To Gaze Or Not To Gaze: How A Look From "Our Blooming Youth"’s Park HyungSik Says More Than Words

Since its initial airing on February 6th, the story of the cursed Crown Prince Lee Hwan (Park HyungSik) and the wrongly accused Lady Min JaeYi (Jeon SoNee) has provided mystery and intrigue with an ever-growing affection between the two main leads. Pivotal to this is the natural charisma of Park HyungSik, who continues to show his acting prowess through the efficient use of his powerful expressions.

Here are six example gazes used by Park HyungSik to convey the unspoken throughout his performance in "Our Blooming Youth"

Gaze 1: Splendid Regality

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There’s no argument here - Park HyungSik has very good form as a Crown Prince since the "Hwarang" days. Here, though, things are really stepped up a notch. His presence is commanding, and this stare demands respect, along with some awe, from those around him. The Joseon-era Crown Prince robe further adds to deep impression of Park HyungSik’s splendid reality.

Gaze 2: Fierce Competitiveness

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Who can say no to a good, old fashioned polo competition? Not Crown Prince Lee Hwan, who relishes the opportunity to try to lead the Crown Prince’s guards to victory against Sergeant Han SungOn (Yun JongSeok) and his soldiers. His steely determination is written all over his face, with the tightened jaw and narrowing of the eyes further accentuating his features.

Gaze 3: Shocked Realisation

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Imagine you were in the middle of an open field, not a soul in sight, when suddenly arrows began to rain down on you. That would probably result in a look similar to this; however, Park HyungSik also manages to emphasize the urgency and tension in that moment. The viewer instantly anticipates a swift retaliation for whoever has dared to fire at the Young Master.

Gaze 4: Abject Sorrow

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When we first meet Crown Prince Lee Hwan, his life is far from the proverbial bed of roses. Instead, he struggles with loneliness, a distant father and the more pressing concern of a multi-faceted curse that seems to be becoming reality. As he continues to face his demons, Park HyungSik is able to portray the depth of feelings – including, at times, complete despair – of Lee Hwan in those moments. His eyes swelling with tears and visible efforts to contain emotion make Park HyungSik’s reactions to Lee Hwan’s mounting woes all the more compelling for the viewer.

Gaze 5: Conflicted Confusion

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The interactions of Park HyungSik with his fellow cast members should not be ignored, particularly with respect to the female lead, Min JaeYi (Jeon SoNee). Watching their friendship and love slowly blossom over the course of the series has been so eloquently delivered and when Min JaeYi behaves in a completely unexpected way, you share the Crown Prince’s perplexed response. Park HyungSik’s slightly raised eyebrows and open-mouthed stare make the bafflement tangible and we are also left wondering what on earth is happening!

Gaze 6: A Longing For Love

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This last look says it all, really – an intense stare, like there is no one else in the world, accompanied by a soft affection for the object of his scrutiny. As the series continues, these gazes become longer and more intense, but despite all of Min JaeYi’s efforts, the Crown Prince remains remarkably ignorant of Min JaeYi’s own fondness for him. This gaze is by far Park HyungSik’s specialty, and he delivers his clear message to the audience with aplomb.

There are still so many uncertainties as "Our Blooming Youth" continues. Will the truth of the curse be uncovered? How will Min JaeYi clear her name? Can the Crown Prince untangle the Min JaeYi – Han SungOn love triangle he has become inexplicable involved in? Given the expertise in his delivery of the character so far, expectations are high of Park HyungSik’s Crown Prince Lee Hwan!