Park Min-young, also known as Rachel Park, is a South Korean actress whose name has become almost a guarantee of a good romantic comedy. She was born on March 4, 1986 (40 years old) in Seoul, South Korea.
She mainly works in Korean television dramas and is widely called the “Queen of Rom-coms” by Korean media for her run of hit romance shows.
Park stepped into acting with the sitcom High Kick! (2006), but her real turning point came with the period drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010), where she played a young woman disguised as a boy in old Joseon.
She went on to lead popular series like City Hunter (2011), Healer (2014 to 2015), What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018), Her Private Life (2019), Forecasting Love and Weather (2022), and Marry My Husband (2024).
For Marry My Husband (2024), she won the Daesang (Best Actress of the Year) at the Asia Artist Awards, one of the biggest honours in Korean entertainment.
Quick Facts of Park Min-young
| Full Name | Park Min-young |
| Also known as | Rachel Park |
| Profession | Actress |
| Age | 40 years old |
| Date of Birth | March 4, 1986 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Current Address | Seoul, South Korea |
| Gender | Female |
Park Min-young Early Life and Education
Park Min-young was born in Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in a comfortable home with her parents and her elder sister.
From a young age, she was drawn to acting and films. Her parents supported her creative side early on and exposed her to different activities like music and drawing.
During her high school years, Park went to the United States as an international exchange student. She spent part of her school life in Philadelphia, which is also where her English name, Rachel Park, comes from.
Education
Park finished her middle school and part of her high school studies in the United States before returning to South Korea.
She later joined Dongguk University in Seoul, one of the country’s top schools for arts and performance. In February 2013, she graduated from Dongguk University with a degree in Theatre.
| School | Studied in Philadelphia, United States (as an exchange student) |
| Alma Mater | Dongguk University, Seoul |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Theatre |
Park Min-young Personal Life
Park Min-young is known for keeping her personal life mostly private, even though her name has been linked with a few high-profile people over the years.
As of now, Park Min-young is unmarried. She has not publicly confirmed any current relationship, so her relationship status is yet to be updated.
Rumoured and Past Relationships
In 2011, Park was reported to be dating her City Hunter co-star Lee Min-ho. Both their agencies later denied the dating reports, and the two stars never officially confirmed the relationship.
In September 2022, South Korean outlet Dispatch reported that Park was in a relationship with businessman Kang Jong-hyun, the de facto owner of cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb. Her agency Hook Entertainment confirmed they had dated but said the two had already broken up.
The relationship became a big public issue after Kang was later arrested on charges of embezzlement and market manipulation in early 2023. Park was questioned by the prosecution as a witness and her side denied any involvement in his alleged crimes.
Parents
Park Min-young was raised in Seoul by her parents, who have always stayed away from the spotlight. She has often spoken about how her family supported her decision to enter the entertainment industry from a young age.
The names and professions of her parents have not been shared publicly. So, the details are yet to be updated.
Siblings
Park Min-young has one elder sister named Park Min-ah. Park Min-ah came under public attention in 2022 when she was named as an outside director at Inbiogen, a company linked to Kang Jong-hyun. She later announced her decision to step down from that role.
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Boyfriend | Yet to be updated |
| Parents | Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Sister: Park Min-ah |
Park Min-young Career
Park Min-young started her career as a model and grew into one of the most popular leading actresses in Korean television. Her work spans sitcoms, period dramas, melodramas, romantic comedies, thrillers, and now Amazon Prime originals.
Modelling and Debut (2005 to 2006)
Park made her entertainment debut in 2005 with a commercial for SK Telecom, while still in school. The ad helped her catch attention as a fresh new face.
She officially stepped into acting in 2006 with the hit MBC sitcom High Kick! (2006 to 2007), where she played Kang Yoo-mi, a high school student. The show was a massive success and earned her the Best New Actress award at the MBC Entertainment Awards.
Early Korean Drama Work (2007 to 2009)
In 2007, Park took her first big drama role in KBS2’s I Am Sam (2007), where she played a gangster’s daughter opposite Yang Dong-geun, with Park Jun-gyu, Son Tae-young, and T.O.P also in the cast. She won the Best New Actress award at the 2007 KBS Drama Awards for this role.
In 2008, she appeared in the gumiho episode of the horror anthology Hometown of Legends (2008). She also featured in BIGBANG’s hit music video Haru Haru (2008) as G-Dragon’s girlfriend.
In 2009, she played a villainous princess in the period drama Ja Myung Go (2009), sharing the screen with Jung Ryeo-won and Jung Kyung-ho.
Breakthrough with Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010 to 2011)
Park’s big breakthrough came with the KBS2 historical drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010), where she played Kim Yoon-hee, a young woman disguised as a boy to enter Joseon’s top school.
