Park Hae jin

2006–2011: Beginnings

Park began his acting career in KBS weekend drama Famous Chil Princesses, for which he won the Best New Actor award at the 43rd Baeksang Arts Awards. He then starred in two highly successful TV projects - KBS daily drama Like Land and Sky with Han Hyo-joo and MBC anniversary drama East of Eden. In 2009, Park joined the cast of SBS reality variety show Family Outing, which gave him more exposure.

In 2011, Park starred in first Chinese drama Qian Duo Duo Marry Remember, which aired on Hunan TV. The drama earned 1.5 billion views in two weeks and its broadcast rights were sold to Japan. Park won the 'Asia Star Award' at the 2012 LeTV Awards, making him the first Korean actor to receive the award. Park also starred in two other dramas Another Brilliant Life and Love Relativity. Due to his rising popularity, a cinema screen by Lotte Cinema in China was named after him.

2012–2015: Rising popularity and film debut

He then returned to the small screen back in Korea, starring in Seoyoung, My Daughter (2012). The drama became the highest-rated Korean drama of 2013 with a peak rating of 47.6%, and Park gained more recognition with the public. This was followed by supporting roles in fantasy romance series My Love From the Star (2013) and medical drama Doctor Stranger (2014). Both dramas became successful in China, launching Park into stardom as a Hallyu star.

In late 2014, Park starred in OCN's thriller Bad Guys. He received the KDA Award at the 2015 Korea Drama Awards for his performance. In 2015, Park made his film debut as lead actor in the romance film Snow is on the Sea opposite Lee Young-ah.

2016–present: Overseas success and leading roles

In 2016, Park played the leading role in tvN's Cheese in the Trap, adapted from the webtoon of the same name. The drama gained success in China, and topped Weibo's Korean-Japanese TV drama chart with over 1.9 billion views. Park experienced a rise in popularity and received increased endorsement offers. He also received the Best Actor award at the 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards. Following the success of Cheese in the Trap, Park was confirmed to reprise his role as Yoo Jung in the film adaptation of the drama.

The same year, he starred in Chinese drama Far Away Love, playing a successful businessman who owns an upscale restaurant and falls in love with a destitute woman. He was awarded the ‘Male Actor of the Year’ award at LeTV Entertainment Awards held in Beijing, China. Park's overseas success led to him being featured on Chinese postage stamps, making him the first Korean to be on Chinese stamps that are released as both regular issue and limited edition. On November 2, 2016 it was announced that Park will star in a web drama titled First Seven Kisses for Lotte Duty Free.

In 2017, Park's wax figure was unveiled at Maadame Tussauds Hong Kong. The same year, he starred in JTBC's spy-action drama Man to Man. The drama drew attention in China and was heavily featured on local media despite the country's massive ban on Korean cultural content and celebrities. The same year, Park was cast in upcoming romance thriller Four Men.

Personal life

Park Hae-jin's parents were divorced when he was young and he moved back in with his mother after 17 years of separation.

Park is known to be a collector of shoes, particularly sneakers. He has admitted to owning more than 1800 pairs of footwear.

Donations

Park Hae-jin's consistent donations to various charities for the past few years which earned him the title “donation angel” in the entertainment industry. Mountain Movement confirmed Park has donated a total of 1.7 billion won (S$1.5 million) in various local and international charities since 2011.

In 2014, he was given the Civil Public Welfare Award in China. In 2015, Park became the 8th Korean celebrity to join the Honor Society by Community Chest of Korea. He was also the first recipient of the Haengbok Nanuminsang (행복나눔인상, “Happiness Sharer’s Award”), given by the Minister of Health and Welfare.