Actor Park Ji-hyun has opened up about her experience transforming into the center of an idol group for the upcoming film ‘Wild Thing’.
The interview took place on the afternoon of the 26th at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
‘Wild Thing’ (directed by Son Jae-gon) is a comedy about Triangle, a three-member co-ed group that once dominated the music scene but disbanded overnight due to an unexpected incident. The film follows their reckless attempt to make a comeback 20 years later and is set to hit theaters on June 3.
Park Ji-hyun plays the role of Byeon Do-mi, the group’s main vocal and true power-player. While she shows off a bubbly and bright charm on stage, she rules the waiting room with her tough attitude and blunt way of speaking. After retiring, she lives an elegant life as a chaebol family’s daughter-in-law, but she decides to make a glamorous escape when offered a reunion performance with Triangle.
Talking about Triangle’s practice period, Park Ji-hyun explained, “It took about five months. We started with individual choreography practice and then gathered for group synchronization.” She added, “Rather than imitating a specific group, I looked up videos and music videos from that era to capture the overall vibe of the time.”
When asked if there were any groups she liked as a child, she revealed, “I liked TVXQ.” Regarding girl groups, she noted, “I liked the songs more than the groups themselves. I think I loved Wonder Girls’ songs. Wonder Girls and Girls’ Generation were the trend back then.”
As for whether her perspective on idols changed after filming ‘Wild Thing’, she said, “I just feel immense respect. We only experienced the tip of the iceberg, barely scratching the surface of idol life. That’s why it was fun and felt special.”
She continued, “I felt that if this became my actual profession and I had to learn breakdancing or high-intensity choreography like senior Dong-won, it would be very difficult. One thing I envied was the teamwork. While actors usually work individually, being part of Triangle created a sense of teamwork, even if it was brief. I think I developed a bond and friendship with my senior colleagues, relying on them as peers within our roles.”
When asked if fans might see a real-life Triangle stage, Park Ji-hyun confessed, “I understand what senior Gang Dong-won said. We were able to achieve that quality because of editing and technical support during filming. A singer has to complete the stage from start to finish, and we aren’t capable of producing that level of performance.”
She added, “Too much time has passed to show that kind of skill, and trying to practice to match the level of actual singers now would be too much. I think that’s why the senior found it difficult to make any promises. Because I’m young, I just wanted to brag and say I’d do it, but I think his rational judgment was correct.”
Meanwhile, ‘Wild Thing’ starring Park Ji-hyun will be released on June 3.
