Park Ji-il

Park Ji-il (born 1960) is a South Korean actor renowned for his extensive career in theatre, film, and television, often portraying supporting characters such as authority figures, fathers, and antagonists.^[1][2] Born in Busan, South Korea, Park began his acting journey in the mid-1990s, debuting on screen with roles in notable projects that established his presence in the industry.^[1][2] His early film work includes appearances in the blockbuster spy thriller Shiri (1999), where he contributed to the ensemble cast, and the historical drama The Fortress (2017), showcasing his versatility in period pieces.^[2] Over the decades, he has amassed over 40 credited roles, spanning genres from action and horror to family-oriented dramas.^[2] In recent years, Park has gained wider recognition for his performances in high-profile films like Exhuma (2024), a supernatural mystery that became one of South Korea's top-grossing releases, Dark Nuns (2025), Homeward Bound (2025), and Big Deal (2025).^[1][2] On television, he has appeared in popular series including Delayed Justice (2020), The Nokdu Flower (2019), and Legend of the Blue Sea (2016), frequently earning praise for his charismatic portrayals of complex supporting characters.^[3] His theatre background continues to influence his nuanced on-screen delivery, contributing to a career marked by consistent work in South Korea's vibrant entertainment landscape.^[3]

Early life and education

Early life

Park Ji-il was born in September 1960 in Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea.^[1][4] He spent his childhood and early years in Busan, a coastal city known for its vibrant cultural scene that included local theater and performance traditions.^[5] During his high school years at Busan Commercial High School, Park developed an early interest in performing arts through participation in the school's broadcasting club, where he engaged with media and performance activities.^[5] This period marked his initial exposure to acting, influenced by Busan's active local theater community, including performances at venues like the Busan Citizens' Hall.^[5]

Education

Park Ji-il, having developed an early interest in theater during his time in Busan, pursued formal training in the performing arts through higher education. He initially majored in accounting at Dong-A University, where he actively participated in the university's theater arts research society, taking on lead roles in productions such as Max Frisch's Andorra during his freshman year; however, this debut was disrupted by the 5.18 Gwangju Uprising.^[6][5] To advance his expertise in theater, Park enrolled in the graduate program at Chung-Ang University's School of Theater Studies (Department of Theater and Film), earning a master's degree in theater studies.^[4] This advanced academic pursuit focused on specialized training in acting techniques, stagecraft, and performance studies, building on his prior extracurricular involvement.

Career

Early career in theater

Park Ji-il began his professional theater career after completing his master's degree in theater at Chung-Ang University, which provided foundational training for his stage work. He made his debut in 1986 at the Gamagol Small Theater in Busan, performing in the play Fugue of Death (Death's Fugue), directed by Lee Yun-taek.^[7] As a founding member of the Gamagol troupe, Park immersed himself in the emerging regional theater scene of Busan during the late 1980s, where small, experimental venues fostered innovative but resource-limited productions amid South Korea's burgeoning democratic arts movement.^[8] Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Park took on varied roles in Busan's vibrant yet precarious theater landscape, contributing to works that explored social and existential themes typical of the era's fringe stages. His performances in these regional productions honed his skills in ensemble-driven narratives, though opportunities were sporadic due to the underdeveloped infrastructure outside Seoul. A representative early role came in local adaptations of classic texts, allowing him to build a reputation for intense, introspective characterizations within Busan's tight-knit acting community.^[9] As the eldest son from a modest family background, Park faced significant financial hardships that impeded his full dedication to theater, often forcing him to balance acting with other jobs to support his household.^[7] This prolonged period of obscurity tested his resilience, culminating in personal challenges including a divorce attributed to economic pressures, yet it deepened his commitment to the craft.^[9] His perseverance paid off in 1993 when he transitioned to the national stage, debuting in Seoul with the lead role of Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment at Sanullim Small Theater, directed by Chae Yoon-il, marking a pivotal step toward broader recognition.^[10] This move from regional obscurity to Seoul's competitive arena solidified his growth as a mid-career actor, emphasizing raw emotional depth over commercial appeal.^[11] By the mid-1990s, roles like Park Un-hyung in Song of Sorrow (1996) at the Open Stage troupe further showcased his evolving versatility in contemporary Korean drama.^[12]

