Park Won-hee (; born April 27, 1981), better known by his stage name Park Hoon (), is a South Korean actor. He won Best Supporting Actor at the 17th Asian Film Awards for his role in Kim Sung-su's film 12.12: The Day. He was included into the "Chungmuro 10 Million Viewers Club," a recognition given to actors whose films have sold more than 10 million tickets in South Korea.
Park began his career in 2007 as a musical actor in Daehangno. After performing in musicals and plays for some time, he made his film debut in a minor role in 2008 and his television debut in 2015. He first gained recognition for his role in the drama Descendants of the Sun (2016) and further expanded his recognition as a second lead in Memories of the Alhambra (2018), for which he earned a nomination for Best New Actor Television at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Career
Beginning onstage Park Hoon debuted in 2007 in Jang Yu-jeong's musical Oh! While You Were Sleeping. Afterwards, he also performed in musicals like Brothers Were Brave, Hello, Francesca, and Temptation of Wolves. He also appeared in stage productions such as the play Model Students.
Television debut He made his television debut in the 2015 tvN drama Oh My Ghost with small role. His breakthrough came in the following year with drama Descendants of the Sun, portraying Sergeant First Class Choi Woo-geun, a special forces sniper. His performance as a loyal and strong soldier earned him positive reviews and successfully introduced him to a wider audience.
In the 2018 drama Memories of the Alhambra, Park played dual roles of Cha Hyung-seok, a sharp-looking IT company CEO who also appears as a character within a video game. Though his character had minimal dialogue, Park Hoon earned the nickname "Cha Zombie" for his ability to convey intensity and tension through his eyes and expressions. He earned a nomination for Best New Actor Television in Baeksang Arts Awards for this role.
He received praise for his transformative performance in the 2020 drama Nobody Knows, where he played the villainous Baek Sang-ho. His chilling portrayal was described as an "unprecedented character," with his intense acting creating numerous "breathtaking" scenes.
In his first leading film role, Park starred in the 2021 movie Midnight as Jong-tak, a former Marine and security team leader. He gained weight to fully embody the character's solid build. His realistic and vivid portrayal was praised for enhancing the film's quality. This was followed by the 2022 film The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure, in which he played the ruthless character Mangcho. His cold gaze and intense performance in the action scenes were noted for their powerful charisma.
International recognition In 2023, Park joined the supporting cast of the Kim Sung-su's historical drama film 12.12: The Day. The film is set against the backdrop of 1979 South Korean coup d'état. Park played the role of Moon Il-pyeong, the chief secretary to the film's antagonist, Jeon Du-gwang (played by Hwang Jung-min), and a key figure in the coup. For his powerful performance, Park won Best Supporting Actor at the 17th Asian Film Awards, held in Hong Kong on March 10, 2024. Released theatrically on November 22, 2023, the film was the highest-grossing film of 2023, drawing over 13.12 million viewers in South Korea.
In the film Harbin (2024), Park plays Tatsuo Mori, a Japanese soldier. Director Woo Min-ho specifically offered him the role, and after reading the script, Park interpreted his character as a force that embodies the imperialistic spirit of Itō Hirobumi. Park stated that shaving his head for the role was not a special effort but a visual tool to demonstrate his character's obsession with imperialism.
In 2025, Park was cast in the Korean premiere of the British play The Effect, written by Lucy Prebble. Kim was triple cast as the character Dr. Toby, starring alongside Yang So-min, and Min Jin-woong. The play explores themes of love and sorrow through the story of two clinical trial participants and their supervising doctors. The production was directed by Min Sae-rom, with Park Ji-sun as the screenwriter and Bae Yu-ri as the motion director. The show ran from June 10 to August 31 at the Nol Seo-kyung Square Scone Theater 2.
Personal life Park Hoon's birth name is Park Won-hee. He adopted his late brother's nickname, "Park Hoon", as his stage name to honor his memory. He chose the name to give himself a sense of responsibility and ensure he would not bring shame to his brother's name. His brother, Park Hoon-hee, died by suicide when Park was 14, a tragedy that led to his parents' separation.
Park met actress Park Min-jung while doing theater together. They held their wedding ceremony on September 22, 2017 at a location in Seoul.
