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Park Ki-woong moved to tears at acting praise

As you may know (because I keep harping on it), KBS’s new drama Story of a Man has got me rather hooked, for several reasons. First, the direction of the drama is beautiful, tight, and skilled. The story is mysterious. And the acting is pretty damn good, particularly with its uber-villain played by Kim Kang-woo, followed by the awkward autistic financial genius played by Park Ki-woong.

Park has been in several drama series and films (Love & Marriage, When Night Comes), but this’ll most likely be the breakout role that turns him into “real actor,” and the honor is not lost on him. In a recent interview, he admits that he was moved to tears after receiving the first acting praise of his career.

“I was reading the drama message board, and started tearing up without realizing,” said Park.

In Story of a Man, Park Ki-woong plays the brain behind the “Dream Team” assembled by Park Yong-ha, as Ahn Kyung-tae, who exhibits mild autism but also has an excellent analytical mind and keen judgment.

After he first appeared in the second episode, viewers have heaped strong praise on Park on online message boards for his portrayal of Ahn Kyung-tae.

Park Ki-woong gained popularity after a cell phone CF [watch below] and appeared in several films and dramas, but he hasn’t received praise anywhere as positive as he is currently hearing. After jumping to a lead role in the movie My Tutor Friend 2, he showed promise as an up-and-comer. However, like suffering indigestion after eating too quickly, his following projects weren’t successful and he suffered some mocking as “the guy who became famous through one commercial.”

Here’s Park Ki-woong’s hilarious Sky cell phone CF from three years ago:

 

However, in the case of Story of a Man, eight or nine out of ten online comments about Park have been positive, and one in particular made him well up with tears, which said, “You can see him maturing every time the drama airs.”

Park said, “I only started acting six or seven years ago. My filmography isn’t that long… It doesn’t really make sense to hear that I’m acting well. I know I lack a lot, and I’m always blaming myself, ‘Why can’t you do any better than this?’ I approach each shoot thinking that even if I don’t improve, at least I shouldn’t take a step backward. So to hear that I’m improving every day touched my heart more than any other praise could.”

Ahn Kyung-tae isn’t an easy character to act. It requires a lot of study, given that he suffers from nervous tics and autism, and on top of that is someone who shot to fame as a stock analyst. Park explained, “On set, I usually run through the scene several times myself and familiarize myself with the script in an ‘animalistic’ style [i.e., basic, instinctual], and I don’t memorize the dialogue separately. But this time, I’m getting rid of my previous acting style and did a lot of prior research and study.”

He met with people who suffer from speech and motor impediments, and because his first meeting with Kim Shin (Park Yong-ha) in the drama takes place in prison, he sought out many similar films and documentaries to study. He also practiced constantly to be able to speak financial and stock terminology naturally, and above all he exerted much care to not overly exaggerate his portrayal of a disabled person.

Park Ki-woong says, “I can’t speak too freely about the events in Story of a Man, but I can tell you this. Story of a Man is a drama that all the actors can feel pride in. The cast is working hard and pouring themselves into character, so I hope it does well.”

First of all, it’s interesting to witness this change in Park, because it’s like watching a light bulb turn on over an actor’s head. He must have natural talent if he’s worked as much as he has without needing to do a lot of preparation. I’m not saying Method is the way to go, because I don’t think that at all, but I’m glad to see someone able to work with his natural ability and elevate it to the next level.

And secondly, you know what this means, all you Park Ki-woong fans: HE READS TEH INTERNETZ. Get on it!

Via E Daily

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I agree with your twitter comment. Instant information at my fingertips is making me dumb.... Ah, the perils of the Internet.

Yeah Park Ki Woong!!! You're such a cutie!! And I agree about his maturing, especially from that odd character he played in My Tutor Friend 2.. Haha... He actually got a good role this time! It suits his acting range because he always plays hilarious sidekicks or the other wheel. This time his role has a darker twist. He couldn't have chosen a more perfect role! I always wondered if he was mixed blood and sometimes I confuse him with Yoo-Gun but now I know how to tell the difference. Park Ki Woong is cuter!

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I have seen all this movie and drama roles and Iloved them all! I am excited to see this drama now for him and for the story!!

I watched him on one ep of yashimmanman and thouht to myself "man I wanna see him really get out there"

It feels like Kyoko in Skip Beat finally finding out her character x]

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lol not this "his drama and movie roles"

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That commercial totally made my day!!! I actually enjoyed watching his character in When Its At Night (I thought it was an improvement over Love & Marriage or maybe it was because his character was more likable?) Now I'm even more curious/excited to start Story of a Man

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darn it, why did my office have to block all streaming sites
well i'll try to find other source for this video or maybe i'll just watch it later
when i first saw park ki woong was on my tutor friend 2 (i really liked my tutor friend 1, so i've got high expectations from MTF2), and he's okay on that movie, not very good but not bad either, i never watched any of his drama before ( -_-)
well i think he would have a very successful career ahead of him, best of luck for him
Now i really need to watch Story of a Man...

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does anyone else think Park Ki-woong looks really different in love&marriage compared story of a man? its like before he had a pointer face. still love his commerical =)

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Lmao...i dun noe his dramas or anything, but that CF is dead funny xD

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hes adorable~<3

kinda resemble L from death note~

both are soo cute!
and yes! awesome acting skills displayed there~

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I didn't know he was the one in the CF! hahaha. Well, you learn something new every day. XD

I love him in My Tutor Friend 2, love him in Love&Marriage and definitely love him in Story of A Man.
He portrays the character really well in Story of A Man. One of the reason I love the drama is because of his character.

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...
he looks lik hajae from BOF
hes so cute
and very funny CF!

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I dont know how you feel about him u guys but I DO LOVE HIM!! WOOHO!

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hey i don't know the dude but he seems like a cools person :D

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cool*

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loved him on my tutor friend 2 he was so funny and he seemed so natural like he was not faking it idk but fighting :D
Story of a Man here i come…………after i finish my hw T,T

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Wow....time jump, it's 2010 and a new drama for PKW... He's matured so much but this commercial I'll always search for, he's gonna go far, ubber talented... Thanks JB again I HOPE you and/or GF will recap the Musical... Thanks..

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