Park Bo-young dives into complex duality in ‘Our Unwritten Seoul’

Actor Park Bo-young poses during a press conference for the tvN drama “Our Unwritten Seoul” at CGV Yeongdeungpo in Seoul on May 21. Yonhap

Actor Park Bo-young is taking on a career-defining challenge in tvN’s upcoming weekend drama “Our Unwritten Seoul,” shedding her well-known soft and warm image for a bolder, more complex performance.

At a press conference at CGV Yeongdeungpo in Seoul, Wednesday, Park appeared alongside co-stars Park Jin-young and Ryu Kyung-soo, as well as director Park Shin-woo, to discuss the series ahead of its premiere on May 24.

“Our Unwritten Seoul” is a romantic coming-of-age drama that follows twin sisters who, apart from sharing the same face, are complete opposites. When they decide to swap lives through a lie, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, love, and personal growth.

Director Park called the script “honest and unembellished,” expressing deep admiration for its sincerity.

Park plays both sisters — Yoo Mi-ji and Yoo Mi-rae — as well as each pretending to be the other, effectively embodying four personas. “I don’t consider it four roles — to me, it’s two,” Park said. “But when I read the script, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If not now, I might never get a chance like this again.”

From left, actors Park Jin-young, Park Bo-young, and Ryu Kyung-soo pose during a press conference for the tvN drama “Our Unwritten Seoul” at CGV Yeongdeungpo in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

A particular line in the script struck a chord with her: “I’ll live as you, and you live as me.” “The moment I read that, I knew I had to do this drama,” she said.

Working alongside Park Jin-young and Ryu Kyung-soo was another motivation. “They each have different charms, and to work with both of them at once felt like an opportunity that may never come again,” she said. “I truly enjoyed the experience.”

Park Jin-young, in turn, praised her presence on set, saying, “Being around Bo-young sunbae gave me a lot of comfort. She’s a genuinely kind person — much like her character.”

In a departure from her usual image, Park also took bold steps in styling, including a much-discussed hair transformation.

“Mi-rae, one of the sisters, is emotionally worn out and colder on the outside. We put a lot of thought into how that would come across visually, including how color was used or stripped away,” she said. “The hardest part was maintaining balance when the sisters were pretending to be each other, but the director helped a lot on set.”

The striking bleach-blonde look, which drew significant attention from fans, was suggested by director Park. “We wanted a distinctly different feel, and I was satisfied with the result,” Park said.

For director Park, whose previous drama “When the Stars Gossip” faced lukewarm reception, “Our Unwritten Seoul” represents a fresh start. “Of course I wanted to do well this time,” he said. “But I love all of my works, regardless of the outcome. I don’t carry disappointment into the next project.”

With its intriguing plot, high-profile cast, and Park’s transformative performance, “Our Unwritten Seoul” premieres on May 24 on tvN.

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This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.