# Park Hee-soon

Park Hee-soon (Korean: 박희순; born February 13, 1970) is a South Korean actor. He graduated with a Theater degree from Seoul Institute of the Arts, and was a member of the Mokwha Repertory Company from 1990 to 2001. He became active in film beginning 2002, and won several Best Supporting Actor awards for his portrayal of a tough cop in Seven Days (2007). He received further acting recognitions for his roles in the films The Scam (2009) and 1987: When the Day Comes (2017). Apart from his film career, Park starred in television series All About My Romance (2013), The Missing (2015), Beautiful World (2019), and My Name (2021), the lattermost of which brought him international attention.

## Career
### Early career in theater

Park was born on February 13, 1970. He graduated with a degree in Theater from Seoul Institute of the Arts. Park began his acting career in 1990 when he joined the Mokwha Repertory Company. In 2001, after being a part of the troupe for 12 years, Park visited Oh Tae-seok, the representative and director of the troupe, and said, "I've been in Mokhwa for 12 years. I'll take a look around the outside world."

### Chungmuro early career

Park appeared in minor roles in films as early as 1994, but he only became actively involved in film from 2001 onwards. Park decided to pursue a career in film for at least three years, but it was difficult for the rookie actor to establish himself in Chungmuro, the center of the South Korean film industry. However, step by step, Park built his career by appearing in minor roles in films such as "Three," "Box X Files," and "So Cute."
In 2004, Park played the role of a gang leader in the film "A Family," and his performance as the villain was highly praised. He was even nominated for Best New Actor at the 3rd Korean Film Awards for his role in the film.
Fixed: In February 2005, Park made a comeback to the theater stage, appearing as Dan in the Aligator Theatre Company's Korean debut of the hit play "Closer" by Patrick Marber, which had been adapted into a film in 2004. The play was performed at The Seoul Art Center's Towol Theater.
Park costarred in Antarctic Journal. Park Hee-soon showed an impressive performance as a sober squad leader in the movie.
In the same year, Park got his first lead role in romantic comedy film Love Talk.

### Established actor and venture to small screen

In 2007 he established himself as an indispensable acting actor in the film in Seven Days. Park won several Best Supporting Actor awards for his portrayal of a tough cop in Seven Days (2007). Park received the Best Actor Award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and the Korea Film Awards, making a strong impression on the public and film officials. In the same year, He debut in small screen with KBS 2TV Drama City Reservoir. It was followed by his first miniseries Evasive Inquiry Agency.
In 2009, Park acted as Hwang Jong-gu, gangster-turned-financier, in Lee Ho-jae's film The Scam. The film was received well commercially. Park also garnered critical acclaim for his performance which earned Best Supporting Actor Awards from 17th Chunsa Film Art Awards.
In 2010, Park acted as Kim Won-kang, a former football player who moved to East Timor in drama film A Barefoot Dream. It is based on the true story of Kim Shin-hwan, a retired Korean footballer who goes to East Timor after his business fails and launches a youth football team, thus becoming the "Hiddink of Korea." Directed by Kim Tae-kyun, this film was a co-production between South Korea and Japan.
In 2011, Park acted in Park Hoon-jung's debut film The Showdown. It was set in the 11th year of Gwanghaegun's reign, when Manchus invade of Joseon. Park acted as Heon-myung, Joseon military commander. He was one of three Joseon soldiers who are cornered by the Manchu forces and must fight a bloody battle in the middle of Manchuria.
In 2013, Park back to television after six years with SBS miniseries All About My Romance. Park also costarred in a 2013 South Korean action spy film The Suspect starring Gong Yoo, and directed by Won Shin-yun. Park's role was Min Se-hoon, a South Korean NIS operative demoted to drill sergeant after a failed mission where Ji Dong-cheol (played by Gong Yoo), spared him.
In 2014, Park comeback onstage after nine years, for 20th anniversary performance of Mokhwa. He performed in play Baekma River in the Moonlight. It performed in Seoul Namsan Arts Drama Center from June 20 to July 6.
   When you act, you act with sincerity. Authenticity is directly related to how much sweat and effort you put in for the role. How diligently I practiced for a role has been passed on since I was in a play, so I think a lot about that role and work hard in the movie. I tend to put in a lot of effort to bring the sincerity I learned from theater to film even when filming
Park costarred in 2017 Korean political thriller film 1987: When the Day Comes directed by Jang Joon-hwan and written by Kim Kyung-chan, alongside Kim Yoon-seok, Ha Jung-woo, Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Tae-ri, and Lee Hee-joon. He acted as Lieutenant Jo Han-kyung and won Best Supporting Actor at 54th Baeksang Arts Awards. In the same year, Park reunited with director Park Hoon-jung in his 2017 crime-action thriller film V.I.P.. He acted as Ri Dae-bum, a North Korean police officer who secretly crosses the border into the South to track down Kim Kwang-il (played by Lee Jong-suk).
In 2018, Park played the role of Mr. Choi in science fiction action horror film "The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion," which was written and directed by Park Hoon-jung.
In 2021, Park joined My Name, Netflix original series directed by Kim Jin-min. He played Choi Mu-jin, the boss of Dongcheon who has described himself as a best friend and brother to Ji-woo's father. Mu-jin takes Ji-woo under his wing when she first joins his organization and teaches her how to fight. In the same year, Park acted alongside Lee Sun-kyun in Dr. Brain. Park portrays Kangmu Lee, a private investigator. Dr. Brain was the first Korean-language show produced for Apple TV+. The series marks the drama debut of renowned filmmaker Kim Jee-woon and is based on the Korean webtoon of the same name drawn by Hongjacga.
In 2022, Park costarred in Kim Jin-woo's Netflix original series A Model Family as Gwang-cheol.

