))

The funny thing is that she can always tell WHY I was charmed - even when I didn't pinpoint that myself yet. Apparently there is some recurring pattern which is best seen from afar.

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@lapislazulii @gikata Oh my, I am the "easy" one too :)) I've just moved to another city so I can only text or call my bestie now, and everytime I have a crush on some actor, I send her a pic of him "this is my crush for the time being" haha. I always tell her how I find men most attractive in action, that's why I don't have fixed standards about men. I guess sometimes she thinks my taste is weird, but is tactful enough not to voice it :))

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Haha it felt like you were describing me and my bestie regarding drama talks. She almost never watches shows I recommend, and I never she either :)) For rare cases that we do, we don't talk about it afterwards, meaning we try to forget about it :))

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It's not that bad, thankfully - we both love historical shows, fantasy and epic romances. But there's a catch - she loves them maximally angsty, painful and tragic... I don't))) So we only really fight over endings, before that it's all good.

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It can be great to have different tastes in books, movies, food, etc. as well as in guys! I end up having a much broader range of experiences by trying things that would not ordinarily appeal to me, but that a friend or family member likes. Of course I have had to suffer through some pretty awful things, but I’ve also discovered some unexpected pleasures!

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Suffering through awful things is also a valuable life experience because you learn what you DISLIKE that way... Some things are better to stay untasted though. But thankfully it's rare.

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*Gasps* Me too. *Gasps Again* Me three. LOL

Actually, since I only began kdramas recently, I can vaguely recall that maybe, just maybe, my first impression was that he may not objectively be the most classically good looking man.

My only salvation lies in that it is a false memory….

More seriously, if you’re thinking of Hwarang, I hear you. That whole drama was a train wreck starting with the wigs!

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So it's all the more painful for me because I find him super handsome, his face has that rare symmetry, his skin is so good... but I still don't like his drama choices and never finished one except KMHM where he's not the lead.

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Attraction, appeal, whatever you want to call it, is so hard to pin down. The formula is unique to everyone.

Maybe try his upcoming one (finally!). Of course, as it turns out the FL in that is absolutely unappealing to me—and don’t ask me explain why. And I bet others just love her.

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It seems he CAN pull off a costume drama, providing it’s the RIGHT costume (and wig). Check out this still from his upcoming superhero movie, The Marvels:
https://www.imdb.com//title/tt10676048/mediaviewer/rm1968908545

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Wow. He looks so different. I am…processing.

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Oh, I've seen these! And an article about knetz being NOT impressed with his styling here, which I personally agree with.

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I liked PHS's and Minho's wigs there, but I just love men in elven fashion overall))) Actually it was the only time when I found Minho attractive... If only he could also act the part!

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“Men in eleven fashion” - that gave me a good chuckle.
Possibly not what they were going for but I see it.

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@indyfan, I'd say high elves look WAS the thing there were going for. Remember drama's first character promos? The ones that looked NOTHING like the styling we've got in the show?)))

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Ah no. I only started kdramas last year. I just sat thru one episode last year and dropped it.

I’ve never loved any actor enough to sit thru a crappy drama.

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@indyfan, oooh, you have a lot to look forward to, there's always the first time for everyone in this field)))

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You are not alone. PSJ is surely one of the most handsome and charismatic Korean actors and he acts well too but strangely none of his characters has clicked with me, although I tried a lot of his shows: She was pretty, KMHM, WWWSK, Fight my way, Itaewon class, Hwarang, Witch's romance, The divine fury. KMHM was the only show I didn't drop halfway, but then he was not the main lead. I liked his character in Itaewon Class but I didn't like the scripts and other characters, so I couldn't finish it.

So I think it's partly because his shows are not my cup of tea in general. But also because I find his acting bit prudent, maybe it somehow reflects PSJ's personality in real life? He can smile this second but that smile vanishes the very next second. Another thing is that I think there are certain expressions PSJ does not do so well, like the vulnerability in front of someone he likes, or when he physically/mentally weak, or powerless... I'd say at those moments, his acting style is a bit old-school. It's not a bad thing I guess, but just that PSJ's portrayal of his characters usually does not make me flutter.

