Park Ji Hoon Opens Up About His Deep Connection to His Role in Weak Hero Class 2
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| Park Ji Hoon (Doc. Spc) |
Wartagate.com - South Korean actor and singer Park Ji Hoon has shared an intimate reflection on his portrayal of Yeon Si Eun, the central character in the action-packed youth drama Weak Hero Class 2, now streaming on Netflix.
The second season of Weak Hero picks up where the 2022 hit series Weak Hero Class 1 left off.
Adapted from the popular webtoon of the same name, the show explores the emotional and physical battles of high school students, blending gripping action with heartfelt storytelling.
Park Ji Hoon reprises his role as Yeon Si Eun, a brilliant student with a frail physique who uses his intelligence and strategic mind to protect his friends from brutal bullies.
Once known to the public as a member of K-pop sensation Wanna One, Park Ji Hoon has steadily transitioned into acting.
According to The Korea Times on April 28, his performance in the Weak Hero series has solidified his image as a serious and skilled actor, earning praise for his emotional depth and intensity.
Park, who began acting at a young age, revealed that he finds the character of Si Eun strikingly similar to himself. “Since I started acting at an early age, I didn’t have many friends and spent a lot of time alone. I deeply understand Si Eun’s emotions,” he shared.
He described Si Eun’s evolution from an emotionally withdrawn teenager to someone who learns to open up and find joy in companionship as personally transformative.
“The reason I could express his loneliness so well is because that side of him closely mirrors my own childhood. Seeing this boy, who rarely smiled, finally laugh and find comfort with friends was healing for me,” he said.
In Weak Hero Class 2, Yeon Si Eun enters a new school, Eunjang High, carrying the scars of past trauma.
There, he forges new friendships with characters like Park Hu-min (played by Ryeoun), Seo Jun-tae (Choi Min-yeong), and Go Hyun-tak (Lee Min-jae), while also confronting fresh adversaries and more intense challenges.
The 25-year-old actor said that in this new season, he wanted to portray more than just rage and revenge. Instead, he aimed to deliver a message about breaking free from the endless cycle of violence.
"After losing a friend in ‘Class 1,’ the emotions that followed made my character stronger. I believe that’s why the action scenes this season feel more powerful,” he noted.
Park Ji Hoon confessed a deep emotional attachment to Yeon Si Eun, calling the role one of the most personally meaningful in his career.
“There is a sense of closeness, affection, and sadness that runs deeper than with any other character I’ve played,” he said.
The emotional weight of the role lingered with him long after filming wrapped. “Seeing Si Eun’s final smile, I thought, ‘This is what we’ve all been aiming for.’
Not just the actors, but the director, crew, and production team all seemed to share this common goal,” Park explained.
“Memories from seasons 1 and 2 and all those moments on set flashed before my eyes. I was so moved that I cried.”
Since its premiere on April 25, Weak Hero Class 2 has quickly climbed Netflix’s global charts, securing the number one spot in the non-English category across 32 countries, including regions in Asia and Latin America.
When asked about the show’s wide appeal, Park pointed to the universal themes of youthful bonds and school camaraderie.
“There’s something incredibly captivating about the chemistry and friendships among high school students, and the way these young characters unite to stand against villains. I think many people find that very relatable,” he said.