Film and television career

Park Ji-il entered the film industry in the mid-1990s, marking a transition from his theater work to screen acting with supporting roles that often depicted bureaucratic or authoritative figures. His debut came in 1995 with the film My Dear Keum-hong, where he portrayed Kim Ki-rim, a minor character in the historical drama. This was followed by a series of bit parts in high-profile thrillers and dramas in 1999, including Shiri as the National Defense Research Institute team leader, Happy End as a bank clerk, and Judgement as a public official. These early roles established him as a reliable supporting presence in South Korean cinema, leveraging his stage-honed skills for nuanced portrayals of everyday authority.^[13][3] Throughout the 2000s and into the early 2010s, Park expanded his film career with versatile supporting turns across genres, frequently embodying mentors or officials in action and comedy films. In 2000, he appeared in The Foul King as Section Chief Lee, contributing to the film's satirical take on professional wrestling. Later works included Birth of a Man (2002) as Mr. Im and, in thrillers, The Suspect (2013) as Executive Director Song, where his role underscored corporate intrigue amid espionage. His theater foundation enabled seamless adaptability to the demands of film, allowing him to infuse characters with subtle emotional depth without overshadowing leads. In 2016, he appeared in the fantasy romance series The Legend of the Blue Sea as Manager Nam.^[13][3][14] In television, Park's presence grew steadily from the mid-2000s, focusing on historical and contemporary dramas where he often played paternal or advisory figures. He made his TV debut in 2004 with Land as Choi Chi Soo, a supporting role in the family saga. Subsequent appearances included The Iron Empress (2009) as Kim Shim Eon, a historical advisor, and Prosecutor Princess (2010) as Seo Dong Gun, the father of a key character. A standout was his portrayal of Choi Jong Dal in the 2011 thriller The Thorn Birds, embodying a complex mentor navigating revenge and family ties. By the early 2010s, roles like Byun Kang Se in Ho Goo's Love (2015) highlighted his range in romantic comedies, solidifying his status as a go-to supporting actor in diverse TV formats.^[13][15]

Recent works

In the 2020s, Park Ji-il has continued to build on his established presence in South Korean cinema and television through a series of supporting roles that highlight his versatility in ensemble-driven narratives. His performance as Kim Byeong-Dae in the 2020 legal drama series Delayed Justice showcased his ability to portray complex authority figures navigating moral dilemmas in high-stakes investigations. This role marked a steady return to television after earlier film appearances, contributing to his growing visibility in genre-blending projects. In 2019, he played Song Bong-gil in the historical drama The Nokdu Flower. Earlier contributions from the late 2010s, such as his depiction of General Manager Lee in the 2017 thriller Ordinary Person and Deputy Chief Scholar in the historical epic The Fortress, have been contextualized in his recent resurgence as foundational to his adeptness at embodying institutional power dynamics amid personal and societal conflicts.^[16][17] These performances paved the way for more prominent ensemble work, evolving toward paternal and advisory figures that add emotional depth to family-oriented stories, as seen in his role as Ho-min's father in the 2019 time-travel drama Spring, Again.^[18] A notable breakthrough came with his supporting role as the accountant in the 2024 supernatural horror film Exhuma, a box office phenomenon that grossed $78.24 million domestically and drew 11.91 million viewers as of January 2025, significantly elevating his profile within the thriving Korean occult genre.^[19] In this ensemble cast alongside stars like Choi Min-sik and Kim Go-eun, Park's character provided grounded bureaucratic tension amid escalating supernatural threats, underscoring his skill in subtle, reactive portrayals that enhance larger narratives. Park appeared as the Bishop in the 2025 horror film Dark Nuns, supporting the central exorcism storyline led by Song Hye-kyo and Jeon Yeo-been. Additionally, in Bimilil Subake (2025; English: No Choice But to Keep It a Secret), he portrayed Moon-cheol, continuing his trend of ensemble contributions to introspective dramas exploring personal redemption and family ties.^[20] These projects reflect an ongoing evolution in his career, emphasizing paternal archetypes and collaborative dynamics in contemporary Korean storytelling.

