Actor and singer Park Ji-hoon swept the 22nd-anniversary industry survey conducted by joynews24, capturing the top spot for film rising stars, second place for best film actor, and third place as a 2026 entertainment power figure.
The Industry Impact of Park Ji-hoon
- Park Ji-hoon secured multiple top rankings across both film and television categories in the 2026 joynews24 industry survey, featuring responses from 142 entertainment industry workers, content creators, and reporters.
- The performer balanced blockbuster film roles, streaming television series, solo music projects, and a high-profile reunion with his former group Wanna One throughout the year.
- He was also noted for his polite and courteous conduct during recent public appearances, waiting to be seated until senior actors with more age and experience had all taken their seats.
Industry Insiders Rank Park Ji-Hoon Across Multiple Categories
The high-end entertainment and economic publication joynews24 surveyed 142 industry insiders between October 15 and 21 to determine the top talents defining the culture. Participants included entertainment company and broadcasting network employees, film and broadcast content creators, and entertainment journalists. Park Ji-hoon dominated the final tallies, claiming first place in the film rising star category, second place for best film actor, and third place among the year’s most influential power figures. He also earned strong placements in the television drama categories for best actor and rising star.
Reflecting on the accolades, Park expressed gratitude toward the industry professionals who cast their votes. He noted that knowing the recognition came directly from reporters and entertainment workers made the achievement particularly meaningful.
Park Stars in Historical Cinema and Contemporary Streaming Series
Park maintained a rigorous filming and release schedule throughout the year, transitioning seamlessly between historical cinema and contemporary streaming series. He starred as Danjong (Yi Hong-wi), a young former king deposed and exiled, in the theatrical feature The King and the Man, appearing alongside veteran actor Yoo Hae-jin, who played village chief Eum Heung-do of Gwangcheon-gol. The historical drama explores the lives of a village chief who made an exile village his own for the town’s revival in Cheongnyeongpo in 1457 and the deposed young king. The film moved 16.93 million moviegoers to become the second-highest-grossing film in box office history.
Following his historical role, Park shifted to the TVING original series The Legend of the Cook Soldier as Kang Sung-jae. The streaming project required him to balance precise comedic timing with grounded everyday performances. Commenting on his preparation, Park explained that while The King and the Man demanded intense focus on conveying Yi Hong-wi’s complex emotions through his eyes and expressions, The Legend of the Cook Soldier required naturally handling cooking movements while maintaining the character’s internal emotional arc.
| Project Title | Platform / Format | Character Role | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| The King and the Man | Theatrical Film | Yi Hong-wi (Danjong) | Reached 16.93 million admissions, ranking second in box office history |
| The Legend of the Cook Soldier | TVING Original Series | Kang Sung-jae | Demonstrated range via dual comedic and realistic everyday acting |
| Wanna One Reunion | Music Tour / Project | Group Member / Performer | Reunited for special music activities and fan engagement |
Park Credits Dedicated Fanbase for Career Confidence
Beyond his screen projects, Park returned to music stages through solo releases and a highly anticipated reunion with the members of Wanna One. He credited his dedicated fanbase, known as May, with providing the emotional anchor and confidence needed to manage his demanding career. During a recent fan-con tour encore, he noted that seeing his supporters close up reinforced his appreciation for the audience members who have accompanied him since his early days as a child actor and idol.
Maintaining a personal philosophy centered on staying grounded and moving forward steadily, Park emphasized that his primary goal remains delivering reliable performances that honor the trust placed in him by the many people who work alongside him on each production.
