Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
Park Shin Hye is returning to SBS’s new drama The Judge from Hell, where she plays a demon who possesses the body of a judge. Fans are excited to see her take on a dark and chilling role, something we haven’t often seen from her. Blending her charm with the character’s anti-hero traits, the show promises to be intriguing. Having first debuted in Lee Seung Hwan’s 2003 music video “Flower”, she won hearts through various roles. Here are five of her most popular dramas.
>> Park Shin Hye Is Thrilled to Explore Her Dark Side in ‘The Judge from Hell’
Doctor Slump (2024)
Doctor Slump generated plenty of buzz for being Park Shin Hye’s first drama after giving birth and her second collaboration with Park Hyung Sik. The drama follows two doctors who hit rock bottom each for their own reasons and shows their journey of recovery and romance. Park Shin Hye plays a relatable character of an anesthesiologist who struggles with burnout and mental health. Unlike her previous doctor role in Doctors (2016), she focuses more on her character’s personal journey than her professional life. Plus, her playful dynamic with Park Hyung Sik showcases her charm as a rom-com queen.
Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)
JTBC’s 10th-anniversary special drama Sisyphus: The Myth follows the journey of a genius engineer trying to uncover the truth about an unknown existence and a savior from the future. Drawing on Greek mythology, the drama weaves a captivating mystery around its characters and timelines while posing philosophical questions about “fate.” Park Shin Hye plays Kang Seo Hae, a character who travels back in time to save the world, which has been devastated by war, and crosses paths with Han Tae Sul (Cho Seung Woo). Han Tae Sul, an engineer who solves problems with his intellect, forms an intriguing partnership with Kang Seo Hae, who excels in strength and physical combat.
Memories of the Alhambra (2018)
Memories of the Alhambra is a fantasy drama centered around an augmented reality game. The story unfolds as Yoo Jin Woo (Hyun Bin), the CEO of an investment company, travels to Spain for business and gets entangled in a series of strange events. Park Shin Hye plays Jung Hee Joo, the owner of the hostel where Jin Woo stays. While there was some criticism regarding the writer’s understanding of gaming, the unique subject matter contributed to the drama’s strong ratings. Park Shin Hye also takes on the role of Emma, a non-player character within the game, whose abilities are slowly revealed throughout the series. As a “healer” who boosts Jin Woo’s vitality and experience points, and a “peacekeeper” with a mysterious aura, Emma and the visually captivating game world kept viewers hooked.
The Heirs (2013)
The Heirs is the drama that cemented Park Shin Hye’s status as a Hallyu queen. It’s a teen romance that portrays the love and friendships of wealthy high school students. Park Shin Hye plays Cha Eun Sang, a girl facing the harsh realities of poverty. Disillusioned with her life and wanting to hide her true self, Eun Sang unexpectedly finds herself in a love triangle. She’s caught between Kim Tan (Lee Min Ho), who boldly pursues her with lines like “Do I like you?” and “Am I crazy for wanting to hug you?” and Choi Young Do (Kim Woo Bin), who tries to use her poverty against her. At Park Shin Hye’s wedding in 2022, Lee Min Ho attended and posted a photo on Instagram with a parody of a famous line from the drama, saying, “Do I congratulate you?”—which created a buzz among fans.
You’re Beautiful (2009)
You’re Beautiful was Park Shin Hye’s first leading role as a grown-up after her debut with Stairway to Heaven (2003). The drama follows the story of Go Mi Nyeo (played by Park Shin Hye), who dreams of becoming a nun but ends up disguising herself as her twin brother and joining the band A.N.JELL in his place. Jang Geun Suk, Jung Yong Hwa, and Lee Hong Gi also star in the series. Park Shin Hye’s adorable and youthful appearance made her the perfect choice to play a girl disguised as a boy, a role straight out of a comic book. As You’re Beautiful gained massive popularity across Asia, Park Shin Hye rose to fame as a rising supernova.
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