Her co-stars included Park Yoo-chun, Yoo Ah-in, and Song Joong-ki. The drama gained a huge fan base and gave her the Excellence Award and the Netizen’s Award at the KBS Drama Awards.
Before that, she had appeared in the short MBC drama Running, Gu (2010), playing a girl caught between two marathon runners.
Rise as a Leading Lady (2011 to 2012)
In 2011, Park took the female lead in SBS hit City Hunter (2011), an action romance based on a Japanese manga. She starred alongside Lee Min-ho, Lee Joon-hyuk, Kim Sang-joong, Hwang Sun-hee, and Lee Kwang-soo.
That same year, she made her big screen debut with the horror film The Cat (2011) and led the KBS2 melodrama Glory Jane (2011) with Lee Jang-woo, Lee Jin, Park Sung-woong, Son Chang-min, Ahn Nae-sang, and Nam Bo-ra.
In 2012, she starred in MBC’s fantasy historical drama Dr. Jin (2012) in a double role, with Song Seung-heon, Lee Beom-soo, Kim Jae-joong, and Lee So-yeon.
Steady Growth and Healer Era (2014 to 2017)
In 2014, Park led the KBS2 legal drama A New Leaf (2014) opposite Kim Myung-min, also featuringChae Jung-an and Kim Sang-joong.
Later that year, she starred in the cult-favourite KBS2 drama Healer (2014 to 2015), playing reporter Chae Young-shin. Her co-stars were Ji Chang-wook and Yoo Ji-tae, with Kim Mi-kyung and Do Ji-won in supporting roles. Healer became a massive hit in China and Asia.
In late 2015, she took on the SBS legal thriller Remember (2015 to 2016) opposite Yoo Seung-ho. The cast also included Park Sung-woong, Namkoong Min, and Jung Hye-sung.
In 2017, she played the title queen in KBS2’s historical drama Queen for Seven Days (2017). Her co-stars included Yeon Woo-jin, Lee Dong-gun, Son Eun-seo, and Do Ji-won.
Romantic Comedy Queen Era (2018 to 2022)
From 2018, Park entered the rom-com space and quickly earned the title “Queen of Rom-coms” in Korean media.
She starred in the tvN smash hit What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018) with Park Seo-joon, alongside Lee Tae-hwan, Kang Ki-young, Hwang Chan-sung, Pyo Ye-jin, Hwang Bo-ra, and Kim Ye-won. The show was a ratings success and also became a fashion phenomenon.
In 2019, she led another tvN rom-com, Her Private Life (2019), with Kim Jae-wook, Ahn Bo-hyun, Park Jin-joo, Kim Bo-ra, and Jung Jae-won (One). She also joined Netflix’s variety show Busted! (2018 to 2021) as a fixed member alongside Yoo Jae-suk, Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Jong-min, Ahn Jae-wook, Sehun, and Kim Sejeong.
In 2020, she starred in JTBC’s slow-burn romance When the Weather Is Fine (2020) with Seo Kang-joon, Lee Jae-wook, Moon Jeong-hee, Kim Hwan-hee, and Im Se-mi.
In 2022, she appeared in two JTBC and tvN dramas back to back. First, Forecasting Love and Weather (2022) with Song Kang, Yoon Park, and Yura. Then Love in Contract (2022) with Go Kyung-pyo, Kim Jae-young, Lee Joo-bin, and Jin Kyung.
Comeback with Marry My Husband (2023 to 2024)
In 2024, Park made a strong comeback with the tvN fantasy revenge melodrama Marry My Husband (2024). She played Kang Ji-won, a wronged wife who travels ten years back in time.
The cast included Na In-woo, Lee Yi-kyung, Song Ha-yoon, Lee Gi-kwang, and Choi Gyu-ri. The drama was a global hit on Amazon Prime Video and gave her the Daesang (Best Actress of the Year) at the 2024 Asia Artist Awards.
Around the same time, her Chinese drama Braveness of the Ming (2024) was also released after years of delay.
Recent Work (2025 to 2026)
In 2025, Park starred in the crime comedy Confidence Queen (2025), the first Korean Amazon Original Drama. She played the genius con artist Yun Yi-rang, opposite Park Hee-soon and Joo Jong-hyuk. Lee Yi-kyung, Song Ji-hyo, Rowoon, and Oh Na-ra made special appearances. She also hosted the TVING reality show Perfect Glow (2025) with Ra Mi-ran.
In 2026, she headlined the tvN romantic thriller Siren’s Kiss (2026), based on the 1999 Japanese series Koori no Sekai. Her co-stars included Wi Ha-joon, Kim Jung-hyun, Lee Elijah, Han Joon-woo, and Gong Sung-ha.