## Personal life

In 2011, it was reported that Park and actress Park Ye-jin were in relationship. They met two years prior and got close due to friendship formed as artist under the same agency. In January 2016, it was reported that they registered their marriage in 2015. They had a small celebration with family and friends in 2016.

## Philanthropy

In 2010, Park involved in charity project in Chad. It was to fulfill his promise to his best friend, late Park Yong-ha. The school, named after late Park Yong-ha, was founded on September 18, finally fulfilling Park's wish of helping to shape a brighter future for the children of Chad. It was documented by "Hope TV", a special documentary revolving around this special school was broadcast October 22.

## Filmography
### Film

Feature film performances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Note |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Note |
| 1994 | Sado Sade Impotence | 우리시대의 사랑 | Gu Sun-bok | |
| 1994 | 2001 Imagine | 2001 이매진 | "John Lennon" | Short film |
| 2002 | Three | 쓰리 | Hyun-joo's husband | |
| 2002 | Boss X File | 보스 상륙작전 | saekki | |
| 2003 | So Cute | 귀여워 | | |
| 2004 | A Family | 가족 | Chang-won | |
| 2005 | Antarctic Journal | 남극일기 | Lee Young-min | |
| 2005 | Love Talk | 러브토크 | | |
| 2007 | Seven Days | 세븐 데이즈 | Kim Seong-yeol | |
| 2007 | Hansel and Gretel | 헨젤과 그레텔 | Deacon Byun | |
| 2008 | BA:BO | 바보 | Sang-soo | |
| 2008 | My Friend and His Wife | 나의 친구, 그의 아내 | Jae-moon | |
| 2009 | The Scam | 작전 | Hwang Jong-goo | |
| 2009 | Why Did You Come to My House? | 우리집에 왜왔니 | Kim Byeong-hee | |
| 2009 | A Million | 10억 | Jang Min-cheol | |
| 2010 | A Barefoot Dream | 맨발의 꿈 | Kim Won-gwang | |
| 2011 | The Showdown | 혈투 | Heon-myeong | |
| 2011 | The Client | 의뢰인 | Ahn Min-ho | |
| 2012 | Gabi | 가비 | King Gojong | |
| 2012 | The Scent | 간기남 | Kang Seon-woo | |
| 2013 | Burn, Release, Explode, the Invincible | 연소, 석방, 폭발, 대적할 이가 없는 | | Short film |
| 2013 | Behind the Camera | 뒷담화:감독이 미쳤어요 | Park Hee-soon | |
| 2013 | You Are More Than Beautiful | 그녀의 연기 | Cheol-soo | Short film |
| 2013 | The Suspect | 용의자 | Min Se-hoon | |
| 2016 | Detour | 올레 | Soo-tak | |
| 2016 | The Age of Shadows | 밀정 | Kim Jang-ok | Special appearance |
| 2017 | V.I.P. | 브이아이피 | Ri Dae-bum | |
| 2017 | The Fortress | 남한산성 | Lee Shi-baek | |
| 2017 | 1987: When the Day Comes | 1987 | Jo Ban-jang | |
| 2018 | Snatch Up | 머니백 | Detective Choi | |
| 2018 | The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion | 마녀 | Mr. Choi | |
| 2018 | Monstrum | 물괴 | King Jungjong | |
| 2018 | Revenger | 리벤져 | Carlos | |
| 2018 | My Dream Class | 별리섬 | | |
| 2019 | The Battle: Roar to Victory | 봉오동 전투 | Captured Independence Soldier | Special appearance |
| 2019 | A Haunting Hitchhike | 히치하이크 | Hyung-woong | |
| 2019 | Sun-Kissed Family | 썬키스 패밀리 | Joon-ho | |
| 2019 | Jesters: The Game Changers | 광대들: 풍문조작단 | King Sejo | |
| 2019 | Bank of Seoul | | Seong-jae | |
| 2022 | The Policeman's Lineage | 경관의 피 | Hwang In-ho | |

### Television series

Television series performances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Note | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Note | Ref. |
| 2007 | Drama City: "Reservoir" | 드라마시티 - 저수지 | | Television Debut | |
| 2007 | Evasive Inquiry Agency | 얼렁뚱땅 흥신소 | Baek Min-cheol | | |
| 2013 | All About My Romance | 내 연애의 모든 것 | Song Joon-ha | | |
| 2015 | The Missing Noir M | 실종느와르 M | Oh Dae-yeong | | |
| 2019 | Beautiful World | 아름다운 세상 | Park Moo-jin | | |
| 2022 | Trolley | 트롤리 | Nam Joong-do | | |
| 2025 | Pigpen | 돼지우리 | Bae Jung-ho | | |

