Park Hae-joon on “You Quiz”: Why IU Feels Like a Daughter and Park Bo-gum ‘Saved’ Him?
On the April 16 episode of tvN’s beloved variety show You Quiz on the Block, actor Park Hae-joon, widely praised for his portrayal of Yang Gwan-sik in When Life Gives You Tangerines, delivered a heartfelt interview that touched on everything from fatherhood to his admiration for IU and Park Bo-gum.
A Proud Father and Grateful Actor
From the start, Park was visibly moved, saying, “I teared up thinking about my sons. It’s overwhelming. I’m also touched to be on You Quiz. The atmosphere here is great.” As host Yoo Jae-suk brought up reports that Park’s sons resemble Park Bo-gum, the actor smiled proudly and said, “My kids wanted to come today. The writer said it’s okay to brag about them. My eldest loves basketball and used to do origami. They’re great kids.”
When asked if he was more like his latest drama character Yang Gwan-sik or his previous role as “Mr. Hak,” Park admitted, “My wife says I have a lot in common with Yang Gwan-sik, so I’ll go with that,” drawing laughs and nods for his sincerity.
Reflecting on the challenge of portraying the older version of Park Bo-gum’s character, Park shared his initial concerns: “I worried viewers might be disappointed seeing me after Bo-gum. But as I watched the show, I thought, ‘Bo-gum saved me.’ His portrayal set everything up beautifully. I’m just grateful.”
IU’s Concert and a Message from the Heart
Park also shared a touching anecdote about IU, revealing he was invited to her concert and came away in awe. “It felt like the Olympic opening ceremony,” he said. “She gave out so many gifts and sang for hours until midnight. It was energy beyond what any person could give.”
However, the actor, who sees IU as a daughter-like figure, expressed concern for her well-being. “When I went backstage and saw how much weight she had lost and how drained she looked, I honestly wished she would stop, for her own sake.”
He ended with a heartfelt message to IU, “You’ve done so much for me every holiday. I never know what gift to get you. Just tell me what you want. Dad will treat you to something big.”
Park Hae-joon’s emotional honesty and heartfelt stories left a lasting impression on viewers, further cementing his image as one of Korea’s most relatable and sincere actors.
