Park Min-young

In this Korean name, the family name is Park.

Park Min-young (Korean: 박민영; born March 4, 1986), also known as Rachel Park, is a South Korean actress.^{[2][unreliable source?][3]} She rose to fame in the historical coming-of-age drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010) and has since starred in television series City Hunter (2011), Glory Jane (2011), Healer (2014–2015), Remember (2015–2016), What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018), Her Private Life (2019), Forecasting Love and Weather (2022), and Marry My Husband (2024).

Park Min-young
Park in April 2024
Born	(1986-03-04) March 4, 1986 (age 39) Seoul, South Korea
Other names	Rachel Park[1]
Education	Dongguk University (BA)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2005–present
Korean name
Hangul	박민영
Hanja	朴敏英
Revised Romanization	Bak Minyeong
McCune–Reischauer	Pak Minyŏng
Signature

Early life and education

During her time in high school, Park studied abroad in the United States as an international exchange student.^[4]

In February 2013, Park graduated from Dongguk University in Seoul with a degree in Theatre.^[5]

Career

2005–2009: Early career

Park made her entertainment debut in a SK Telecom commercial in 2005.^[6] She launched her acting career a year later in the hit sitcom High Kick! (2006).^[7] She continued to appear in television dramas, in roles such as the only daughter of a notorious gangster in I Am Sam (2007)^[8] and a gumiho (nine-tailed fox in Korean mythology) in an episode of horror-themed drama Hometown of Legends (2008).^[9] She played a villainous princess in the period drama Ja Myung Go (2009)^[10] and a girl caught between two marathon runners in Running, Gu (2010).^[11]

In 2008, Park was featured in BigBang's hit song Haru Haru where she played the girlfriend of G-Dragon.^[12]

2010–2011: Breakthrough

Park Min-young at the 2010 KBS Drama Awards

Park's breakthrough came with the 2010 drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal, a coming-of-age drama in which her character, an intelligent and resourceful young woman, disguises herself as a boy in order to enter the most prestigious learning institution in Joseon.^[13][14][15] This was followed in 2011 by another success with City Hunter, based on the titular Japanese manga. Park starred opposite Lee Min-ho in a story about a vigilante out for revenge and justice, and the secret service agent he falls for.^[16][17][18] Park's success on the small screen resulted in increased advertising offers for the actress.^[19]

Later that year, she made her big screen debut in the horror film The Cat, about a woman who becomes consumed by fear after she adopts a cat found at the site of a mysterious death.^[20] Park next appeared in the melodrama Glory Jane, in the role of a nurse's aide who becomes involved with a former baseball player (played by Chun Jung-myung).^[21]

2012–present: Leading roles

Park starred in another manga screen adaptation in 2012; in Dr. Jin, a neurosurgeon (played by Song Seung-heon) travels back in time to 1860. Park played dual roles as the protagonist's girlfriend in the present-day (a comatose doctor), and her doppelgänger in the Joseon era (a sheltered noblewoman).^[22][23]

In May 2013, Park Min Young ended her contract with the previous management company King Kong Entertainment and was a free agent for six months. In November 2013, Park signed with new management agency Culture Depot.^{[24][unreliable source?]}

She next played an idealistic intern in the legal drama A New Leaf (2014), who clashes with her brilliant but cynical lawyer boss until he becomes an amnesiac (played by Kim Myung-min).^[25][26] This was followed by a role as a tabloid reporter in Healer, a series written by Song Ji-na that also starred Ji Chang-wook and Yoo Ji-tae.^[27][28] Healer was popular in China and resulted in increased recognition for Park.^[29]

Park next starred as a lawyer in the Korean drama Remember on SBS from late 2015 to early 2016,^[30] and played a Queen in the historical drama, Queen for Seven Days, which aired in 2017.^[31] In September 2017, It was confirmed that Park will be a fixed cast member in Netflix's variety show Busted!.^[32] In November 2017, it was reported that Park Min Young's contract with her agency Culture Depot expired.^[33] In December 2017, Park signed with new management agency Namoo Actors.^[34]

