Park Jung-min Reflects on 'Sabbatical Year': 'A Process of Self-Discovery Through Business Ventures'

Actor Park Jung-min has opened up about his decision to take a 'sabbatical year' from acting, sharing his experiences and newfound insights.

In a recent interview following discussions about his film 'Unfinished' (working title), Park Jung-min discussed his ventures outside of acting. "I'm currently in a process of getting to know myself by doing things other than acting," he stated. "It feels like I'm spending time as I intended."

He explained that venturing into business required unexpected effort. "I have to attend events that seek me out, and as someone who needs to host and manage writers, I'm responsible for their outcomes," he said. "I didn't want to be seen just sitting around, so I worked hard."

Park Jung-min emphasized that these experiences hold a different kind of significance compared to his acting career. "When you're an actor, others typically handle everything outside of acting. But in reverse, by helping others with their tasks, I found myself caring about their well-being and ensuring they could write better," he remarked with a smile. "It's not that my personality has drastically improved, but I'm learning about the work of those who support me."

Furthermore, Park Jung-min revealed that his decision for a 'sabbatical year' stemmed from contemplating whether constantly being on set was truly beneficial for him as an individual. "A person can't work tirelessly every single day. I want to sleep, I want to play. During those times, scenes get missed. Moments of 'working hard half-heartedly' surfaced, making my claims of working hard feel like a lie to others," he shared. "I felt my energy draining, which led me to consider taking a break."

While he doesn't regret his sabbatical, he admitted to realizing anew that his true passion lies in the filming process itself, describing it as the ultimate high.

Park Jung-min has solidified his position as a prominent young actor in Korean cinema with his memorable performances in films like 'Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet', 'Keys to the Heart', and 'Time to Hunt'. He consistently receives critical acclaim and audience praise for his deep character analysis and outstanding expressiveness. Beyond acting, he also engages in writing, showcasing his versatile talents.