Park Seo-jin, starting from admitting he resembles an 'Australopithecus'

Singer Park Seo-jin showcased both his unrestrained wit and overwhelming performance, moving seamlessly between variety shows and the stage. In the recently aired KBS2 'Men in Their 40s Season 2' and KBS 2TV 'Immortal Songs - 2026 King of Kings,' he drew laughter by revealing past photos and captivated the audience with an unprecedented performance.

Park Seo-jin bursts into laughter with self-deprecation, saying he is "at a level that should be displayed in a museum"

In the KBS2 'Men in Their 40s Season 2' broadcast on the 18th, Park Seo-jin visited the National Museum of Korea with his younger sister Hyo-jung. He revealed that he had become interested in traditional culture and history while recently learning folk painting, and visited the museum to participate in the 'National Museum of Korea Costume Play' contest. The two submitted a video recreating Kim Hong-do's 'Ssireum' (Wrestling) using a multi-role composite technique.

When Hyo-jung, facing the Australopithecus remains in the Paleolithic exhibition hall, said, "This is Oppa before plastic surgery," Park Seo-jin readily admitted, "It's undeniable. It is somewhat similar." As Park Seo-jin's past photos appeared on the screen, Eun Ji-won joked, "Don't stick them on like that. Let's protect Seo-jin."

Park Seo-jin ridiculed himself, asking, "Did I become like this because I shaved it down?" Eun Ji-won added, "You should be displayed here too. At this level, you belong in a museum." When Lee Yo-won, watching this, remarked, "It's not that you evolved yourself," Park Seo-jin shot back, "Noona, you are the worst." Lee Yo-won joked, "I'm sorry. But if that were the case, wouldn't you have come here in a time machine because it would take too long?" The broadcast recorded a national viewership rating of 3.1% according to Nielsen Korea.

A 'Mul-buk' performance involving 500,000 won in ice costs, a close battle lost by only 4 votes

On stage, Park Seo-jin showed power worthy of his title, the 'God of Janggu.' Appearing on KBS 2TV 'Immortal Songs - 2026 King of Kings' broadcast on July 18, Park Seo-jin made special preparations for returning to the King of Kings stage for the first time in six years. He shared that he had gained 11kg in the five months since his recent diet, saying, "Gold prices have risen a lot, so I really want to receive a gold trophy." He also added that his company promised him a vacation if he won.

This stage was held amidst a crowd of about 4,500 spectators to commemorate the Year of Visiting Suwon. The lineup included Hwang Min Ho · Soo Yeon Lee, Kim Dong-jun · Young Tak, Libelante, NEXZ, Forestella, B1A4, Min Woo-hyuk · Cho Hyung-gyun · Kim Joo-ri, Lyn · Jo Jazz, and K.Will. Park Seo-jin reinterpreted Sobangcha's 'Last Night's Story.' The large-scale stage, featuring both a choreography team and a Nanta team, drew reactions from the audience saying, "It feels like watching a 4D performance."

The core of the performance was its unprecedented composition. Having previously won with the first-ever 'Bul-buk' performance during the artist Seol Woon-do episode, he combined the Nanta team's ice Nanta with a 'Mul-buk' (water drum) performance using water this time. Immediately after the stage, Park Seo-jin said, "The ice alone cost 500,000 won. I must win." The result was a disappointing 2nd place, just 4 votes behind Forestella.

Park Seo-jin is active through KBS 2TV 'Men in Their 40s Season 2' and is also scheduled to appear on KBS 2TV 'Gag Concert' on July 19.