Why Park Seo Jun is Perfect for “The Marvels”

By Jae-Ha Kim
KOCOWA
September 27, 2021

It began with a rumor. Eagled-eyed fans snooping around IMDb noticed that Park Seo Jun’s name was on the cast list for the upcoming film, “The Marvels.” Then earlier this month, the popular K-drama actor was seen leaving South Korea.

On September 9, he posted a photo on his Instagram feed from London, where the Marvel Studios superhero movie is filming. (“The Marvels” is also scheduled to film on location in Italy and the United States.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTneTaJq6Y1/

Yes, that’s right. Seo Jun — who has wowed us in “Itaewon Class,” “Kill Me, Heal Me,” “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim,” and “Fight For My Way” — will be seen next year on the big screen in one of Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster franchises. (“The Marvels” is expected to release in November 2022.

This won’t be the first time Seo Jun has appeared in a prominent movie. Though his role was little more than a cameo in “Parasite,” his character set the ball rolling for the doomed Kim family in the Academy Award-winning film.

WHAT IS HIS ROLE IN “THE MARVELS”?

We don’t know yet! It’s a closely guarded secret, which gives me hope that he’ll be introduced as a major player in the film. Seo Jun could be cast as a hero in the sequel to 2019’s “Captain Marvel.” Or he could be an incredibly good-looking villain. All we know right now is this movie has a super-huge budget, is directed by Nia DaCosta (of “Candyman” fame), and that Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson are reprising their roles as Captain Marvel and Nick Fury, respectively.

WHICH OF HIS K-DRAMAS SHOULD I WATCH WHILE I WAIT?

Great question! One of my favorites is “Fight For My Way,” which also starred Kim Ji Won. Seo Jun portrays Dong Man, who once was Korea’s biggest hope to win a gold medal in taekwondo at the Olympics. When a rich rival offers him money to throw a match, Dong Man faces a moral dilemma: Accept the money and pay for his disabled sister’s surgery. Or, stick to his guns and continue to aim for international championships. Ji Won plays his childhood best friend, Ae Ra. She doesn’t realize it, but she has always had a bit of a crush on him and watches from the sidelines as his emotions are jerked around by the most beautiful girl on campus. But she’s no better at picking partners. Her choice was a young college boy, who uses her for what little money she earns and cheats on her. But, he’s handsome, and Ae-Ra places too much value on a pretty face. SPOILER ALERT: It isn’t until much later that she realizes that Dong Man is ridiculously handsome and is someone who she is comfortable with, because of the history they have together. Though it seems like a no brainer for best friends to date, there’s also the fear that if they break up, they not only lose a partner, but also a close friend.

“Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth” is another must-see. Full disclosure: It’s not the strongest K-drama in terms of storyline. In fact, some of it is goofy. But it’s beautifully-filmed and offers some of the best bromance ever between Seo Jun, Park Hyung Sik (ZE:A and ZE:A Five), SHINee’s Choi Min Ho and V (BTS). Seo Jun, V and Hyung Sik — along with “Parasite” actor Choi Woo Shik and Peakboy — are members of the exclusive and super cool Wooga Squad, which is comprised of … them.

Before Kim Soo Hyun’s “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” was praised for the frank way it discussed mental health issues, there was “Kill Me, Heal Me” — one of the best K-dramas ever, bar none. Seo Jun portrays the happy-go-lucky brother of Hwang Jung Eum, who was cast as Ji Sung’s psychiatrist. The three leads are phenomenal in their roles. And Seo Jun plays his part so well that without saying a word, his gaze will tell everything he is thinking. Trivia: Jung Eum and Seo Jun went from “Kill Me, Heal Me” to starring opposite one another in the ugly duckling series “She Was Pretty.” Ji Sung and Jung Eum had previously starred opposite each other in 2013’s “Secret Love.”

What do you think Seo Jun’s role will be in “The Marvels”? Offer up a guess in the comments below. And like I said earlier, be sure to check out some of his best K-dramas, many of which are available right here on KOCOWA.