Park Yu-chun tackles high-stakes thriller

Four years have passed since JYJ member Park Yu-chun tackled his first major role in KBS’ “Sungkyunkwan Scandal.”

To date, the 27-year-old K-pop idol and actor has forged a rock-solid television career for himself, starring as the lead in a string of four steady crowd pleasers, including SBS’ “Rooftop Prince” and MBC’s soap “Missing You,” all of which nabbed respectable viewer shares.

This year, he is poised to make his big-screen debut in “Sea Fog,” a film produced by “Snowpiercer” director Bong Joon-ho, and is also knee deep into filming his latest project, SBS’ political thriller “Three Days.”

With a week till the launch of his newest TV series, Park revealed how he came to star in “Three Days” at the show’s press conference in Seoul on Wednesday.

“I believe I received the first script last summer,” said Park. “The moment I got the script I remember saying that I really wanted to star in this series.”

Of his latest role, Park said, “I am doing my utmost to fully capture and convey the various emotions that my character feels.”

During filming, Park injured his shoulder. Despite this injury, Park has continued filming.

Co-star Son Hyun-joo revealed the gravity of the injury at the press event, saying that “Park Yu-chun can hardly move properly right now.”

Park hinted that there’s much to look forward to in “Three Days,” saying, “There are a lot of high-quality action scenes in the drama. I think it will be refreshing to watch.”

“Three Days” director Shin Kyung-soo, who co-directed “Deep Rooted Tree,” confidently expressed his faith in the upcoming drama, stating, “As the director, I am working to create a top-notch series that will feature a top-notch scriptwriter and top-notch cast.”

In the upcoming series, Park plays the president’s bodyguard Han Tae-kyung, a stand-up guy who believes in his nation and in his duty to protect his president.

His convictions and life are thrown into turmoil when his father suddenly passes away. In the midst of unraveling the mystery behind his father’s death, Han (Park Yu-chun) uncovers a huge conspiracy to assassinate the president, who has just left for a three-day vacation at a countryside villa.

As Han races to alert the president ― who will be played by veteran actor Son Hyun-joo ― he discovers he is too late. Just as he arrives at the villa at night to warn everyone, three gunshots are heard and the president disappears.

Han is then framed for the president’s disappearance. On the run, Han must save the president and clear his name.

The premise reads like a straightforward chase thriller, but with “Ghost” and “Sign” scriptwriter Kim Eun-hee penning the new series, “Three Days” promises to be anything but predictable.

After all, Kim, along with co-writer Jang Hang-joon, surprised viewers by killing off the hero at the end of SBS’ smash hit “Sign” and then surprised them once again with the demise of actor So Ji-sub’s hero at the beginning of “Ghost.”

Kim looks set to exercise her creative genius yet again with “Three Days.”

With “Three Days” set to air next week and “Sea Fog” on the horizon, 2014 is looking good for the once scandal-plagued singer.

Over a year has passed since JYJ and SM Entertainment settled their differences, a much-talked-about legal dispute that lasted more than three years.

Despite all the brouhaha surrounding him and the other men of JYJ ― the group formed by the three TVXQ members gone independent ― Park came on strong, first as an arrogant-yet-winsome Joseon era scholar in “Sungkyunkwan Scandal,” then as a well-mannered resort empire heir in “Miss Ripley.”

Park then returned to the period piece genre with the time-travel rom-com “Rooftop Prince,” winning over fans as a funny and endearing Joseon era blueblood stranded in modern-day South Korea.

As the legal battle came to an end along with the buzz surrounding it, Park tested new waters as the haunted and driven police detective Han Jung-woo in “Missing You.”

The high-stakes melodrama put in a solid showing with Park earning himself extra street cred as an actor. Now, he is back with a meaty role as the president’s bodyguard, Han Tae-kyung, in “Three Days.”

“High Kick 3” actress Park Ha-sun and “Who Are You” actress So E-hyun will also be starring in the series.

Starting on March 5, “Three Days” will air on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 p.m. on SBS.

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldcorp.com)