Park Hae-joon takes to small screen with Tving's new comedy series

From left, actors Kim Gab-soo, Park Jung-yeon and Park Hae-joon pose during an online press conference for the Tving's new original series, “I Haven't Done My Best Yet,” Friday. Courtesy of Tving

By Lee Gyu-lee

Actor Park Hae-joon is set to lead local streaming service Tving's new original series, “I Haven't Done My Best Yet,” about two years after playing his breakthrough role in JTBC's hit series, “The World of the Married,” in 2020.

Based on the Japanese comic series, “I'll Give It My All ... Tomorrow,” the comedy series revolves around a 44-year-old man, Nam Geum-pil (Park), who is living with his father and teenage daughter.

One day, he suddenly decides to quit his job of 10 years. With his carefree, optimistic nature, he goes on a journey to find himself and takes a stab at becoming a comic creator.

“I decided to take the role on the day I read the script,” Park said during the online press conference of the series, Friday. “I've been wanting to do this type of work: a series with a story that is relatable to our daily lives. I enjoyed shooting this series very much.”

The series is directed by Lim Tae-woo, who led the 2016 romance series, “Steal Heart,” and is co-scripted by Park Hee-kwon, who penned the apocalyptic film “Flu” (2013), and Park Eun-young, who wrote the 2006 melodrama film, “Maundy Thursday.”

The director said that he was moved after reading the original comic series and decided to create the live adaptation.

“The story of Geum-pil encountering people with emotional pain and unfolding in a warmhearted manner, came as very comforting, like it was clearing my head when I read it,” he said. “As I was making it into a series, I tried to put more emphasis on the lighthearted stories of the characters' lives. The series will also still have (Geum-pil) struggling through his life in an optimistic way.”

A scene from the series, “I Haven't Done My Best Yet" / Courtesy of Tving

Lim said that casting Park for the character of Geum-pill was sort of a gamble, noting the previous roles he played were far from that of Geum-pil.

“Park has this cynical image, but I heard that he is actually clumsy and silly. And I thought he would be the perfect fit for the character if he could bring out the childlike side of him,” he said. “It was a gamble until we began shooting, and now that we are done, I'm more than satisfied.”

Park also expressed that he shared a strong resemblance with the character.

“The character from the comics and I might not be similar appearance-wise, but I'm also pretty far from being a grown-up. So I felt if I just let everything loose and have fun with the character, I could make it a good one,” he said, adding that people who knew his personality told him that the character is just like him.

Adding that the series will offer a feel-good story, the director and Park said the audience will be able to resonate with the good-hearted narrative.

“I tried to capture the small but relatable moments of our lives into the story. So as we follow those stories, you will be able to enjoy the series,” the director said.

“I hope the series can offer a sense of comfort and touch viewers' hearts,” Park added.

“I Haven't Done My Best Yet” is set to premiere on Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. and two further episodes will be released on Tving every Friday.