Biography
Park Shin-hye is a renowned South Korean actress and singer, best known for her roles in popular dramas such as You’re Beautiful (2009), The Heirs (2013), and Pinocchio (2014). She first gained recognition as a child actress in Stairway to Heaven (2003). Over the years, she has established herself as one of the most successful actresses in the Korean entertainment industry. In addition to acting, Park Shin-hye has showcased her singing talents by contributing to several drama soundtracks. Her performances have earned her numerous awards and widespread acclaim for her emotional depth and versatility. Beyond her career, she is known for her philanthropic efforts, actively supporting various charities and social causes. In 2022, she married fellow actor Choi Tae-joon, and the couple welcomed their first child later that year.
Profile
- Name: Park Shin-hye
- Birth name: Park Shin-hye
- Birthday: February 18, 1990
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Height: 168 cm
- Instagram: @ssinz7
Early Life and Background
Born in Gwangju and raised in Songpa District, Seoul, Park Shin-hye grew up with an older brother, Park Shin-won, who worked as a guitarist and composer. Her journey in entertainment began in 2001 when she auditioned and appeared in Lee Seung-hwan’s music videos. She subsequently received formal training in singing, dancing, and acting at Lee Seung-hwan’s agency, Dream Factory. Park Shin-hye completed her education at Youngpa Girls’ High School and later graduated from Chung-Ang University with a degree in theater in February 2016, where she was recognized with a service award for her work as a celebrity ambassador.
Career
Acting Career
Park Shin-hye’s breakthrough came in 2003 with her role in “Stairway to Heaven,” where she portrayed the younger version of Choi Ji-woo’s character. She continued to build her career with notable roles in various television series and films. Her first adult leading role came in 2006 with the South Korean-Japanese melodrama “Tree of Heaven,” which brought her wider recognition, particularly in Japan.
Her career reached new heights with the 2009 drama “You’re Beautiful,” which gained a cult following and high ratings in Japan. She further solidified her status with roles in hit productions like “The Heirs” (2013) and “Pinocchio” (2014-2015), which established her as a leading Hallyu star. The success of “The Heirs” particularly boosted her international popularity, with the series gaining over one billion cumulative views on Chinese streaming platforms.
Recent notable works include the medical drama “Doctor Slump” (2024), where she reunited with Park Hyung-sik, and the upcoming action fantasy drama “The Judge from Hell” (2024). Her versatility as an actress is evident in her diverse portfolio, ranging from romantic comedies to intense thrillers like “#Alive” (2020) and “The Call” (2020).
Endorsements and Commercial Success
Park Shin-hye’s popularity extends beyond acting, making her a highly sought-after brand ambassador. She began her endorsement career in 2004 with a Pocari Sweat commercial, which significantly boosted her recognition. Over the years, she has represented a wide variety of global and domestic brands across different industries.
In 2014, she made history by becoming the first Korean celebrity to model for Visa, demonstrating her influence beyond South Korea. She was also chosen as the global ambassador for Swarovski in 2017, further cementing her status as a fashion icon.
Additionally, Park Shin-hye has endorsed brands like Etude House, Mamonde, Millet, and Bruno Magli, with her association often resulting in increased product sales. Her collaboration with Millet in 2015 significantly boosted the brand’s outdoor apparel sales, showing her commercial impact.
Philanthropic Activities
Beyond her successful career in entertainment, Park Shin-hye is known for her dedication to philanthropy. She has consistently participated in charitable efforts and used her influence to promote social causes.
From 2011 to 2014, she served as a PR ambassador for Korea Food for the Hungry International’s Stop Hunger campaign, raising awareness about hunger and malnutrition. She has also actively donated to causes supporting underprivileged children and disaster relief efforts.
In addition, she co-founded the Shin Hye Center, an education and welfare center in Ghana and the Philippines, offering learning opportunities and resources to children in need. Her continued efforts in charity work have earned her respect as both an actress and a humanitarian.
Personal Life
Relationship
She began dating actor and model Choi Tae-joon in late 2017. Their relationship became public in March 2018, garnering significant media attention. On November 23, 2021, the couple announced their engagement and shared that they were expecting their first child. They married on January 22, 2022, in a private ceremony at a church in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, attended by family and close friends. Their son was born on May 31, 2022. Park Shin-hye comes from a devout Christian family, with their faith extending back five generations.
