Park Ji-hyun slouches comfortably in a fleece jacket, her hair in a medium-length bob, radiating more of a college sophomore vibe than silver screen starlet.

Speaking with a group of reporters at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Monday, she presents a stark departure from her breakthrough role as the ice-cold, calculating sister-in-law of a corporate dynasty in "Reborn Rich," a character that became her calling card across Korea and beyond.

"I've been dying to make people laugh," she says, visibly lightening up as she discusses her latest role in "Forbidden Fairytale." The film marks her first foray into comedy -- playing Dan-bi, an officer at the government's censorship department who stumbles into writing steamy web novels. "I love movies like 'The Hangover' and 'Harold & Kumar' -- they're completely outrageous, but that's what makes them fun."

Her taste for raunchy comedy might surprise fans who know her strictly from prestige dramas. Her most recent role in "Hidden Face," where she plays a cellist driven by forbidden desires in a complex love triangle, has only reinforced her reputation for serious, layered performances.

Park insists, however, that comedy has always been her true calling.

"There's nothing better than making someone laugh, even if it means completely embarrassing myself," she says with sincerity. "Dan-bi gave me that chance -– she's like this lovely, innocent girl who stumbles upon her hidden passions."

"Forbidden Fairytale" follows Dan-bi's unlikely transformation from smut-hunting bureaucrat to underground R-rated sensation. It is not a particularly convincing entry in the sex comedy genre, its occasional mix of animated sequences and live action largely failing to salvage the tired slapstick and corny shtick. Lessons about self-discovery and breaking societal taboos feel unoriginal and heavy-handed. The result is a film that aims to blend raunch and heart but fails at both.

What single-handedly keeps the film afloat is Park's performance. As Dan-bi, she brings an adorable balance of innocence and unwitting seductiveness, particularly in her tipsy flirting moments. Her natural charm transforms mediocre material into something watchable, giving the film a more palatable feel of a whimsical rom-com rather than the forgettable adult farce that it is.

"The shoot had this free, natural flow," Park recalls. "Half the time I couldn't tell what was scripted anymore. Director Lee (Jong-seok) just let me run with whatever random ideas popped into my head."

The actor demonstrates one of Dan-bi's signature exaggerated reactions, then quickly reverts. "I'm actually pretty low-key in real life, so I had to dial everything up to 11. Especially with her surprised faces ― I kept trying new ways of expression so it wouldn't get repetitive."

The self-claimed introvert ― "My big holiday adventure was taking my dog to the vet," she quipps ― comes alive discussing her craft. "I don't chase quick wins," she says. "I see acting as a lifelong journey. And I mean that literally ― I'm in this until I physically can't do it anymore."

Her eyes soften. "People assume it's about the fame or the money. But honestly, I wake up every day grateful that I get paid to do what I love the most in the world," she says.

Coming from another actor, it might sound rehearsed. From Park, with her fleece jacket and endearingly casual demeanor, it rings true.

"Forbidden Fairytale" opened nationwide Wednesday.