
Khaki color knit sleeveless top and black pants are both by Louis Vuitton.
Here we have our first Giveaway Winner post from the half way point giveaway for Fight For My Way. Tulaja is one of our winners and asked for a Park Seo-joon Elle interview translated from September 2016. We were happy to oblige. Tulaja, please find the interview below. We are working hard on the rest of our giveaway winners, we plan on posting them over the next couple weeks! The full interview is below. Enjoy!
FULL INTERVIEW
PARK SEO-JOON, UNDER MY RULES
Elle Magazine Korea | September 29, 2016 | Translated By Bah+Doo
갖고 싶은 남자, 박서준
The man everyone wants, Park Seo-joon
박서준은 자신의 것이 아닌 길을 걸은 적 없다. 오로지 자신의 선택과 리듬에 맞춰 보폭을 넓혀왔다. 드라마 <화랑: 더 비기닝> 촬영을 끝낸 그가 LA 길 위에 섰다. 거리낌 없는 이곳에서 지금까지 만나본 적 없는 박서준의 한 페이지가 완성됐다.
Park Seo-joon always did things in his own way. He expanded his stride using his own choice and rhythm. He is standing on a street in LA after the drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. A chapter of his life that no one has ever seen before was completed here.
드라마 <화랑: 더 비기닝> 촬영이 끝나자마자 LA에 왔어요. 지금 마음 상태는 작품이 끝난 후에는 빨리 털어내려는 편이에요. <화랑: 더 비기닝>이 사전제작 드라마이기에 포스터 촬영도 해야 하고 후반작업도 남아 있지만 일단 촬영이 끝나 후련해요. 한적한 분위기에서 복잡한 생각 없이 지낼 수 있어 좋기도 하고요. 여기에 온 뒤로 휴대폰을 거의 보지 않다시피 하고 있어요.
You came to LA right after the drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior filming ended. How do you feel? After a drama ends, I try to forget about it as quickly as possible. Because Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth is a pre-produced drama, I feel relieved since the filming of the drama ended, even though I still need to shoot posters and do post production work. I am really enjoying all the quiet moments without having to think too much. I have hardly looked at my cell phone since I came here.
노랗게 염색한 머리 이야기를 안 할 수 없어요 이번 화보를 위해 해봤어요. 궁금했거든요. 예전부터 이 스타일로 화보를 찍어보고 싶었는데 실제로 하면 어떨지. 저도 제 모습을 알아가는 중이에요. 머리 때문에 말이 많다는 건 알아요. 사람들이 저를 떠올렸을 때 어떤 이미지가 연상되는지 모르겠지만 이를 의식하며 뭔가를 한 적은 없어요. 하지만 저를 작품과 캐릭터로 기억하는 사람들은 파격적이라고 느끼거나 왜 했냐고 할 수 있겠죠. 이런 반응을 걱정하는 것보다 제가 보고 싶은 모습을 남기는 게 더 중요하다고 생각해요.
I can’t just not mention your blond hair. I did it for this photo shoot. I was just curious. I always wanted to have a photo shoot with this hair style, but would I really do it. I am figuring myself out as well. I know people talk a lot about my hair. I don’t exactly know what kind of image they have of me, but I never decide to do anything because of other people’s opinion of me. However, for someone who remembers me from TV or the characters I have played before, they think it is shocking or may ask me why I did it. For me, it is more important to leave the image I want to see rather than caring about other people’s reaction.

Navy trench coat, button-up shirt, navy pants and black derby shoes are all from Louis Vuitton.
화보를 촬영하면서 컷마다 꼼꼼히 확인한 이유를 알겠어요 원래 화보든 드라마든 초반에만 모니터링을 해요. 결과물이 어떨지 대략 보이거든요. 그런데 이번에는 저도 모르는 모습이라 정말 궁금했어요. 화보에 대한 반응과 상관없이 저로서는 재미있는 작업이었어요. 내년이면 서른이 되기도 하고, 앞으로 이런 시도를 하기 어려울 것 같아요.
