Actor who portrays Kim Jong Un in 'The Interview' takes role in stride

Park portrays North Korean leader (and one of the world's most polarizing figures) Kim Jong Un in "The Interview," a Seth Rogen comedy about an assassination attempt on the leader.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Park reveals he was thrilled to play the part, but of course he was reluctant too. He sought a second opinion from his parents, who are South Korean immigrants. They actually found the idea hilarious, Park tells the Times reporter.

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Still, there were more reservations, leading Park to consult with his friends and leaders of the Korean-American community in Los Angeles, the largest of its kind in the United States, according to the Times. There is where Park was again encouraged to take the role. (Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who co-directed the film, knew Park was their guy for the part practically right after his audition was finished, according to the Times article.)

Finally, Park had begun getting himself into character, which involved gaining 20 pounds, studying the little footage of Kim that is available and balancing a line between humanity and parody.

Regarding the hack, Park wasn't too surprised when the headlines emerged; he knew the role was risky to begin with. He has not been available for comment on the film or subsequent fallout, however, since the news really took off, according to the Times.

While movie buffs and the world await to see the film's fate, Park's (other) work will soon be seen when the sitcom "Fresh Off the Boat" begins airing on ABC in February.

Read the original story here.