Famous Birthdays·May 1·Park Hae-jin
Park Hae-jin

KRPark Hae-jin

A South Korean actor who mastered the art of the magnetic, morally complex lead, drawing audiences into stories of obsession, revenge, and quiet power.

Born 1983 (age 43)·South Korean actor and model·Birthday: May 1·Millennials

Photo: Viu Indonesia · CC BY 3.0

Biography

Park Hae-jin built his career not on flashy heroics, but on a potent, simmering intensity. After early modeling work, he stepped into acting, initially gaining attention for his chilling portrayal of a obsessive second lead in the mega-hit 'My Love from the Star'. That role unlocked a niche: characters who were handsome, intelligent, and often unsettling in their singular focus. He proved his versatility by shifting from a cold-hearted chaebol heir to a warm-hearted doctor, but consistently brought a layered depth that made even flawed figures compelling. His breakthrough leading role in 'Cheese in the Trap' was a masterclass in ambiguity, playing a university senior whose charming exterior masked calculated manipulations. Park excels at making viewers question their own judgments, often portraying men who operate in moral grey areas. Whether as a bodyguard in 'Man to Man' or a CEO seeking revenge in 'The Killing Vote', he commands the screen with a quiet, unwavering presence that has cemented his status as a dependable draw for complex, psychologically driven narratives.

Millennials

1981–1996

The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.

Park was born in 1983, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.

#1 When Park Was Born

The biggest hits of 1983

#1 Movie

Return of the Jedi

Best Picture

Terms of Endearment

#1 TV Show

60 Minutes

Park's Life & Times

The world at every milestone

1983Born

Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet

Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Started school

Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie

Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1996Became a teenager

Dolly the sheep cloned

Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Could drive

Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds

Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2001Could vote

September 11 attacks transform the world

Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Turned 21

Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000

Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2013Turned 30

Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs

Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 40

ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins

Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 43 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump

Key Achievements

  • Won the Best New Actor award at the 2014 Baeksang Arts Awards for his role in 'My Love from the Star'.
  • Headlined the popular web drama 'The Witch's Love', which achieved over 100 million views in China.
  • Successfully transitioned from supporting villain roles to becoming a leading man in hit series like 'Cheese in the Trap' and 'Man to Man'.
  • Founded his own management company, Mountain Movement, to manage his career and develop new talent.

Did You Know?

He is an avid fan of football and supports the English Premier League club Manchester United.

Park Hae-jin served his mandatory military service as a public service worker due to a knee injury.

He holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from Chung-Ang University.

He is known for his philanthropic efforts, including significant donations to children's hospitals and scholarship funds.

“I want to be an actor who can show various sides of myself, not just one image.”

— Park Hae-jin

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