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I think it's his eye acting. Or, rather, lack of thereof. He can do many other things just fine (physical/face comedy probably being his best skill), but to me that's the most crucial element and without it nothing else works.

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I personally think he's a very good actor, there's a way he acts to think and speaks like whatever character he's playing ,idk but I've always found his acting quite consistent.

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Well, I didn't claim he was bad - his insane popularity both in SK and overseas (and here on DB) must mean something, right? But to me whatever he has is just not enough, sadly. To each their own)))

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I am just reading through this post and I cannot tell you the relief I feel that I am not the only one. My sister crushes on him and can't seem to figure out why I am not on board (to be fair she is not board with mine either and I don't understand HOW in the world is that even possible haha!). I too am very picky and Seo Joon, while seemingly having all the right elements, just does not click. I never felt his love energy in intimate scenes, and you might have hit the nail on the head - his micro expressions are often not on point, though overall he is a thoughtful actor and does have a great screen presence.

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Cannot really comment on love scenes because I didn't watch any of his most beloved romcom works - only shows universally trashed for zero OTP chemistry like Hwarang and Itaewon Class lol. So judging his romance skills by them would probably be unfair... Then again, being a good kisser has never been enough to win my heart - at least when we're still talking about acting^^

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@gikata: Zero OTP chemistry lol! I am probably the only one, but even WRWSK lacked someting in that dept, though yes he is great in kissing scenes, has it down to an art. She was pretty didn't even click.

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@minniegupta1, She Was Pretty was made purely for SLSxFL shippers from KMHM, but why would anyone ever ship these two in that drama is still beyond my usually wild imagination...

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@Gikata
I actually agreed with your comment on his acting strengths and whatnots ,adding that in my opinion he does pretty well in warping into the characters he potrays even if it seems like the comments under the original reply disagree heavily ,I never insinuated that your reply meant his acting was bad, maybe it's the way i arranged my words 😂.

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add me to this list if not able to handle any of PSJ dramas without getting second thought to drop it just after few mints (only ones i could watch was she was pretty cause of the subject and Itaewon class again for the subject)
for PSJ alone i cant... his acting, his drama, his personal is not my cup of tea either.
I liked him only in Itaewon Class cause u felt his acting, his persona was inline with the character Se Ro yi he was playing... which doesn't have to show emotional side but always having his nonchalant tough exterior.
His acting has this not so "vulnerable" tone to it so any emotional scene goes flat for me.. it feels like he wants us to feel that emotions without feeling it himself and there deals goes wrong... as a viewer we feel what a character feels on screen and we can't be forced or instructed to feel emotions when we cant feel it subconsciously
(not sure if that made sense but thats how i always perceived PSJs acting and its completely my POV no offense meant for any PSJ fan and even if you feel bad i say sorry in advance... but i cant like his acting at all)

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You are not wrong. Hwarang was a disaster for that too. The conflict he felt for Go Ara's character never really made an impression. Rather it stayed off putting till the end. At one point I felt she would too have improved her performnace had she been paired with PHS. Her scenes with him had so much more energy and spunk, and she left behind that weird lacklustre whiny self and came to life. The scenes after she knows he is the King are some of the best in the series. Her reunion scene with Seo Joon is so meh that it has to go down as one of the worst happy after scenes ever.

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Hwarang makes a finest case of "everything that could go wrong totally WOULD"))) Miscasting, mischemistry, questionable (at best) styling, clunky storytelling, terrible pacing, lame OTP romance, writers disregarding not only their own lore but also a historical accuracy to create more half-baked conflicts (if it aired now it'd probably ended up cancelled for disrespecting PHS character's legacy), dumb comedy, forced bromance, even more forced side crushes... This should be presented in the books under chapter "how NOT to make a drama". To this day it never fails to amaze me)))

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@gikata: You missed the soundtrack - everytime V and Jin's English lyrics started playing, I would lose whatever period feeling I had for the damn thing (funny enough I liked it, just not when it played during the drama). It was one of my earliest K dramas (again, Seo Joon because he was the only actor I knew back then thanks to my sister) but it was so hard to sit through. The only saving grace was this young king who looked like he was really the hidden king of Silla and that intrigue kept me going. There is this scene where Suho moons over the Queen mother in front of the guys including the young King, and PHS has this wtf expression, like he was going to be sick....it kind of mirrored what I felt too with that forced unconvincing crush LOL!

