Park Shin-hye (Korean: 박신혜, born February 18, 1990) is a South Korean actress. She first gained recognition as a child actress in the television series Stairway to Heaven (2003) and Tree of Heaven (2006). In 2013, she starred in the film Miracle in Cell No. 7 which became one of the highest-grossing Korean films of all time. She then came to mainstream and international fame for television dramas You're Beautiful (2009), The Heirs (2013), Pinocchio (2014–2015), and Doctors (2016). This was followed with leading roles in Memories of the Alhambra (2018–2019), Doctor Slump (2024), The Judge from Hell (2024), and Undercover Miss Hong (2026).
Park has been included in the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list in 2015, 2017, 2021 and 2022. In addition to her acting career, Park is known for her philanthropy through her own charitable initiative, Starlight Angel Project.
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Early life and education
Park was born on February 18, 1990 in Gwangju, South Korea. She grew up in Songpa District, Seoul with an older brother. In 2001, Park auditioned for and later featured in singer Lee Seung-hwan music videos for "Do You Love Me!" and subsequently underwent formal training in singing, dancing, and acting at Lee’s agency, Dream Factory. While training, she featured in another of Lee's music videos, "Flower" (2003).
After completing her education at Youngpa Girls' High School, Park studied at Chung-Ang University for eight years and received a degree in theater in February 2016. She was recognized with a service award for her accomplishments as a celebrity ambassador during the convocation ceremony.
Career
2003–2008: Beginnings
Park first gained recognition for her portrayal of the younger Choi Ji-woo's character in the popular Korean drama Stairway to Heaven in 2003. She continued to build her acting resume with supporting roles in various television series, most notably as a rebellious teenager in the 2004 drama special Very Merry Christmas.
In 2006, Park landed her first adult leading role in the South Korean-Japanese melodrama Tree of Heaven (2006). Her performance garnered critical acclaim and brought her wider recognition. The series was also aired in Japan, marking the beginning of her international recognition.
Park made her film debut in the 2007 horror film Evil Twin (2007), where she showcased her versatility by portraying dual roles: the protagonist and her deceased sister's ghost. She then ventured into antagonist territory with her role in the romantic comedy series Prince Hours, a spin-off of Princess Hours (2006). The same year, she appeared in the omnibus drama Several Questions That Make Us Happy. and the weekend drama Kimcheed Radish Cubes, where she played the role of Jang Sa-ya, a temple-raised character, for which she sacrificed her long locks.
Park's talents extend beyond acting. From 2006 to 2007, she co-hosted the variety program Fantastic Partner from, where she collaborated with singer Yoon Gun to compose a song titled "I Think of You". Her performance earned her the Best Newcomer in a Variety Show award at the MBC Entertainment Awards.
2009–2012: Rising popularity
Park rose to fame after her portrayal as a cross-dressing heroine in the romance comedy music drama You're Beautiful (2009) alongside Jang Keun-suk. Despite average ratings in South Korea, the series gained a cult following and achieved high ratings in Japan. Park also contributed to the drama's original soundtrack with her songs "Lovely Day" and "Without Words".
In 2010, Park starred in the low-budget romantic comedy film Cyrano Agency, which centered around a dating agency helping clients win over their love interests. The sleeper hit proved to be both a critical and commercial success, attracting 2.7 million ticket sales nationwide and becoming the 8th best-selling film of the year. Park won the "Most Popular Actress" award in film category at the Baeksang Arts Awards. Park also voiced the main character of the animation film Green Days: Dinosaur and I, which premiered at the 15th Busan International Film Festival and received positive reviews.
Park then starred in MBC's youth melodrama Heartstrings (2011) opposite Jung Yong-hwa. The combined successes of You're Beautiful and Heartstrings raised Park's popularity in Japan, and in September 2011, she signed an exclusive contract with Japanese management agency IMX. The same year, Park starred in her first Taiwanese drama, Hayate The Combat Butler, which was based on the Japanese shōnen manga of the same name. In August 2011, she received the Popular Asian Star award at the LeTV Movie and Drama Awards.
In 2012, Park was cast in the third season of KBS Drama Special, Don't Worry, I'm a Ghost, which aired on July 15. Her performance in the drama won her the Best One-Act Special Actress Award at the 2012 KBS Drama Awards. Park was then cast in the third installment of tvN's "Flower Boy" series entitled My Cute Guys along with actor Yoon Shi-yoon, which premiered in January 2013. She played Go Dok-mi (in Korean, literally "lonely beauty"), a modern Rapunzel, who isolates herself in her "tower" to avoid the world. She also contributed to the drama's original soundtrack with her song "Pitch Black".
