[Focus] Lee Seo-jin, Excited About Challenging Bald 'Park Wonjang'

Actor Lee Seo-jin as the lead in 'Internal Medicine Director Park'
First comedic challenge in 23 years
Bold bald transformation
Will native OTT Tving lead the global expansion?

Lee Seo-jin / Photo by CJ ENM

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Iseul] It’s hard to believe that he, who once cried out with a deep gaze, "Does it hurt? I hurt too," is the same person. Actor Lee Seo-jin transforms into the bald 'Director Park' layered with the passage of time. It is intriguing to see him shed his urbane and gentle image and return with a face worn down by life.

Lee Seo-jin plays the role of rookie clinic owner Director Park, who struggles between medical ethics and commercialism, in the OTT original "Internal Medicine Director Park" (directed and written by Seo Jun-beom), released on the 14th.

Director Park dreams of becoming a true doctor and, after many trials and tribulations, sets up his own clinic, but he ends up guarding an empty examination room. His debts increase, and the stress causes his hair to fall out. He takes on the challenge of saving the failing internal medicine clinic, from recruiting talent to marketing. The secret of hanging a wig on his desk lamp brings a smile.

Lee Seo-jin’s determination to try comedic acting for the first time is extraordinary. The bald transformation shown in the previously released poster for "Internal Medicine Director Park" attracted attention. Having always shown only endlessly cool and handsome appearances in his works, his poster filled with a dazzlingly shiny hairstyle was shocking.

Director Seo Jun-beom said, "It was a difficult part to propose to the actor, but Lee Seo-jin insisted that it had to be saved. He said that Director Park would have no meaning without being bald, which helped bring out the character’s charm."

This was a transformation reflecting Lee Seo-jin’s will. He said, "As an actor, I don’t think makeup or disguise is a difficult task. On the first day of makeup, all the staff laughed together, and during the scenes where my head was exposed, everyone on set cheered. Seeing their reactions, I felt proud thinking, ‘This makeup was done well.’"

Photo by TVING

Lee Seo-jin debuted in 1999 with the SBS drama "House on the Wave" and has been an actor for 23 years. In "Damo" (2003), "Firebird" (2004), "Lovers" (2006), and "Yi San" (2007), he was endlessly cool. Even in variety shows like "Grandpas Over Flowers" and "Youn’s Kitchen," his gentleness was his trademark.

This was probably the image the public wanted and expected from Lee Seo-jin, but perhaps it was also a reflection of how the actor viewed himself in his choice of works. Therefore, this transformation might reflect his changed perspective.

Viewers who have watched Lee Seo-jin’s variety shows know that he has a B-grade comedy sensibility. Always serious, yet showing dimples with B-grade humor, his satisfaction was pleasantly engaging.

Moreover, it is impressive that Lee Seo-jin has moved beyond terrestrial and cable broadcasting to OTT platforms. Recently, K-content has gained popularity riding on giant overseas platforms like Netflix. His determination to lead original content ambitiously launched by the native player Tving is expected to be extraordinary. It is worth watching whether Tving, marking this year as its first year of global expansion, will establish itself in overseas markets with Lee Seo-jin at the forefront.

"Internal Medicine Director Park" is based on the webtoon of the same name, which recorded over 4 million views with detailed and realistic stories drawn by a specialist with 20 years of experience. It remains to be seen whether it will achieve box office success with reliable actors like Lee Seo-jin and Ra Mi-ran.