Now I understand why you were so particular about each cut while shooting the pictorial. Actually, for either pictorials or dramas, I only monitor the beginning of the work. I can kind of guess what the outcome will be. But this time, I was really curious because I also couldn’t predict what the outcome would be. It was a fun project for me regardless of the public’s reaction to the pictorial. I will be thirty next year, so I think it will be difficult to try something like this in the future.
일과 개인의 삶을 철저히 분리하려는 태도가 느껴지는데요 사람들은 할리우드 파파라치 사진을 보면서 ‘출연료 입금 전후’란 우스갯소리를 하잖아요. 그런데 어떻게 365일 내내 완벽한 상태를 유지해요? 작품을 하는 동안 배우는 엄청난 긴장 속에 살기 때문에 그 외의 시간에는 자신을 놓아줘야 해요. 새 작품을 할 땐 캐릭터에 맞게 잘 준비하면 되고요. 하지만 사람들은 스스로 그린 이미지에서 벗어난 모습을 보고 싶지 않아 해요. 인정하고 싶지 않지만 저도 이미지로 먹고사는 사람이에요. 대중이 봤을 땐 그렇단 말이죠. 그러다 보니 자제하고 조심해야 하는 부분들이 생길 수밖에 없고, 함께 일하는 이들에게 피해를 주지 않기 위해 적정선을 지키게 돼요. 제 성격을 아는 사람들은 “마음 편하게 해”라고 말하지만 그러기가 쉽지 않아요. 하나를 얻으면 하나를 잃을 수도 있어요.
I feel that you are trying to completely separate work and private life. People are joking about the difference before and after getting paid (before getting paid: plain, after getting paid: sexy) when they see pictures of Hollywood stars by the paparazzi. How can I maintain perfect conditioning 365 days of the year? When actors are working, we are in a high-tension environment, so we should let things go between projects. When we start a new project, we just need to be prepared for the new character. However, people don’t want to see an image that deviates from the image they created in their mind. I don’t want to accept it, but I make a living with my image. At least, the view of the general public is like that. Therefore, there are some things that I have to control myself and be careful of, also I draw a line in order to not hurt the people I work with. The people who know my personality tell me, “Try to be relaxed” but it is not easy for me. When you gain one, you might lose one (there are trade-offs).
그런 어른스러운 면은 이 일을 하면서 더해졌나요 원래 성격이 그래요. 혼자 상처받는 건 괜찮은데 저 때문에 다른 누군가가 힘들어 하는 건 못 견뎌요. 그래서 독단적으로 행동하지 않고 주위 의견을 들으려는 편이에요.
Did you become more mature like this after working in this industry? I was always like this. It is okay to get hurt, but I can’t stand someone suffering because of me. That is why I don’t do things dogmatically, rather, I try to listen to others.

Stripe shirts are from Munn, the heritage navigator watch with time zones of 24 capital cities is from Tissot, the navy turtleneck is from the stylist’s private collection.
대중이 바라보는 본인에 대한 이미지는 뭐라고 생각하나요 아마도 지금까지 로맨스와 멜로물을 주로 했으니 그런 데서 연유한 모습이겠죠. 제가 소년미가 두드러지는 타입은 아니라고 생각해요. 보호해 주고 싶은 느낌이 들진 않잖아요. 그보다 성숙한 남자의 매력이 아닐까 해요.
What do you think the general public’s view of your image is? I guess the image is based on my roles in romantic dramas or melodramas. I don’t think I have much of a handsome boy image. I am not the kind of person that needs to be protected, right? Rather, I think I have a mature man’s charm.