2013–2022: Breakthrough and mainstream success
In 2013, Park appeared in the comedy-drama film Miracle in Cell No. 7, which became one of the highest-grossing films in Korea. She went on to win the Best Supporting Actress award at the 33rd Korean Association of Film Critics Awards. To celebrate her 10th anniversary as an actress, Park held the "2013 Park Shin Hye Asia Tour: Kiss Of Angel" in four Asian countries, becoming the first actress to hold a tour spanning Asia. She then starred in actor and singer So Ji-sub's music video "Eraser" for his album Two'clock... Playground, co-starring with former child actor Yoo Seung-ho.
The same year, Park co-starred with Lee Min-ho in The Heirs, a teen drama written by Kim Eun-sook. The Heirs enjoyed immense popularity both locally, with a peak rating of 28.6%, and internationally, having over one billion cumulative views on the Chinese streaming website iQiyi. Park experienced a surge in popularity domestically and internationally, and she became a Hallyu star. She was given the "Popular Foreign Actress" award at the 2013 Anhui TV Drama Awards.
In 2014, Park played the role of the Queen in the historical film The Royal Tailor. The same year, Park starred in Pinocchio opposite actor Lee Jong-suk. She portrayed the female lead, a reporter who suffers from a fictional medical condition called the "Pinocchio complex" which causes her to suffer from uncontrollable hiccups when she lies. Pinocchio became a hit, earning an estimated US$5.62 million for broadcasting rights in just one year. With The Heirs at the end of 2013 and Pinocchio in 2014, she was included in Forbes Korea's Korea Power Celebrity 40 list, where she placed 33rd. In the same year, MBC's Section TV Entertainment Relay dubbed her "Nation's Little Sister". Park also received the Prime Minister's Commendation at the Korea Popular Culture Awards for her contribution to the Korean Wave.
In 2016, Park made her small-screen comeback in SBS's medical drama Doctors, where she played a troubled teenager who later becomes a successful doctor. The drama was a hit and topped viewership ratings and popularity charts during its 10-week broadcast. She then appeared in the comedy film My Annoying Brother as a judo coach alongside actor Jo Jung-suk and Do Kyung-soo of Exo. In the same year, Park was chosen as the Most Favored Korean Actress by fans of the Korean Wave in the United States.
2023–present: Established actress
In March 2023, Park along with Park Hyung-sik were confirmed as the main characters for the romantic-comedy medical drama Doctor Slump. This would be their first reunion since working together in The Heirs (2013). The drama is written by Baek Seon-woo and directed by Oh Hyun-jong, and revolves around once high school rivals who later meet again as doctors facing a slump. It aired on JTBC from January 27, to March 17, 2024, every Saturday and Sunday at 22:30 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea, and on Netflix in selected regions.
In December 2023, Park and Kim Jae-young confirmed their appearances to lead the SBS TV drama The Judge from Hell directed by Park Jin-pyo. It premiered on September 21, 2024. The series is an action fantasy drama where the devil Justitia, who enters the body of a judge Kang Bit-na, meets the humane and passionate detective Han Da-on in a hellish reality and is reborn as a true judge by punishing criminals.
In July 2025, Park confirmed her appearance to play the lead role in the tvN drama Undercover Miss Hong helmed by Park Seon-ho and penned by Moon Hyun-kyung. She played Hong Geum-bo, a cold, career-focused elite inspector turned into a fresh-faced rookie to investigate suspicious fund movements at a securities firm. It premiered in January 2026.
Other ventures
Endorsements
Park started her advertising career in 2004 as a model for the Pocari Sweat advertisement, known as the Gateway to Stardom. Subsequently, she appeared in campaigns for LG U+ "Aladdin Kids Phone Family Love Discount Plan," Hanbul cosmetics brand Sugar Ray, Ssamzie Korea's Ssamzie Sport, McDonald's China, and Case "Case Workbook" under a one-year contract.
In 2006, after gaining recognition for her acting in the drama Tree of Heaven, Park signed exclusive one-year model contracts with KTF's mobile communication service Bigi and Magic N Pym Multipack. She also appeared as a clothing model for Yeonsung Apparel's Clyde in 2006. In 2007, she signed a one-year contract with Nongshim's ramyeon Neoguri.
Her adorable depiction of sneaking a glance at her crush through donuts in SPC Group's Happy Point Card commercial went viral in 2008. In February 2009, Etude House announced their exclusive model contract with Park, which was signed in January. She worked as a model for Etude, featuring alongside her You're Beautiful co-star, Jang Keun-suk. Later, Etude paired her with Lee Min-ho. In the same year, she was paired with Kim Hyun-joong for a commercial for Coca-Cola's carbonated beverage Dynamic Kin. Additionally, she worked with CJ Foodville's VIPS and Korea Fujifilm's Instax Mini camera. In 2012, Park was chosen as the exclusive model for Gounsesang Cosmetics.