Filmography

Films

Park Ji-il began his film career in the late 1990s and has appeared in over 20 feature films, often in supporting roles across genres such as thriller, drama, and comedy.^[13]

Selected Films by Year

• 1999 – Shiri (as Team Leader, 386 Generation)^[21]
• 1999 – Happy End (as Bank Clerk)^[21]
• 1999 – Judgement (as Public Servant)^[21]
• 2000 – The Foul King (as Section Chief Lee)^[13]
• 2002 – Birth of a Man (as Mr. Im)^[13]
• 2008 – Portrait of a Beauty (as Shin Han Pyeong)^[13]
• 2013 – Commitment (as Jang)^[13]
• 2013 – The Suspect (as Executive Director Song)^[13]
• 2013 – Way Back Home (as Detective Lee)^[13]
• 2014 – 12th Assistant Deacon (as Father Kim)^[13]
• 2017 – The Fortress (as Bu Je Hak)^[13]
• 2017 – Ordinary Person (as General Manager Lee)^[13]
• 2018 – The Princess and the Matchmaker (as Yoon Hyun)^[13]
• 2018 – Live Again, Love Again (as Director Kim)^[22]
• 2019 – Spring, Again (as Ho-min's father)^[13]
• 2020 – Okay! Madam (as Polaris)^[3]
• 2020 – The Man Standing Next (as Chief Secretary)^[13]
• 2023 – On the Sand House (as Hyeongseok)^[22]
• 2024 – Deadline (as Lee Jae-hak)^[22]
• 2024 – Exhuma (as Park Ji-yong's accountant)^[3]
• 2025 – Big Deal (as Go Joong-cheon)^[3]
• 2025 – Homeward Bound (as Moon-cheol)^[3]
• 2025 – Dark Nuns (as Bishop)^[1]

Television series

Park Ji-il has appeared in numerous South Korean television series, often in supporting roles as authority figures, fathers, or leaders, spanning from 2011 to 2025.^[3]

Theater

Park Ji-il began his stage career in 1986 with the debut role in the play Fugue of Death (죽음의 푸가), marking his entry into professional theater as a young actor from Busan.^[23] In 1993, he made his Seoul stage debut as Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment (죄와 벌), a production by the Sanullim Theater Company that highlighted his intense dramatic presence.^[6] Throughout the mid-1990s, Park appeared in several notable plays, including Song of Sorrow (슬픔의 노래) in 1995, where he portrayed Park Un-hyung, a character inspired by the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, in a production that explored themes of trauma and artistic expression; this work was selected for the 1996 Seoul Theater Festival.^[24][25] His theater engagements continued into the 2000s with recurring roles in Train to Xi'an (서안화차), debuting in 2003 as the protagonist Sang-gon, a man grappling with obsession and identity on a journey to ancient China; he reprised the role in multiple revivals, including 2004, 2008, 2014, and 2015 productions directed by Han Tae-sook.^[26][27]

Awards and nominations

Awards

Park Ji-il received the Best New Actor Award in the theater category at the 1993 Baeksang Arts Awards for his performance in the play Crime and Punishment produced by the Sanullim Theater Company.^[6] In 1996, he won the Acting Award at the Seoul Theater Festival for his role in Song of Sorrow, staged by the Open Stage Theater Company, recognizing his nuanced portrayal of emotional depth in a post-war narrative.^[25][6] Park Ji-il was honored with the Outstanding Theater Acting Award by the Korea Theater Association in December 1999 for his lead role in Fish Man, a production by Theater World that explored themes of identity and transformation, highlighting his versatility in contemporary Korean theater.^[28][6] In 2002, he received the Acting Award at the Seoul Performing Arts Festival for his role in Kingdom of Things, produced by the Changpa Theater Company.^[6] In 2004, Park Ji-il won the Acting Award at the Dong-A Theater Awards for his performance in Lady Macbeth, directed by Han Tae-sook.^[29] In 2024, he was awarded the 34th Lee Hae-rang Theater Award for his lifelong contributions to Korean theater.^[30]

Nominations

Throughout his career, Park Ji-il has been recognized with nominations primarily in theater awards, many of which resulted in wins as detailed in biographical records. No specific non-winning nominations are documented in major sources covering his work in film, television, or theater festivals post-2000. For instance, his early theater performances earned nods from bodies like the Baeksang Arts Awards and Seoul Theater Festival, but these led to victories rather than losses.^[31][6]