Park 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
Biography
Park Hae-jin played a university senior in 'Cheese in the Trap' whose charming exterior masked calculated manipulations. Born in 1983, he built his career on simmering intensity. After early modeling, he gained attention for his chilling portrayal of an obsessive second lead in 'My Love from the Star.' That role unlocked a niche: handsome, intelligent characters often unsettling in their singular focus. He shifted from cold-hearted chaebol heir to warm-hearted doctor, always bringing layered depth. Whether as a bodyguard in 'Man to Man' or a CEO in 'The Killing Vote,' he commands the screen with a quiet, unwavering presence.
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.”
