Park (박) is the third most frequent Korean surname, traditionally traced back to King Hyeokgeose Park (박혁거세) and theoretically inclusive of all of his descendants. In Chinese characters (Hanja), it is written as 朴. The name "Park" is usually assumed to come from the Korean noun bak (박), which means "bottle gourd". In Standard Chinese it is read as piáo in China, and piáo or pú in Taiwan. In formal and colloquial Korean pronunciation, it is read as 'bak'. - In English transcription the letter r - which is not in Hangul - has been introduced to avoid mispronunciation in analogy to pack or back.
All the Park clans in Korea trace their ancestry back to the first king of Silla, Hyeokgeose. For this reason marriage between Parks had traditionally been prohibited.
According to a legend, the leaders of the six clans of the Jinhan confederacy were gathering on a hilltop to choose a king, when they looked down and saw lightning strike at the foot of the Yangsan mountain and a white horse bow at the same place. When they went there to check, they found a red egg, which hatched a baby boy. They bathed the boy in the nearby stream, and he was emitting bright light, and the sun and the moon rose at the same time, indicating the divine birth of the child. Thus the child was named Hyeokgeose, meaning "ruling with a bright light", and his clan name became Bak, or "gourd" after the round shape of the egg he hatched from. At age 13 he was given the title geoseogan (거서간), the equivalent of "king" at the time. The birth legends of early Korean kings were necessary to validate the "divine" nature of their rule.
Out of the kings of Silla, ten had the Park clan name. During the rule of King Pasa (80–112), the Park clan became divided and during the reign of King Gyeongmyeong (917–924) it became fractured even more, creating several lineages. This is when the nine Park clans named after the nine sons of Gyeongmyeong came into existence.
70-80% of the current bearers of the surname belong to the Miryang Park clan. In 2000, there were 159 Park clans in South Korea, with an approximate number of 3,8 million people altogether.
The clans which produced the most number of notable people in Korean history are collectively called the "8 Parks", these are: the Miryang Park clan (밀양박씨), the Bannam Park clan (반남박씨), the Goryeong Park clan (고령박씨), the Hamyang Park clan (함양박씨), the Juksan Park clan (죽산박씨), the Suncheon Park clan (순천박씨), the Muan Park clan (무안박씨) and the Chungju Park clan (충주박씨).
King Hyeokgeose was said to have founded the Korean kingdom of Silla at the age of thirteen in 57 BC. Park was one of three houses of the Korean kingdom of Silla. Among the houses of Park, Kim, and Seok, princes rotated on the throne of Silla. Sometime in the third century, the Kingship remained in the Kim clan, but the Parks continued to provide the mainstay of its aristocracy as well as the majority of Queens. According to Kojiki, one of Park Princes, referred to as Amenohiboko migrated to Japan, founding the Tajima Clan in the third century. During the last century of the dynasty, the Park family regained the position of the ruling house, when the Kim clan lost their mandate of heaven. King Sindeok regained the throne for the Park family in 913, continuing it for three kings until 927. Gyeongmyeong of Silla and King Gyeongae were the next two Silla monarchs from the Park clan. Gyeon Hwon, the Hubaekje leader killed him after taking Geumseong (Gyeongju) in 927 and there were no more kings from the Parks after him.
During the Unified Silla the Miryang Park Clan, along with Kimhae Kim clan became the most prominent of the Aristocracy, based on the Bone Rank System. Within the bone rank system, the two clans of Kimhae Kims and Miryang Parks were considered the most Jingol, or "True Bone". As Seong gol, or Divine bones died out through intermarriage, these two clans became the dominant noble houses on the peninsula following the conquest of rival dynasties. The bone rank system persists to this day via the common Korean saying, "bbyeodae itneun jiban" (family with bones) to refer to families of deep noble heritage.
After the fall of Silla, it continued as a major noble house of Goryeo. During the Goryeo dynasty, many of the people who passed the highest-level state examination, which was implemented to recruit ranking officials during the Goryeo Dynasty, were Parks. The first General to defeat the Mongols in world history was General Park Seo, who commanded the successful defense of the fortress of Guju in 1231 against the forces led by Mongol General Sartaq.
During Joseon dynasty, Parks continued to thrive as one of the main Yangban households. With the Gabo Reform of 1894, when the caste system was abolished, many peasants adopted the surname of Park, bloating the population of the Park family. Simultaneously with the abolition of the Gwageo national service examination, the Yangban system came to an end. During the Japanese Occupation Period, three of the ten Korean aristocrats ko:귀족원 (일본) admitted into Japanese House of Peers ko:일본 제국의회 were of the Park Clan. With the social turbulence caused by the Korean War of 1950, many former peasants carry on as original members of the Park clan today. True family members maintain their ancient genealogy passed down through the families, as well as by the convention of naming their children according to strict Confucian system.