Upcoming Projects
Park’s upcoming work includes the SBS drama Nine to Six, a Korean adaptation of the popular 2021 Chinese series The Rational Life. She will play Kang Yi-ji, a top legal executive at a car company, opposite Yook Sung-jae of K-pop group BTOB.
Outside acting, Park signed a long-term deal with Dareum Entertainment in January 2025 after leaving Hook Entertainment.
Park Min-young Awards and Achievements
Park Min-young has been winning awards from the start of her career and has built an impressive shelf of recognitions across both Korean and international award shows. Her biggest honours include the Daesang (Grand Prize) at the Asia Artist Awards for Marry My Husband, multiple KBS Drama Awards for I Am Sam, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, and Healer, and the Best Female Asian Star at the StarHub Night of Stars.
Her Major Wins
- MBC Entertainment Awards (2007): Won Best New Actress in Comedy/Sitcom for High Kick! (2006).
- KBS Drama Awards (2007): Won Best New Actress for I Am Sam (2007).
- Asia Model Awards (2008): Won Model Award.
- KBS Drama Awards (2008): Won Excellence Award, Actress in a Special Drama for Hometown of Legends: Gumiho (2008).
- KBS Drama Awards (2010): Won Excellence Award (Mid-length Drama), Netizen’s Award, and Best Couple Award (with Park Yoo-chun) for Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010).
- KBS Drama Awards (2011): Won Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama for Glory Jane (2011).
- Top Chinese Music Awards (2012): Won Fashion Artist Award.
- KBS Drama Awards (2014): Won Excellence Award (Mid-length Drama) and Best Couple Award (with Ji Chang-wook) for Healer (2014 to 2015).
- Asia Model Awards (2015): Won Asia Special Award, Actress.
- DramaFever Awards (2016): Won Best Couple Award with Ji Chang-wook for Healer (2014 to 2015).
- Asia Artist Awards (2017): Won Best Celebrity Award for Queen for Seven Days (2017).
- Cosmo Beauty Awards (2018): Won Annual Shining Beauty Idol.
- Asia Drama Conference (2018): Won Special Recognition Award for What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018).
- APAN Star Awards (2018): Won K-Star Popular Actress Award for What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018).
- KCA Consumer Day Awards (2018): Won Best Drama Actress for What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018).
- tvN Joy Festival (2018): Won Female Character of the Year and Thursday Icon for What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018).
- iQiyi Taiwan Entertainment Awards (2019): Won Most Beautiful Award for What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018).
- Asia Artist Awards (2019): Won Asia Celebrity Award (Actress) and Best Artist Award (Actress).
- StarHub Night of Stars (2019): Won Best Female Asian Star for Her Private Life (2019).
- National Tax Service (2021): Received Presidential Commendation as a model taxpayer.
- Asia Artist Awards (2022): Won Hot Trend Award, Actress.
- Asia Artist Awards (2024): Won Best Actress of the Year (Daesang) and Best Artist Award (Actress) for Marry My Husband (2024).
Her Key Nominations
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2008): Nominated for Best New Actress (TV) for I Am Sam (2007).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2011): Nominated for Best Actress (TV) for Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010).
- Seoul International Drama Awards (2011): Nominated for Outstanding Korean Actress for Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010).
- SBS Drama Awards (2011): Nominated for Excellence Award (Actress in a Drama Special), Popularity Award, and Best Couple Award (with Lee Min-ho) for City Hunter (2011).
- KBS Drama Awards (2011): Nominated for Top Excellence Award (Actress) for Glory Jane (2011).
- MBC Drama Awards (2014): Nominated for Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries for A New Leaf (2014).
- SBS Drama Awards (2016): Nominated for Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Genre Drama for Remember (2015 to 2016).
- KBS Drama Awards (2017): Nominated for Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama for Queen for Seven Days (2017).
- APAN Star Awards (2018): Nominated for Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries for What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018).
Other Recognitions
- Forbes Korea Power Celebrity (2012): Ranked 23rd on the annual list of most influential celebrities in Korea.
Park Min-young Controversies
Park Min-young has mostly stayed away from major scandals through her two-decade career. However, her name has been linked to a few high-profile public issues, the biggest being her past relationship with businessman Kang Jong-hyun.
Plastic surgery admission (2010): When her school photos went viral after the success of Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Park openly admitted to having had double eyelid surgery and a nose job during her junior high school days. While the surgery itself was not a scandal, her open admission was a rare and widely discussed moment in Korean entertainment at the time.
