Latest news with #Se-ok
The Star
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Park Eun-bin on becoming psychopath doctor in 'Hyper Knife'
The actress says bringing her character in 'Hyper Knife' to life was a complex challenge. Photo: Handout Park Eun-bin, widely recognised for her infectious smile and innocent roles – most notably as the endearing Woo Young-woo in Extraordinary Attorney Woo and the free-spirited Mok-ha in Castaway Diva – has taken on a strikingly dark transformation in her latest project. In a bold departure from her previous roles, the actor plays Se-ok in Hyper Knife (Disney+ Hotstar), a psychopathic doctor prone to bouts of rage and a penchant for illegal surgeries. In the eight-episode medical crime thriller series, Se-ok is a once-celebrated surgeon whose career is derailed after her mentor, Deok-hee (Sul Kyung-gu), revokes her medical license. Left with few options, Se-ok turns to performing illegal surgeries as a "shadow doctor". For Park, bringing Se-ok to life was a complex challenge. She explained that her approach to playing the character was akin to making a "new friend". 'Unless it's a historical figure, I create a new character in my own way rather than looking for reference works. "This time, Se-ok went through several revisions after the first proposal... and I patiently created her with the mindset of making a 'new friend',' Park shared in a recent interview. She acknowledged that balancing Se-ok's sense of self-righteousness with the need to convincingly embody a psychopath was a challenging feat. 'It wasn't easy because, along with Se-ok's unique sense of self-righteousness, I had to add elements to make myself convincing as Se-ok, while expressing the typical traits of a psychopath in a different way," she said. Park was adamant about avoiding the typical portrayal of a psychopath or sociopath. 'There's a stereotype that associates psychopaths with a lack of empathy. "When we think of psychopaths, we tend to imagine them as emotionless and without compassion, and I wanted to create a different image for an anti-social character,' she said. Researching antisocial personality disorder, Park saw certain traits in Se-ok that resonated with the condition. 'I can't deny it, but as I studied more, I think I became closer to Se-ok,' she confessed. Reflecting on her experience of playing Se-ok, Park shared: "There were experiences I had not had myself and many emotions that were far from common." She added: "Going through these turbulent emotions, I had the fresh experience of realising that there are people who can live with such feelings." Looking ahead, Park is set to star in the upcoming Netflix series The Wonder Fools, alongside Cha Eun-woo. Set in 1999 during a time when apocalyptic beliefs were on the rise, the action adventure comedy follows a group of neighbourhood heroes who gain superpowers after an unexpected event and must battle villains threatening their city's peace. 'I enjoy trying new things. (Working on Hyper Knife,) although it's a medical thriller, I got to experience a mix of genres. The drama I'm currently filming, The Wonder Fools, is a fun one,' Park said. – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network View this post on Instagram A post shared by 박은빈 (@eunbining0904)
Korea Herald
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Park Eun-bin talks becoming psychopath doctor in 'Hyper Knife'
"Extraordinary Attorney Woo" star discusses drastic change in character, next project with Korean heartthrob Cha Eun-woo Park Eun-bin, widely recognized for her infectious smile and innocent roles — most notably as the endearing Woo Young-woo in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and the free-spirited Mok-ha in "Castaway Diva" — has taken on a strikingly dark transformation in her latest project. In a bold departure from her previous roles, the actor plays Se-ok in "Hyper Knife," a psychopathic doctor prone to bouts of rage and a penchant for illegal surgeries. In the medical crime thriller series, Se-ok is a once-celebrated surgeon whose career is derailed after her mentor, Deok-hee (Sul Kyung-gu), revokes her medical license. Left with few options, Se-ok turns to performing illegal surgeries as a "shadow doctor." For Park, bringing Se-ok to life was a complex challenge. She explained that her approach to playing the character was akin to making a "new friend." 'Unless it's a historical figure, I create a new character in my own way rather than looking for reference works. This time, Se-ok went through several revisions after the first proposal … and I patiently created her with the mindset of making a 'new friend,'' Park shared during a group interview held Tuesday in Seoul. She acknowledged that balancing Se-ok's sense of self-righteousness with the need to convincingly embody a psychopath was a challenging feat. 'It wasn't easy because, along with Se-ok's unique sense of self-righteousness, I had to add elements to make myself convincing as Se-ok, while expressing the typical traits of a psychopath in a different way," she said. Park was adamant about avoiding the typical portrayal of a psychopath or sociopath. 'There's a stereotype that associates psychopaths with a lack of empathy. When we think of psychopaths, we tend to imagine them as emotionless and without compassion, and I wanted to create a different image for an anti-social character,' she said. Researching antisocial personality disorder, Park saw certain traits in Se-ok that resonated with the condition. 'I can't deny it, but as I studied more, I think I became closer to Se-ok,' she confessed. Reflecting on her experience of playing Se-ok, Park shared, "There were experiences I had not had myself and many emotions that were far from common." She added, "Going through these turbulent emotions, I had the fresh experience of realizing that there are people who can live with such feelings." Looking ahead, Park is set to star in the upcoming Netflix series "The Wonder Fools," alongside Cha Eun-woo. Set in 1999 during a time when apocalyptic beliefs were on the rise, the action adventure comedy follows a group of neighborhood heroes who gain superpowers after an unexpected event and must battle villains threatening their city's peace. 'I enjoy trying new things. (Working on 'Hyper Knife,') although it's a medical thriller, I got to experience a mix of genres. The drama I'm currently filming, 'The Wonder Fools,' is a fun one,' Park said.
