You can find all of our “Bias Duality” articles in one place by clicking here! This week’s Bias Duality article is dedicated to the artist of artists, the paragon of duality himself: ZE:A’s Park HyungSik. With 50.2% of the total votes cast by Kpopmap readers on the poll in our previous “Bias Duality” article, Park HyungSik was enthusiastically chosen by fans to appear on this series!
To participate in choosing the artist who will be featured in our next “Bias Duality” article, you can vote for your favourite idol/actor below! If you would like to see a different idol/actor (one who is not mentioned in the poll) featured in the series, please leave their name in the comments section, and we will add them to the vote lineup next time! Now onto our bias!
Park HyungSik: Veni, Vidi, Vici
The first thing that comes to mind when we think of Park HyungSik is the multifaceted idol, actor, thespian, and artist whole stole the world’s heart with his extraordinary talent. Born Park HyungSik and reborn with the same name on stage/screen, HyungSik chose to honour his mother’s wish of living up to his real name by refusing a stage name. With this very name, Park HyungSik came, saw, and conquered the entertainment industry, whether that be in the sphere of music, theatre, film, or television.
Ever since his debut, Park HyungSik has unrelentingly shared his kind and affectionate nature with those around him, bringing joy and light wherever he goes. If you didn’t know, this gentle personality runs in his blood! From kissing his parents goodbye to calling them just to say “I love you”, HyungSik doesn’t hesitate to shower his loved ones with all the warmth in the world because that’s exactly how he was raised. As such, he is naturally doting towards his fellow members, co-actors, and staff, always ensuring that they’re comfortable and in optimal condition.
Now, while Park HyungSik is rightfully well-known for his selfless and caring nature, he is also the “Baby Soldier” who was born to be loved. HyungSik is deeply cherished by fans and colleagues alike, and it is no surprise that this “Young Prince” is also the most pampered member in ZE:A. In Im SiWan’s own words, he certainly takes liberties with his hyungs, but he does so in such an endearing way that they admittedly cannot help but yield to his charms. HyungSik is arguably the wittiest member in ZE:A, but he’s also the most comforting and nurturing. It is no surprise, therefore, that the sheer kindness, respect, and compassion with which he treats his co-stars have earned him a reputation for being a true delight to work with. Being the energetic mood maker on set, he knows exactly how to lift the cast and crew’s spirits and bring out the best in everyone.
Like water, he adapts to his environment and livens it up at the same time. HyungSik is the kind of person to go out of his way to accommodate and support his peers, seniors, or even juniors, which speaks volumes of his thoughtful disposition. As playful as he is, HyungSik is also profoundly reliable and a true friend.The perfect representation of this quality is Wooga Squad, the famous celebrity friend squad including Park HyungSik, BTS’ V, Park SeoJun, Choi WooShik, and Peakboy. From shouting out their recent releases to photoshopping himself in group pictures taken without him, their friendship is as precious as the rarest of gems. There’s not a soul in the world who wouldn’t vouch for HyungSik’s golden heart, even if they interacted with him for the most fleeting of moments.
Building An Empire: ZE:A’s HyungSik
Park HyungSik first stepped into the shining world of stardom when he debuted as a member of ZE:A, a K-Pop boy group that achieved breakout success in the interim period between the 2nd and the 3rd generation of K-Pop. The group debuted with ‘Mazeltov’, an electronic pop track that hugely contributed to defining the sonic aesthetic of the times. While HyungSik’s official position was that of a vocalist, the idol left no stone unturned in showcasing the full range of his talents. From powerful rap to soulful vocals, hip-hop to breakdance, this man could do it all. Soon, HyungSik started to understand and refine his own signature sound and with his affinity for making sincere music that touches the heart of his listeners, HyungSik grew fond of ballads.
While Park HyungSik was actively promoting with ZE:A, it was clear as day that he was the most comfortable when around his members. Not only did he fit in well with them, but he also considered himself at one with the group, going as far as to proclaim, “I am ZE:A”. The synergy he shared on stage with the rest of his members and the conviction with which he highlighted his own individuality, birthed a stage duality like no other. Four songs that wonderfully demonstrate this play of binaries are ‘The Ghost Of Wind’, ‘St-Dagger’, ‘Breath’ and ‘Watch Out!’. Let’s take a deep dive into each of these, shall we? Drawing on the premise of unrequited love, ‘The Ghost Of Wind’ is one of those songs that posits HyungSik’s strong, driven vocals at the forefront, drawing attention to the passion with which he delivers the performance. There’s a dark despair in HyungSik’s eyes as he emotes the lyrics effortlessly, coupled with a determination that only his heart knows. Much like the protagonist he sings of/as, Park HyungSik oscillates between grief, helplessness and vulnerability, all while mastering choreography and belting his notes with perfection. On the one hand, he’s pleading for his beloved to return, and on the other, he’s making us weak in the knees. That’s when we knew, we had a charmer on our hands. Next up for your consideration is ‘St-Dagger’, a song that would break records and top charts left and right even if it was re-released today. Carrying the essence of old-school K-Pop and the novelty of a timeless hit, ‘St-Dagger’ is a melancholic lament of regret. The intensity of ‘The Ghost Of Wind’ is done away with in favour of a much softer confessional. Park HyungSik pulls out all the stops for this stage, bringing out his inner romance protagonist to make our hearts flutter. We know we’re supposed to feel sympathetic but one simply cannot ignore the allure of his performance, especially when the chair choreography kicks in. HyungSik incorporates the slightest hint of aegyo to his parts, which take them to a whole new dimension. Needless to say, we’re obsessed! The rockstars return for ‘Breath’, another song about separation that nonetheless sounds like a club bop. ZE:A clearly has a penchant for making us headbang to heartbreak and we’re not complaining! Once again, HyungSik takes on a cloud of blues that betray little rays of sunshine through the most adorable smiles. He knows exactly the impact he has on his audience and we love to see him play the master of puppets. Finally, we have the song that brings our boys to the party they deserve, ‘Watch Out!’. The group’s performance of ‘Watch Out’ on Episode 266 “Show! Music Core” also happens to be one of their best stages of all time! This is the aegyo fest of our dreams, complete with all the fluffy cheesiness we could have ever asked for. As bright and beautiful as HyungSik looks, his vocals are a wonder to behold, especially live. His real, spirited personality shines through in this performance, making us fall for him all over again. Bonus: We could not have concluded this section without mentioning one of the greatest ZE:A songs (with one of the most legendary stage outfits) of all time, ‘Phoenix’. Pumped with power and adrenaline, this song screams machismo, angst, and rebellion. As always, Park HyungSik delivers, giving us the best of all worlds. We don’t know about you but we’re definitely manifesting a ZE:A comeback!
