Park So-dam

Park So-dam is a South Korean actress whose career has moved from independent cinema to the global stage, most notably through her role in Bong Joon-ho's Parasite. Known for her expressive face and ability to shift between comedy and drama, she has built a filmography that spans film, television, and theater. As of 2026, she is active in the industry, starring in the film The Journey to Gyeongju and continuing to take on projects that challenge her range.

Her performance as Kim Ki-jung in Parasite earned her international recognition, including a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the ensemble cast. The film's Best Picture Oscar win in 2020 made her part of a historic moment for Korean cinema. Beyond that breakout, she has appeared in series like Record of Youth and Death's Game, and on stage in plays such as Let Me In. Her work is marked by a willingness to take on unconventional roles, from a con artist to a young woman navigating modern pressures.

Park So-dam has also become a symbol of resilience in the Korean entertainment industry. After being diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in 2021, she underwent surgery and took time off, later returning to acting with the same dedication she brings to her characters. Fans have followed her recovery closely, and her openness about the experience has deepened their connection to her. [edit]

Park So-dam grew up in Seoul, where she developed an early interest in acting. She pursued that passion at the Korea National University of Arts, earning a degree in acting that gave her a strong foundation for her career. Her formal training set her apart as she entered the competitive world of Korean entertainment.

She made her feature film debut in 2013 with No Breathing, a sports drama that introduced her to audiences. That same year, she appeared in the independent film Steel Cold Winter, a dark coming-of-age story that showcased her ability to handle complex emotional material. These early roles were small but significant, helping her build a reputation as a promising newcomer in the indie scene.

In 2015, she took on the thriller The Silenced, a period mystery set in a boarding school. The role allowed her to demonstrate her range in a more commercial setting. Around the same time, she continued to work in independent projects, steadily honing her craft. Her big break came later that year with The Priests, a supernatural thriller that would earn her critical recognition and set the stage for her rise to prominence. [edit]

Park So-dam's breakthrough arrived in 2015 with The Priests, a supernatural thriller that earned her the Best New Actress award and a Best Supporting Actress honor at Korean award ceremonies. The film marked her transition from indie darling to a recognized name in mainstream cinema. She followed it with the 2016 television series Cinderella with Four Knights, a romantic comedy that expanded her audience.

In 2019, she was cast as Kim Ki-jung in Bong Joon-ho's Parasite. The film won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and later the Academy Award for Best Picture, while the ensemble cast took home the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast. The role made her an internationally recognized actress and opened doors to a wider range of opportunities.

After Parasite, she starred in the 2020 series Record of Youth, playing a woman navigating career and personal challenges. She continued to diversify with the 2023–2024 series Death's Game, a fantasy thriller that showed her versatility. In 2026, she returned to the big screen with The Journey to Gyeongju, a black comedy revenge film co-starring Lee Jung-eun, Kong Hyo-jin, and Lee Yeon. The project reunited her with Lee Jung-eun, her Parasite co-star, and has been a major focus of her recent promotional work. [edit]

Park So-dam is known for her distinctive looks and expressive acting style, often praised for bringing depth to complex characters. She has a reputation for choosing unconventional roles, from the con artist daughter in Parasite to dramatic and comedic parts across genres. Fans appreciate her down-to-earth personality and her willingness to be open about personal struggles, especially her health journey. Her social media presence gives followers a glimpse into her professional and personal life, and her Weverse page offers behind-the-scenes content. She is seen as a versatile and resilient figure in Korean entertainment, respected for her craft and her authenticity. [edit]

Park So-dam commands a steady stream of global attention that spans critical acclaim and widespread audience recognition, a trajectory measured by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings which track media coverage, search activity, and consumption signals across the world. In August 2026, she holds a specific position as the 57th most famous person in K-Drama, a placement that has remained consistent through the previous cycle. While her fanbase does not operate under a formalized official name, the community surrounding her work is defined by deep loyalty rather than organized commercial campaigns. Unlike idol groups with designated names, her supporters are generally referred to simply as fans who prioritize her film releases and award nominations over viral chart pushes. The collective enthusiasm for her role in Parasite generated organic global support rather than structured voting wars, and charitable initiatives in her name often emerge following her public health struggles. Her social media presence allows for direct interaction, where she shares gratitude for moments captured by followers without engaging in performative fan service typical of variety stars.[edit]

Park So-dam maintains an Instagram account under the handle @imsodamm, where she shares personal updates with approximately two million followers. She has documented her travels, including a first visit to Thailand, and continues to engage with her audience about her life beyond the screen. Her career extends to the stage, notably featuring in the play Let Me In alongside her film work. Following her recovery from thyroid cancer, she has been open about the temporary loss of voice resulting from her surgery. In May 2026, she honored the late actor Lee Soon-jae, whom she had previously worked with on a variety show, and later appeared on a culinary program in June 2026 to explore food destinations in Yangpyeong. A persistent story among her admirers concerns her title as the "Nation's Second Daughter," a cultural honorific reflecting her popularity as a relatable younger figure in projects like Cinderella with Four Knights. Another enduring legend centers on her breakthrough in Parasite, where her ability to hold her own against veterans like Song Kang-ho transformed her from a respected theater actress into an international household name overnight.[edit]

Details about Park So-dam's family are scarce, as she has kept her personal life private. She has not publicly shared information about her parents or siblings. Her close bond with actress Lee Jung-eun, whom she calls a mother figure, has been a notable part of her public narrative. Lee Jung-eun supported her during her cancer treatment, and Park So-dam has expressed deep gratitude for that care. As of 2026, she lives in South Korea, where she continues to work on film and television projects. [edit]

Park So-dam has collaborated with director Bong Joon-ho on Parasite, and with actress Lee Jung-eun on both Parasite and The Journey to Gyeongju. She has also worked with actresses Kong Hyo-jin and Lee Yeon on the latter film. She is represented by The Present Company, which manages her career and runs her Weverse page. [edit]

Park So-dam has kept her romantic life private, and there are no credible reports of any public relationships, marriages, or engagements. She has not been linked to any romantic partner in Korean or international media. As of 2026, she is reportedly single, with no publicly known boyfriend or spouse. Her focus appears to be on her career and health, and she has not shared details about her personal life in interviews. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Park So-dam's net worth at $5 million as of 2026. This financial standing is primarily derived from her extensive acting career, encompassing roles in high-profile films such as Parasite and The Journey to Gyeongju, as well as her contributions to television and stage performances. While exact salary figures remain undisclosed to the public, her involvement in these significant productions has steadily increased her economic profile. Additionally, she has participated in various endorsement deals and promotional activities, though specific contractual details are not widely available. The growth in her assets reflects a successful and sustained trajectory within the Korean entertainment industry, supported by her reputation for selecting challenging and unconventional roles.[edit]

Park So-dam has won several awards for her acting, including the Best New Actress award for The Priests in 2015 and a Best Supporting Actress award for the same film. As part of the Parasite ensemble, she shared in the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in 2020. Her performance in Parasite also contributed to the film's historic Best Picture win at the Academy Awards. [edit]