Park Hae-joon Shares Deeply Personal Prep for Cancer Role in “When Life Gives You Tangerines”

Actor Park Hae-joon has left audiences in awe not just with his performance but with the extraordinary dedication he poured into portraying a cancer patient in the hit drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines.”
Personal Prep for Cancer Role
Appearing on the April 16 episode of tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block,” Park revealed the emotional and physical toll of preparing for the role of Gwan-sik, a character whose later arc depicts a difficult battle with cancer.
“My father battled cancer when I was in my twenties,” Park said, visibly moved. “While filming, I kept seeing his face in mine. I really do resemble him a lot. Those memories came rushing back, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him.”

To deliver an authentic portrayal, Park underwent rapid weight loss and even dehydrated himself before filming intense scenes. “I asked the production team for two to three days off. During that time, I didn’t eat or drink anything, like a mixed martial arts fighter before a weigh-in,” he explained. “It was the only way to show a body that had truly weakened. When I returned to set, the transformation naturally merged into the role. The director was incredibly thankful.”
The Combination of Physical and Emotions
His physical effort was deeply tied to personal emotions. Park shared that his father was seriously ill during filming. “I hoped he could at least watch me on TV since I couldn’t be there by his side,” he said. “The drama did well, and fortunately, his surgery also went well. That meant everything to me, I felt like I was able to be a good son.”

“Working on this project shifted my whole perspective,” he added. “Now, the most important thing in my life is home.”
As fans continue to praise When Life Gives You Tangerines for its emotional depth and grounded storytelling, Park Hae-joon’s moving testimony offers a poignant reminder of the very real humanity behind powerful acting.