Park Hyung Sik on Playing Seo Dong Ju in Buried Hearts: I wanted to show a side no-one has seen

Park Hyung Sik on Playing Seo Dong Ju in Buried Hearts

South Korean actor-singer Park Hyung Sik is winning hearts with his intense portrayal of Seo Dong Ju in SBS’s mystery thriller Buried Hearts. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, the beloved star delves into the complexities of his character and how playing Dong Ju allowed him to explore uncharted emotional territory.

Park Hyung Sik, known for his roles in Hwarang, Strong Girl Bong Soon, Happiness, and Doctor Slump, takes on a darker and more layered character in Buried Hearts. Speaking about what drew him to Seo Dong Ju, he explained, “When I first encountered Dong Ju, I saw him as a young man fiercely navigating the hardships of the real world. Since we all live with big dreams and also strongly feel love, I was fascinated by the emotional graph of the character, especially when he faces dramatic situations.”

Seo Dong Ju is portrayed as an influential executive at a powerful conglomerate who is caught in a murky web of embezzlement, revenge, and betrayal. Park shared that the character’s relentless drive and emotional complexity resonated with him personally. “Dong Ju has had a rough life, and his sole ambition is to survive in Daesan and climb higher. He abandons his past and devotes himself to the company, striving to earn the chairman’s trust,” he said.

The actor also drew parallels between himself and his character, noting, “I think I am quite similar to Dong Ju. Having confidence in the path that one chooses and enduring the pain along the way is not only my story, but a reflection of us all.”

With Buried Hearts marking his first foray into a character with dark shades, Park called it a deliberate move. “I wanted to show a side of me that nobody has seen before. Buried Hearts felt like the right opportunity to do that,” he said.

Also Read: When Hollywood actress Sharon Stone praised Ranveer Singh: He is a master of transformation

Park also spoke highly of director Jing Chang Kyu, who praised his approach to the character. “Though I haven’t set a specific goal, I want to move forward, becoming better each day,” he added when asked about his road map as an artiste.

He reflected on his journey of defying stereotypes through recent works, saying, “While it is important for every actor to do that, it was a necessity for me. Most people carry preconceived notions and a biased view about themselves. I, too, am like that. That is why I felt that I needed to push the boundaries.”

By portraying Seo Dong Ju, Park Hyung Sik has not only pushed creative limits but also redefined his own identity as a performer—one who is not afraid to embrace vulnerability and darkness to tell authentic, layered stories.