Park Hee-soon (; 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 in 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 along with Squid Game (2024).
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.
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 debuted on the 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 the 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 invaded Joseon. Park acted as Heon-myung, Joseon military commander. He was one of three Joseon soldiers who were 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 came back onstage after nine years, for a 20th anniversary performance of Mokhwa. He performed in the play Baekma River in the Moonlight. It performed in Seoul Namsan Arts Drama Center from June 20 to July 6.
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 Relationship and marriage In 2011, it was reported that Park Hee-Soon and actress Park Ye-Jin were in a relationship. They met two years prior and got close due to friendship formed as artists 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.
Tax audit The Seoul Regional Tax Office investigated Park in 2024. In February 2025 outlets reported an additional assessment of about ₩800 million and described the reports as tax-evasion allegations. The Korea Herald wrote that Park ran a personal corporation—Twopark Playground, of which he is chief executive—while remaining with a management agency, an arrangement that allows entertainment income to be booked as corporate revenue. NS ENM denied evasion, saying Park had filed on a tax adviser's advice since his debut, that the issue arose in the tax process with the authorities and was not a failure of his legal duties as an actor, and that he had only objected at the preliminary-review stage, not completed an appeal. It said he was cooperating and expected the adjustment process to end soon.
Philanthropy In 2010, Park was involved in a charity project in Chad. It was to fulfill his promise to his best friend, the late Park Yong-ha. The school, named after Park, 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 that was broadcast on October 22.
Filmography Film +Feature film performances Year Title Role Note English Korean1994 Sado Sade Impotence 우리시대의 사랑 Gu Sun-bok 2001 Imagine 2001 이매진"John Lennon"Short film2002Three 쓰리 Hyun-joo's husband Boss X File 보스 상륙작전 saekki 2003 So Cute 귀여워 2004 A Family 가족 Chang-won 2005 Antarctic Journal 남극일기 Lee Young-min Love Talk 러브토크 2007Seven Days 세븐 데이즈 Kim Seong-yeol Hansel and Gretel 헨젤과 그레텔 Deacon Byun 2008 BA:BO 바보 Sang-soo My Friend and His Wife나의 친구, 그의 아내 Jae-moon 2009The Scam 작전 Hwang Jong-goo Why Did You Come to My House? 우리집에 왜왔니 Kim Byeong-hee A Million 10억 Jang Min-cheol 2010 A Barefoot Dream 맨발의 꿈 Kim Won-gwang 2011 The Showdown 혈투 Heon-myeong The Client 의뢰인 Ahn Min-ho 2012 Gabi 가비 King Gojong The Scent 간기남 Kang Seon-woo 2013 Burn, Release, Explode, the Invincible 연소, 석방, 폭발, 대적할 이가 없는Short film Behind the Camera 뒷담화:감독이 미쳤어요 Park Hee-soon You Are More Than Beautiful 그녀의 연기 Cheol-sooShort film The Suspect용의자 Min Se-hoon 2016 Detour 올레 Soo-tak The Age of Shadows 밀정 Kim Jang-okSpecial appearance2017 V.I.P. 브이아이피 Ri Dae-bum The Fortress 남한산성 Lee Shi-baek 1987: When the Day Comes 1987 Jo Ban-jang 2018 Snatch Up 머니백 Detective Choi The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion 마녀 Mr. Choi Monstrum 물괴 King Jungjong Revenger 리벤져 Carlos My Dream Class 별리섬 2019 The Battle: Roar to Victory 봉오동 전투 Captured Independence Soldier Special appearance A Haunting Hitchhike 히치하이크 Hyung-woong Sun-Kissed Family 썬키스 패밀리 Joon-ho Jesters: The Game Changers 광대들: 풍문조작단 King Sejo Bank of SeoulSeong-jae 2022 The Policeman's Lineage 경관의 피Hwang In-ho 2025 No Other Choice 어쩔수가없다 Choi Seon-chul
Television +Television series performances Year Title Role Note English Korean 2007 Drama City: "Reservoir" 드라마시티 - 저수지Television DebutEvasive Inquiry Agency 얼렁뚱땅 흥신소 Baek Min-cheol 2013 All About My Romance 내 연애의 모든 것 Song Joon-ha2015 The Missing 실종느와르 MOh Dae-yeong2019Beautiful World 아름다운 세상Park Moo-jin 2022 Trolley 트롤리 Nam Joong-do 2026The Judge Returns판사 이한영Kang Shin-jin Pigpen 돼지우리 Bae Jung-ho
Web series +Web series performances Year Title Role Notes English Korean2021 My Name 마이 네임 Choi Moo-jin Netflix original series Dr. Brain Dr. 브레인 Lee Kang-moo Apple TV+ original series 2022 A Model Family 모범가족 Kwang-cheol Netflix original series 2023Moving무빙Kim Deok-yunDisney+ original series2024The Bequeathed선산Choi Sung-joonNetflix original series2024Squid GameMasked Officer 2025 Confidence Queen 컨피던스 맨 KR James On Prime Video, September 6
Music videos YearTitleArtist2010"Bbi Ri Bba Bba" (삐리빠빠)Narsha2025"Dry Flower"KIM FEEL2025"The Christmas Song" (신우석의 도시동화)Byeon Woo-seok2026 "Human Extinction" Woodz
Theater
Plays +YearTitleRoleTheaterNotesEnglishKorean1991–1992The Reason Shim Chung Threw Herself Into the Indang Sea Twice심청이는 왜 두번 인당수에 몸을 던졌는가Ensemble castsCulture and Arts Hall small theaterSeptember 14, 1991 – September 14, 19921991–2000This Love with a Fox여우와 사랑을Seo Kyung-sooTheater ArunggujiDecember 10, 1999 – January 30, 20001992Intimacy Between Father and Son부자유친Seonhui PalaceCulture and Arts Hall Small TheaterJuly 1–16 1994 Bellflower (어른을 위한 동화) 도라지 Ensemble casts Seoul Arts Center Jayu Small Theater July 12–31 1998Birds Don't Use the Crosswalk새들은 횡단보도를 건너지 않는다Ensemble castsTheater ArunggujiSeptember 4 – October 18 The Island of Cheonmado - The Story of Kim Yushin천마도 - 김유신 이야기Ensemble castsLiterature Theater Small TheaterJanuary 30 – February 11 Thousand years of water 천년의 수인(囚人) Military Police Dongsoong Art Center Dongsoong Hall May 8 – June 14 1999Chunpung's Wife 춘풍의 처Ensemble castsTheater ArunggujiAugust 10 – October 3 23th Seoul Theater Festival — Kosovo and the wanderer October 1–17 2001Romeo and Juliet로미오와 줄리엣 May 10 – July 1 2003ArtPark Hee-soonSeoul Arts Center Jayu Small TheaterFebruary 1–232004Applause for Julie!줄리에게 박수를Hamlet'Tree and Water' at Daehangno Arts TheaterMarch 25 – May 22005Closer클로저DanSeoul Arts Center Towol TheaterFebruary 25 – March 132014In the moonlit night of Baekma River백마강 달밤에Park Soo-suk's shaman Yeong-deokNamsan Arts Center Drama CenterJune 25 – July 6
Musicals +YearTitleRoleVenueNotesEnglishKorean2001 The Rocky Horror Show 록키호러쇼 Doctor Frankenfort Polymedia Theater December 8 2003 Grease 그리스 DoodyDaegu Civic CenterDecember 20–21
Awards and nominations