By Woo Jae-yeon
Park Jeong-min stars as Park Gun, a North Korean intelligence operative deployed to Vladivostok, Russia. His mission: to surveil North Korean consul general Hwang Chi-sung (Park Hae-joon), suspected of illicit activities involving human and narcotics trafficking.
However, Park Gun’s true objective is the pursuit of Chae Sun-hwa (Shin Se-kyung), his former lover. Their relationship ended tragically after the brutal interrogation of Sun-hwa’s father.
“It was significant to me that the director recognized my potential for a romantic role and entrusted me with it,” Park Jeong-min stated in a recent interview.
“Before this, no director had given me the opportunity to explore this type of character,” he added with a laugh.
Despite the demanding action sequences in the film, directed by the acclaimed director of “Veteran” and “I, the Executioner,” Park emphasizes that his performance centers on conveying emotional depth and subtle nuances.
“The action scenes were executed with great care, ensuring safety,” he explained. “The real challenge was effectively communicating our lines and emotions amidst those intense moments.”
To authentically embody his character, who visibly deteriorates as he grapples with duty and his desire to protect Sun-hwa, Park Jeong-min committed to rigorous daily running to achieve a significant weight loss.
Park credits actress Shin Se-kyung for her invaluable contribution to his romantic portrayal, describing her as possessing an innate tranquility and charisma that elevates the performances of her co-stars.
“When she fully embodies a character, it’s as if she possesses a magical quality.”
Park Jeong-min’s romantic role in the eagerly awaited film follows his celebrated duet performance with singer Hwasa at the previous year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards.
His portrayal of Hwasa’s former boyfriend during their performance of “Good Goodbye” quickly went viral, with their undeniable chemistry and Park’s captivating gaze becoming a defining moment of the awards ceremony.
He claims to remain “unfazed” by the memes and attention generated by the performance, including the moniker “nation’s ex-boyfriend.”
“I’m aware the hype will subside soon, so I don’t dwell on it,” he stated. “After 15 years in acting, I appreciate this unique label. Expanding one’s horizons in any direction is always beneficial,” he concluded.
Since his debut in the 2010 film “Bleak Night,” Park Jeong-min has showcased his versatility across a diverse range of roles, from a pianist with savant syndrome in “Keys to the Heart” (2018) to a dual role as a blind seal engraver and his son in Yeon Sang-ho’s independent film “The Ugly” (2025).
“When selecting a project, it’s not about the character or genre. It’s about whether the story resonates with me and if it’s a narrative I feel compelled to tell,” he explained.
Regarding “Humint,” Park clarifies that despite its classification as an action film, its core theme explores the boundaries of self-sacrifice for another.
“Ultimately, it’s a story about individuals and the choices they make under extreme pressure. It deeply resonated with me, and, above all, it’s incredibly entertaining,” he concluded.
