Park Si-hoo is a South Korean actor. He began his entertainment career as an underwear model and stage actor, then made his official television debut in 2005. After several years in supporting roles, Park rose to fame in 2010 with the popular romantic comedy seriesQueen of Reversals and Prosecutor Princess. This was followed by leading roles in period dramaThe Princess' Man and thriller film Confession of Murder.
Career
Park Pyeong-ho began his acting career in theater in 1997, putting up posters, handing out flyers, and appearing as an extra or in bit parts on stage, leading to his acting debut in the play The TwelveNyang Life. During this time, he also worked as an underwear model, before being cast in a bit part in episodes 1 and 2 of 2005 television series Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang. Under the stage name Park Si-hoo, he starred in supporting roles in the MBC TV series Let's Get Married and Which Star Are You From?. With How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor in 2007, he gained more recognition and won the New Star Award at the SBS Drama Awards that year. More high-profile roles in action adventure series Iljimae and weekend drama Family's Honor followed in 2008. But Park's breakthrough would come in 2010. As the mysterious lawyer Seo In-woo in Prosecutor Princess, he rose to fame and the term "Seo Byun syndrome" was coined for his growing fanbase. And such was his popularity with audiences in Queen of Reversals that when the series was extended, screenwriter Park Ji-eun rewrote the script so that his character, chaebol businessman Gu Yong-shik, would end up with the heroine. He later won an Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards for Queen of Reversals. He continued his success in 2011 with the Joseon period drama The Princess' Man, a critical and ratings hit. Park's portrayal of a man torn between revenge and love for his enemy's daughter garnered him a Top Excellence Award at the KBS Drama Awards. Fan meetings in Asian countries such as Japan, China and Taiwan further cemented his status as a Hallyu star. He also recorded the Christmas single "Winter Story," along with other stars from his then-agency Eyagi Entertainment. In 2012, Park played his first big-screen leading role as a serial killer-turned-bestselling author in the film Confession of Murder. After shooting the 80-minute music video "Boy" in Thailand, he returned to television later that year in the romance dramaCheongdam-dong Alice. Park's career was temporarily halted in 2013 when he was involved in a highly publicized sexual assault case. For his comeback, Park was reportedly considering taking on the leading role in 2014 series Golden Cross, but continuing public outrage regarding his 2013 case led broadcaster KBS to cancel his casting, with the Corea Entertainment Management Association stating that "Park still needs more time." Instead, he focused on overseas activities, holding a photo exhibition in Japan titled The Man Who Was There, and starring in the 2014 Chinese filmScent, directed by Jessey Tsang Tsui-Shan. He also filmed the Korean-Chinese co-produced drama filmAfter Love opposite Yoon Eun-hye. Two years after his controversy, Park returned in 2015 in the cable series Local Hero, in which he plays a former undercover agent who mentors a young police officer as they fight crime together. In 2017, Park was cast in KBS2 weekend drama My Golden Life. The drama was a major hit in South Korea and surpassed 40% ratings. In 2018, Park was cast in KBS's romance horror series Lovely Horribly alongside Song Ji-hyo. In 2019, Park starred in mystery melodrama Babel.
Personal life
His father Park Yong-hoon used to be a fashion and commercial model in the 1960s and 1970s, and his younger brother Park Wu-ho is a former baseball player for the Hyundai Unicorns. On February 18, 2013, Park was accused of allegedly raping a 22-year-old aspiring actress. The woman said that after drinking heavily at a bar in Gangnam District, she and Park went to his apartment in Cheongdam-dong at around 2:00 a.m. on February 15, where she lost consciousness and realized she had been raped when she woke up. In a statement released through his management agency, Park denied the allegation; he admitted that he had sex with the woman but claimed it was consensual. Ultimately, the matter was settled out of court, and no verdict was ever reached.
