Park Seo-joon talks about career and first lead role in Midnight Runners

Park Seo-joon said he and Kang Ha-neul have great chemistry.

Park Seo-joon
Park Seo-joon will be debuting in his the film Midnight Runners Instagram

Korean heartthrob Park Seo-joon will be debuting in his first starring role film "Midnight Runners" along with actor Kang Ha-neul. The comedy, to be released in South Korea on August 9, is about police students Ki-joon (played by Park Seo-joon) and Hee-yeol (Kang Ha-neul) who investigate a kidnapping incident on their own.

Park Seo-joon told the Korea Herald that his character has "of "passion, tenacity and sincerity."

"He's someone who doesn't really know how the world works. He's a little sloppy, just full of passion," he said.

The 28-year-old actor said he and Kang Ha-neul have great chemistry.

'"We instantly got along. ... We might have led different lives but the way we think is very similar," he added. "I think acting is more about reaction than action. You have to understand the (other actor's) style and react to that, which can bring life to a scene and to a work. I never think that I have to be the star of a scene."

Since debuting in 2011, he has starred in numerous TV dramas including the recently concluded "Fight for My Way."

He admitted, though, that when he was young he was very shy.

"I couldn't even order food at a restaurant, I was so embarrassed. I wanted to change that. And I have to confess I was drawn a little bit to the glamour (of acting)," the actor explained.

To battle his shyness, he became a member of his school's animation club and joined a cosplay event.

"That was the first time I wasn't afraid of people's attention. It was surprising. I went to an acting academy for the first time when I was in high school. They told me it was too late," he said.

At 24, he had his first TV drama "Dream High 2." From there, he starred in "Pots of Gold," "One Warm Word," "Witch's Romance," "Kill Me, Heal Me," "She Was Pretty" and "Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth."

His method of acting is to act natural.

"I really don't like it when you can tell someone is acting. I want to be someone who feels comfortable in every situation. I think you have to be relaxed to be able to listen to others' thoughts and, in turn, express your own thoughts," he said.