Park Sang-myun

Quick Facts: Who was Park Sang-myun?

Subject:

Park Sang-myun

Known for:

South Korean actor known for comic roles, especially in 'My Wife Is a Gangster'.

Born:

1968-01-27

Century / Era:

1968s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Park Sang-myun (Korean: 박상면; born January 27, 1968) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his comic roles, notably in My Wife Is a Gangster (2001). Park Sang-myun graduated in 1987 with a Theater degree from Seoul Institute of the Arts. He made his acting debut in 1993 in a Korean staging of the musical Guys and Dolls. Park first broke into the film industry with minor roles such as "Ashtray" in the hit 1997 comedy No. 3, but his strong acting talent soon captured the attention of audiences and filmmakers.

Career & Major Achievements

His first major success came in 2000 via the wrestling comedy The Foul King, followed by a memorable role in firefighting drama Libera Me. Park's TV sitcom Three Friends further cemented his popularity as a character actor, and he became a common sight on TV programs and advertisements as well as on film. In late 2001, Park scored his biggest hit with the comedy My Wife Is a Gangster, which attracted over 5 million viewers nationwide. As the "straight man," he played a mild-mannered government clerk who doesn't realize that his wife is a fearsome gang boss. Dharma!, released a couple months later, also became a runaway hit with audiences for its comic showdown between gangsters and Buddhist monks.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The year 2002 was less kind, however, with comedies Can't Live Without Robbery and Baby Alone both bombing at the box-office, effectively ending Park's career as a leading actor. Since then, he returned to supporting roles, in television dramas such as Seoul 1945 (2006) and Bread, Love and Dreams (2010). Aside from his prolific film and TV career, Park also appears in small-scale stage plays and musicals, notably How Are You, Sister? about a soldier and a nun who meet during the Korean War (in Kim Sang-jin's debut as a theatre director), and Really Really Like You, a 1970s-set nostalgic romance between an English teacher and a high school baseball coach (adapted from the same-titled 1977 film).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1945: 1945 Milestone — Since then, he returned to supporting roles, in television dramas such as Seoul 1945 (2006) and Bread, Love and Dreams (2010).
2. 1968 (1968-01-27): Birth of Park Sang-myun — South Korean actor known for comic roles, especially in 'My Wife Is a Gangster'.
3. 1977: 1977 Milestone — about a soldier and a nun who meet during the Korean War (in Kim Sang-jin's debut as a theatre director), and Really Really Like You, a 1970s-set nostalgic romance between an English teacher and a high school baseball coach (adapted from the same-titled 1977 film).
4. 1987: 1987 Milestone — Park Sang-myun graduated in 1987 with a Theater degree from Seoul Institute of the Arts.
5. 1993: 1993 Milestone — He made his acting debut in 1993 in a Korean staging of the musical Guys and Dolls.
6. 1997: 1997 Milestone — Park first broke into the film industry with minor roles such as "Ashtray" in the hit 1997 comedy No.
7. 2000: 2000 Milestone — His first major success came in 2000 via the wrestling comedy The Foul King, followed by a memorable role in firefighting drama Libera Me.
8. 2001: 2001 Milestone — He is best known for his comic roles, notably in My Wife Is a Gangster (2001).
9. 2002: 2002 Milestone — The year 2002 was less kind, however, with comedies Can't Live Without Robbery and Baby Alone both bombing at the box-office, effectively ending Park's career as a leading actor.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Park Sang-myun

True or False: “Park Sang-myun's first major film success came from the comedy 'No. 3' in 1997.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His first major success was actually in 2000 with the wrestling comedy film, The Foul King.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abrar-ul-Haq — Contemporary (Born in 1968) (1968): Esteemed Pakistani singer, philanthropist, and former politician from Punjab.
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• Abbas the Great — Shared historical date (01-27 · Born) (1571): Fifth Safavid Shah of Iran, considered one of the greatest rulers in Iranian history.
• Adam Sedgwick — Shared historical date (01-27 · Died) (1873): Pioneering British geologist and Anglican priest, co-founder of modern geology.
• Akhtar Mansur — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Second Supreme Leader of the Taliban, assassinated in a 2016 US drone strike.
• Alejandro Sanz — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Iconic Spanish singer known for flamenco-infused ballads and global success.
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• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• Aaron Carter — Historical peer (Born in 1987) (1987): American singer and rapper known for teen pop stardom and enduring musical career.
• 1968 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1968
• January 27 (01-27) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 27

Frequently Asked Questions about Park Sang-myun