The Extraordinary Park Eun-bin
South Korean actress Park Eun-bin leapt into the consciousness of K-drama-loving Filipinos when she starred as the brilliant autistic lawyer Woo Young-woo in the endearing Netflix series, Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
The series follows an apprentice lawyer, whose condition helps her find brilliant solutions to legal conundrums but often leaves her socially isolated.
Park’s excellent acting in the series won for her the Grand Prize for Television at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards in Korea.
The 29-year-old actress breezed into town on Friday, her second visit to the Philippines.
On Saturday, Park held a press conference at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, which was organized by Aromagicare and Wilbros Live. Park is the first-ever Korean ambassador for the Aromagicare brand. Later that afternoon, Park held a fan meet, organized by Wilbros, at the New Frontier, Gateway.
During the press con with entertainment journalists and bloggers, Park expressed her gratitude towards her Filipino fans’ never-ending love and support for her.
Park said she’s happy that Extraordinary Atty. Woo and her character have made a positive impact not only on autistic people and their parents here in the Philippines, but also in other parts of the world. She is aware of the influence of the global hit series but still expressed a bit of surprise that the 16-episode K-dram would resonate to a lot of people beyond Korea. Even though Korea has a different language and culture from the rest of the world, the show’s empowering message for people with autism transcends boundaries of culture and nationality.
“Extraordinary Woo is not just popular in Korea but I understand it’s popular all over the world. I was surprised a bit that it would make such an impact because we have different languages and culture. Still, Filipinos supported and gave their love to the series and for that I’m very grateful,” Park said through a translator.
She said she appreciates that parents of autistic children have embraced the show and hopes that they are always happy.
“I wish happiness to everyone who has autism and I wish that they and their parents are always happy,” Park shared.
She added she really loves to visit her Pinoy fans and it makes her happy every time. Compared to her first visit in October, Park lamented that she was not able to greet her fans who waited for her at the airport for hours. This time, Park made sure she was able to wave, smile and gesture finger hearts at them at the airport on Friday.
For those waiting for her next project, Park announced that she will soon have a Netflix drama titled Diva of the Deserted Island.
The series is about a girl, who met an accident at sea and was stranded on an island for 15 years. But then she was rescued and came back to the city where she struggles to make a living by doing odd jobs.
“Once again, I asked for your support for the show. Please watch out for it and I feel that Filipinos will be able to relate to my character in the series, given that you have many islands here,” said Park, noting how she later learned that the country has 7,107 islands.
Also, her character in the new series wants to be a singer. Park said she’s looking forward to a time and a chance when she can sing some of the songs from the soundtrack to her Filipino fans.
For all the love and support that’s she’s getting from her fans here, Park wants to reciprocate all that by choosing better projects for them.
“I will choose my projects well for you so that I can receive your positive energy and your support. Please always show me your love and support,” Park said.
She also thanked them for understanding the subtitles of Extraordinary Woo.
When asked which roles in the past were her favorites, she said all are important to her, but the role of Atty. Woo is special because it endeared her to a lot of people.
“You might not believe me but all the roles that I’ve portrayed are my favorites. It’s the same, balanced. But I have to count my character as Atty. Woo as my favorite because a lot of Filipinos love her. But in my future projects and the characters that I still have to play, I wish for your support. I know that my future roles will be the best,” Park said.
She also counted her win at Baeksang as one of her major accomplishments and a dream come true. Her portrayal as a high-functioning autistic lawyer earned her rave reviews. Extraordinary Attorney Woo had been Netflix’s most watched non-English show in 2022 for over a month, following a path blazed by the same Korean hit Squid Game.
A lot of her fans got teary eyed during her speech at the Baeksang awards because they know it was a well-deserved win, given her superb acting as a neurodivergent attorney.
In her speech, she conveyed that she did not give up on her dream to become an actress because she wanted to receive a Baeksang award someday.
Not many people know that Park started as a child actor, dabbling in minor roles when she was just five years old. She’s harbored the dream of winning a Baeksang since she was young.
“When I was still a child, I really wished to get that award and I’m really super happy now that my dream came true. Right now, I want to savor the moment that I won, the memory of it. I have not thought of any goals right now, I’m just contented with my win,” Park said.
Also, she became more happy when she thought about the amount of people who were happy with her Baeksang win.
In her speech, she also thanked the whole production and shared her win with them. Likewise, she dedicated her victory to her fans.
When it comes to challenges, she counts every moment as a challenge.
“I think every moment is a challenge. I couldn’t say it’s the present but maybe after the moment has happened, that becomes the challenge,” Park said.
Up to this day, she takes to heart the valuable lessons she learned from her mother, such as seizing the day and appreciating the beauty of life.
“My mom taught me not to wait for your birthday to come. She said I should always celebrate my birthday every day. I should think that every day is my birthday because every day is special, every day is a blessing,” Park said.
Asked if she’s an introvert or an extrovert, Park answered she’s definitely an introvert. But this introvert is someone who’s really hardworking and diligent. Her fans often wonder how does she unwind after a hectic day on set? Park admitted that she gets stressed sometimes and what she does is to take a break. In real life, Park loves to chill.
“My stress reliever is to rest and when I don’t have work, I apply oils from Aromagicare to feel better and feel relaxed,” said Park.
And if she has a chance, she’d like to one day relax in Boracay.
“I’m not fond of water but I’d like to see the beaches. I want to swim and eat Filipino foods. I like the sunny weather and if I’ll have a vacation, I want to stay in one place and just chill,” Park said.
She’s simple, traveling-wise, and only wants to bring essentials like her cellphone and battery charger.
Again, she thanked her Filipino fans for always loving and supporting her.
“I want to thank you so much for all your love and warm support. I want to get and absorb all of your positive energy. I will go back to Korea and find projects to show you how much I appreciate you,” Park said.
The beautiful and kind Miss Park is also sweet as she said in her goodbye note: “I know it’s the rainy season, so stay dry and take care, I hope to return to Manila. Stay healthy always and wish that we can always get good memories from each other.”
Speaking in Tagalog, she uttered: “Mahal ko kayo.”
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