Park Bo-kyung: 'I rejected Jin Seon-kyu, then I was the one clinging to him'

The extraordinary love story of actors Park Bo-kyung and Jin Seon-kyu has been revealed. Their romance, which began with one-sided courtship, endured long periods of obscurity and the struggle for livelihood together before establishing itself through marriage. Today, they serve as colleagues who support each other's acting careers and as each other's closest audience.

On the tvN variety program "You Quiz on the Block" broadcast on the 19th, Park Bo-kyung appeared to share stories about her recent acting activities, her married life with Jin Seon-kyu, and the early days when the two first met.

Park recently solidified her presence as an actress by winning the Best Supporting Actress award for "The Art of Sarah" at the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards. The significance of the award was even greater as she, having been away from the public eye for a relatively long period, finally grasped a trophy in her own name.

Following the win, congratulations poured in from fellow actors, including her husband. Park shared, "Song Joong-ki called Jin Seon-kyu. He said, 'Hyung, congratulations. Let me speak to your wife.'" She also mentioned receiving a congratulatory call from Kim Shin-rok.

Recalling her emotions at the time of the award, Park drew laughter by joking, "Back then, I started 'Day 1' with Jin Seon-kyu, and as of today's recording, it's Day 13." While it doesn't mean their marital relationship is starting anew, it signifies that the moment was so special it felt as if they were celebrating a "new Day 1" together.

Another eye-catching aspect of their relationship is Jin's unique sensitivity. Park said, "My husband cries so much that I sometimes think, 'So this is the real Jin Seon-kyu.'" Through her husband's emotional reaction to her win, one can see how the two accept each other's achievements as their own.

To celebrate the award, Park also spent special time with her children, sharing the joy by playing claw machine games with them. She suggested that the everyday happiness shared with family is more important than glamorous red carpets or trophies.

For Park, this award is less a result of simple popularity and more a sign that her long-delayed career has finally restarted. While Jin made a name for himself after a long period of obscurity, Park also had to push her acting career to the background for a significant portion of that time.

She confessed that this was her first time walking a red carpet. Recalling, "It was my first red carpet, and I was nervous in many ways," she also mentioned her scene with actress Shin Hye-sun, saying, "Even though I am a professional, I filmed it quite frantically alongside Hye-sun."

As the project came after a long hiatus, every moment on set was a challenge. However, her performance garnered attention from viewers and critics alike, culminating in success at the prestigious Blue Dragon Series Awards.

Jin also celebrated the family's happy occasion in his own way. Park shared an anecdote where Jin gave pocket money to his mother-in-law. She noted that one morning she went to her mother's room and she wasn't there, only to find out that Jin had given her the money and then they had gone out to eat with friends.

Regarding this, Jin explained, "I thought it was a moment when my mother-in-law's dream was fulfilled. Since my mother is a very busy person in the neighborhood, I gave her pocket money immediately the next day."

To understand their marriage, one must look at their days of obscurity rather than their glamorous present. Jin was an actor who remained unknown for a long time, working as an unknown actor for as many as 13 years while balancing life and acting. He eventually carved out his place through films and dramas.

During that time, Park stayed by his side as his closest colleague and family member. Now, the situation has changed. While her husband's name was known first, Park has now lifted a trophy, receiving independent recognition for her acting skills.

This is why their relationship feels special. Unlike the typical narrative of celebrity couples where one person succeeds and the other remains in the shadows, these two have continued their profession at their own paces. While the spotlight was focused on one person for a while, now the other has stepped onto the stage.

The two first met on the theater stage. When Park was 20 and Jin was 24, they met at a theater company. At the time, Jin expressed his feelings first, but Park felt no romantic connection.

"He was just a senior from the class of '96," Park recalled. "We were together every day, but I didn't feel anything, so I rejected him."

Interestingly, it was Jin's reaction to the rejection that changed things. Park said, "The next day, my husband just said, 'Hello, Bo-kyung,' and stepped back easily. That was when I started clinging to him."

It was his calm retreat, rather than aggressive courtship, that moved her heart. Sometimes, it is only when a person steps back that the other realizes their own feelings.

Since then, the two have grown together on stage and became a family through marriage. While Jin established himself after a long period of obscurity, Park is now hitting her own turning point as an actress.

Park also shared their realistic relationship, noting that when Jin says "I love you," she simply responds, "Sure, go ahead." It reflects a calm intimacy that only comes to those who have lived together for a long time.

Ultimately, the story of Park Bo-kyung and Jin Seon-kyu is less about the glamorous label of a "celebrity couple" and more about a growth story of two people who endured obscurity and waiting together.

While Jin was once the one to find fame after a long struggle, Park is now making her presence known through her acting. Their success does not overshadow one another; instead, they act as lights that illuminate each other's time.

Park's recent win is significant as it marks the moment her long-dormant talent was finally discovered by the public. And the person clapping most loudly from the closest seat was her husband, Jin Seon-kyu, who endured the years of obscurity by her side.

Their connection, which began with a rejection and led to them clinging to one another, has spanned nearly 20 years. The love of two young actors on a stage has become a family, a partnership, and each other's most reliable audience.