### Web series

Web series performances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2021 | My Name | 마이 네임 | Choi Moo-jin | Netflix original series | |
| 2021 | Dr. Brain | Dr. 브레인 | Lee Kang-moo | Apple TV+ original series | |
| 2022 | A Model Family | 모범가족 | Kwang-cheol | Netflix original series | |
| 2023 | Moving | 무빙 | Kim Deok-yun | Disney+ original series | |
| 2024 | The Bequeathed | 선산 | Choi Sung-joon | Netflix original series | |
| 2024 | Squid Game | | Masked Officer | | |

### Music video appearances

| Year | Title | Artist | Ref. |
| 2010 | "Bbi Ri Bba Bba" (삐리빠빠) | Narsha | |

## Stage
### Theater

Theater performances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Theater | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Theater | Notes | Ref. |
| 1991–1992 | The Reason Shim Chung Threw Herself Into the Indang Sea Twice | 심청이는 왜 두번 인당수에 몸을 던졌는가 | Ensemble casts | Culture and Arts Hall small theater | September 14, 1991 – September 14, 1992 | |
| 1991–2000 | This Love with a Fox | 여우와 사랑을 | Seo Kyung-soo | Theater Arungguji | December 10, 1999 – January 30, 2000 | |
| 1992 | Intimacy Between Father and Son | 부자유친 | Seonhui Palace | Culture and Arts Hall Small Theater | July 1–16 | |
| 1994 | Bellflower | (어른을 위한 동화) 도라지 | Ensemble casts | Seoul Arts Center Jayu Small Theater | July 12–31 | |
| 1998 | Birds Don't Use the Crosswalk | 새들은 횡단보도를 건너지 않는다 | Ensemble casts | Theater Arungguji | September 4–October 18 | |
| 1998 | The Island of Cheonmado - The Story of Kim Yushin | 천마도 - 김유신 이야기 | Ensemble casts | Literature Theater Small Theater | January 30–February 11 | |
| 1998 | Thousand years of water | 천년의 수인(囚人) | Military Police | Dongsoong Art Center Dongsoong Hall | May 8–June 14 | |
| 1999 | Chunpung's Wife | 춘풍의 처 | Ensemble casts | Theater Arungguji | August 10–October 3 | |
| 1999 | 23th Seoul Theater Festival — Kosovo and the wanderer | (제23회) 서울연극제 : 코소보 그리고 유랑 | Ensemble casts | Theater Arungguji | October 1–17 | |
| 2001 | Romeo and Juliet | 로미오와 줄리엣 | Ensemble casts | Theater Arungguji | May 10–July 1 | |
| 2003 | Art | Art | Park Hee-soon | Seoul Arts Center Jayu Small Theater | February 1–23 | |
| 2004 | Applause for Julie! | 줄리에게 박수를 | Hamlet | 'Tree and Water' at Daehangno Arts Theater | March 25–May 2 | |
| 2005 | Closer | 클로저 | Dan | Seoul Arts Center Towol Theater | February 25–March 13 | |
| 2014 | In the moonlit night of Baekma River | 백마강 달밤에 | Park Soo-suk's shaman Yeong-deok | Namsan Arts Center Drama Center | June 25–July 6 | |

### Musical

Musical performance(s) :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Venue | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Venue | Notes | Ref. |
| 2001 | The Rocky Horror Show | 록키호러쇼 | Doctor Frankenfort | Polymedia Theater | December 8 | |
| 2003 | Grease | 그리스 | Doody | Daegu Civic Center | December 20–21 | |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 2004 | 3rd Korean Film Awards | Best New Actor | A Family | Nominated |
| 2007 | 2007 KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor in a One-Act/Special/Short Drama | Drama City - "The Reservoir" | Nominated |
| 2008 | 29th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Seven Days | Won |
| 2008 | 9th Busan Film Critics Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Seven Days | Won |
| 2008 | 7th Korean Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Seven Days | Won |
| 2008 | 4th University Film Festival of Korea | Best Supporting Actor | Seven Days | Won |
| 2008 | 17th Buil Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Seven Days | Nominated |
| 2009 | 17th Chunsa Film Art Awards | Best Supporting Actor | The Scam | Won |
| 2010 | 8th Korean Film Awards | Best Actor | A Barefoot Dream | Nominated |
| 2010 | 47th Grand Bell Awards | Best Actor | A Barefoot Dream | Nominated |
| 2010 | 31st Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Leading Actor | A Barefoot Dream | Nominated |
| 2014 | 9th Max Movie Awards | Best Supporting Actor | The Suspect | Nominated |
| 2018 | 54th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Film) | 1987: When the Day Comes | Won |
| 2023 | 2023 SBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama | Trolley | Nominated |