"Ajusshi... Set Me Free" ['My Liberation Notes' Park Hae-young Interview①]

A Writer Who 'Chuangs' Readers, A Reporter Who Finally Conducted the Interview

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] The ‘Chu-ang’ syndrome, which will be recorded as a cultural phenomenon of the first half of 2022, was the public’s response to immersing themselves in the world of writer Park Haeyoung’s works. The poignant relationship between the protagonists Gu (played by Son Seokgu) and Yeom Mijeong (played by Kim Jiwon) in the drama My Liberation Diary is difficult to interpret with just the two words “love.” The background of that heart-wrenching charm?could it be the ensemble created by the quietly blended story and the dialogue that adds lingering emotions in the work?

My Liberation Diary thus joined the ranks of life dramas. Following My Mister, which is known as the epitome of life dramas, writer Park has hit another home run. The lingering aftertaste of the aesthetics of dialogue shown perfectly in My Mister permeated My Liberation Diary as well.

- Opinions on the ending of My Liberation Diary are divided. Online, posts offering personal interpretations continue to appear.

▲ There can be multiple interpretations of a narrative’s ending. Even works evaluated as having a “closed ending” have many parts that are not definitive if you think a little more. The ending is not “this is what happened to them,” but rather a point where the thoughts and actions that have continued since the beginning of the story converge. It can be the end of a story or a new beginning.

- While excessive interpretation by the creator risks limiting viewers’ interpretations, many people are curious about Gu’s future actions.

▲ Gu learned something through Yeom Mijeong. Not to recklessly evaluate or judge people by his own standards, but to cherish them as they are and feel the freedom when being cherished. It can also be said that he glimpsed a way to be liberated from all the twisted relationships that made him so miserable. Although he is currently betrayed by his senior and physically battered, today, for now, he takes “one step, one step, with difficulty, with difficulty”… I think he will live a life that improves little by little every day.

- The phrase “Cherish me” from My Liberation Diary spread like a trend, but what does the writer cherish?

▲ I have a tendency to evaluate people. I evaluate people passing by in my mind, and even those who catch my eye on the bus. Most of the time, it’s a negative evaluation. In short, it’s a curse. Then I reflect. Let alone cherish, I try not to habitually judge or evaluate people. No matter how much you think it inside, that seed doesn’t go anywhere. But even today, I already evaluated a few people silently in public places… (laughs)

- Many consider My Mister a life drama. Even four years after the drama ended, many still feel its lingering emotions. What are your thoughts?

▲ I feel a sense of relief that what we did back then was not in vain, and a quiet solidarity with the 200 or so staff members I have never met since the ending. The My Mister team showed no discord or leakage from any single person. We all seemed to know where this drama should go and how it should be made. Because we were such a well-coordinated team, the results were good, and I think that’s why it is still talked about today.

- The drama received worldwide acclaim, including from director Hirokazu Koreeda and writer Paulo Coelho. Especially, director Hirokazu Koreeda was captivated by Lee Jian (Lee Ji-eun, IU) in the drama and chose her as the lead for his film Broker.

▲ As a writer, I feel very pleased. However, I think it would be more appropriate for the director or actors to answer this question rather than me.

- The script book of My Mister was also very popular. Contrary to the stereotype that women in their 20s and 30s are the main buyers, the proportion of male buyers was high.

▲ I heard that many men who usually don’t watch dramas watched My Mister. I think that influence led them to purchase the script book as well. I guess it’s because many male protagonists in dramas are extroverted, but Park Donghoon (played by Lee Seon-gyun) was introverted. Perhaps men who are also introverted watched it.

- Many people are curious about what kind of experiences lead to writing such works. It might be a misunderstanding, but it seems like you might have had many painful experiences.

▲ Many people think that writers write because they have some pain or unique experiences, but that’s not true. I also thought writers must be different, but when I became a writer and saw my colleagues and seniors, they were no different. I was briefly disappointed by that fact but immediately relieved. One characteristic of good writers seems to be “affection for humanity.”

- I’m curious about the labor pains behind crafting such precious lines.

▲ Assuming that humans are one species, my thirst is the public’s thirst, so I create characters in a way that quenches my thirst. The planning intention of My Mister included such writing: “Not flashy, but people deeply rooted in the origin of humanity. I want to be moved by such pure people. Showing the charm of humans that we had forgotten, as if humans were originally such beings…” I think I wanted to portray the warmth of seemingly ordinary humans. Rather than drawing out lines through pain, it’s more accurate to say I channel the character to draw them out.

- While all lines and characters are like children, there are always some that you care about more. Are there such lines or characters?

▲ I care most about characters who did not have a good ending in the drama. Actors playing villains work so hard to bring out the evil inside themselves. After such acting, they say they can only sleep after drinking soju. When the villain is left just as a villain and the drama ends, I feel quite sorry for the actors who played that role. That’s why I care about them.

- Although there is a nominal protagonist, all characters feel like protagonists. Their lives are read in a colorful way. Did you pay special attention to this?

▲ Once a character appears, they must live their life within the drama. Since the writing is intended for filming, there are definite actors performing, and they have their own worlds, so I thought they should be treated humanely. If I don’t properly take care of the characters, I can’t face the actors at the wrap party. Because I would feel sorry.

- What stands out most in the writing and production process of the drama?

▲ I felt protected throughout the writing. No one let me be disturbed and quietly let me write. One day, a senior writer called and said, “I heard something happened in that team?” but I was hearing it for the first time. It seemed they didn’t let any bad news reach my ears. I was grateful.

- Could you share the most memorable or satisfying feedback?

▲ After the last broadcast of My Mister, I saw a comment saying they were so thankful they wanted to give the writer money (30,000 won). It seemed so sincere that I wanted to find that person and receive it. I wanted to let them know that I received their gratitude exactly, and I wanted to accept the 30,000 won.

[‘My Liberation Diary’ Interview with Park Haeyoung]

① “Mister… set me free”

② The story of the writer who refused multiple interviews