Cover Story: Park Gyu-young is a Breath of Fresh Air

Two-and-a-half years ago, Park Gyu-young landed her first television lead role in Dali & Cocky Prince, a romantic comedy that saw Park playing Kim Dali, the daughter of a wealthy family who tries to rescue a collapsing art museum. From there, it hasn’t taken long at all for the South Korean actress to fully find her footing as a leading lady — last year, she starred in Netflix hit, Celebrity, and season two of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic web series, Sweet Home. And soon after she graced Sabato De Sarno’s debut Gucci show in Milan, the house tapped on the rising star as its global brand ambassador. Things are only looking up and up for Park this year — she’s slated to star in season two of the cultural phenomenon that is Squid Game.

From Celebrity being a hit with international Netf lix audiences to notable shows like Sweet Home and Squid Game, recent projects have led to fast growing attention on you. What is the mindset of Park Gyu-young like recently and is it any different from before?

My mindset is always dominated by the same principle: how can I express my character who presents in a space within this story? I believe that doing my best is our fundamental duty and responsibility.

Through this time of filming back-to-back projects, have you had any simple rituals to help you destress, and keep you balanced and contented?

I don’t worry too much about things that haven’t happened yet, and I just try to focus on the projects in front of me. When I’m working, I focus solely on work. On my days off, I try to rejuvenate in my own way through ballet and exercise.

Over your career thus far, are there any moments in particular that you’re proudest of?

Little by little — sometimes there are moments when I look back on my growth, I’m proud of myself for what I’ve accomplished.

You’ve been in diverse productions from rom coms to thrillers and horror. Are there certain ways in which each of these genres has helped you to grow, and is there anything you’d like to challenge yourself with next?

I don’t think I’m picky or partial to certain genres. In every project, each of the characters emits their own unique energy, flaws and emotions from that specific time and space, and all of them are so different from each other. Repetitively embracing this difference with each project has helped my growth little by little, I think.

You attended the Gucci show in Milan to see Sabato De Sarno’s first collection for the house. How was your fashion week experience?

The music and lights coming together in that space was absolutely fantastic. Everything was so new, and to see Sabato’s colours reflected in the new Gucci collection with my own eyes felt like a dream.

What can your fans expect from Park Gyu-young this year?

You can count on seeing a new side of me as a different character in a different project. Stay tuned!