Park Shin hye

Early life and education

Park was born in Gwangju, but raised in Songpa District, Seoul. She made her first appearance on music video "Flower" by singer Lee Seung-hwan. She then underwent formal training in singing, dancing and acting.

Park enrolled at Chung-Ang University in 2009 and graduated in 15 February 2016 with a degree in Theater.

2003–2007: Beginnings

Park's breakthrough role came when she played the younger version of Choi Ji-woo's character in the popular Korean drama Stairway to Heaven in 2003. She then starred in Tree of Heaven (2006) and received praise from critics for her performance. The series was also aired in Japan, thus giving Park more exposure abroad.

Park made her film debut in the movie Evil Twin (2007), a summer horror flick where she portrayed two roles: one as the main character, and the other as the ghost of the main character's sister, who haunts the other sister after her death. She then featured in Goong S, a spin-off to Princess Hours (2006).

2009–2012: Rising popularity

Park gained more recognition after starring as a cross-dressing heroine in You're Beautiful (2009) alongside Jang Keun-suk. The series gained a cult following, and earned high ratings in Japan. She released the songs "Lovely Day" and "Without Words" for the drama's original soundtrack.

In 2010, Park starred in the low-budget romantic comedy film Cyrano Agency, which revolved around a dating agency that helps its customers win the hearts of the people they desire. The sleeper hit became a critical and commercial success, attracting 2.7 million admissions nationwide, becoming the 8th best selling film of the year. Park won the "Most Popular Actress" award in film category at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

Park then starred in MBC's youth melodrama Heartstrings opposite Jung Yong-hwa. The same year, Park featured in her first Taiwanese drama, Hayate The Combat Butler, based on the Japanese shōnen manga of the same name.

In 2012, Park was cast in the 3rd season of KBS drama special, Don’t Worry, I’m a Ghost which was broadcast on 15 July. Her performance in the drama won her the Best One-Act Special Actress Award at the 2012 KBS Drama Awards.

2013–2015: 10th debut anniversary and overseas popularity

In 2013, Park starred in the third installment of tvN's "Flower Boy" series entitled Flower Boys Next Door along with actor Yoon Shi-yoon. She then featured in Miracle in Cell No. 7. Ticket sales of the film reached 12.32 million, making it one of the highest grossing Korean films. She went on to win the "Best Supporting Actress" award at the 33rd Korean Association of Film Critics Awards.

To celebrate her 10th anniversary as an actress, Park held the "2013 Park Shin Hye Asia Tour: Kiss Of Angel" in four Asian countries, becoming the first actress to hold a tour spanning across Asia. She then starred in actor and singer So Ji-sub's music video "Eraser" for his album Two’clock… Playground, alongside former child actor Yoo Seung-ho.

The same year, Park co-starred alongside Lee Min-ho in The Heirs, a teen drama written by Kim Eun-sook. The Heirs enjoyed immense popularity both locally, with a peak rating of 28.6%, and internationally, having over one billion cumulative views on the Chinese streaming website iQiyi. Park experienced a surge in popularity domestically and internationally, and became a Hallyu star. She was given the "Popular Foreign Actress" award at the 2013 Anhui TV Drama Awards.

In 2014, Park plays the role of the Queen in historical film The Royal Tailor. The same year, Park starred in Pinocchio opposite actor Lee Jong-suk, playing the heroine of the drama which has a chronic symptom called "Pinocchio complex", breaking into violent hiccups when she tells lies. Pinocchio became a hit, earning an estimated US$5.62 million for broadcasting rights in just one year.

With The Heirs at the end of 2013 and Pinocchio in 2014 she was included Forbes Korea's Korea Power Celebrity list where she placed 33rd. The same year, MBC’s Section TV Entertainment Relay dubbed her “Nation's Little Sister". Park also received the Prime Minister's Commendation at the Korea Popular Culture Awards for her contribution to Hallyu.

2016–present: Continued success

In 2016, Park made her small-screen comeback in SBS' medical drama Doctors, where she plays a troubled teenager who later transformed to become a successful doctor. The drama topped viewership ratings and popularity charts during its 10-week broadcast. She then featured in the film My Annoying Brother, alongside actor Jo Jung-suk and Do Kyung-soo of Exo. The same year, Park was chosen as the Most Favored Korean Actress by fans of the Korean Wave in the United States.

In 2017, Park will star in the crime thriller film Silent Witness, a Korean remake of the 2013 Hong Kong film alongside Choi Min-sik.

Endorsements

Park has became one of the most in demand endorsers after her hit drama Pinocchio (2014–2015). Brands like Mamonde and Median reportedly saw a surge in sales due to Park. Park also endorses several international brands like Austrian jewelry brand Swarovski and Filipino clothing brand Bench. She is also the first Korean star to be chosen as a model for Visa.

Social activities

Since 2011, Park has set up the “Starlight Angel Project", spearheading activities to help children both at home and abroad. In 2009, Park established the "Shinhye's Centre" in Ghana, which included a library and audio visual hall. A second center was built in Manila, Philippines in 2016. She has a sponsored child named Abanne.

On 24 November 2016, Park became the 36th inductee of the Korea Food for the Hungry International's Philanthropy Club, a select group of donors who have given at least US$85 thousand to the organization.

Park has also participated regularly in charitable causes; such as the 'Hopes, Dreams, Happy Trip to Korea' fund raising event hosted by non-profit organization 'Good Friends Save Children' (GFSC) and Lovely Hands campaign by Lotte Department Store. She also makes donations to charitable causes regularly.