ActressSouth KoreanAlumniAward Winner

Jang Hye-jin

Jang Hye-jin is a South Korean actress known for her diverse career and acclaimed role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite.

1. Overview

Jang Hye-jin (장혜진Jang Hye-jinKorean; born September 5, 1975) is a prominent South Korean actress. She has built a diverse career spanning film, television, and stage productions. While she began her acting journey in the late 1990s, she gained significant international recognition for her acclaimed role as Kim Chung-sook in director Bong Joon-ho's 2019 Academy Award-winning black comedy thriller film Parasite, which proved to be a pivotal moment in her career.

Jang Hye-jin at a Parasite film event in 2019.
Jang Hye-jin at a Parasite film event in 2019.

2. Personal Life

Jang Hye-jin's personal life details include her birthplace, early career experiences, educational background, and family.

2.1. Birth and Early Life

Jang Hye-jin was born on September 5, 1975, in Busan, South Korea. After completing her studies at the Korea National University of Arts, she returned to her hometown in 1998 and initially pursued professions unrelated to acting. Her acting career began with a minor role in the 1998 feature film If It Snows On Christmas. She resumed her acting activities and began to garner media attention in the mid-2000s, notably through her portrayal of Park Myung-suk in director Lee Chang-dong's dramatic film Secret Sunshine and her appearance in the SBS television series My Sweet Seoul.

2.2. Education

Jang Hye-jin attended Daemyeong Girls' High School. She later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Acting Department of the School of Drama at the Korea National University of Arts, where she was part of the institution's first class of graduates.

2.3. Family

Jang Hye-jin has two children.

3. Career

Jang Hye-jin's professional acting career began in 1998 and has continued actively since 2007, encompassing a wide range of roles in films, television series, and stage productions. She is represented by IOK Company. Her career saw a significant turning point with her acclaimed performance in the film Parasite, which brought her widespread international recognition. Following this success, she has consistently appeared in various high-profile television dramas and films.

Jang Hye-jin in November 2020.
Jang Hye-jin in November 2020.

3.1. Filmography

Jang Hye-jin has appeared in numerous films throughout her career, portraying diverse characters.

YearTitleRole
1998If It Snows On ChristmasSecretary
2007Secret SunshinePark Myung-suk
2009Marine BoyImmigration judge
2010PoetryMr. Kang's second daughter-in-law
2012Saying I Love YouSu-ji
2016The World of UsMom
YongsoonMiddle aged woman at meat restaurant
2017MothersJung-hee
2018AdulthoodJum-hee's second sister-in-law
YoungjuAunt
2019ParasiteKim Chung-sook
The House of UsSeon's mom
Family AffairMi Jung
2020More Than FamilySeon-myeong
2021My Precious YouLandlord
2023SoulmateHa-eun's mother
2024Love in the Big CityHeung-su's mother

3.2. Television Series

Jang Hye-jin has also been a prolific presence in television dramas, taking on various roles across different networks.

YearTitleRoleNetworkNotes
2008My Sweet SeoulSBS16 episodes
2011-2012My Daughter the FlowerLawyerSBS131 episodes
2014This is a True StoryDaughter who locks mother in mental hospitalTV Chosun
2018Hold Me TightBaek So-jinMBC16 episodes
2019When the Camellia BloomsPark Young-simKBS220 episodes
2019-2020Crash Landing on YouGo Myeong-euntvN16 episodes
2020A Piece of Your MindHan Seo-woo's mothertvNCameo
How to Buy a FriendJo Pyung-seopKBS28 episodes
MemorialsKim Sam-sukKBS216 episodes
Birthcare CenterChoi Hye-suktvN8 episodes
True BeautyHong Hyun-sooktvN16 episodes
2021Hospital Playlist 2Chu Min-ha's mothertvNCameo (Episode 10)
Reflection of YouAhn Min-seoJTBC16 episodes
The Red SleeveCourt Lady SeoMBC17 episodes
2022Green Mothers' ClubKim Young-miJTBC16 episodes
The Law CafeKim Cheon-daekKBS216 episodes
Curtain CallOh Ga-youngKBS2Cameo (Episode 1, 7)
2023Longing for YouHong Young-heeENA14 episodes
A Time Called YouBae Mi-youngNetflix12 episodes
The MatchmakersLady SongKBS2
2024Doctor SlumpKong Wol-seonJTBC16 episodes
Jeongnyeon: The Star Is BornHan Ki-JootvN12 episodes
2025TriggerHong Na-heeDisney+12 episodes
The WitchOh Mi-sukChannel A10 episodes

3.3. Stage and Other Activities

Beyond her screen roles, Jang Hye-jin has also performed in various stage productions, including plays and musicals.

  • Plays
    • Special Guest (특별한 손님Korean)
    • Dinner with Jesus (예수와 함께한 저녁식사Korean)
    • Dongchimi (동치미Korean)
    • Dohwagol Eumnan Sonyeo Cheong-i (도화골음란소녀 청이Korean)
  • Musicals
    • Twelfth Night

    She has also appeared in commercial advertisements for brands such as Eduwill and Coway Lulubidet.

4. Awards and Nominations

Jang Hye-jin has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career, particularly for her ensemble performances in the film Parasite.

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award CeremonyYearCategoryNominee / WorkResult
Alliance of Women Film Journalists2019Best EnsembleParasiteWon
Austin Film Critics Association2019Best EnsembleWon
Baeksang Arts Awards2020Best New Actress - FilmNominated
Buil Film Awards2019Best Supporting ActressNominated
Columbus Film Critics Association2019Best EnsembleNominated
Critics' Choice Awards2020Best Acting EnsembleNominated
Detroit Film Critics Society2019Best EnsembleWon
Florida Film Critics Circle2019Best EnsembleWon
Georgia Film Critics Association2019Best EnsembleWon
Gold Derby Awards2020Best EnsembleNominated
Gold Derby Decade Awards2020Best Ensemble of the DecadeNominated
IGN Awards2019Best Movie EnsembleWon
Indiana Film Journalists Association2019Best EnsembleWon
Music City Film Critics Association2019Best Acting EnsembleWon
New Mexico Film Critics Association2019Best EnsembleNominated
Online Association of Female Film Critics2019Best EnsembleNominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards2020Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureParasiteWon
Seattle Film Critics Society2019Best EnsembleParasiteWon
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association2019Best EnsembleParasiteWon
Golden Cinematography Awards2021Best Supporting ActressMore Than FamilyNominated
MBC Drama Awards2021Best Supporting ActressThe Red SleeveWon
Baeksang Arts Awards2022Best Supporting Actress - TelevisionNominated