Park Min-young (born March 4, 1986), also known as Rachel Park, is a South Korean actress. 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).

Early life and education

During her time in high school, Park studied abroad in the United States as an international exchange student. In February 2013, Park graduated from Dongguk University in Seoul with a degree in Theatre.

Career

2005–2009: Early career

Park made her entertainment debut in a SK Telecom commercial in 2005. She launched her acting career a year later in the hit sitcom High Kick! (2006). She continued to appear in television dramas, in roles such as the only daughter of a notorious gangster in I Am Sam (2007) and a gumiho (nine-tailed fox in Korean mythology) in an episode of horror-themed drama Hometown of Legends (2008). She played a villainous princess in the period drama Ja Myung Go (2009) and a girl caught between two marathon runners in Running, Gu (2010). In 2008, Park was featured in BigBang's hit song Haru Haru where she played the girlfriend of G-Dragon.

2010–2011: Breakthrough

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. 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. Park's success on the small screen resulted in increased advertising offers for the actress. 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. 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).

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). 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. 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). 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. Healer was popular in China and resulted in increased recognition for Park. Park next starred as a lawyer in the Korean drama Remember on SBS from late 2015 to early 2016, and played a Queen in the historical drama, Queen for Seven Days, which aired in 2017. In September 2017, It was confirmed that Park will be a fixed cast member in Netflix's variety show Busted!. In November 2017, it was reported that Park Min Young's contract with her agency Culture Depot expired. In December 2017, Park signed with new management agency Namoo Actors. In 2018, Park was cast in her first romantic comedy drama What's Wrong with Secretary Kim alongside Park Seo-joon. The series was a ratings success, leading to increased popularity for Park. In October, Park held her first fan meeting since her debut 12 years ago titled My Day. 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. In 2020, she starred in the JTBC romance drama When the Weather Is Fine alongside Seo Kang-joon. On December 29, 2021, Namoo Actors announced that Park's contract has expired after she decided not to renew it. A day later, Hook Entertainment announced that Park has signed an exclusive contract. 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. 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.

Other activities

Philanthropy

On March 7, 2022, Park donated 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. On February 8, 2024, Park donated million to the Seoul Asan Medical Center Cancer Center to help cancer patients.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Hosting

Web shows

Music video appearances

Awards and nominations

Other accolades

Listicles