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"it feels like he wants us to feel that emotions without feeling it himself and there deals goes wrong... as a viewer we feel what a character feels on screen and we can't be forced or instructed to feel emotions when we cant feel it subconsciously" - that's a neat observation.

Interestingly, I realized from the Friendcation series that Seo Joon's own personality and that of his characters are not that different. All his roles feel an extension of him. In some places it was like I was watchng him from Itawon class with a better haircut. In contrast, Woo Shik and Hyung Sik are so different in real life from what they play on screen is jarring (especially Hyung Sik, I never imagined him to be such a goof ball, especially as I was watching OBY at that time and could not relate Your-always-stoic-majesty with that deep throated voice to the cute goofball with the perpetualy-giggling boyish-voice I was watching lol!)

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Fight My Way for the win!!!!

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I like Fight My Way a lot, but I have to give the nod to his performance in What's Wrong With Secretary Kim. The character could easily have been just annoying instead of preeningly comical, and now I can't imagine anyone else in that role. Also, I like the side characters and their little romances more in What's Wrong With Secretary Kim.

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I’ve liked PSJ in pretty much everything I’ve seen him in but I stopped swooning when I decided he’s a dead ringer for actress Kim Sun-Young 🤣🤣🤣

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Omg hahahahaha... I had to look this up! I wouldn't go as far as deadringer, but I do see the similarity 😂😂😂

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I'm never googling this! What's wrong with you 😭😂

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😂😂😂Oh dear! Once you have seen it, you cannot unsee it😂😂😂

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Really tough choices on this one but WITCHES ROMANCE is the winner- but only just by a nose over WHAT'S WRONG WITH SECRETARY KIM and SHE WAS PRETTY. All three are fabulous dramas.

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I initially thought this was going to be difficult to answer, but no matter how much I analyze and rationalize, my heart keeps saying 'Witch's Romance'. Fun, mature, respectful to the characters -- it's so endearing in so many ways. And the chemistry was sizzling!

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DREAM HIGH S2! (Nah I’m joking, I didn’t even watch that drama)

FIGHT MY WAY I guess? I have to rewatch it again but I remember enjoying it. I’m not the biggest fan of Park Seo-joon, he is good but most of his projects are meh to me. Honestly the scene that stuck me the most is actually Choi Woo-shik’s cameo! I desperately want Choi Woo-shik to play a jerk again, he’s so fun to watch, but yes I acknowledge this is not his thread 😅

Honourable Mention goes to MIDNIGHT RUNNERS. It’s the only other project I like from Park Seo-joon (that I’ve seen). His buddy cop chemistry with Kang Ha-neul is definitely a treat to watch.

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CWS did a fantastic slimy and awful jerk. He was vile.

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CWS and Kwak Dong-Yeon were hilarious in this show. It's funny that KDY is playing her brother in their next drama.

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I had found PSJ’s acting and roles quite meh as well - at least in dramas as I can’t find many Kfilms - until the “Itaewon Class” which despite some tropes, allowed him to actually act rather than cruise on his charm alone.

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I agree he did a good job there but I didn’t like ITAEWON CLASS. The underlying message of business is people rang false to me, because the ML pursued the goal of being number one and the metrics for being number one in a capitalist society is profit and sadly not people. Particularly the end goal of franchising did not sit well with me.

STRONGEST DELIVERY MAN is what ITAEWON CLASS should’ve been imo. The drama tackled undercutting local restaurants, gentrification and the soullessness of franchising. The focus was not being the biggest or being number one.

ITAEWON CLASS paid lip service but didn’t really delve deeper into any of these issues.

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I agree. I didn’t like that angle at all.

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I in no way need to defend Itaewon Class, but I do think that the genre I took away from the presentation was OTT makjang revenge drama, rather than engaged social commentary. That said, I know nothing about the webcomic it’s based on—I only know what the drama showed me.

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A Witch’s Romance for me too. Not because it’s his best drama (tho it’s a good one, with UJH as well). But because his character in that was my first ever kdrama crush.

