Although most of us might know her from the global success Parasite (2019) and the drama Record of Youth (2020), Park So-dam actually first started doing indie films. These included No More No Less (2013), Ingtoogi: The Battle of Internet Trolls (2013) and Steel Cold Winters (2013).

She later found mainstream success in mystery-thriller The Silenced (2015) and supernatural mystery thriller The Priests (2015) – the latter landed her multiple Best New Actress wins.

Worried about the challenges and difficulties their daughter would face in the industry, Park So-dam’s parents were initially against her becoming an actress. Her parents later gave their blessings after realising how much acting made Park happy.

On her passion for acting, she revealed that “I didn’t really have a dream before acting. I think I just lived without meaning,” and that she sometimes “wonder what I would have done if I had not found acting.”

She later enrolled in the Korea National University of Arts and graduated with a degree in acting.

Another fun fact: Park was inspired to be an actress after watching the musical Grease while she was a freshman in high school. “When I was in high school, I went to see the musical ‘Grease‘ and thought the artistes looked so happy, singing and sweating as they ran around the stage. That’s when I decided what I wanted to do. I thought, ‘I want a life as fun and happy as theirs,’ and began dreaming of acting.”

Everyone starts small and slowly work their way to the top. The same can be said for Park So-dam’s career in showbiz. In a 2016 interview, Park shared about her difficulty in finding a footing in the film industry when she started as a rookie actress. In fact, she auditioned for 17 projects within a span of a month and “I was rejected every time, so that really brought me down.”

She added, “I was pondering a lot on what it was that I was good at, so instead of choosing my projects, I often ended up doing things here and there.”

In the end, no one can refute that Park’s hard work and tenacity paid off.

Besides her extensive work in film and television (though to a lesser degree than the former), Park So-dam has also excelled on stage. She has starred in three productions to date – Let Me In (2016), Closer (2016) and The Student and Mr Henri (2017 and 2020-21).

In addition, her oeuvre spans various genres such as romance, mystery, thriller, drama and even black comedy (that is, Parasite). Park had even shaved her head for her role as a demon-possessed schoolgirl in The Priests(2015).

If you didn’t know, Park So-dam went viral on social media following the success of Parasite, thanks to the scene where she taught her onscreen brother (played by Choi Woo-sik) to remember made-up details about themselves using a famous Korean children’s song. The jingle is now referred to as ‘Jessica Jingle’.

But while we can’t imagine anyone playing Jessica, Park revealed in an interview that the director Bong Joon-ho actually contacted her for the role. In fact, Park had initially ignored Bong’s text regarding the part as she thought the message was fake. The two had first met two years prior when Bong mistakenly called on Park to audition for the role of a 14-year-old in his 2017 film Okja when she was 24.

South Korea is famous for plastic surgery where many have undergone the knife to enhance or change their looks. However, Park has stated that she loves her appearance and has never thought of getting plastic surgery. She’s a fine example for loving and appreciating ourselves for who we are, what we have, and what makes us unique and beautiful.

Here’s what she said in the same Dramabeans interview: “I think having a different appearance than other people is part of my charm. I’ve never thought of getting plastic surgery. I’m not 100-percent satisfied with my face, but I like that it’s the type of face that is hard to replicate with surgery. I think it’s important for actors to have their unique charms. Because other people can’t easily copy it, it can be an advantage to me.”

South Korea is famous for plastic surgery where many have undergone the knife to enhance or change their looks. However, Park has stated that she loves her appearance and has never thought of getting plastic surgery. She’s a fine example for loving and appreciating ourselves for who we are, what we have, and what makes us unique and beautiful.

Here’s what she said in the same Dramabeans interview: “I think having a different appearance than other people is part of my charm. I’ve never thought of getting plastic surgery. I’m not 100-percent satisfied with my face, but I like that it’s the type of face that is hard to replicate with surgery. I think it’s important for actors to have their unique charms. Because other people can’t easily copy it, it can be an advantage to me.”

For those who are chasing their dreams but are plagued with doubts on whether things will pan out, here’s advice from Park: “I think you must always be prepared. If you’re not ready, it doesn’t matter how many opportunities come your way, because you can’t seize them. I hope you persevere with a positive attitude, searching for the goals you want for yourself and finding ways to achieve them. Do not give in to hopelessness and the barriers that exist in real life. Do not waver in driving toward your dreams.”

Text: Ho Guo Xiong/HerWorld

Read Next

10 Gifts To Get Friends Who Love Korean Beauty Brands

10 Halal Restaurants And Eateries In Singapore That Serve International Foods From Korean To Vienamese

A Beginner’s Guide To Korean Skincare Terminology