K-Drama’s Queen Of Cute: 16 Years Of Park Min-Young’s On-Screen Beauty
Take a look back at the popular South Korean actress’ evolution on TV and film!
There’s just something about Park Min-young and everybody knows it. The now-35-year-old actress debuted in a commercial film (CF) for a telecommunications company in 2004, and has gone on to star in a string of successful television dramas, a film, and even more CFs since.
Also known by her English name Rachel, the flawless beauty is a constant presence in South Korea’s ‘Most Beautiful’ lists. Who isn’t familiar with Park Min-young’s goddess-like visuals? It’s even more impressive how the actress has had no qualms admitting to getting plastic surgery in the past, and continues to prove that she’s not just about her looks. She may be the envy of many who covet her perfect features, radiant skin, and stunning body, but it’s her continuously growing body of work that has made Park Min-young one of the most popular actresses in South Korea.
She quickly rose to fame after appearing in High Kick in 2006, landing her breakthrough role in coming-of-age series Sungkyunkwan Scandal in 2010, and becoming a romantic drama powerhouse. Today, she topbills the ongoing series Forecasting Love and Weather opposite actor Song Kang.
Swipe through the gallery below to see all of Park Min-Young’s transformations on-screen!
Park Min-young Evolution
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High Kick (2006)
Meet Kang Yoo-mi, 20-year-old Park Min-young’s debut supporting role in MBC sitcom ‘High Kick.’ She played girlfriend to one of the show’s main characters, embodying a fresh-faced impressionable student with her side-parted hair, glowing skin, and glossy lips.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
I Am Sam (2007)
The next year, she landed her first main role in a K-Drama in ‘I Am Sam’ as Yoo Eun-byul—a high school student and daughter of a dangerous gangster. Although already 21 at the time, Park Min-young still looked every bit like a haksaeng!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Hometown Legends (2008)
After playing students in her first two roles, Park Min-young did a 360 and starred as a mythical nine-tailed fox in one of the episodes of ‘Hometown Legends’—a supernatural historical drama about classic Korean ghost stories. How do you feel about her silver-haired, long-clawed transformation into a gumiho?
Photo Credit: MyDramaList
Ja Myung Go (2009)
In 2009, Park Min-young starred in period drama ‘Ja Myung Go’ as villainous Princess Ra-hee of the Nakrang Kingdom. Growing past student roles, the actress grows ever more beautiful drama after drama!
Photo Credit: Viu
Running Gu (2010)
Next up, the 24-year-old actress began her string of leading roles with Moon Haeng-joo in the drama special ‘Running, Gu.” She portrayed the friend and love interest to the two male leads. We can’t blame them, though! Even dressed down with her hair in a loose ponytail, she still looks gorgeous!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Sungkyungkwan Scandal (2010)
Park Min-young’s breakthrough role in ‘Sungkyunkwan Scandal’ became a turning point in her career. As Kim Yoon-hee, she disguised herself as her brother Kim Yoon-shik to study in a men’s only university in order to support her family. What do you think of her as a man from the Joseon period?
Photo Credit: KAFPhotoblog
City Hunter (2011)
She then followed up her successful showing in ‘Sungkyunkwan Scandal’ with another hit, ‘City Hunter,’ where she portrayed a Blue House bodyguard named Kim Na-na. Tough yet beautiful? Oh, yes!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
The Cat (2011)
The same year, the actress ventured into what would be her first and last film in her entire career thus far. In the horror tale, she played So-yeon—a young woman who works in a pet shop having strange dreams of a child with cat-like eyes. A pale-faced Park Min-young may have been new to the fans, but it didn’t make her any less beautiful!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Glory Jane (2011)
(1/2) To end a busy 2011, Park Min-young starred in ‘Glory Jane’ as Yoon Jae-in who is an aspiring nurse with no recollection of her past. It’s the first time we see her with a chic bob, proving a face like hers can pull off any hairstyle!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Glory Jane (2011)
(2/2) Already 25 at this point, she can still pass off as a young student with those braided pigtails in one of the scenes from ‘Glory Jane.’
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Dr. Jin (2012)
(1/2) After her big year, Park Min-young then took on the lead female roles in historical TV drama ‘Dr. Jin.’ One of her characters were present-day Yoo Mi-na, a doctor and girlfriend to lead Jin Hyuk. We know she’s a doctor, but we won’t hesitate asking for hair care tips with locks so beautiful!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Dr. Jin (2012)
(2/2) Her other character, Hong Young-rae, is a young noblewoman from the Joseon period who looks exactly like Mi-na—except with the traditional garb and hairstyle. At this point, it’s no surprise Park Min-young can pull off the a pretty hanbok and hair accessories perfectly.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
A New Leaf (2014)
In her comeback drama, Park Min-young played law intern Lee Ji-yoon in ‘A New Leaf.’ Even after taking a break for two years, the actress looked as radiant as ever. She looked even more beautiful than we remembered her last!
Photo Credit: MyDramaList
Healer (2014)
She then followed-up with hit drama ‘Healer,’ where she played news reporter Chae Young-shin. We’re big fans of this edgier look! It was a refreshing change to see Park Min-young with this hairstyle, don’t you think?
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Remember: War of the Son (2015)
The next year, ‘Remember: War of the Son’ saw Park Min-young become Lee In-ah. With her ageless good looks, we can’t tell she’s already almost 30 years old at this point. It’s really her glowing complexion that gets us every time.
Photo Credit: MyDramaList
Queen for Seven Days (2017)
As the titular Queen Dan-gyeong in ‘Queen for Seven Days,’ Park Min-young looked every bit regal in the historical romantic comedy drama. The slight dark tint on her lips really stands out against her alabaster skin!
Photo Credit: MyDramaList
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? (2018)
(1/2) One of Park Min-young’s more memorable roles in recent memory, the titular Secretary Kim always looked beautiful and polished with her pristine ponytail and flawless makeup. No wonder she wins everyone’s hearts in the show!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? (2018)
(2/2) Even out of her usual corporate outfits, she stuns with subtly lined eyes and perfectly tinted lips.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Her Private Life (2019)
As a proud museum curator, Sung Deok-mi was very pristine and put-together in her style.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Her Private Life (2019)
But as a secret fangirl, she was even more lovable—the character further cementing Park Min-young as the Queen of Cute in K-Dramas. Ever flawless in her beauty, you won’t be able to stop staring at that gorgeous face!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
When the Weather is Fine (2020)
In 2020, Park Min-young played Mok Hae-won—a beautiful cellist who moves to the quiet countryside and meets a man who changes the way she sees life. At this point, we’re already convinced the actress doesn’t age at all as she still looks the same even after years taking on one character after another!
Photo Credit: MyDramaList
Forecasting Love and Weather (2022)
(1/2) Nowadays, we can’t get enough of Park Min-young as Jin Ha-kyung in JTBC’s ‘Forecasting Love and Weather.’ Although playing roles her age, she looks as if she’s stopped aging in her early 20s. Those glasses look pretty cute, too!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Forecasting Love and Weather (2022)
(2/2) A total boss, Jin Ha-kyung is the general forecaster of the Korea Meteorogical Administration. Although very corporate in her look, the was of pink on her lids, cheeks, and lips are TDF!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Lead photos via Hancinema and MyDramaList
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