Actor Park Young-kyu, who successfully married for the fourth time to a wife 25 years younger, expressed a sense of affinity with 'The Country of Villains.'

On Dec. 12, a production presentation for KBS 2TV's new Wednesday-Thursday drama 'The Country of Villains' (written by Chae Woo, Park Kwang-yeon, directed by Kim Young-jo and Choi Jeong-eun) was held at the Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. At this event, actors Oh Na-ra, So Yoo-jin, Seo Hyun-cheol, Song Jin-woo, Park Young-kyu, and Choi Ye-na shared their thoughts on the project.

'The Country of Villains' is a situational comedy drama that captures the sometimes rough yet warm daily lives of K-moms and their quirky families. Actors Oh Na-ra and So Yoo-jin play the villainous K-mom sisters, while Seo Hyun-cheol and Song Jin-woo portray their husbands. Through this project, Oh Na-ra and So Yoo-jin meet the audience with their acting after a long time. Oh Na-ra last performed in the drama 'Hwanhon: Light and Shadow,' which ended in 2023, while So Yoo-jin returns after two years in a new project following the drama 'Lovers' that aired the same year.

In particular, Park Young-kyu received acclaim for his past hit sitcom 'Dae Jang Geum.' After the sitcom 'Live Right' ended in 2003, he is presenting a new sitcom for the first time in 12 years. He remarked, "I began 'Dae Jang Geum' 27 years ago in 1998. It's already been 27 years. Back then, I said, 'Why are you doing that, father-in-law?' but now I have become a 'father-in-law.' Time has changed both the life of an actor and the role, and I’ve now become a father with two daughters who are both of marriageable age and a grandparent who sees his grandchildren."

He continued, "In fact, I have been reflecting a lot on how the comedy code I possess will mix with my life over the years, and how I can bring joy and laughter to our citizens at this age. While working together, I had many thoughts. Fortunately, I met excellent actors, including my eldest daughter Oh Na-ra and my second daughter So Yoo-jin, as well as both sons-in-law. Watching our director at work, the anxiety I felt concerning my age was relaxed. I believe that as diligently as I have worked under tension, I will surely present our citizens with something enjoyable, meaningful, and filled with pure and refreshing laughter. I will shoot joyfully and happily."

"I took Oh Na-ra's surname, so I became Oh Young-kyu. An actor must adapt to the passage of time. At this age, it is an honor to act alongside such beautiful and warm daughters who perform so well. Whether it’s Oh or not, it doesn’t matter," he jokingly added, "It seems the director took everything into consideration when casting, as I take on the role of someone dating Oh Na-ra's friend, and Yu-jin and Na-ra are the ones saying, 'Dad, are you crazy?'"

In reality, having formed a family through his fourth marriage to a wife 25 years younger, Park Young-kyu said, "It seems that the drama is somewhat similar to real life. I don’t seem to have any major difficulties. I naturally find myself in conversations where friends ask how I'm doing, if I'm okay, and what it’s like with a significantly younger wife. I told Na-ra, what can I do if my heart is racing?"

He added, "In response to that, I believe that older people or young people will also think that they want to live a life where their hearts race even as they age. It's not a bad thing; it's about pursuing happiness in one's life and loving with a sincere heart, and I thought that it’s not bad to think that way."

'The Country of Villains' will premiere on the night of the 19th at 9:50 p.m. It will then air at the same time every Wednesday and Thursday.

[Photo] OSEN reporter Ji Hyung-joon.

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