It’s what everyone said, solid and swoony—setting up impossible standards for real men to live up to. Oh and that smile, those longing looks. Quick, someone get me smelling salts.

But what’s a turtle boy @missvictrix? I looked it up and it’s a statue in Worcester, Mass. I can only guess you mean hard on the outside and soft on the inside?

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I keep wondering if folks wanted Dr. Cha to mirror Witch’s Romance a bit more. I know the age gap was less in the former, but the overlap in casting has me thinking…

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For sure. Some folks were shipping a noona romance for Dr Cha hard. But it’s kinda crazy to me as well to call it that because Dr Cha leads only had a few years between them (in the drama, not IRL). Whereas on screen/IRL the age difference in AWR was presented as much larger and they sorta overcame it. Cos tho the leads got together in AWR, if I recall correctly, she refused to marry him. I think it was because she couldn’t predict what would happen in the future. The implication was that she was being “realistic” about their age gap/life stage, kinda like in Dr Cha. But I’d have to watch AWR again to be sure if I remember right.

I mostly recall AWR scenes like PSJ giving her a back hug and asking her to stay. It was my first kdrama back hug and it bowled me over. (Sadly the back hug’s overuse has diminished its power since.)

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That is pretty eafy for me as no matter how many dramas I watch for Park Seo-joon I don't think I will like it more than She was pretty. It had all the ingredients I love especially how ML fell in love in FL for herself without knowing she is the one he is looking for. Also the bromance with the SML was funny to watch. Our absent minded vice editor in chief wins the day.

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I read “eafy” as “leafy” and it made no sense. Then I realised you meant “iffy”!

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I meant easy

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😂

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I read it far too quickly but ‘easy’ makes far more sense!

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I shouldn't speak for the OP, but I thought it was "easy." Also, I loved how he fell for the FL as well. I also loved it as a curly haired gal.

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Yes, the message of the story was the ML falling in love with FL because of her personality not looks.

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PSJ is a phenomenal actor.

His acting job in Itaewon Class was s your de force acting job.

However, WWWSK is my favorite of his roles. The transformation he so beautifully achieves from arrogant, self-centered CEO to kind, considerate, head-over-heels in love man who remembered and never broke a promise made to the woman he secretly loved and watched over is fantastic.

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he is also supposedly a phenomenal cook. thats something I sooooo want to try!!!! Youn´s kitchen should come here and open a place.

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PSJ was terrific in ITAEWON CLASS (2020) (Netflix US). My favorite scenes were the early father/son scenes between (son) PSJ and (dad) Son Hyun-joo. That scene where dad SHJ introduces son PSJ into the proper way of serving and drinking soju was perfect.

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This is too hard! I like every PSJ drama even though there’s something about every one that I really dislike - the ex in Witch’s Romance, the brother in WWWSK and so on. So I will just go w Witch’s Romance as it’s where he first JUMPED off the screen and into my heart 🥰

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During the lockdowns, my first dip into the k-drama pool was a PSJ festival (WWWSK, She Was Pretty, Fight For My Way). I choose Fight For My Way for the banter, the childish fights, the chemistry, wrapped in friendship. When Dong-Man confessed to Ae-ra and Kim Ji-Won made her knees buckle, I felt that.
I also think that FFMW was the k-drama that made me dive deeper into the pool and I haven't surfaced since. I asked my friends how to get out of the k-drama pool and they replied that I can't (or I won't?).

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My first memory of Park Seo-Jun was in I Remember MV by Bang Yong-Guk, then in the drama Dream High 2 that never was as good as the first one.

A Witch's Love was really his first outstanding role with a great noona romance.

In Fight for My Way, I loved the romance but the part when she doesn't know if she can encourage his career or not was kinda tiring.

If Itaewon Class had a lot of flaws for me, I think as an actor, it was one of his best acting role.

It's hard to choose one... But as a fan of romance, I will chose Fight for My Way!

On the other hand, it's very easy to choose the worst : Hwarang.

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I am torn since I like a few of his dramas like Fight For My Way, WWWSK and Itaewon Class. But if I have to choose one, I enjoyed watching Itaewon Class the most.

