Park Yong-woo rediscovers thrill of acting with chilling turn in ‘Hunter with a Scalpel’

Actor Park Yong-woo poses during a press conference for the STUDIO X+U drama “Hunter with a Scalpel” at Ramada by Wyndam Seoul Sindorim hotel, Sunday. Yonhap

Veteran actor Park Yong-woo has played countless roles over his 30-year career, but his passion for acting continues to deepen with time.

In a recent interview, he described his mindset with striking clarity: “Now, it really feels like the beginning.” His ultimate goal, he said, is to keep acting in ways that never feel stale for the rest of his life.

Park, who began acting in 1993 and debuted as part of MBC’s 24th class of contracted talent, has built a career spanning both television and film.

Known for his versatility and willingness to take risks, he recently took on one of his boldest roles yet in “Hunter with a Scalpel,” a drama produced by LG Uplus’s STUDIO X+U and currently streaming on Disney+.

Playing a psychopathic serial killer, Park deliveres a chilling performance that earned critical praise.

Park said he approached the character not from a good-versus-evil binary but from a place of psychological deficiency.

“It was a role I had never tried before, and it felt like a chance to explore emotions I hadn’t expressed on screen,” he said. “Though time was tight, I had fun with it, and I’m fairly satisfied with the result.”

Park Yong-woo takes on a new character in "Hunter with a Scalpel." Courtesy of Prain TPC

“Hunter with a Scalpel” is a psychological crime thriller that follows Se-hyun (played by Park Ju-hyun), a brilliant medical examiner who discovers evidence suggesting her father, long presumed to be dead, may have committed a series of murders.

She sets out to capture him before the police do. Park’s character, Yoon Jo-gyun, is a complex figure who defies simple labels like “psychopath.”

“What’s truly terrifying,” Park said, “is when someone behaves outside the bounds of common sense without guilt or hesitation, and expresses those emotions with unsettling ease.”

The role of Yoon Jo-gyun offered a rare opportunity for an actor to fully immerse himself in emotional nuance and expression, and Park said he relished the chance. The energy he drew from the part, he said, reminded him why he acts.

From romantic comedies to villains, Park has continually challenged typecasting, refusing to settle into a single image. His career choices reflect a consistent commitment to change and exploration.

Asked whether his selection criteria for projects have changed, Park said the fundamentals remain the same: “My direction and values haven’t shifted much. But with experience, I’ve gained clarity. If something excites me — a role, a director, a fellow actor — I’m likely to say yes.”

Park Yong-woo as Yoon Jo-gyun in "Hunter with a Scalpel" / Courtesy of Prain TPC

Now over three decades into his acting journey, Park hopes to keep performing well into old age. “Actors tend to have certain mannerisms or habits that repeat,” he said. “The key is finding ways to make those things feel fresh. We don’t have a retirement age in this line of work. I want to keep acting until the day I die.”

He looks to role models like Lee Soon-jae and Anthony Hopkins, whom he admires for their enduring energy and masterful performances. “They’re truly inspiring,” he said.

Park also described acting as a kind of ongoing life study. “There are so many types of people in the world. Through different characters, I get to experience emotions I wouldn’t in everyday life,” he said. “Imagining a character’s sadness, pain, or growth gives me a glimpse into lives I’ve never lived. I think acting is a blessing.”

Though many actors feel pressure from the constant need to be chosen for roles, Park has developed a grounded perspective.

“At some point, I realized that most jobs involve being chosen,” he said. “Nothing in life is inherently safe. And if it were, it probably wouldn’t be that interesting. If you believe things will turn out well, then it’s more exciting to take some risks.”

With his passionate and thoughtful approach, Park continues to chase what excites him — and if he has his way, he’ll be doing so for another 30 years, still unafraid of change, still in love with the craft.

Actors Park Yong-woo and Park Ju-hyun / Yonhap

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.