Park Shin-hye is one of South Korea’s most beloved actresses, known for her versatile acting skills and charming on-screen presence. With a career spanning over two decades, she has starred in numerous popular Korean dramas and movies. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best Korean dramas and movies featuring Park Shin-hye, showcasing her talent and the diverse roles she has played throughout her career.
1. You’re Beautiful (2009)
You’re Beautiful is a romantic comedy that helped launch Park Shin-hye into stardom. In this drama, she plays the dual role of Go Mi-nyeo and her twin brother Go Mi-nam. The story follows Mi-nyeo, an aspiring nun, who is forced to pretend to be her brother and join a popular boy band called A.N.JELL.
As Mi-nyeo tries to keep her true identity a secret, she finds herself falling for her bandmates and experiencing the ups and downs of life in the entertainment industry. Park Shin-hye’s portrayal of both the shy Mi-nyeo and the confident Mi-nam showcases her acting range and ability to bring humor and heart to her characters.
You’re Beautiful became a hit not only in South Korea but also gained a large international following, cementing Park Shin-hye’s status as a rising star in the Korean entertainment industry.
2. Heartstrings (2011)
Heartstrings is a music-themed romantic drama that pairs Park Shin-hye with Jung Yong-hwa, her co-star from You’re Beautiful. In this series, Park plays Lee Gyu-won, a talented traditional music student who becomes involved with Lee Shin, the arrogant leader of a popular campus band.
The drama explores the clash between traditional and modern music as Gyu-won and Shin work together on a musical performance for their university’s centennial celebration. Along the way, they discover their growing feelings for each other and learn to appreciate each other’s musical talents.
Heartstrings allows Park Shin-hye to showcase her musical abilities alongside her acting skills, making it a must-watch for fans of both her acting and singing.
3. Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013)
While primarily known for her work in television dramas, Park Shin-hye has also made a mark in the film industry. Miracle in Cell No. 7 is a heartwarming and emotional movie that became one of the highest-grossing Korean films of all time.
In this film, Park plays the adult version of Ye-sung, the daughter of a mentally challenged man wrongfully imprisoned for murder. The story alternates between the past, where we see the young Ye-sung’s relationship with her father in prison, and the present, where the adult Ye-sung fights to clear her father’s name.
Although Park’s role is relatively small compared to the main cast, her portrayal of the determined and loving adult Ye-sung adds depth to the film’s emotional impact.
4. The Heirs (2013)
The Heirs is one of Park Shin-hye’s most well-known dramas internationally. This series tells the story of wealthy high school students and the conflicts that arise due to their privileged backgrounds. Park plays Cha Eun-sang, a hardworking girl from a poor family who becomes entangled in the lives of these rich heirs.
As Eun-sang navigates the complex world of the upper class, she finds herself caught in a love triangle between Kim Tan (Lee Min-ho), the heir to a large conglomerate, and Choi Young-do (Kim Woo-bin), his former best friend turned rival.
The Heirs was a massive hit both in South Korea and internationally, further boosting Park Shin-hye’s popularity and showcasing her ability to hold her own alongside other big-name stars.
5. Pinocchio (2014-2015)
Pinocchio is a unique drama that combines romance, family drama, and a critique of sensationalist journalism. Park Shin-hye stars as Choi In-ha, a aspiring reporter with a condition called “Pinocchio syndrome,” which causes her to hiccup whenever she lies.
The drama follows In-ha as she pursues a career in journalism alongside her childhood friend, Choi Dal-po (Lee Jong-suk). Together, they uncover the truth behind a tragic incident from their past while navigating the ethical challenges of the media industry.
Park Shin-hye’s portrayal of the honest and determined In-ha earned her praise from critics and viewers alike, making Pinocchio one of her most memorable performances.
6. Doctors (2016)
In Doctors, Park Shin-hye takes on the role of Yoo Hye-jung, a troubled teenager who transforms into a skilled neurosurgeon. The drama follows Hye-jung’s journey from a rebellious high school student to a compassionate doctor, exploring themes of personal growth, mentorship, and romance.
Park’s performance as Hye-jung showcases her ability to portray a character’s development over time, from the tough and guarded teenager to the accomplished and empathetic doctor. Her chemistry with co-star Kim Rae-won, who plays her mentor and love interest, adds depth to the story.
Doctors was a ratings hit in South Korea and further solidified Park Shin-hye’s status as a leading actress in the Korean drama industry.
7. Memories of the Alhambra (2018-2019)
Memories of the Alhambra is a unique blend of romance, science fiction, and thriller genres. In this drama, Park Shin-hye plays Jung Hee-joo, the owner of a hostel in Granada, Spain, who becomes involved in a mysterious augmented reality game.
The story centers around Yoo Jin-woo (Hyun Bin), a CEO who comes to Granada to acquire the game and ends up staying at Hee-joo’s hostel. As the lines between the real world and the game world blur, Hee-joo and Jin-woo find themselves caught up in a dangerous and thrilling adventure.
While Park’s character takes a backseat to the main plot for part of the series, her performance adds warmth and grounding to the complex narrative. Memories of the Alhambra showcases Park’s ability to adapt to different genres and work within ensemble casts.
8. #Alive (2020)
#Alive is a zombie apocalypse thriller that became a surprise hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this film, Park Shin-hye plays Kim Yoo-bin, one of the few survivors in an apartment complex overrun by zombies.
The movie follows Yoo-bin and her neighbor Oh Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in) as they struggle to survive in isolation while surrounded by the infected. Park’s portrayal of the resourceful and determined Yoo-bin adds depth to the film’s exploration of survival and human connection in times of crisis.
#Alive demonstrates Park Shin-hye’s ability to excel in the thriller genre and hold her own in intense, action-packed scenes.
9. Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)
Sisyphus: The Myth is a science fiction thriller that allows Park Shin-hye to showcase a different side of her acting abilities. In this drama, she plays Kang Seo-hae, a tough and skilled warrior from a dystopian future who travels back in time to save genius engineer Han Tae-sul (Cho Seung-woo) and prevent a catastrophic event.
The series combines elements of time travel, conspiracy, and romance as Seo-hae and Tae-sul work together to uncover the truth behind a mysterious organization and save the world from destruction.
Park’s portrayal of the strong and determined Seo-hae is a departure from her usual roles, demonstrating her range as an actress and her ability to take on physically demanding action scenes.
10. Doctor Slump (2024)
Doctor Slump is Park Shin-hye’s most recent drama, where she returns to the medical genre. In this series, she plays Nam Ha-neul, a successful anesthesiologist who experiences burnout and decides to leave her job.
The drama follows Ha-neul as she navigates a career slump and rediscovers her passion for medicine with the help of her longtime rival-turned-friend Yeo Jung-woo (Park Hyung-sik). Doctor Slump combines elements of romance, comedy, and medical drama to create a heartwarming story about second chances and personal growth.
Park Shin-hye’s portrayal of Ha-neul showcases her ability to bring depth and relatability to her characters, making Doctor Slump a fitting addition to her impressive body of work.