Park in 2018

In 2018, Park was cast in her first romantic comedy drama What's Wrong with Secretary Kim alongside Park Seo-joon.^[35][36] The series was a ratings success, leading to increased popularity for Park.^[37] In October, Park held her first fan meeting since her debut 12 years ago titled My Day.^[38][39]

In 2019, Park starred in her second romantic comedy drama Her Private Life alongside Kim Jae-wook. Park played Seong Deok-mi who works as a curator at an art museum but spends her time outside of work as a passionate fangirl of idol groups.^[40]

In 2020, she starred in the JTBC romance drama When the Weather Is Fine alongside Seo Kang-joon.^[41]

On December 29, 2021, Namoo Actors announced that Park's contract has expired after she decided not to renew it.^[42] A day later, Hook Entertainment announced that Park has signed an exclusive contract.^[43]

In 2022, Park starred in the JTBC romance drama Forecasting Love and Weather alongside Song Kang, playing Jin Ha-kyung – a general forecaster at Korea Meteorological Administration.^[44]

In January 2024, Park appears as the female lead for the fantasy, revenge melodrama Marry My Husband alongside Na In-woo (as Yoo Ji-hyuk), where she portrays Kang Ji-won, a woman who works for U&K Food as an assistant manager and spends her days burdened by an incompetent husband, neglectful in-laws, and a hard work life, and becomes a cancer patient at a young age. She gets her revenge with the assistance of Yoo Ji-hyuk.^[45]

In January 2025, Park departed from Hook Entertainment after her contract expired.^[46]

Other activities

Philanthropy

On March 7, 2022, Park donated ₩100 million to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the Uljin forest fire 2022, that started in Uljin and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.^[47]

On February 8, 2024, Park donated ₩100 million to the Seoul Asan Medical Center Cancer Center to help cancer patients.^[48]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Ref.
2011	The Cat	So-yeon	[49]

Television series

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2006–07	High Kick!	Kang Yoo-mi		[7]
2007	I Am Sam	Yoo Eun-byul		[8]
2008	Hometown of Legends	Lee Myung-ok		[9]
2009	Ja Myung Go	Princess Ra-hee		[10]
2010	Running, Gu	Moon Haeng-joo		[11]
	Sungkyunkwan Scandal	Kim Yoon-hee / Kim Yoon-shik		[50]
2011	City Hunter	Kim Na-na		[51]
	Glory Jane	Yoon Jae-in		[52]
2012	Dr. Jin	Yoo Mi-na / Hong Young-rae		[23]
2014	A New Leaf	Lee Ji-yoon		[25]
2014–15	Healer	Chae Young-shin / Oh Ji-an		[27]
2015–16	Remember	Lee In-a		[30]
2017	Queen for Seven Days	Shin Chae-kyung		[31]
2018	What's Wrong with Secretary Kim	Kim Mi-so		[35]
2019	Her Private Life	Sung Duk-mi		[40]
2020	When the Weather Is Fine	Mok Hae-won		[41]
2022	Forecasting Love and Weather	Jin Ha-kyung		[44]
	Love in Contract	Choi Sang-eun		[53]
2023–24	Castle in the Time	Xu Zhen	Chinese drama	[54]
2024	Marry My Husband	Kang Ji-won		[55]
	Braveness of the Ming	Xie Yu Fei	Chinese drama	[56]

Hosting

Year	Title	Notes	Ref.
2014	2014 KBS Drama Awards	with Kim Sang-kyung and Seo In-guk	[57]
2019	33rd Golden Disc Awards	With Lee Seung-gi	[58]

Web shows

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2018–21	Busted!	Cast member	Season 1–3	[32]

Music video appearances

Year	Song title	Artist	Ref.
2007	"Don't Say Goodbye"	Kim Young-jin (I)	[59]
2008	"Haru Haru"	BigBang	[60]
2009	"Love Story"	Gavy NJ	[61]