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WHAT'S WRONG WITH SECRETARY KIM? This drama spreads so much good humour that I like to watch it every now and then when I need cheering up.
But also SHE WAS PRETTY will always have a place in my heart, as it was one of my first KDramas.
From a purely visual point of view, PSJ is not really to my taste, but his charisma and charm quickly make me forget this.

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I have to go with the first drama I saw him in which is Fight For My Way.

Back then, I had just started out in the kdrama scene and only watched a handful of dramas, DOTS being my first.
I was broadening my range and trying out different genres where I stumbled upon Fight for my way.
Honestly, PSJ didn't stick out to me initially tillI got to the mid-way point of the series and I loved how he portrayed the character. I also loved their friendship with each other and their shenanigans from living so close to each other.
I got to see Ji-won in a completely different role from DOTS (she was quite serious) and she did SO well with it.

As a marvel fan, I cant WAIT to see him in his upcoming Hollywood debut, The Marvels!

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Fight my Way! 💖
Everything that has been said and more. The setting, the characters, the cinematography. It was relatable and at the same time admirable. Park Seo-joon is both very charming and talented, and he devotes it all to a role. Witch's Romance is still on the list and now that UJH is back It'll be nice to see them in a proper Noona-Romance.

My first thought was that I loved every drama I've seen him in with the exception of one that I wish to forget. She was Pretty should've never been made. Not even his charm could've saved the awful writing. It completely missed the message that the source has conveyed so well.

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Kill Me Heal Me. Oh Ri On & Yoo Na. just dead. those scenes made me howl, it is hard to top the reaction. also there was actual crowd when they filmed the run along the street. I just cannot. all other dramas are something any actor might do again and again but that was a once in life experience that will probably never get repeated.

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I couldn't last through all of Itaewon Class, even though I like all the actors. I started thinking, "this was a comic first, wasn't it," and dropped it half way through.

Reading through the comments here, I'm appreciating Park Seo-Joon as an actor. The truth is, he manages to bring warmth to every character. I could believe he was raised in a working poor household in Fight My Way and I could believe he was a chaebol in What's Wrong with Secretary Kim.

I have to say, WWWSK has to win. There are so many characters in k-dramas who was jerks because of a terrible secret, and it never makes sense--but Seo-Joon's acting made it make sense in that drama. I believed he loved Secretary Kim all along. There was some moment where I thought, "Oh, his real arrogance is believing that he is strong enough to absorb the trauma for everyone else!" I always say this, but acting is magic. I think he and Park Minyoung successfully steered that show from the initial silly comedy through the dark (but to me satisfying) backstory, back to comedy-in-the-sense-that-everyone-pairs-off at the end. They both brought a lot of warmth and innocence to their characters.

I am developing a whole theory about why the tragic backstories are important and even necessary in k-dramas, but I feel like I should have read some literary criticism of Korean literature first. I do have some books here.

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His WWWSK character is definitely a special one in the rom-com genre and one that he should be proud of for acting it excellently.

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She Was Pretty had a lot of great moments, but got very frustrating. I'll say Secretary Kim. Even though the main couple got kind of boring for me, they had a lot of great side couples that kept my interest enough until the final episode.

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How it started: PSJ with The Most Awful Hair in Hwarang. Obviously his acting n face shined thru n i fell down the ever-waiting rabbit hole. Anyway, if i could only pick one drama of his, it’s definitely Fight My Way.

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Only drama i finished for PSJ Itaewon Class..

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I am probably the outlier here,but Park Seo Joon,while I respect him as an actor, is not someone I would watch a series for. That's rich coming from someone whose very first K-drama was a Park Seo Joon one - What's wrong with Sec Kim. Followed it with Hwarang (hated almost everything about that show with the singular exception of stunning Park Hyung Sik). I dropped Itawon class after four episodes, dropped She was pretty after 10 episodes....however I do love him as the person he is after watching him in Jenny's Kitchen and In the Soop. Especially in one instance in the Friendcation series, when they are all eating after a deep sea fishing trip, Woo-Shik makes this weird joke about baby fish, Hyung-Sik laughs at it, and Seo Joon gets truly offended at both of them (so does V). Seo-Joon asks Hyung Sik not to laugh at such jokes and V asks him if he (PHS) finds it funny. Hyung Sik immidiately tries to bashfully pretend otherwise (very unconvincingly). However, Woo Shik does not stop, eventually extracting a disgusted laugh from Seo Joon and rest of them (while PHS finally gives out his trademark hearty laugh he had been supressing out of respect). It was quite a funny but sweet moment and clearly shows he drives the group. In Jenny's Kitchen, he takes himself as the Chef very very seriously. If people didn't know better (and many of the customers had no idea), Seo Joon could easily have been mistaken as a professional chef (and V and Woo Sik as waiters, go figure lol!).

