Park Shin-hye is the actress we grew up with. At the tender age of 13, her poignant debut in Stairway to Heaven (2003) heralded the arrival of a standout talent poised to blossom into one of South Korea’s most versatile stars. From her breakout role as the ingénue in You’re Beautiful (2009) to the determined journalist in Pinocchio (2014), to most recently, the struggling anesthesiologist in “Doctor Slump” (2024), Park’s compelling characters, spanning genres and emotions, have accompanied viewers across various generations through their lives.
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What, then, defines a good actress? While some may attribute it to a spark of innate talent or the elusive allure of charisma, Park Shin-hye offers a refreshingly pragmatic perspective. “If someone has the mental and physical strength to responsibly see a project through from its inception to its completion, doesn’t that qualify them as a good actress?” she suggests. This belief not only underscores her professionalism but also illuminates the core of her success: a persevering heart and a grounded spirit.
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You’ve visited Hong Kong before to meet fans and attend events. Any memorable moments in our city you can share with us?
When I think of Hong Kong, I can’t overlook the spectacular night views, the fun memories of riding the Peak Tram, and the many delicious foods I love. There’s even a dim sum place I never miss when I go there (laughs). It seems like it’s been a while since I couldn’t visit Hong Kong due to the pandemic. Hong Kong is one of the places I want to visit again, not just for work but also for leisure travel!
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Your most recent work Doctor Slump took the internet by storm. Can you share some fun behind-the-scenes stories with your co-star Park Hyung-sik?
Rather than specific behind-the-scenes stories, I have many joyful memories of the project. It was the first piece of work I filmed with peers in a long time. Thanks to my co-star Park Hyung-sik, I enjoyed working on the project. Actors often feel a lot of pressure during filming, but when I was on set with Park Hyung-sik, I immersed myself in the fun of the filming process. We did a lot of improv (laughs). Thanks to him, we naturally proceeded with ad lib that weren’t pre-agreed upon.
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You are known as a versatile actress who can pull off roles across contrasting genres. What do you usually do to prepare yourself for a role — especially for a character that has a very different personality or has lived through experiences you have never had before?
I think stamina is key to fully committing to a project. Since filming is not completed over a short period, you need stamina to finish the project well. For characters I’ve never experienced before, I tend to imagine a lot. I use other media or works as references, spend time with various people to get inspiration, and indirectly learn about different aspects of the role.
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You’ve been acting for more than two decades. Have you always wanted to be an actress? Was there one moment in your career that solidified your determination to act? Or alternatively, one challenging moment where you wanted to reconsider your acting career but pushed through?
I never had a dream of becoming an actress when I was young. I started acting by chance. There have been many things I had to give up in life while being an actress, so I’ve never doubted whether this path was the right one, and I also don’t think I’ve had a moment difficult enough to reconsider my path as an actress. It’s not that I feel acting is my destiny, but there are moments where I find it fun and I have also found myself missing being in front of the camera.
What does being a “good actress” truly mean to you? Has this definition changed throughout your years of acting?
Everyone has different standards for what makes a good actress, and my idea of a good actress might not be the same, so I don’t think I’ve tried to define it deeply. Nevertheless, I think a good actress is someone who can commit. If someone has the mental and physical strength to responsibly complete a project from beginning to end, wouldn’t that make them a good actress? Of course, studying your character and bringing it to life is important, but I think it’s essential to maintain a good attitude and stand up for your own beliefs.
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Can you tell us more about your upcoming drama “The Judge From Hell” and your character Kang Bit-na?
The character Kang Bit-na is a type of character I’ve never played before. Her way of expression is different from the roles I’ve done so far, she likes very flashy things and has a different personality, so that’s what attracted me to this role. She is a “demon” from hell tasked with killing those who cause others’ death without remorse and sending them to hell. I want to introduce Kang Bit-na better, but since there’s still a lot of time before “The Judge From Hell” goes live, I hope you will check it out through the drama! (laughs)
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What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from the characters you’ve portrayed?
It’s important to have good people around you. If there are genuine and kind people by your side, there’s nothing more to be grateful for and happy about. In a drama, there are people who help the main character, people who harass them, unwanted situations occur, and sometimes misunderstandings pile up with good people, but in the end, sincerity and truth always come through, so I think it’s important not to lose good people. Thinking that way makes me more grateful for having good people around me.
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In an alternate universe where you didn’t become an actress, what career do you think you would be pursuing and why?
I think I would have lived an ordinary life, maybe as an office worker commuting to work. Since I learned piano from a young age, I might have done something related to the piano! But my original dream was actually to become a police officer, so I’m not sure what I would have pursued. (laughs)
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How do you hope your work influences the next generation of actors and actresses？
At the end of the day, being an actor is still a job. If I am not happy, nothing has meaning, and I have tried to do what I could through this job, making sure that being an actor did not become my entire life. Maybe because of this, I often think it is necessary not to be too tied down by the profession itself, whether you are an actor or dreaming of becoming one. It is important to be able to see a job for what it is: a job. I also consider physical and mental health to be very important. For me, the most crucial thing in my career is ensuring my mind and body are healthy. I believe this is important not only for those in this profession but for everyone living in this era. I hope everyone stays healthy.
Photography: Kim Yeong Jun
Executive Producer: Lee Kyung Kim at BL Creative House
Style Editor: Foxla Chiu
On set stylist: Cha Ju Yeon
Makeup Artist: Lee Han Na Hair
Hair Stylist: Cha Se In
Manicurist: Lee Ji Hee
Production Assistants: Lee Jin Kyung & Park Mi Jeong
Editor
Kaitlyn Lai