Duality In Versatility: Park HyungSik On Screen
The 2010s in the Korean entertainment industry was a time when the concept of “variety-dols” or idol entertainers and acting idols started to gain significant prominence. Soon after his debut, Park HyungSik ventured into theatre acting, variety shows, and eventually K-Dramas, dipping his feet into a whole new world. It wasn’t long before this world embraced him with open arms and Park HyungSik landed his first major supporting role in the iconic romance drama “The Heirs”, alongside Lee MinHo, Park ShinHye, Kim WooBin, Kang HaNeul, and more. The rest, of course, is history.
Some of Park HyungSik’s most popular K-Dramas include “Strong Woman Do BongSoon”, “Hwarang”, “Suits”, “What Happens To My Family”, and most recently, “Soundtrack #1”. Through these works, we meet new sides of Park HyungSik, that are both familiar and completely new at the same time. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be looking at three of the most striking roles the actor has ever taken on, to further illustrate his duality.
One of the most impressively complex characters Park HyungSik has played is Jung YiHyun from the apocalyptic thriller “Happiness”. Jung YiHyun is a police detective with a nose for the truth and the fists to back him up. He’s fiercely protective of Yoon SaeBom (played by Han HyoJoo), a special agent for the KP-SOU/our competent and assertive female lead.
Jung YiHyun is a sincere friend and a soft lover to SaeBom but he will get his hands dirty if that means protecting her. No one tells YiHyun what to do, except for his lady love. This back and forth between ferocity and tenderness is as swoon-worthy as it gets.
On the other hand, we have “Two Lights: Relúmĭno”, a short film shining the spotlight on Samsung’s visual aid application “Relúmĭno” for individuals with visual impairment. In this film, Park HyungSik plays Seo InSoo, a talented young musician who has recently lost most of his vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and cannot read sheet music anymore.
From denial to gullibility, shame to acceptance, and finally, healing, InSoo undergoes a transformative journey when he meets Ahn SooYoung (Han JiMin) at a photography club for the visually impaired. While SooYoung is confident and charming, InSoo finds himself retreating into his shell, unable to come to terms with his new life. The way Park HyungSik portrays the intricacies of InSoo’s character, highlighting his extraordinary ordinariness, reaffirms his brilliance and cements him as one of the finest actors of this generation.
Finally, “Juror 8” has to be one of Park HyungSik’s best works of all time. Initially appearing as a naive, dreamy-eyed inventor, Park HyungSik plays Kwon NamWoo, the human embodiment of breaking the status quo. With a mind of steel, Kwon NamWoo, the eponymous 8th juror in South Korea’s first jury trial changes the course of fate for a man who had all odds stacked against him. NamWoo is inquisitive, uncompromising, and committed to finding out the truth but what makes this character revolutionary is how Park HyungSik never lets go of the inexperienced youthfulness that constantly gets him dismissed. This is where his duality shines its brightest and we cannot help but be blinded by the light. The pure innocence, curiosity, and childlike wonder with which HyungSik views the world is thus well reflected in his art. At the same time, the maturity with which he studies his characters, imbuing them with a little bit of himself while also approaching them from a distance, separating his reality from fiction but also getting attached to the same, is one of the major reasons why Park HyungSik is such an evocative artist. This unique duality in the method of his craft is not only a rare feat but also worth high praise. Park HyungSik’s brand of acting is uniquely his own and that is precisely what makes him stand out.
Whether it be as an actor, a singer, or otherwise, Park HyungSik is constantly on a journey of learning, which makes his artistic evolution that much more remarkable. We cannot wait to see what he has in store for us next! What is your favourite part about Park HyungSik’s duality? Tell us in the comments section down below! If you’re looking for more content about Park HyungSik on Kpopmap, here are some articles you might enjoy!
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