Korea Herald
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Review: 'Woo Young-woo' star Park Eun-bin delivers in 'Hyper Knife' as psychopath doctor
Park and Sul boast fascinating chemistry as mentor and protege, but the series' credibility is strained Riding the wave of back-to-back hits such as popular Korean series 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' and "Castaway Diva," Park Eun-bin solidifies her star power with a new Disney+ series that's driven less by plot and more by its compelling characters. In "Hyper Knife," Park delivers a vivid character unlike any other in her previous works. A stark departure from the warm-hearted attorney in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," in "Hyper Knife," Park seamlessly embodies a powerfully emotional, self-centered person who prioritizes her own feelings over human life. The eight-part medical crime drama follows Se-ok (Park), a brilliant neurosurgeon forced into the shadows as an illicit doctor-for-hire after losing her medical license. Se-ok is revisited by Deok-hee (Sul Kyung-gu), her former mentor and the very man who revoked her license. Despite their bitter history, Deok-hee, now suffering from a debilitating illness, pleads with Se-ok to operate on him, insisting that she is the only one capable of treating him. Throughout the series, Se-ok wrestles with anger management issues, bouts of rage and intense happiness while retaining a childlike innocence, indulging in sweets and ice cream — a contrast that makes her feel almost lifted from cartoons. In a role brimming with complexity, Park delivers a career-defining performance. Park's petite frame and delicate features belie Se-ok's psychopathic and inhumane qualities, making for a haunting portrayal. A standout moment involves a scene where Se-ok, abandoned by her mentor, sobs in pouring rain — a performance powerful enough to erase any trace of her past roles. Meanwhile, the chemistry between Park and Sul is fascinating. Their dynamic as a cold yet brilliant mentor and a deeply flawed, yet exceptionally gifted protege pops on screen. The push-pull relationship between them introduced through flashbacks, with Sul's character begrudgingly acknowledging Se-ok's genius, creates an interesting interplay. Where "Hyper Knife" falters is in its credibility. The show's immersive qualities are slightly undercut by unrealistic details, such as Se-ok carrying out multiple illegal surgeries without consequence, effortlessly evading the law while moonlighting as a licensed pharmacist by day. The supporting cast enriches the series, with Yoon Chan-young as Young-joo, a man indebted to Se-ok who remains fiercely loyal to her. His unwavering concern adds humanity to the story, as well as a touch of humor to the dark storyline — although his unquestionable devotion to Se-ok, who murders people without a second thought, strains credibility. The first two episodes of "Hyper Knife" are currently available for streaming on Disney+, with two new episodes to drop every Wednesday.