박서준이라는 사람이 어필할 수 있는 또 다른 매력은 호불호가 갈릴 수도 있지만 가식적으로 행동하지 않으려 해요. 겉으로만 친하게 지내고, 마음에 없는 이야기를 하고 싶지 않아요. 그래야 할 이유도 없고요. 그래서 직접 만나거나 겪어보기 전까지 그 사람에 대한 선입견을 갖지 않아요. 가끔 실수를 하기도 하지만 이런 솔직한 태도가 매력이 될 수 있다고 봐요.
What is your other charm that can appeal to people as, human-being Park Seo-joon? Maybe some people like or dislike this, but I try not to be fake. I don’t want to be friendly only on the surface, I don’t want to talk about something I don’t mean. I have no reason to do that as well. So, I try not to have preconceptions of someone until I meet them in person or experience them. Sometimes I make mistakes, but I think my honest attitude can be charming.
사람에 대한 촉은 좋은가요 많은 사람들이 그렇겠지만 몇 마디만 나눠도 나와 맞는 사람이구나 할 때가 있어요. 반면 온종일 시간을 보내도 불편한 사람이 있기도 하고요. 그런 경우에는 기본적인 예의만 갖춰요. 그 이상은 유난인 것 같아요. 지인들에게 자주 하는 말은 “괜찮아?” “밥 먹었어?” 별 말 아닌 것 같지만 이 또한 애정 어린 표현이에요. 누가 관심도 없는데 괜찮은지 안부를 묻겠어요. 친한 사이에는 장황하게 말을 늘어놓지 않아도 다 통해요.
Do you have a good sense toward people? I guess it is the same for a lot of people, I have those moments that immediately feel like I can get along with them well just with a short conversation. On the other hand, some people make me unconformable even if I spend all day with them. In that case, I just maintain my basic attitude. If I do more than that then I think it is an exaggeration. I often say to my friends “How are you doing? Is everything fine?” or “Did you eat yet?”. It doesn’t sound like much, but it is my expression of kinship. Who would ask how someone’s doing if they don’t care about knowing? When you are close to each other then you don’t have to say much.

The khaki color turtleneck pullover is from Louis Vuitton.
그렇다면 20대를 마무리하고 있는 박서준의 2016년은 안녕한가요 올 한 해는 <화랑: 더 비기닝>이 전부였다고 이야기할 수 있어요. 연초부터 시작해서 최근까지 촬영하느라 정말 바빴어요. 하지만 사전제작 드라마라 방송 노출이 적었어요. 어떤 사람들은 제가 아무것도 안 하는 줄 알더라고요. “박서준 확 죽었네”라는 이야기도 들었어요. 죽긴 왜 죽어요. 열심히 드라마를 찍었는데. 연말에 방송될 예정이라 이 작품으로 1년을 꽉 채우게 될 것 같아요.
Then how is your 2016, the last year of your 20’s? I can say [Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth] was everything this year. I was really busy with it since the beginning of the year. But it was all pre-produced, so I didn’t have much drama exposure. Some people thought I didn’t do anything this year. I even heard “Park Seo-joon is almost dead” (ie. his career is going downhill). Who is dead? I was working hard shooting this drama [Hwarang]. I think I will spend all of 2016 with this drama since it is scheduled to air at the end of the year.
한 번 사는 인생, 자유롭게 살고 싶은 화랑을 연기했다면서요. 이 정도만 들어도 전작들과 분명 다른 느낌이 들어요 첫 사극 작품이란 의미가 커요. 굳게 마음먹고 시작한 도전이었죠. 사극 분장이 어색하지 않을까 걱정했고, 촬영하면서는 현대물에서 접하지 못한 감정들을 많이 느꼈어요. 나름대로 잘 표현하려고 노력했는데 과연 제가 느낀 대로 고스란히 전달될지 궁금해요.
I heard you acted in Hwarang with the concept of “You live once, live freely.” Just hearing that, it feels really different from your previous projects. It is meaningful for me because it is my first historical drama. I firmly made up my mind and to the challenge. I was worried, what if I look weird in a historical drama, and while filming I felt a lot of different emotions that I never felt in modern dramas. I tried hard to express them in my own way, but I am wondering if my feelings were expressed well.