Kings of Silla in order of their reign:
King Hyeokgeose of Silla (57 BC - 4 AD)
King Namhae of Silla (4 - 24)
King Yuri of Silla (24 - 57)
King Pasa of Silla (80 - 112)
King Jima of Silla (112 - 134)
King Ilseong of Silla (134 - 154)
King Adalla of Silla (154 - 184)
King Sindeok of Silla (912 - 917)
King Gyeongmyeong of Silla (917 - 924)
King Gyeongae of Silla (924 - 927)
General Park Seo (Defeated the Mongol Army of Sartak at Battle of Kusong 1231)
Park Soon ko:박순 (고려) Military subordinate to Taejo of Joseon. Accompanied taijo in all military campaigns from the anti-Japanese pirate campaigns in the south to Liaodong invasion of 1388. Personally delivered the message of Redeployment from Wihwado to King Ui of Goryeo in behalf of Taejo. Was appointed the high commander of Joseon Army following the founding of the dynasty. Killed during the Northeastern Rebellion of 1398 ko:조사의의 난
Park Joong Seon ko:박중선 (1435-1481) Passed the National Military Service Exam with the highest score in 1460 at the age of 35. Held in high esteem by the new King Sejo for his excellent riding and archery skills, frequently accompanying the king as his personal body guard on hunts. Married off his daughter to the Crown Prince in 1366, becoming an in-law of the King. In 1367, appointed a Provincial General to put down the Northeastern Rebellion, earning further accolades becoming the youngest Minister of Defense in Joseon history.
Park Jin (1560-1597) Served in the military intelligence following his passing of the national military service exam. Transferred to Infantry 4 years before the Japanese Invasion of 1592. Defeated by the Japanese at the Battle of Miryang (Clan home), before regaining his honor in follow on victories, including the battle of Yeongcheon and the Second Battle of Gyeongju. Was instrumental in convincing Sayaga, the highest ranking Samurai General of the invasion force to surrender. In 1597, near the end of the war, a Ming Chinese General 누승선(婁承先) accused him falsely of disobeying official order, tortured him, resulting in his death. Korean investigators confirmed broken ribs and sternum on his body.
Militia Leader Park KiSeo (Organized a militia to resist the Donghak rebels in Jeolla Province in 1895. Liberated several town in ChungCheong Province before dying in battle.)
General Park Jong Heon (Chief of Staff, Republic of Korea Air Force 2010-2012 AD)
Vice Marshal Park Ki So (Commander, Capital Defense Command, North Korea, 1929-2010).
Park Bo-gum
Park Geun-hyung
Park In-hwan
Park Hae-il
Park Hae-jin
Randall Park, American actor born to Korean emigrants
Park Yong-ha
Park Yu-hwan- an actor, younger brother of Park Yoochun
Park Seo-joon
Park Shin-yang
Park Sang Min
Park Won-sook
Park Min-young
Park Han-byul
Park Eun-hye
Park Si-yeon
Grace Park
Soo Ae
Park Shin-hye
Linda Park
Park Bo-young
Park Eun-bin
Park Jeong-ah
Bak Inbi (born 1988) – South Korean golfer
Jane Park – American golfer of Korean descent
Park Ji-Sung – South Korean footballer
Park Joo-Young – South Korean footballer
Park Chan-Ho – South Korean baseball player
Park Jong-il (born 1972) – South Korean ski mountaineer
Pak Se-Ri (born 1977) – South Korean golfer
Park Tae-Hwan – South Korean swimmer
Park Joo Bong - South Korean badminton player
Piao Cheng (born 1989), Korean-Chinese football player
Park Sang-young - South Korean épée fencer
Annabel Park, American documentary filmmaker and activist
Park Chan-Wook, South Korean director
Park Nam-ok, first Korean woman director
Park Myeong-Su
Park Kyung-Lim
Pak Paeng-nyeon (1417–1456) was a scholar-official of the early Joseon Dynasty, and is known as one of the six martyred ministers. He was born to a yangban family of the Suncheon Pak lineage, and was the son of high minister Pak Jeongrim. He joined in a plot to overthrow Sejo and restore Danjong in 1456, but the plot was uncovered through the betrayal of fellow plotter Kim Jil. Sejo admired Pak's abilities and offered to pardon him if he were to deny his involvement and acknowledge Sejo as his king. Park died in prison from torture. Revered as a model of Confucian Loyalty. Alone among the six martyred ministers to have a surviving male descendant. One of his female servant passed off his youngest son as her own, thereby ensuring the family name. All other family and relatives were executed.