Style and Influence
Park Shin-hye’s acting style is characterized by her ability to portray a wide range of characters convincingly, from bright romantic comedy leads to complex dramatic roles. Her influence extends beyond acting into fashion and advertising, where she has represented numerous prestigious brands. She has made history as the first Korean to serve as a global ambassador for Swarovski and has been the face of various international brands including Coach, Bruno Magli, and Olivia Burton.
Nail Art Controversy
In 2016, Park Shin-hye starred in Doctors as neurosurgeon Yoo Hye-jung but faced criticism for her unrealistic styling, including high heels, flashy outfits, and nail art while treating patients. Viewers argued that these details made her character seem unprofessional and showed a lack of preparation.
On August 10, 2016, she responded to the nail art controversy on Instagram by sharing a photo of her bare nails, stating, “For the remaining four episodes, I will greet you with neatly trimmed nails.” She explained that if her personal choice had made viewers uncomfortable, she would remove it, adding, “It’s not a difficult thing to do.” She also asked people not to overreact, saying, “The weather is extremely hot. Let’s not waste energy on unnecessary matters,” while urging an end to personal attacks.
However, netizens felt her statement lacked sincerity, leading to further criticism. In response, she revised her post, changing her wording to acknowledge that her choice may have made viewers uncomfortable and offering an apology. Despite this revision, the backlash continued, and she deleted the post just 10 minutes after uploading it.
Net Worth
As a prominent Hallyu star, Park Shin-hye has been one of the highest-paid actresses in South Korea. Her success in the early 2010s, with hit dramas and films, significantly contributed to her wealth. With a massive social media following, she has effectively leveraged her influence by collaborating with major brands and securing high-value endorsement deals.
Despite taking a break from acting for a few years to focus on her family, Park Shin-hye has made a strong comeback in 2024. Her estimated net worth as of 2024 is around $8 million, according to multiple sources.
Achievements and Awards
Park Shin-hye’s career is marked by numerous achievements in both television and film. Her work in “Miracle in Cell No. 7” (2013) contributed to it becoming one of the highest-grossing Korean films. She has consistently been recognized for her talents, winning awards such as:
- Best Supporting Actress at the 33rd Korean Association of Film Critics Awards
- Best One-Act Special Actress Award at the 2012 KBS Drama Awards
- Prime Minister’s Commendation at the Korea Popular Culture Awards
- Special Philanthropy Celebrity of the Year at the 5th Asia Philanthropy Awards (2019)
She has been included multiple times in the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list (2015, 2017, 2021, and 2022), reflecting her sustained influence in the entertainment industry. Her philanthropic work through the Starlight Angel Project has led to significant contributions globally, including the establishment of educational centers in Ghana and the Philippines.
Filmography
Films
- Love Phobia (2006)
- Evil Twin (2007)
- Cyrano Agency (2010)
- Green Days: Dinosaur and I (2011)
- Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013)
- The Royal Tailor (2014)
- My Annoying Brother (2016)
- Heart Blackened (2017)
- Alive (2020)
- The Call (2020)
Television Dramas
- Stairway to Heaven (2003)
- Tree of Heaven (2006)
- You’re Beautiful (2009)
- Heartstrings (2011)
- The Heirs (2013)
- Pinocchio (2014–2015)
- Doctors (2016)
- Memories of the Alhambra (2018–2019)
- Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)
- Doctor Slump (2024)
- The Judge from Hell (2024)
Television show
- Music and Lyrics (2012)
- Little Cabin in the Woods (2018)
Documentary
- It City Park Shin Hye in New Caledonia: Take It Paradise (2009)
- STOP HUNGER (2011)
- It City Park Shin Hye Healing Trip to Hong Kong (2012)
- Photo Camping Log (2013)
- Humanimal (2020)
Fun Facts
- Her nickname was “Park Pig” because of her fondness for food.
- She likes baseball.
- She likes working for charities and donating to charities.
- She is friends with f(x)‘s Krystal Jung.
- Her career spans more than two decades.
- Her childhood dream was to become a police officer.
- She is a cat person.
- She has a knack for music. She sang several OSTs for the dramas she acted in.
- She got into a car accident in 2011.
- She loves staying active & exercising.
- She opened a restaurant for her parents with her savings.
