Who Is Park Hae-soo?

Park Hae-soo is a South Korean actor known for his emotional depth and wide acting range. Though he became internationally famous through Netflix’s Squid Game, his career spans over a decade with roots in theater. Born in 1981, Park graduated from Dankook University’s Theater and Film department and honed his skills on stage before transitioning to screen acting.

From Stage to Screen

Before taking on TV and film, Park was a critically acclaimed stage actor. His grounding in classical and modern theater gives him a strong presence and subtle emotional control — qualities that shine in his complex roles.

His breakout TV role came in the prison drama Prison Playbook, where he played a gentle-hearted baseball player turned inmate. The show’s success introduced him to a broader Korean audience and opened the door for international projects.

The Global Rise: Squid Game and Beyond

In 2021, Park Hae-soo portrayed Cho Sang-woo, the morally gray investment banker in Squid Game. His performance was lauded for capturing the inner turmoil of a man torn between survival and guilt. This role made him a global figure and showed how K-dramas could produce anti-heroes with emotional nuance.

Since then, he has appeared in other Netflix productions like Money Heist: Korea and The Accidental Nemesis, each time playing vastly different characters—from mastermind criminals to tormented villains.

What Makes Him Different?

Unlike many Korean celebrities who focus on image management, Park embraces emotionally difficult or morally challenging characters. He’s one of the few mainstream actors who willingly takes on roles that might be considered “unlikable” in Korea’s image-conscious entertainment industry. This bravery earns him respect from fans and fellow actors alike.

Culture Note: Villains in Korean Entertainment

In Korea, playing a villain often comes with social stigma. Viewers strongly associate actors with their characters, especially in melodramas. This means portraying evil convincingly — as Park does — can lead to real-world criticism. Yet, Park continues to accept complex roles, choosing artistic depth over popularity.

Looking Ahead

Park Hae-soo has expressed interest in returning to theater and working on international collaborations. He hopes to create a creative community for storytelling that transcends borders, hinting at a deeper mission than stardom: building empathy through performance.