Shin Se-kyung Praises Park Jung-min’s Quiet Focus on Set, Calls Him “Excessively Humble”

Actress Shin Se-kyung has shared her admiration for co-star Park Jung-min, highlighting his calm professionalism and understated presence during the filming of the upcoming film ‘Humint.’

A First Impression Marked by Anticipation

In an interview held on February 9 at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Shin spoke candidly about working alongside Park in director Ryoo Seung-wan’s latest project. The two actors portray characters connected through restrained emotional tension rather than overt romance, a balance Shin said made the collaboration especially meaningful.

Recalling her initial reaction upon learning she would be acting opposite Park Jung-min, Shin described a sense of excitement and familiarity. “He’s the kind of actor everyone wants to work with,” she said. “Since this project involved subtle emotional elements between our characters, I remember feeling genuinely excited and happy to be paired with him.”

That anticipation, she added, was more than met once filming began. “After working together, the experience was even better than I expected. Even though we’re around the same age, there were many aspects of his approach that made me want to learn from him.”

Learning From Consistency Amid Chaos

Shin explained that what stood out most was Park’s ability to remain grounded regardless of the atmosphere on set. Reflecting on her own earlier career, she admitted that she was once heavily influenced by external factors—such as the mood of the set or the emotional tone of a director—often leading to regret after filming.

“Watching him, I realized how important it is to stay focused on your own work,” she said. “No matter how chaotic or confusing things felt around him, he stayed steady and did exactly what he needed to do. I thought to myself, that’s how you avoid regret later.”

Responding to Park’s Self-Criticism

Shin also addressed Park’s recent comments in which he described himself as unsuited for melodrama, worrying that audiences might find his romantic acting awkward or excessive. “I think he’s overly humble,” she said with a smile. “I genuinely thought he was excellent.”

She elaborated that emotional scenes in ‘Humint’ were carefully structured and required absolute precision to resonate with viewers. “Not every scene explains our characters’ backstories. When emotional expression is needed, it has to be delivered fully—100 or even 120 percent to truly convince the audience. Thanks to him, those scenes were completed perfectly.”

Grounded Performances in ‘Humint’

Set against the cold backdrop of Vladivostok, ‘Humint’ follows characters with conflicting goals navigating secrecy and survival. Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan—known for works such as ‘Veteran,’ ‘The Berlin File,’ and ‘Escape from Mogadishu’ the film emphasizes restraint and emotional undercurrent over overt drama.

Shin Se-kyung plays Chae Seon-hwa, a North Korean restaurant worker who becomes a human intelligence asset in order to survive. Park Jung-min portrays Park Geon, an officer from North Korea’s State Security Department.