Actor Park Hee-soon shared heartfelt thoughts ahead of the finale of The Judge Returns.
Park Hee-soon today (14) appeared in MBC's Friday-Saturday drama The Judge Returns (planning Namgoong Seong-woo, Chang Jae-hoon/screenplay Kim Gwang-min/directed by Lee Jae-jin, Park Mi-yeon/produced by O H Story, Slingshot Studio) as Seoul Central District Court chief criminal judge "Kang Shin-jin," perfectly portraying the face of a vicious and ruthless man of power with a compelling performance. In particular, he expressed intimidation with suffocating looks and unwavering demeanor amid tense confrontations with various characters, creating a different level of tension.
Based on solid acting skills, Park Hee-soon, who created the "all-time great villain" Kang Shin-jin, once again proved his undeniable presence through The Judge Returns. Accordingly, we released a one-on-one interview in which Park Hee-soon showed the irreplaceable actor's resilience through The Judge Returns.
Next is the full Q&A with Park Hee-soon on the finale of The Judge Returns.
Q. Please share your thoughts on finishing the drama The Judge Returns.
A. I am happy that we were able to finish the series well until the end. I also want to thank the actors and staff who worked with me.
Q. "Kang Shin-jin" was a character at the pinnacle of judicial power who showed desire disguised as justice and distorted beliefs. Now that the show is ending, how would you define "Kang Shin-jin" from an actor's perspective?
A. I think Kang Shin-jin is someone who hides desire behind the justice he proclaims. On the surface he appears to be someone who maintains order, but inside he was a very dangerous person with accumulated urges for control and distorted beliefs.
Q. "Kang Shin-jin" is a character who moves with the conviction that he is "the right person." How far do you think that conviction pushed him?
A. I think that conviction ultimately destroyed him. Because he never doubted himself, he could not hear the words or warnings around him, and I think he was a person who inevitably headed toward ruin.
Q. While various villain characters appear in The Judge Returns, "Kang Shin-jin" was someone who created an "invisible terror." Compared with other villains, what do you think is Kang Shin-jin's distinguishing feature?
A. I think the biggest distinction is that as his distorted belief hardened, the line between good and evil collapsed. That made him feel more unsettling and threatening.
Q. As the latter half progressed, Kang Shin-jin made increasingly extreme choices. Was there a scene in which you were most immersed as an actor and at the same time found most difficult?
A. The scene in Suojae where he accidentally kills Woo Gyo-hoon (played by Jeon Jin-gi). Because it was not a planned act but a momentary choice that led to irreversible consequences, I thought a lot about how to portray it.
Q. Everyday elements such as food and meal scenes in the drama were used as devices to reveal Kang Shin-jin's inner self. When acting with this setting, what did you focus on?
A. I thought that the act of "eating" itself was an expression of desire for Kang Shin-jin. Through his attitude toward food and meal scenes, I wanted to naturally show the character's emotional state and sense of power.
Q. Once again, praise for the "Park Hee-soon-style villain" followed through this work. What kind of character do you think "Kang Shin-jin" will remain as for actor Park Hee-soon?
A. An all-time villain. Even I thought while acting that I might not easily forgive him. (laughs)
Q. Finally, please say a word to the viewers who loved The Judge Returns.
A. I sincerely thank the viewers who stayed with us until the end. I think I was able to complete the character Kang Shin-jin thanks to you watching the work and character until the end. I hope to greet you next time with another look, another character. (laughs)
[Photo] Management Siseon
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