화랑의 이야기라면 액션 신도 많았을 텐데 몸을 쓰는 연기는 어땠나요 데뷔 전, 그러니까 작품을 하고 싶다는 열망으로 펄펄 들끓었을 때 나중에 도움이 될 것 같아 승마도 하고 검도, 합기도, 복싱을 배웠어요. 놀랍게도 몸이 그것들을 기억하더라고요.
The Hwarang story should involve a lot of action scenes, how was it? Before my debut, when I was super enthusiastic about work, I learned horseback riding, Kendo, Hapkido, and boxing. Surprisingly, my body remembered the moves.

Military-style best, navy pants, Black boots are all Louis Vuitton.
경험이 많아야 연기도 잘한다는 말에 동의하나요 어느 정도는요. 20대 초반, 군대를 다녀와서 세상을 너무 모르고 산 게 아닌가 하는 생각이 들었어요. 아버지가 엄해서 온실 속 화초처럼 평범하게 자랐거든요. 하지만 세상에 나를 던지고 부딪히면서 깨달은 게 있어요. 느끼고 경험하는 건 시간과 비례하지 않다는 거죠. 1시간을 놀아도 한 달만큼 느낄 수 있는 게 중요해요. 감각이 발달돼 있으면 작은 것도 크게 받아들일 수 있어요. 배우란 직업이 특히 그래요. 감각의 날을 세우고 있어야 받아들이는 폭이 크고, 표현하는 것들이 공감을 살 수 있어요. 저도 평소 예민함을 유지하려고 해요. 가끔 남들은 대수롭지 않게 여기는 일을 힘들어할 때도 있지만요.
Do you agree that you can act better with more experiences? To a certain extent, yes. In my early 20’s, after my military service, I realized that I didn’t know the world much. I grow up normally and strictly because my father was very strict. But I realized one thing when I was experiencing the world. Feeling and experiencing don’t always have a linear relationship with time. It is important to feel like you spent the entire month even though you only played for an hour. When your senses are well developed, you can perceive a tiny thing as if it is big. This is especially true for actors. When your senses are sharp, you can perceive more and what you are expressing can be accepted from the audiences. I try to stay sharp. Even though sometimes I suffer from something that is not important for others.
순조롭게 커리어를 이어나가고 있어요. 20대 초반에 막연히 그려본 모습과 얼마나 닮아 있나요 누군가는 더 잘됐어야 한다고 하거나, 또 다른 누군가는 너치고는 엄청 잘됐다고 할지도 몰라요. 어느 쪽이 됐든 나중에 돌아봤을 때 후회하지 말자는 마음으로 최선을 다했고, 결국 여기까지 오게 됐어요. 결과는 제가 어떻게 할 수 있는 부분이 아니라고 봐요. 결과가 좋으면 좋은 거고, 아무리 노력했어도 원하는 게 나타나지 않기도 해요. 그렇지만 최선을 다하면 담담히 받아들이게 돼요.
Your career is progressing smoothly. How similar are you now to the future image you vaguely imagined for yourself in your early 20’s? I guess some people think that my career should be further along than it is now, or some people may say that I am a lot more successful than I deserve. Whatever the case, I try my best not to regret anything for the future, now I finally ended up here. I don’t think I can control the result. If the result is good, it is good. Sometimes you don’t get what you want to even though you put a lot of effort into it. If I did my best then I just accept the result.
반대로 전혀 예상하지 못했던 의외의 고민은 드라마든 영화든 작품을 할 수 있길 바랐지, 지금처럼 어떤 작품으로 어떤 연기를 해야 하는지 고민할 줄은 전혀 몰랐어요. 또 제게 팬이란 존재가 생기리라곤 상상도 못했어요. 연기는 오랫동안 해 왔기 때문에 작품을 할 때마다 어떻게 해야 할지 계산이 서지만 팬들은 어떻게 대해야 할지 고민이 많아요. 누가 정답을 알려줬으면 좋겠어요.