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / work	Result	Ref.
APAN Star Awards	2018	Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries	What's Wrong with Secretary Kim	Nominated	[62]
		K-Star Popular Actress Award		Won	[63]
Asia Artist Awards	2017	Best Celebrity Award	Queen for Seven Days	Won	[64]
	2019	Asia Celebrity Award, Actress	Park Min-young	Won	[65]
		Best Artist Award, Actress		Won	[66]
	2022			Won	[67]
		Hot Trend Award – Actress		Won
	2024	Best Actress of the Year (Daesang)		Won	[68]
		Best Artist Award, Actress		Won	[69]
Asia Drama Conference	2018	Special Recognition Award	What's Wrong with Secretary Kim	Won	[70]
Asia Model Awards	2008	Model Award	Park Min-young	Won	[71]
	2015	Asia Special Award, Actress		Won	[72]
Baeksang Arts Awards	2008	Best New Actress (TV)	I Am Sam	Nominated
	2011	Best Actress (TV)	Sungkyunkwan Scandal	Nominated
Cosmo Beauty Awards	2018	Annual Shining Beauty Idol	Park Min-young	Won	[73]
DramaFever Awards	2016	Best Couple	Park Min-young (with Ji Chang-wook) Healer	Won	[74]
iQiYi Taiwan Entertainment Awards	2019	Most Beautiful Award	What's Wrong with Secretary Kim	Won	[75]
KBS Drama Awards	2007	Best New Actress	I Am Sam	Won	[76]
	2008	Excellence Award, Actress in a Special/One Act Drama	Hometown of Legends: Gumiho	Won	[77]
	2010	Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama	Sungkyunkwan Scandal	Won	[78]
		Netizen's Award		Won
		Best Couple Award	Park Min-young (with Park Yoo-chun) Sungkyunkwan Scandal	Won
	2011	Top Excellence Actress	Glory Jane	Nominated
		Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama		Won	[79]
	2014	Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama	Healer	Won	[80]
		Best Couple Award	Park Min-young (with Ji Chang-wook) Healer	Won	[81]
	2017	Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama	Queen for Seven Days	Nominated
KCA Consumer Day Awards	2018	Best Drama Actress	What's Wrong with Secretary Kim	Won	[82]
Korea Drama Awards	2011	Best Actress	Sungkyunkwan Scandal & City Hunter	Nominated	[83][unreliable source?]
MBC Entertainment Awards	2007	Best New Actress in Comedy/Sitcom	High Kick!	Won	[84]
MBC Drama Awards	2014	Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries	A New Leaf	Nominated
SBS Drama Awards	2011	Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama Special	City Hunter	Nominated
		Popularity Award		Nominated
		Best Couple Award	Park Min-young (with Lee Min-ho) City Hunter	Nominated
	2016	Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Genre Drama	Remember	Nominated
Seoul International Drama Awards	2011	Outstanding Korean Actress	Sungkyunkwan Scandal	Nominated
Soompi Awards	2018	Actress of the year	Queen for Seven Days	Nominated
		Best Kiss Award	Park Min-young (with Yeon Woo-jin) Queen for Seven Days	Nominated	[85][unreliable source?]
	2019	Best Actress of the Year	What's Wrong with Secretary Kim	Won	[86][unreliable source?]
		Best Couple	Park Min-young (with Park Seo-joon) What's Wrong with Secretary Kim	Nominated
StarHub Night of Stars	2019	Best Female Asian Star	Her Private Life	Won	[87]
Top Chinese Music Awards	2012	Fashion Artist Award	Park Min-young	Won	[88]
tvN Joy Festival	2018	Female Character of the Year	What's Wrong with Secretary Kim	Won	[89]
		Thursday Icon		Won

Other accolades

Name of the organization, year given, and name of honor

Organization	Year	Honor	Ref.
National Tax Service	2021	Presidential Commendation	[90]

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement

Publisher	Year	Listicle	Rank	Ref.
Forbes	2012	Korea Power Celebrity	23rd	[91]