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Just curious: What was the joke?

I luv PSJ’s laugh.

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OK OK. The OP can obviously join in, but here’s the moment where I admit to myself that I have watched this variety show way too closely, and offer you the scoop. And I’m going to tell it Seon-ha’s way, which is the long way around with too much backstory.

Punchline: It was more of a shaggy-dog story than a “joke,” and the reactions to it were the real reason to listen.

So, the schtick of this show was this this group of famous male friends were to go on vacation and put their bromances on view. Each day they mainly sat around and talked and ate (the absolute best parts) but were also asked to “Do a Thing.” On one of the days, it was fishing in open water. Such a setup :)

So, they go to this place where all you need to do is put out a line in the sea and halibut just attach themselves to it immediately. The guys are all laughing on the boat about how easy it is to catch these fish, with the latent idea being that this activity is not really fishing—it’s just putting out a line and waiting for like 20 seconds.

With me so far?

So, then they end up back at their outrageously fancy vacation home, and decide (even though it’s relatively clear that they have no real desire to do this) to eat the raw fish that they just “caught” and someone else had processed for them. They basically do a PPL for, like, raw halibut for a while.

It is at this moment that, apparently, Choi Woo-shik snaps.

So, he says, “We caught a lot of baby fish out there too. Did they not feed them well at home?” (Dramatic pause as the group realizes that he’s starting to “tell a joke” and not just recount their experiences.) They murmur at each other about whether or not it’s funny until PSJ says (more-or-less), “Don’t encourage him by laughing.” However, this only encourages Woo-shik, “They must have not been loved at home…Maybe they wanted to eat out today?” he continues.

And they all break down laughing, which is the real point of the “scene.”

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Thank you, yes that's pretty much it. The funny part was that it was only PHS who laughed, and the rest three indignantly turned on him, (PHS expressions here were a hoot as he clearly 'got' Woo Shik's joke and had no problem laughing along). PHS visibly squirmed, not looking up from the raw halibut box while fiddling with his chopsticks, all the while suppressing his laugh, while V and Seo Joon continued to admonish him for encouraging Woo Shik, who was now on a roll. The more Seo Joon disapproved, the more Woo Shik kept going, until Seo Joon eventually gave up with an exasperated laugh. It was not as much the joke, which WAS weird, but their reaction to it. They all definitely defer to Seo Joon, though Woo Shik pushes his buttons the most. And they look up to him. That's even more evident in Jenny's kitchen. The way Woo Shik and V fight for a 'promotion' is hilarious.

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I think PSJ and Woo Shik go way back, before the wooga group, so Woo Shik would know what buttons to push!!

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Ah, OK. Thanks for explaining, and @minniegupta1 too. I guess no punchline then/had to be there scenario.

I don't usually watch actors outside of their shows. In my mind, PSJ is that warm/earnest/goofy/charming/down-to-earth character he often portrays (exceptions of course). And I'd like to keep him in my imagination like that, thank you very much.

Most times I violate that rule, I regret it. Case in point, looking up KYK after Call It Love. Boo, hoo, hoo. But from your description, maybe watching PSJ in reality shows won't hurt. Considering...

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Meh. If you like. I’ve only seen him in recent shows (from the last two years) and he plays the older, responsible brother to a tee (they have a word for that type in Korean ;)).

He does take pride in his cooking. But, again, I doubt that it’s a real view in.

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It won't. He is more charming in his original self and carries himself with a rare confidence of a leader, who is humble at the same time. He also obviously likes taking care of people close to him. He is their 'hyung' and he takes his real life role with them to heart. I like him better in his reality shows. In fact I will probably be crucified for this, but I find V quite annoying, but I also have to accept that Hwarang is relevant even today only and only because of V (and to some extent Hyung Sik probably).

