In one of the earlier episodes of A Shop for Killers, we see a glimpse of Honda helping out Jeong Ji-An when she was young. The scene did not last long so viewers could not really notice the character of Honda in A Shop for Killers.
But in episode 7, we get to learn more about Honda and who he is in the show. Aside from his pleasing visuals, avid fans of the show loved his loyal character. So who is he and who is the actor who plays him? Get to know him in this character guide.
This article contains spoilers so please be warned before proceeding.
Table of Contents
Who is Honda in A Shop for Killers? How We First Meet Honda
We first meet Honda in the second episode of A Shop for Killers called Jeong Jin-Man, Jeong Jin-Man, Jeong Jin-Man. In this episode, Honda quickly appears yet leaves a traumatizing mark in young Ji-An’s mind.
He arrives just in time to rescue Ji-An as she is pursued by unidentified men. A scared Ji-An asks him if he is her uncle’s friend. Honda, a mute, uses his phone to type his message to Ji-An. He solves Ji-An’s riddle and tells her to wait in the bedroom.
He closes the door behind him, which leads Ji-An to see the brass knuckles in his fingers. He doesn’t return but Ji-An continues to see a hand with brass knuckles carried by a hyena. This isn’t actually happening– it’s just Ji-An’s traumatized mind that manifested in what she was scared of.
What Does Episode 7 Tell Us About Honda
In episode 7 of A Shop for Killers entitled Trap, we learn that Honda was actually one of Jeong Jin-Man’s (Lee Dong-Wook) loyal friends. He runs a small business called “Brother Hardware Store.” But unknown to his customers, there is a secret passage through a steel locker that leads to a small firearm supply business.
This is where Jin-Man sends So Min-Hye (Geum Hannah) to hide so she can avoid Bale’s (Jo Han-Sun) men who were looking for them. On one of Jin-Man’s visits, Honda tells Jin-Man that Min-Hye could put together a gun without teaching her. This led Jin-Man to know how special Min-Hye was.
Honda also tells Jin-Man his dream of opening an online shopping mall in the future. Jin-Man thinks his dream is crazy, but Honda assures him that his younger brother is good at computers and can get it done.
What Happened to Honda in A Shop for Killers?
When Bale starts coming after Jin-Man’s family, Jin-Man alerts Honda with a single text message: “Keep an eye on Ji-An for me.”
Without a second thought, Honda hurries to Ji-An and arrives just in time to fight one of the men who have come to kill Ji-An. While in a crossfire with another man, Lee Seong-Jo (Seo Hyun-Woo) arrives and fights against Honda. He kills Honda and cuts off his arm with the brass knuckles. Unfortunately, this is something that Ji-An sees and traumatizes her for the next few years, leaving her unable to speak.
For his sacrifice, Jin-Man rescues Honda’s younger brother (Lee Tae-Young) who is a whiz at computers. Unfortunately, he is sensitive to light, so Jin-Man gives him refuge at his underground shopping mall. He also stammers when he speaks, which is a result of not being able to speak to another human other than Honda.
Jin-Man also fulfills Honda’s dream of running an online shopping mall, which helps them gain unlimited funds.
Who Plays Honda in the Action Kdrama? Is He Really Mute?
So who plays Honda in A Shop for Killers? The role is played by Park Jeong-Woo (박정우), who was born on December 10, 1995.
- He is not mute in real life.
- He made his acting debut in the BL series, The Director Who Buys Me Dinner (2022), where he played the main role of Seol Dong-Baek.
- He also stars in I Am a Running Mate (2024), which is airing on TVING.
- He has the same name as a vocalist in TREASURE, Park Jeongwoo, who is under YG Entertainment. But they are not the same person.
You can follow Jeong-Woo’s Instagram to know more about his endeavors.
Catch more of our coverage on A Shop for Killers and other Kdramas here on Popcornicle. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and X for more updates!
FAQ
How many episodes are there in A Shop for Killers?
There are a total of eight episodes in A Shop for Killers.
When do new episodes of A Shop for Killers come out?
You can watch all eight episodes of A Shop for Killers on Disney+.