Pak Jega was a 1750–1815 Korean Scholar of Practical Learning Silhak who advocated modern commercial reformation for Joseon dynasty after visiting China on official capacity. A strong critic of the Confucian scholars first mentality, he was banished to the provinces in 1805.
Park Gyu-su ko:박규수 passed the national service exam in 1848, and as an inspector, put down the 1862 Peasant Rebellion in Jinju, reducing the tax burden and punishing the corrupt official of the city. As the Inspector General of Pyeong An Province in 1866, when USS General Sherman General Sherman Incident made its expedition into Pyeong Yang, ordered the attack on the ship when the sailors began attacking and looting the populace, resulting in the burning and sinking of the ship. Also a geographer, cartographer, and poet in the classical style. Became a notable member of the modernization movement in late Joseon until his death in 1877.
Park Jeong Yang ko:박정양 was the First Ambassador of Joseon to the USA in 1887, and a member of Kim Hong Jip cabinet.
Jan Jansz. Weltevree
Park Ji-won
Park Chong-hwa, Korean novelist
Park Hyoung-su, Korean novelist
Park In-hwan, Korean author
Park Jaesam, Korean poet
Park Nam-su, Korean poet
Park Taesun, Korean novelist
Park Tae Won, Korean novelist
Park Wan-suh, Korean novelist
Park Yeonghan, Korean author
Park Yong-rae, Korean author
Park Ynhui, Korean poet and writer
Park Chung-Hee, The President of South Korea 1961–1979
Park Geun-Hye, The President of South Korea 2013-2017, daughter of Park Chung-Hee
Pak Song-chol
Park Won-soon
Park Ui-Choon, North Korean Foreign Minister 2008−current
Park Jae-gyong, North Korean Vice foreign Minister 2008–current
Park Jae-sang - rapper better known as Psy, notable for the songs "Gangnam Style" and "Gentleman"
Jay Park - Korean-American singer, rapper, dancer, b-boy
Lena Park
Teddy Park - member of 1TYM
Sandara Park - member of 2NE1
Park Bom - member of 2NE1
Park Chanyeol - member of Chinese-South Korean boy band EXO
Park Choong Jae - rapper/singer of the boyband SHINHWA
Park Choa, member of AOA
Park Chorong - leader of Apink
Park Eun Hye (stage name: Ivy)
Park Eunji - former member of Nine Muses
Park Gyuri - leader of Kara
Park Hye-kyeong (stage name: Soyul), member of Crayon Pop
Park Hyo-jin (stage name: Narsha) - member of Brown Eyed Girls
Park Hyomin - member of T-ara
Park Hyoshin
Park Hyungshik - member of ZE:A
Park Ji-min - member of 15&
Park Jimin - member of Bangtan Boys
Park Jin Young (stage name: Junior) - member of JJ Project and GOT7
Park Jin-young - singer, songwriter
Park Jiyeon - member of T-ara
Park Jiyoon - singer
Park Jung-ah, former member of South Korean girl group Jewelry
Park Jung-hwa - member of EXID
Park Jung Min - singer/actor and vocalist of SS501
Park Jungsoo "Leeteuk" - leader of Super Junior
Park Kyung - singer/rapper of Block B
Park Kyungri - member of Nine Muses
Park Minha - former member of Nine Muses
Park Mi-yeon (stage name: Serri) - leader of Dal Shabet
Park Myung-eun (stage name: JIN) - member of Lovelyz
Park Narae-member of South Korean girl group Spica
Park Sang Hyun - singer/rapper of boyband MBLAQ, brother of Sandara Park
Park Seungjun, member of South Korean boy band KNK
Park Shion
Park Sihyun, member of South Korean girl group Spica
Park Siyeon, member of South Korean girl group Pristin
Park Sojin - leader of Girl's Day
Park Sooyoung (stage name: Lizzy) - member of After School
Park Sooyoung (stage name: Joy) - member of Red Vevet
Park Soyeon - member of T-ara
Park Subin - member of Dal Shabet
Park Sun-young (stage name: Luna) - member of f(x)
Park Yeeun - member of Wonder Girls
Park Yoochun - member of JYJ
Park Jisoo (stage name: Jihyo) - leader and main vocalist of Twice (band)
Park Jiyoung (stage name: Kahi) - ex-member of After School
Pu Shu - Chinese singer
Romi Park
Park Jeong-hwan - South Korean professional Go player
Piao Wenyao (born 1988), Chinese professional Go player
Park Kun-bae
Park Young-sook - Futurist, Founder of the Korea Foster Care Association
Park, a character on Hey Arnold!
Linda Park, a character in the Flash series of comics from DC Comics