Did you have any unexpected worries that are opposite of your expectations? Back then, I only wished to do anything, drama or movies, I never expected to worry about what kind of work I was in or what kind of parts I will perform. Acting styles are rather easy to choose because I have been acting for a while, but it is difficult for me to know how to treat my fans. I wish someone would tell me the correct answer.

The yellow color turtleneck pullover is from Munn, the PRS 516 watch that reproduced the heritage of motorsports is from Tissot.
29세의 남자 박서준은 자신의 삶에서 어떤 역할을 찾고 있나요 여러 가지가 있겠죠. 가족을 이야기하면 좀 더 살가운 아들이 되고 싶어요. 밖에서는 안 그런데 집에만 들어오면 무뚝뚝해요. 아무래도 누구보다 가까운 가족은 나를 잘 이해해 주겠지 하는 마음이 들잖아요. 나름 살갑게 대하려 노력하는데 잘 안 돼요. 친구들에게는 예전만큼 자주 보지 못하더라도 언제나 편하고 거리낌 없는 친구로 남고 싶고, 사회적으로는 사람들에게 받은 사랑을 돌려주고 싶기도 해요. 어려운 상황에 처한 사람들, 특히 아동들을 돕고 싶다는 막연한 생각을 갖고 있어요. 그러고 보니 제 인생 자체가 이런 막연함으로 굴러가는 것 같아요.
What kind of role is 29-year-old man Park Seo-joon searching for in his life? There are many. As a member of a family, I want to be a more affectionate son. I am not like that outside, but at home, I am pretty brusque (or blunt). I think my family will understand me well because we are the closest. I try to be more affectionate to them but it is not easy. For my friends, I want to remain comfortable and close, even though we don’t see each other as often as we did before, and as a member of society, I want to return all the love the fans give me. I have vague ideas of helping people of need, especially little kids. Come to think of it, my life goes on with these uncertainties.
삶의 행보가 멋져 보이는 사람은 글쎄요. 연기적인 고민을 하느라 인생의 롤모델에 대해 깊게 고민한 적 없었어요. 이건 나중에 생각해 봐야 할 문제인 것 같아요. 만약 그럴 만한 가치가 있는 사람을 찾는다 해도 제가 그런 인생을 살 수 있는 건 아닐 거예요. 그러니 저만의 것을 만들어 나가는 게 더 중요하다고 봐요.
Who is your role model? Well, I haven’t spent too much time thinking about role models because I am busy thinking about acting. I will think about it later. Even if I find someone to look up to, I don’t think I can live the same life. Therefore, I think it is more important to live my own way.
남은 20대의 시간 동안 해보고 싶은 건 그 시간도 결국 작품 하느라 고생하지 않을까 해요. 곧 새 영화 촬영에 들어가는데 매번 그랬듯 잘해 내고 싶어요. 그리고 연말에는 <화랑: 더 비기닝>을 보고 있겠죠. ‘그때 왜 저렇게 했지?’ 하고 자책하면서.
What do you want to do for the rest of your 20’s? I think I will spend my time working hard. I am going to be in a new movie soon and I want to do it well. And I will watch Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth at the end of year while blaming myself, “Why did I do that before?”

Cross patterned blouson and pants are from Louis Vuitton.


The khaki color belted coat and silver necklace are both from Louis Vuitton.

The suede blouson is from Louis Vuitton.
CLOTHING
[1] 카키 컬러 니트 슬리브리스 톱과 블랙 팬츠는 모두 Louis Vuitton.
Khaki color knit sleeveless top and black pants are both by Louis Vuitton
[2] 네이비 트렌치코트와 버튼업 셔츠, 네이비 팬츠, 블랙 더비 슈즈는 모두 Louis Vuitton.
