Park Jung-min Dazzles in Dual Role as Father and Son in Upcoming Film ‘Ugly’ |
A Brave Leap: Park Jung-min Becomes Two Men in One Film
Park Jung-min, acclaimed for bringing raw depth to his roles, now takes on his boldest challenge first-ever double role in director Yeon Sang-ho‘s latest film, ‘Ugly.’ He immerses himself in the characters of Im Young-kyu, a visually impaired but brilliant seal engraver, and Im Dong-hwan, Young-kyu’s son. Both lives are haunted by the unresolved mystery of a mother’s disappearance forty years prior. Audiences can anticipate an intense transformation, as Park delivers the wisdom and sorrow of the father who’s never seen his wife’s face, alongside the yearning and struggle of the son, striving to recover lost memories and uncover the truth. The richness of Park’s dual performance-balancing decades of sorrow with the restless, youthful quest for answers-brings a fresh energy to Korean cinema‘s ongoing exploration of family mysteries. Director Yeon Sang-ho, known for drawing nuanced acting from his cast, remarked on the “mesmerizing contrast” that Park crafts between the two roles.
Crafting Realism: From Blindness to Ancient Artistry
What does it take for an actor to disappear into two distinct characters? For Im Young-kyu, Park donned a special wig along with milky-white contact lenses, embodying the world as experienced by a blind master. But his preparation went far beyond appearances-he trained in the intricate art of seal carving, a centuries-old Korean tradition that demands concentration, steady hands, and patience. Park is said to have practiced for weeks, surprising even professional artisans with the delicate results. Director Yeon revealed that Park studied not just the history of seal carving but also the tactile nuances, feeling the textures and mastering the tools, to ensure every on-screen gesture rang true. Such authentic detail resulted in scenes with a haunting stillness, contrasting with Dong-hwan’s dynamic search for answers. As for Im Dong-hwan, Park worked with the director through multiple interview-style scenes, each demanding subtle emotional shifts and complex reactions. These scenes, five in total, become the film’s emotional core, shining a light on Park’s ability to render two souls with heartbreakingly different outlooks.
Beyond Mystery: Unspoken Bonds and Forgotten Faces
Ugly transcends the typical boundaries of a mystery film. Through the lens of family and craftsmanship, it explores themes of memory, longing, and the invisible bonds that tie people together. With a protagonist who can never see faces, the film poignantly asks-how do you remember those you love? Audiences will find themselves drawn not just into the plot, but into a world where touch, sound, and emotion replace vision. Yeon Sang-ho intricately weaves these elements, using the tactile world of seal engraving as both a metaphor and a narrative device. The art form, fading from modern life, symbolizes preservation-not just of tradition, but of pain, hope, and love held in the hands of those who can’t always see what others take for granted. Park Jung-min’s passionate involvement speaks volumes. It was he who proposed taking both central roles, seeing in Ugly a rare chance to honor stories of resilience and personal connection. The result is a film brimming with empathy, historic richness, and a gentle, persistent suspense.
