Park Si-hoo

Park Pyeong-ho began his acting career in theater in 1997, putting up posters, handing out flyers, and appearing as an extra or in bit parts on stage,[1] leading to his acting debut in the play The Twelve Nyang Life. During this time, he also worked as an underwear model,[2] before being cast in a bit part in episodes 1 and 2 of 2005 television series Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang.[3]

Under the stage name Park Si-hoo, he starred in supporting roles in the MBC TV series Let's Get Married and Which Star Are You From?. With How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor in 2007, he gained more recognition and won the New Star Award at the SBS Drama Awards that year. More high-profile roles in action adventure series Iljimae[4] and weekend drama Family's Honor (the latter, his first leading role) followed in 2008.[3]

But Park's breakthrough would come in 2010. As the mysterious lawyer Seo In-woo in Prosecutor Princess, he rose to fame and the term "Seo Byun syndrome" was coined for his growing fanbase.[5][6][7][8][9] And such was his popularity with audiences in Queen of Reversals that when the series was extended, screenwriter Park Ji-eun rewrote the script so that his character, chaebol businessman Gu Yong-shik, would end up with the heroine.[10][11] He later won an Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards for Queen of Reversals.[12]

He continued his success in 2011 with the Joseon period drama The Princess' Man, a critical and ratings hit.[13][14][15] Park's portrayal of a man torn between revenge and love for his enemy's daughter garnered him a Top Excellence Award at the KBS Drama Awards.[16] Fan meetings in Asian countries such as Japan, China and Taiwan further cemented his status as a Hallyu star.[17][18][19] He also recorded the Christmas single "Winter Story," along with other stars from his then-agency Eyagi Entertainment.[20]

In 2012, Park played his first big-screen leading role as a serial killer-turned-bestselling author in the film Confession of Murder.[1][21][22][23] After shooting the 80-minute music video "Boy" in Thailand (which was released on DVD),[24][25] he returned to television later that year in the romance drama Cheongdam-dong Alice.[26][27][28][29]

Park's career was temporarily halted in 2013 when he was involved in a highly publicized sexual assault case (charges were later dropped when the alleged victim withdrew her complaint).[30]

For his comeback, Park was reportedly considering taking on the leading role in 2014 series Golden Cross,[31] but continuing public outrage regarding his 2013 case led broadcaster KBS to cancel his casting, with the Corea Entertainment Management Association stating that "Park still needs more time."[32] Instead, he focused on overseas activities, holding a photo exhibition in Japan titled The Man Who Was There, and starring in the 2014 Chinese film Scent, directed by Jessey Tsang Tsui-Shan.[33][34] He also filmed the Korean-Chinese co-produced drama film After Love opposite Yoon Eun-hye.[35][36] Two years after his controversy, Park returned in 2015 in the cable series Local Hero, in which he plays a former undercover agent who mentors a young police officer as they fight crime together.[37]

In 2017, Park was cast in KBS2 weekend drama My Golden Life.[38] The drama was a major hit in South Korea and surpassed 40% ratings.[39]

In 2018, Park was cast in KBS's romance horror series Lovely Horribly alongside Song Ji-hyo.[40] In 2019, Park starred in mystery melodrama Babel.[41] In 2020, Park Starred in TV chosun's sageuk drama King Maker : The Change of Destiny. The drama was a huge success in South Korea, with reach 6,3% rating, a very high rating for a TV Cable. In 2021, Park was cast in a leading role in Korean's version of popular American series "The Mentalist" alongside Lee Si Young (Sweet Home).