Park Ji-hoon is entering 2026 at a pivotal moment in his career, with momentum building simultaneously in music and acting. As news of WANNA ONE’s reunion project emerges alongside a packed lineup of film and drama roles, industry attention is increasingly focused on how the year may redefine his market value and long term positioning.
WANNA ONE Reunion Brings Symbolic Return
WANNA ONE, which officially concluded activities in 2019, is set to reunite seven years later through a full-group reality show currently in preparation by Mnet. Scheduled for release in the first half of 2026, the project reunites all 11 original members Yoon Ji-sung, Ha Sung woon, Hwang Min-hyun, Ong Seong-wu, Kim Jae-hwan, Kang Daniel, Park Ji-hoon, Park Woo-jin, Bae Jin-young, Lee Dae-hwi, and Lai Kuan-lin.
Formed through ‘Produce 101 Season 2’ in 2017, WANNA ONE left a lasting mark with hits such as ‘Energetic,’ ‘Burn It Up,’ and ‘Boomerang,’ becoming one of the most influential boy groups of its era. Their reunion carries strong symbolic weight, not only for fans but also for the industry, as it revisits a defining moment in K-pop’s modern history.
From Idol to Established Actor
Since WANNA ONE’s disbandment, Park Ji-hoon has steadily shifted the core of his career toward acting, while maintaining his identity as a solo artist. His portrayal of Yeon Si-eun in the ‘Weak Hero Class’ series proved to be a turning point, earning widespread recognition for his intensity, emotional restraint, and physical commitment. The role firmly established him as more than an idol turned actor, signaling long term potential in the acting field.
That momentum continues into the film sector. Park Ji-hoon stars in ‘The Man Who Lives With the King,’ set for release on February 4. The historical drama is set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo and tells the story of a village chief who chooses exile for the sake of revival, alongside a young deposed king. Park plays Yi Hong-wi, the dethroned young monarch, taking on a role that demands vulnerability and restraint rather than spectacle.
Next Projects Point to Further Growth
Park Ji-hoon is also in talks for the upcoming drama ‘Promoter,’ currently under consideration for tvN. The project would reunite strong creative forces, with director Lee Jong-seok (‘The Negotiation,’ ‘Forbidden Fairy Tale’) and writer Ryu Kyung-sun (‘Long Live the King: Mokpo Hero’). Park has been offered the role of a “hard working genius boxer,” a character expected to push his action performance to a new level.
If confirmed, the role would build naturally on the physical and psychological intensity he demonstrated in ‘Weak Hero,’ this time through disciplined boxing choreography and a more mature dramatic framework.
A Year That May Redefine His Value
Park Ji-hoon’s filmography already spans romantic youth dramas (‘Love Revolution,’ ‘At a Distance, Spring Is Green’), historical fantasy (‘Fantasy Sonata’), and gritty action (‘Weak Hero Class 1 & 2’). Adding large-scale television projects and feature films into the mix further solidifies his versatility across platforms and genres.
With WANNA ONE’s reunion reigniting his presence as a singer, and acting projects deepening his credibility on screen, 2026 stands out as a potential inflection point. The convergence of fandom driven visibility and critically grounded performances positions Park Ji-hoon as an artist capable of drawing both loyal music fans and general audiences.