YEOJU — The city of Yeoju has put two figures at the forefront of its promotional efforts, pairing mainstream popularity with a deep grounding in traditional culture.
Yeoju said it presented letters of appointment as city promotional ambassadors to actor Park Jung-chul and master carpenter Lee Kwang-bok on the 28th at the mayor's office in city hall, with Mayor Lee Chung-woo and relevant bureau and division directors in attendance.
Park began his acting career in 1997 as a member of KBS's third class of Super Talents and has spent nearly three decades on television. He first drew attention in the early drama "Deok-i," then built a polished, urban image in "Hotelier," before shifting to weightier roles with commanding presence in the historical dramas "Queen Seondeok" and "King Gwanggaeto the Great." He has consistently been praised for multidimensional performances, portraying characters who straddle the line between good and evil and who carry inner conflict.
Park's work has not been limited to television dramas. He has widened his range across film and theater, and has also left a clear mark on variety programming. The most notable example is the popular show "Law of the Jungle." Showing unvarnished candor and warmth even in extreme conditions, he earned the nickname "the big brother you can trust" among viewers. More recently, he has connected more closely with the public through "My Child's Private Life," which offers a look at everyday family life with his child. With the credibility of an actor and the approachability of a variety show regular, he is expected to add considerable weight to Yeoju's promotion across all age groups.
Lee, appointed alongside Park, is a designated holder of the national intangible heritage title of master carpenter. He serves as chairman of the Korean Wave Culture and Arts Association, head of the World Masters Association, an adviser to the Gyeonggi branch of the Korea Masters Association and vice chairman of the National Intangible Heritage Federation. This year marks his ninth since settling in Heungcheon-myeon, Yeoju. His projects include the construction of the main halls at Wongaksa Temple in New York and Bulgwangsa Temple in Jamsil, as well as the Jeongmyeolbogung hall at Bongjeongam Temple on Mount Seorak. He also handled the dismantling and restoration of Myeoncheon Fortress in Dangjin, the Geungnakjeon Hall at Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong and the Geungnakbojeon Hall at Silleuksa Temple in Yeoju. He has built more than 200 traditional hanok houses overseas, in countries including Germany, Britain, the United States and France, leading efforts to bring hanok architecture to a global audience.
"It is deeply meaningful to have Park Jung-chul, who is widely loved for his acting and variety show work, and master carpenter Lee Kwang-bok, who has shown the world the value of our traditional hanok, serve as promotional ambassadors," Mayor Lee said. "I hope they will play a large role in spreading the word about Yeoju as it embarks on a new leap forward as a culture and tourism city."