Forbes
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Park Eun-Bin Holds Power Over Life And Death In ‘Hyper Knife'
Yoon Chan-young and Park Eun-bin star in 'Hyper Knife.' Gifted surgeon Jeong Se-ok is talented enough to perform a life-saving brain dissection. However, Se-ok, played by Park Eun-bin in the new Disney k-drama Hyper Knife, is also ruthless enough to randomly end a life. Se-ok, who lost her medical license a while ago, performs illegal brain surgery in remote places, with the help of fellow doctor Han Hyun-oh, played by Park Eun-bin (Moving, Alchemy of Souls ), and helper Seo Young-joo, played by Yoon Chang-young (All of Us Are Dead, Hope or Dope). Se-ok saves those she loves—or those who pay her well—but she's not afraid to kill those who threaten her or get in her way. After abandoning the Hippocratic Oath, she became so skilled at operating in the shadows that the police can't find any evidence of her illegal surgeries. She has a grudge against her former boss, neurosurgeon Choi Deok-hee, played by Sol Kyun-gu (A Normal Family, Phantom, Kill Boksoon), but he knows she's the only surgeon competent enough to help him with his own medical problem. Medical k-dramas are rarely just about medicine. Sometimes there's a mystery to solve, sometimes there's romance to resolve and this year Trauma Code even incorporated heroic action scenes. Hyper Knife takes the medical k-drama in another direction. It's a noir thriller about a doctor who is also a killer. Does she care about the people she saves or is she just interested in the challenge provided by their surgeries? It's hard to tell. Park Eun-bin plays a brilliant brain surgeon with some darker impulses. Viewers who have seen Park Eun-bin play endearing characters in dramas such as Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Castaway or The King's Affection, will likely find her transformation impressive. Whatever character she's played in the past, her eyes sparkled and she conveyed a bright optimism. Her character's face in Hyper Knife is blank and dispassionate. Her eyes seem empty. She has no remorse when it comes to killing those she deems dangerous. 'Why do you keep trying to kill people,' a worried Young-joo asks Se-oh. 'Why cant I,' she answers. Why not? She dispenses her own brand of justice. Director Kim Hyung-jun, who previously directed the political comedy My Fellow Citizens, opens the drama with an engagingly moody scene set in an empty Buddhist temple. The first episodes feature plenty of interesting and unsettling cinematic visuals. Blood pulses and gushes, staining surgeons' gowns. Cloyingly-sweet cherries slide off and discolor a slice of cheesecake. Cigarette embers burn in the dark and popsicles pointlessly drip red sticky liquid. Evidence is burned in a raging fire. A brain is neatly dissected. A throat is expertly slit. Hyper Knife is a dark story driven by Park's chilling command of her character. There are many scenes in which viewers might want to look away, but never when Park's face is on the screen. Hyper Knife airs on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu in the U.S.
Korea Herald
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Woo Young-woo' star Park Eun-bin delivers in 'Hyper Knife' as psychopath doctor
Park gives career-defining performance in new Disney+ medical crime drama Riding the wave of back-to-back hits with popular Korean dramas such as 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' and "Castaway Diva," Park Eun-bin solidifies her star power with "Hyper Knife," a new Disney+ series in which she takes on her most unique role yet -- as a psychopathic killer doctor. An eight-part medical crime drama, "Hyper Knife" follows Se-ok (Park), a brilliant neurosurgeon forced into the shadows as an illicit doctor-for-hire after losing her medical license. An intense chain of events is set off when Se-ok is revisited by Deok-hee (Sul Kyung-gu), her former mentor and the very man who revoked her license. Despite their bitter history, Deok-hee, now suffering from a debilitating illness, pleads with Se-ok to operate on him, insisting that she is the only one capable of treating him. The first two episodes of "Hyper Knife" are driven less by plot and more by its compelling characters, with Park at the helm. In "Hyper Knife," Park delivers a vivid character unlike any other in her previous works. A stark departure from the warm-hearted attorney in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," in "Hyper Knife," Park now seamlessly embodies a powerfully emotional, self-centered person who prioritizes her own feelings over human life. Se-ok wrestles with anger management issues, bouts of rage and intense happiness while retaining a childlike innocence, indulging in sweets and ice cream -- a contrast that makes her feel almost lifted from cartoons. In a role brimming with complexity, Park delivers a career-defining performance. Park's petite frame and delicate features belie Se-ok's psychopathic and inhumane qualities, making for a haunting portrayal. A standout moment involves a scene where Se-ok, abandoned by her mentor, sobs in pouring rain -- a performance powerful enough to erase any trace of her past roles. Meanwhile, the chemistry between Park and Sul is fascinating. Their dynamic as a cold yet brilliant mentor and a deeply flawed, yet exceptionally gifted protege pops on screen. The push-pull relationship between them introduced through flashbacks, with Sul's character begrudgingly acknowledging Se-ok's genius, creates an interesting interplay. Where "Hyper Knife" falters is in its credibility. The show's immersive qualities are slightly undercut through unrealistic details, such as Se-ok carrying out multiple illegal surgeries without consequence, effortlessly evading the law while also moonlighting as a licensed pharmacist by day. The supporting cast enriches the series, with Yoon Chan-young as Young-joo, a man indebted to Se-ok who remains fiercely loyal to her. His unwavering concern adds humanity to the story, as well as a touch of humor to the dark storyline -- although his unquestionable devotion to Se-ok, who murders people without a second thought, strains credibility. The first two episodes of "Hyper Knife" are currently available for streaming on Disney+. Two episodes will drop every Wednesday.