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@indyfan I think In the Soop Friendcation is the variety show version of the cdrama Meet Yourself. It was warm and friendly in a chicken noodle soup on a cold winter day way. They guys are just mostly doing every day things but clearly enjoy spending time and are very supportive of each other. They do open up about their own challenges and give some really good real world advice- PSJ says (paraphrasing) "we're all in a 100 meter race and we all start at different starting points but in the end it doesn't matter who finishes first but that we finish at all." I highly recommend it and it's a rare kdrama show Disney+ actually has in the US.

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Oof. Have to reply to myself. But thanks for the feedback all. I may watch it on a night I need some chicken soup

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I agree, in reality shows PSJ is has a natural confidence when taking a leadership role, without boasting or arrogance. He's friendly and has a sense of humor. In the competition show with the cast of Itaewon Class, he was very caring too, watchful that his friends had enough to eat, were comfortable, feeling well, etc. I liked what I saw, although he was still in front of a camera I hoped this was really him. I do also appreciate him as an actor.

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Long post alert, my fingers itched to put this down so plz bear with me. When the camera is on even when you are sleeping, with people who are consistently used to it whirling in the background like white noise, facades tend to drop quickly. I think at least in the Friendcaion series, it was very natural. All five of them came across as having very different traits -

#Woo Shik is moody, cheeky, likes his space and does not have a filter in his mouth (he suspiciously behaves like someone who might have grown up in N.America), he is an extrovert but also shy when someone gets a bit close to his personal space. Has a whacko sense of humor and a childlike personality. He is competitive and while is not boastful, he is not humble either. He seems like someone who likes to live in his own head a lot. He is good at cleaning up after himself and others.

#V is consistently needy and is constantly coddled by others, but he is also very sensitive, tries to emulate those he looks up to (he visibly reveres Seo Joon, and adores Hyung Sik) and does not like losing. Though V has a face that looks million bucks first thing in the morning, he still constantly seeks attention and almost demands compliments like a kid, so he might be someone who probably still seeks validation and is struggling with a sense of belonging. Which in turn might explain why others are so caring about him. He jumps in to give a hand at chores all the time.

#Peakaboy: Grounded, he is visibly closest to Seo-Joon and tends to hang out mostly around him (makes sense as they go back to school buddies, the famed childhood connection). He is also very confident, self assured and speaks his mind. He follows Seo Joon's lead for most part but seems close to all others as well. He is the only one who does not pamper V and almost keeps him in check. He is the coffee maker of the group.

#Hyung-Sik: Goofy, he seems like someone who always likes to be either on the move, have an adventure or else sleep. He keeps laughing all the time, brings in a lot of energy. He seems to share a deeper bond with Woo Shik and he is the one who indulges V the most, in almost a motherly sort of a way. It also looks like the group thinks he is the most handsome of the five (to the point of being unapproachable which was a revealation). He also has a very kind and considerate side to him (for example, he never joined in when others made fun of each other) and likes to keep it low, and shies away when all attention turn to him, but apparently he is inasanely competitive when it comes to games (he cusses LOl!). He chose to stay up all night instead of putting an alarm so he didn't wake up anyone when leaving at 4:00 AM. Hugs are his love language and is very comfortable in his own skin. His body language changes when he sings - it's like seeing a different person. He contributed least to the chores, he did them but didn't seem overly concerned. It could be editing, or the fact he came last and left first...

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Cont:

#Seo Joon: A clear leader of the pack, he is the engine that drives the group. He is focussed and disciplined, and loves taking care of everything, almost like the head of a household (they call him Daddy). He loves cooking, and has absolutely no star airs. He is humble to a fault. Interestingly, he tries his best not be be partial to anyone and treats everyone the same. If he has a bias towards anyone amongst them, he hides it well. He takes good care of himself and keeps himself fit (he exercised with Peakaboy while others jumped back into bed). He also looked jaded and he seems to be struggling with something personal (they referenced it a couple of times, and it does look like Hyung Sik became friends with him at a very low point in Seo Joon's life, and that might have helped them bond). He has a world weary look on him and he definitely didn't look the mega star that he is. So it could be that he needs people who love him around him and he feels lonely.