Filmography Film
Year Title Role Notes 2008Death BellCreditor2010Finding Mr. DestinyDetective2014ThuyWelfare center husband2016A Violent Prosecutor Chul-goo's subordinate2018Golden SlumberTeam Leader Sun2021MidnightJong-tak TVING Film2022The Pirates: The Last Royal TreasureMangcho Netflix film Hansan: Rising Dragon Yi Un-ryong Confidential Assignment 2: International Park Sang-wi 2023 12.12: The DayMoon Il-pyeong Noryang: Deadly SeaLee Woon-ryong 2024 Land of Happiness Kim Oh-ryong HarbinTatsuo Mori
Television series Year Title Role Notes 2015Oh My Ghost Six Flying DragonsChuk In-gwang 2016Descendants of the SunChoi Woo-geun KBS Drama Special – The Red Teacher NSA Agent Happy Home young Sam-bongMonster Oh Choong-dong2017Naked Fireman Oh Sung-jin DisortedInformant Two CopsTak Jae-hee The Lady in Dignity 2018Memories of the AlhambraCha Hyung-seok 2019Haechi Dal-moon Nokdu Flower Kim Chang soo Cameo, Ep. 48Designated Survivor: 60 Days Major Jang Jun Ha Cameo, Ep. 62020 Nobody Knows Baek Sang-ho The King: Eternal Monarch Jo Yeong's father Cameo2022 Tomorrow Ha Dae-soo Cameo, Ep.15-16 Big Mouth Seo Jae-yong 2023 Payback: Money and Power Hwang Ki-seok2023-2026BloodhoundsMoon Kwang-moo 2025 Trigger Goo Jeong-man 2027 Full Count Cho Dong-hee
Web series Year Title Role Notes 2022 Soundtrack #1Gyeol-han Special appearance Remarriage & Desires Cha Seok-jin
Theater Musical Theater YearTitleRoleTheaterDateEnglishKorean2007Oh! While You Were SleepingPeterJTN Art Hall 4 January 6, 2007 to July 22, 2007 2008-2010 November 4, 2008 to February 28, 2010 2008Brave BrothersSong Hye-jaJayu Theater, DaehangnoMarch 22, 2008 to June 22, 2008Goodbye, FrancescaEnsembleTheater Yong, National Museum of KoreaSeptember 12, 2008 to October 26, 2008Brave BrothersYi-ongYeongang Hall, Doosan Art CenterDecember 5, 2008 to February 8, 20092009Suri Hall (Grand Performance Hall), Gunpo Culture and Arts CenterFebruary 14, 2009 to February 15, 2009ScholarsCOEX Shinhan Card ArtiumMay 1, 2009 to July 12, 2009Eoullim Theater, Goyang Eoullim NuriAugust 28, 2009 to August 29, 20092010Brave Brothers 2010Yi-ongCOEX Shinhan Card ArtiumApril 1, 2010 to June 20, 2010MBC Lotte Art HallJuly 16, 2010 to July 18, 2010Grand Performance Hall, Chuncheon Culture and Arts CenterAugust 20, 2010 to August 21, 2010Grand Theater, Gyeonggi Arts CenterDecember 18, 2010 to December 19, 20102011Temptation of WolvesEnsembleCOEX Shinhan Card ArtiumJuly 14, 2011 to October 30, 2011March of YouthBrother-in-lawCOEX Shinhan Card ArtiumNovember 12, 2011 to January 29, 20122012Baekun Art Hall, WonjuFebruary 4, 2012 to February 5, 2012Brave BrothersYi-ongCOEX Shinhan Card ArtiumJune 26, 2012 to October 1, 2012Grand Performance Hall, Icheon Art HallOctober 26, 2012 to October 27, 2012Grand Theater, Busan Cultural CenterNovember 10, 2012 to November 11, 2012Grand Theater, Uijeongbu Arts CenterNovember 29, 2012 to November 30, 20122013 Triangle Gyeong-min Sangmyung Art Hall 1 September 6, 2013 to January 26, 20142015Moonlight Fairy and Girl달빛요정과 소녀Moonlight fairyChungmu Art Hall Small Theater Blue StageJanuary 20 to February 8, 2015YES24 Art One 1May 8 to May 31, 20152019Daehangno SH Art HallJanuary 7 to 20, 20192023Moonlight Song - Gangneung - 강릉Seon-gyojang, Gangneung June 8 to 14, 2023
Theater Play +Theater play performanceYearTitleRoleTheaterDateEnglishKorean2012Model StudentsKim Myeong-junYes24 Art One Hall 3February 3, 2012 to July 22, 2012Ensemble Hall, Daejeon Arts CenterDecember 14, 2012 to December 30, 20122013Jayu Theater, Daehangno May 31, 2013 to September 29, 2013 PuzzleMauriceHappy TheaterNovember 21, 2013 to March 2, 20142014Almost, MaineJTN Art Hall 4 January 23, 2014 to February 23, 2014 Three Generations Gone WildSangmyung Art Hall 1February 7, 2014 to August 31, 2014Judo BoyGyeong-chanYes24 Art One Hall 3 April 26, 2014 to July 13, 2014 Perfect Insurance CompanyHan Bo-jangSpace Piccolo, Daehangno Musical CenterSeptember 11, 2014 to November 2, 2014The Story of a Old ThiefInvestigatorDaehangno Sori Art Hall 1November 21, 2014 to March 29, 20152015Judo BoyGyeong-chanYes24 Art One Hall 3February 7, 2015 to May 3, 2015The Story of a Old Thief - Daegu - 대구InvestigatorGaon Hall, Daegu Bongsan Culture CenterMarch 4, 2015 to March 15, 2015COEX Art HallApril 8, 2015 to March 6, 2016Grand Theater, Uijeongbu Arts CenterApril 10, 2015 to April 11, 2015Judo Boy - Ansan - 안산Gyeong-chanDalmaj-i Theater, Ansan Arts CenterMay 21, 2015 to May 24, 2015Saerasae Theater, Goyang Aram NuriAugust 21, 2015 to August 23, 2015Grand Performance Hall, Osan Culture and Arts CenterOctober 2, 2015 to October 3, 2015Gaon Hall, Daegu Bongsan Culture CenterOctober 9, 2015 to October 10, 20152016Come See MeDetective JoYes24 Stage Hall 2September 21, 2016 to December 11, 2016Bunker TrilogySoldier 1Hongik Daehangno Art Center Small TheaterDecember 6, 2016 to February 19, 20172017Judo BoyGyeong-chanYes24 Stage Hall 3March 4, 2017 to May 14, 2017 2021–2022 Understudy Harry Jayu Theater, Seoul Arts Center December 21, 2021 to February 27, 2022 2025The EffectDr. TobyNOL Seogyeong Square Scone 2nd BuildingJune 10, 2025 to August 31, 2025July 23 to 26, 2025
Awards and nominations + Award ceremony Year Category Nominated work Result Asian Film Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor 12.12: The Day Baeksang Arts Awards 2019 Best New Actor (TV) Memories of the Alhambra SBS Drama Awards 2019 Best Supporting Actor Haechi 2020 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Genre/Action Drama Nobody Knows 2023 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Genre/Action Drama Payback
References
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