Kang Jong-hyun dating reveal (September 2022): Dispatch reported that Park was in a relationship with Kang Jong-hyun, the de facto owner of cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb. Her agency Hook Entertainment confirmed they had dated but said the two had already broken up. The reveal drew major attention as Kang was already under public scrutiny for his business dealings and alleged links to organised crime.
Prosecution summon and witness investigation (February 2023): After Kang was arrested in early 2023 on charges of embezzlement, fraudulent transactions, and breach of trust, Park was summoned by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office as a witness. Authorities investigated whether she had benefited from any illegal transactions linked to Kang or his affiliated companies. She denied all allegations and her agency dismissed reports of a travel ban.
Dispatch report on 250 million won transfer (January 2024): Dispatch released a follow-up report claiming Park had received around ₩250 million KRW (about USD 190,000) through her personal account while dating Kang. Hook Entertainment responded that her account had only been used by Kang as a borrowed-name bank account, and that she had not used the money as living expenses. Park also posted on Instagram saying she would believe that “honesty will prevail.”
Public apology at Marry My Husband press conference (January 2024): At the press event for her comeback drama Marry My Husband, Park personally apologised to fans for the long stretch of negative press around the Kang case. She called the previous year “extremely tiring” and said she would focus on her acting going forward.
Weight loss concerns (2024 and 2025): For her role as a terminally ill character in Marry My Husband (2024), Park reportedly lost a significant amount of weight, which she later said was a deliberate choice for the part. The concern returned in September 2025 when she appeared at the Confidence Queen press conference looking visibly thin.
Park Min-young Net Worth
Park Min-young’s net worth has not been officially declared by her or her team. Most figures online are estimates, so they can vary.
Her net worth is estimated to be around $5 million to $10 million USD (approx. ₹42 crore to ₹83 crore).
Her main income comes from dramas, brand endorsements, magazine shoots, sponsored social media posts, and her YouTube channel. She is reportedly paid around USD 10,000 to USD 100,000 per Instagram post for sponsored content.
She has worked as the face of premium brands like Tod’s, ONE BOY, Klug, Sooryehan, Egoist, and J.ESTINA. According to some Korean media reports, she lives in a high-end residence in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, near the Han River.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $5 million to $10 million (approx. ₹42 crore to ₹83 crore) |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Park Min-young Height, Weight and Physical Stats
| Height | In centimetres: 163 cm In meters: 1.63 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 4 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 47 kg In lbs: 104 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 32-24-33 inches |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Park Min-young Social media
 @rachel_mypark | |
| YouTube |  @justparkminyoung1847 |
Interesting Facts about Park Min-young
- Park Min-young is close friends with K-pop idol and actress Jessica Jung, formerly of Girls’ Generation. The two have been close for over a decade, often sharing photos together on social media.
- Her English name is Rachel Park, which she picked up during her time as an exchange student in the United States.
- In 2021, the National Tax Service honoured her with a Presidential Commendation as a model taxpayer in the entertainment industry.
- In March 2022, she donated ₩100 million KRW to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help victims of the Uljin forest fires in Gangwon Province.
- In February 2024, she donated another ₩100 million KRW to the Seoul Asan Medical Center Cancer Center for cancer patients, soon after playing a cancer patient in Marry My Husband.
- In 2020, the luxury Italian fashion house Tod’s named her as their brand ambassador in Korea, and she attended their Fall/Winter Collection show at Milan Fashion Week the same year.
- She runs her own YouTube channel where she shares vlogs, travel content, and behind-the-scenes moments.
FAQs
What is Park Min-young’s age?
She is 40 years old. She was born on March 4, 1986, in Seoul, South Korea.
What is Park Min-young famous for?
She is best known for K-dramas like Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010), City Hunter (2011), Healer (2014 to 2015), What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018), Marry My Husband (2024), and Confidence Queen (2025).
What is Park Min-young’s education?
She studied as an exchange student in Philadelphia, United States, during her high school years, and graduated from Dongguk University, Seoul, with a degree in Theatre in 2013.
Why is Park Min-young called the “Queen of Rom-coms”?
Korean media gave her this title after her back-to-back rom-com hits like What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Her Private Life, and Forecasting Love and Weather.
What awards has Park Min-young won?
She has won the Daesang (Best Actress of the Year) at the 2024 Asia Artist Awards for Marry My Husband, multiple KBS Drama Awards, and the StarHub Best Female Asian Star, among many others.
Did Park Min-young have plastic surgery?
Yes. She openly admitted in 2010 that she had double eyelid surgery and a nose job during her junior high school days.
What are Park Min-young’s upcoming projects?
Her upcoming project is the SBS drama Nine to Six, an adaptation of the Chinese series The Rational Life, opposite Yook Sung-jae of BTOB.