In 2013, following the success of Miracle in Cell No. 7 and tvN's My Cute Guys, Park became more popular. She appeared in Orion's Market O Valentine's Day commercial alongside Yoon Si-yoon, Kim Ji-hoon, and Ko Kyung-pyo from My Cute Guys. Park collaborated with various brands such as Sonobi, Jambaengi, Enprani Holika Holika, job search portal Job Sarangbang, The K Non-life Insurance Educar, and health drink Vegemil.
The success of the drama The Heirs further boosted Park's endorsement opportunities. In 2014, Park appeared in a commercial for local delivery app Yogiyo with her costar Kang Ha-neul. Park reunited with Jang Keun-suk in a Chinese beverage brand ad to celebrate the brand's 15th anniversary in 2014. She was the first Korean star to be selected as a model for Visa. Since the 2014 F/W season, Park served as the muse for the French jewellery brand Agatha Paris.
After her hit drama Pinocchio, Park endorsed several international brands including the Italian brand Bruno Magli and the French outdoor clothing brand Millet. After the success of the drama The Doctors, it has been reported that brands like Bruno Magli experienced a surge in sales as a result of Park's endorsements.
Philanthropy
Park Shin-hye has been engaged in volunteering organized by the church with her family since she was a child, taking part in initiatives such as the "Babfor Sharing Movement" and Habitat for Humanity. She expanded her philanthropic efforts after entering the entertainment industry through Starlight Angel Project.
In 2007, Park donated her talent for the omnibus drama Several Questions That Make Us Happy. The drama's proceeds, excluding production costs, were donated, including the fees of the writers, directors, and actors. The drama aimed to emphasize the significance of volunteering in a challenging social environment. It involved notable writers such as Noh Hee-kyung, Lee Sun-hee, and Seo Hee-jung, and was directed by Sung Joon-gi, with KBS producers Kim Yong-soo and Hong Seok-gu overseeing the project.
In late 2009, Park travelled to Tapatali village in Nepal, for a six-day visit. During her stay, Park distributed school supplies to children in need, helped break and carry stones for those working in the quarry, and dressed up as Santa Claus to give special Christmas gifts to the villagers. This volunteer experience was featured in the KBS Love Request year-end special broadcast 'Home Winter Love'.
In 2010, Park participated in CeCi magazine's "I Love Pet" campaign to celebrate the magazine's 16th anniversary. The campaign promoted adopting abandoned dogs through organizations like 'Animal Freedom Solidarity' and supported service animals through the 'Animal-assisted Therapy Welfare Association', which provides emotional therapy for disabled children with trained animals.
In 2011, Park became a public relations ambassador for "Korea Food for the Hungry International" (hereinafter referred to as KFHI). As part of her role, she volunteered in Ghana for 8 nights and 9 days in May. During her time there, Park delivered food kits to impoverished children, assisted children with malaria treatment, and spent quality time with a sponsored child named Avanna, taking care of her and sharing meals together. This KFHI's campaign was showcased in the television documentary "2011 MBC World Food Day Special - Stop the Hunger Sharing Campaign."
Park also participated in initiatives in response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. To celebrate the airing of the drama Heartstrings on Fuji TV Japan, Park and Jung Yong-hwa held a meet and greet event on July 15 and 16, 2012 at the Tokyo International Forum Hall. The event was attended by approximately 10,000 fans, and a portion of the proceeds was donated through KFHI for Tōhoku survivors. In August 2012, the non-profit organization "Good Friends Save Children" (GFSC) organized a fundraising event called "Hopes, Dreams, Happy Trip to Korea." The event invited 80 students and staff from Ogatsu Middle School in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, representing the Tōhoku survivors. Park, Jung Yong-hwa and Lee Hong-gi appeared as surprise guests, providing words of encouragement and gifts.
Personal life
Park Shin-hye has an older brother named Park Shin-won, who worked as a guitarist and composer. She used her savings to open a barbecue restaurant for her parents. Park comes from a family with a Christian background. Her parents are devout Christians, and their faith has been passed down through five generations.
On March 7, 2018, Park confirmed that she had been dating fellow actor Choi Tae-joon since late 2017. She announced their engagement on November 23, 2021, while also expecting a baby and planning their wedding. They married on January 22, 2022, in a church ceremony, followed by a reception in Seoul. Park and Choi welcomed their first child, a son, on May 31, 2022. In April 2026, it was announced that the couple is expecting their second child, with Park giving birth this fall.