All five come across genuinely bonded and are very comfortable around each other, and don't hold back. Oh, and can someone please tell me the brand that Hyung Sik's jacket is from?

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Thanks! You have interesting insights! I haven't watched friendcation as I don't have Disney. I wouldn't be surprised if Park Seo Joon is exhausted, given his schedule of projects this past year!! Exhaustion makes even small concerns feel larger. Anyway I recently watched Hwarang just to see the origins of the wooga squad (and because I like PSJ). Awful waste of talent, this show!!! I like watching these five in video clips and it's great that they have each other for support in their high stress fishbowl occupations. I have a group of five girlfriends from childhood and they remind me of us, we are too busy to get together often but we know we're all there for one another and when we are together it's like we just met last week. So it's fun to see these guys. Thanks for your observations, it always interests me to discover the actors I admire when they're being themselves, who they really are.

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@goyangi As @gikata mentioned somewhere here that Hwarang is everything that a show should never do LOL!

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Last year I started Hwarang but I dropped it in the sixth episode.
And I saw Park Seo Joon's cameo in Parasite.
That's all for now 😅

I have Fight for my way in my "plan to watch" list but I never find the moment to start it.
I'm not very interested in other dramas where he starred in, not even in What's wrong with secretary Kim.

I have not watched him in variety shows either, but he seems a really nice guy. A pair of friends of mine have a crush on him. He is so popular! I have watched him in many photos and he is undoubtly photogenic ... but for whatever reason, he's not my type.

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I have decided to watch Fight My Way as my ongoing watch for the time being, so if you decide to take the plunge, you’ll have company! I became engaged by this particular approach to the tropey cuteness at about minute 110.

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I have just started another rom-com (Shining Inheritance), but I'll watch "Fight for my way" probably soon. It seems a light drama for Summer season.

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I have seen enough reels on Insta and am convinced that though he might be not my type, I might actually give it a try because it looks funny and tropey, and I need some healthy doses of tropey after watching some dark dark stuff.

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Fight My Way is definitely a good palate cleanser after watching something dark!

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I fell in love with Park Seo-joon in What's wrong with secretary Kim and that was one of the few things I loved about that drama. I still can't think of an actor who'd be able to make such a character as obnoxiously cute.

But my favourite drama with PSJ is definitely Fight My Way. The excellent use of the friends-to-lovers trope, the OST, the T-shirts. It is one of my top 10 dramas.

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I've only seen Park Seo Joon in two dramas, She Was Pretty (one of my most recent watches, and I regret sleeping on this drama when it came out) and Witch's Romance (watched while it aired and loved it but hated everything around the fiancé coming back, I need to do a rewatch). I'll leave the floor to people who've seen more of his work, but I definitely liked him in both of the above dramas and look forward to watching more of his stuff.

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I am actually rewatching WWWSK right now! Lol. It is a go to for me when I am experiencing anxiety. I don't know why but there are a few K-dramas that I can rewatch that calm me down and this is, strangely, one of them. I also love his movie Divine Fury.
I don't think it matters what his character is in any show he seems to give 110% to it (and his looks don't hurt either LOL). 😁

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Park Seo Joon is one of my favorites so I've seen almost everything of his that's available in my region.
My pick has got to be Hwarang.
... hehehe just kidding!! I finished that show but it really was a trainwreck, especially the female lead! 🤪
My favorite is Fight My Way. I loved the friendships in this one, the friends to lovers storyline, and the feel good vibe. It's one that I've revisited after watching a more intense, dark, or emotionally draining show.
I was watching Itaewon Class last Oct when news of the Halloween crowd crush came out, so I enjoyed this show but there was that tinge of sadness too, especially with the Halloween scene. WWWSK was fun (Aura!!) and I appreciated the sister character who was not thin as a beanpole! Witch's Romance and She Was Pretty were also good shows. Hope we can see the film Dream soon.

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Itaewon Class

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hi, I am watching Jinny's Kitchen in Iceland, and I almost didn't recognize Park Seo Joon - I still don't believe it, haven't watched a drama in a while, but saw Yoon's kitchen, so has he changed a lot?

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