Park Seo-joon Reveals After ‘Youn’s Kitchen’: Increased Advertisements and the Impact of Variety Shows on His Career

In the episode aired on October 13 of the YouTube channel “Fairy Jaehyung” , actor Park Seo-joon opened up about his experiences on various variety shows.

Park Seo-joon, who received considerable attention for his role in PD Na Young-seok’s hit program “Jinny’s Kitchen” , shared, “Everything began with my participation in ‘Youn’s Kitchen 2′.”

He elaborated, “I had always enjoyed watching ‘Youn’s Kitchen’. After completing the season, I returned to my regular acting schedule when an offer came my way. It was intriguing since it was outside my usual domain. As a devoted fan of the show, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety at the prospect of stepping into this unfamiliar territory. Instead of playing a character, I would now reveal my true self—an intimidating prospect. I rarely participated in talk shows as I often felt anxious about needing to perform or provide entertaining content, which I considered a challenge. However, ‘Youn’s Kitchen’ had such a laid-back and soothing atmosphere that I found it enjoyable. The lack of dramatics made it captivating in its own right. What intrigued me the most was the chance to manage a restaurant overseas—I wondered whether I would ever have such an opportunity. Naturally, I was also very grateful for the chance to work with PD Na Young-seok, an opportunity that few would decline.”

Reflecting on his journey with “Youn’s Kitchen 2” , Park Seo-joon admitted it was no easy task. He stated, “I felt more anxious than during my final high school exams. This wasn’t a debut season; it was the second one. With seasoned cast members like Youn Yuh-jung, Lee Seo-jin, and Jung Yu-mi already in place, I came in as the youngest participant. I felt immense pressure to perform well and not just blend in. Plus, I had to present my authentic self. I constantly questioned, ‘What role do I play here?’ The weight of expectation was heavy.”

With a hint of humor, he recalled, “This was such an unfamiliar venture for me. After a long flight and a subsequent layover on my return, I got an upgrade to first class. However, I was so overwhelmed that I fell asleep upright as if I were still in economy. I woke just in time for landing, highlighting the level of stress I was under.”

When queried about the parts of himself he preferred to conceal, Park Seo-joon admitted, “I was quite sensitive about my somewhat awkward speech patterns. This was especially true in the past. I practiced my pronunciation extensively and explored speech techniques. Previously, I would often end my sentences with phrases like ‘that’s how it was’ or ‘so what’, resembling a child, and spoke at a slower pace. Now, at least, I’m a bit swifter.”

Discussing the effects of his appearance on variety shows, Park Seo-joon remarked, “It didn’t feel like your standard variety show. I entered with the mindset that I had to put in extra effort since it was a variety program, yet I naturally adapted to being a restaurant team member. My role was not that of an actor but the youngest staff member, responsible for the most tasks. I had to awaken the earliest and retire the latest. I truly immersed myself in that character. Learning to cook was enjoyable, distinct from the usual movie shoots, which added to the pleasure.”

He also noted the influx of commercial opportunities following his stint on variety shows, stating, “After taking part in these shows, I felt more relatable to the audience, and advertising requests started pouring in. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a bit let down—despite my earnest dedication to acting, it seemed variety shows were the golden ticket for endorsements,” prompting laughter from listeners.

Park Seo-joon pondered the scenario, “I believe it lends itself to the notion that a person’s charm enhances their primary profession’s allure. While I find humor in it now, back then, I was perplexed. I was dedicated to acting yet receiving plenty of ad proposals seemingly out of nowhere. It made me question the fairness of it all. I had serious discussions about it with people around me, who suggested that my passion for my primary job elevated public perception of me positively. It was a perspective I hadn’t considered before. I hope that holds some truth.”

Source: Nate

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