Navy trench coat, button-up shirt, navy pants and black derby shoes are all from Louis Vuitton
[3] 스트라이프 셔츠는 Munn, 24개국 수도의 타임존이 표기된 헤리티지 네비게이터 워치는 Tissot, 네이비 터틀넥은 스타일리스트 소장품.
Stripe shirts are from Munn, the heritage navigator watch with time zones of 24 capital cities is from Tissot, the navy turtleneck is from the stylist’s private collection.
[4] 카키 컬러 터틀넥 풀오버는 Louis Vuitton.
The khaki color turtleneck pullover is from Louis Vuitton
[5] 밀리터리 스타일의 베스트와 네이비 팬츠, 블랙 워커는 모두 Louis Vuitton.
Military-style best, navy pants, Black boots are all Louis Vuitton
[6] 엘로 컬러 터틀넥 풀오버는 Munn, 모터 스포츠의 헤리티지를 재현한 PRS 516 워치는 Tissot.
The yellow color turtleneck pullover is from Munn, the PRS 516 watch that reproduced the heritage of motorsports is from Tissot.
[7] 크로스 패턴의 블루종과 팬츠는 Louis Vuitton.
Cross patterned blouson and pants are from Louis Vuitton
[8] 블루종과 그레이 팬츠, 블랙 더비 슈즈는 모두 Louis Vuitton.
Blouson, gray pants, and black derby shoes are all from Louis Vuitton.
[9] 카키 컬러의 벨티드 코트와 실버 네크리스는 모두 Louis Vuitton.
The khaki color belted coat and silver necklace are both from Louis Vuitton
[10] 스웨이드 블루종은 Louis Vuitton.
The suede blouson is from Louis Vuitton
[11] No information given
CREDIT
EDITOR 김영재 | PHOTOGRAPHER 김도원 | STYLIST 정혜진(EUPHORIA SEOUL) | HAIR STYLIST 정미(SOONSOO) | MAKEUP ARTIST 강미(SOONSOO)
Elle Magazine Korea | September 29, 2016 | Translated By Bah+Doo
FIN
That’s it! We hope you liked this interview and Tulaja, we would like to thank you for participating in our giveaway. We think we might do another one of thse giveaways one day, maybe for the final two episodes of Fight For My Way? It is a big possibility because we really enjoy finding out about these actors on a more people/personable level. Keep a lookout for the other giveaway winners coming up in the next couple weeks.
SOURCE Elle Korea
RELATED POSTS
[1] [Interview] Park Seo-joon Grazia 2014: You are warm
[2] Park Seo-joon Grazia Interview: The Perfect Match
[3] Instagram roundup: Park Seo-joon part IV
[4] Instagram roundup: Park Seo-joon part III
wow, he seems very thoughtful, especially on the concept of relativity of emotion and time. But of course, he’s a great actor so that might come with the job description 🙂
So far his interviews have been really good. He is pretty insightful. We have a few more coming up too 🙂
We found some interviews for you! Check out the giveaway post!
Thanks admin and Tulaja for Elle interview of PSJ! I really like to read PSJ’s interviews as he has his own idea and answers in his interviews. He seems mature in his age.
“Feeling and experiencing don’t always have a linear relationship with time.”
“Whatever the case, I try my best not to regret anything for the future, now I finally ended up here. I don’t think I can control the result. If the result is good, it is good. Sometimes you don’t get what you want to even though you put a lot of effort into it. If I did my best then I just accept the result.”
I like those ideas of him.
Anyway, really thank you for your great effort, admin!
We’re about to start working on yours as well Micro-Hulk! We found another interview and a video you might like. We posted it over in the Giveaway post, check it out if you have a chance.If you don’t like those ones then we will do the other ones as planned!
OMo! You are so kind admin! Yes! I am now going there and check it.