'The Penthouse' actor Park Eun-seok's well-earned confidence shines in 'Death of a Salesman'

By KTimes

The play "Death of a Salesman" features two actors portraying Biff Loman, each bringing their own unique charm to the stage. Park Eun-seok, one of the leads, fully showcases the skills he has honed over the years. He exudes confidence throughout the performance, never appearing nervous, which is a testament to his thorough preparation.

Upon encountering the three-hour classic, Park felt more excitement than apprehension. "I was looking for a play where I could lose myself in the text," he said. Interestingly, he had never watched another actor perform in "Death of a Salesman," which turned out to be an advantage. "If I had lingering impressions from others' performances, they might have influenced my approach," he admitted.

"Death of a Salesman" explores the conflict arising from the lack of communication between father and son. The role of Willy Loman is played by veteran actors Park Geun-hyung and Son Byeong-ho.

"The flow of the play changes depending on which actor plays the father. Park Geun-hyung carries an undeniable presence — his very breath conveys experience. Meanwhile, Son Byeong-ho adds a humorous touch to Willy's bluster. It almost feels like performing two different plays," Park said with a laugh.

Park also empathized with Biff Loman's struggles. "Every Korean man goes through a phase of wandering, questioning how to live after military service. It feels like being stuck in place, trying different jobs while time slips away. When I first came to Korea, I had no work, no money and did part-time jobs without knowing where to start."

He also discussed Biff's burden of living up to his father's expectations. "A father has dreams for his child, and the child tries hard to meet them, but when they fall short, their self-esteem crumbles. The parent, unaware, pushes them even closer to the edge. I think many people will relate to Biff's struggles when they watch the play."

Reflecting on his own family, Park said, "In my family, my mother is like Willy. She has high expectations and always takes a deep interest in her children's futures. As a kid, I was carefree, but now, as I take care of my parents, I feel the weight of responsibility."

Park has set aside many of his past hobbies to focus on his family. "I've been living with my parents for four years now. I feel responsible for providing for them. I even asked them to retire and move to Korea. They put their trust in me, so I have to succeed," he emphasized.

For this role, Park focused on delivering a "convincing performance." Having appeared in over 20 plays, he has often played bold and distinctive characters, making Biff's inward struggles a new challenge. "I've usually played characters with above-average talent and confidence. Biff, however, required me to internalize his emotions. I worked on making his words as persuasive as possible. Since my appearance is more suited to playing Happy (Biff's younger brother), I deliberately altered my look — going on stage unkempt, without grooming products, to reflect Biff’s state of mind."

Despite his confident stage presence, Park admitted that he wasn't always so self-assured. "Confidence comes from being prepared. When I was younger, I got nervous on stage. But now, I perform the same way no matter who's watching. I memorize my lines early, so I can recite them instantly when prompted. People pay money and take time to watch me perform. If I let nerves get the better of me, I feel like I'm failing the audience. The way I see it, once a performance is polished and ready, there's no reason to be nervous."

His passion for the stage continues to grow. "The stage is where I feel most comfortable and alive. It’s almost miraculous — there are no cuts, no retakes. In an era where short videos dominate media, a three-hour play unfolding in real time feels extraordinary."

He believes theater holds a mirror to society. "Watching 'Death of a Salesman' can be healing, thought-provoking or even self-reflective. Theater has the power to immerse people completely, creating a shared moment in time and space. It’s a kind of magic," he said with a sparkle in his eyes.

"Death of a Salesman" runs at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts until Monday.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.