Park Jin-young

Park Jin-young (; born September 22, 1994), known mononymously as Jinyoung, and formerly as Jr. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Got7 and duo JJ Project.

As an actor, he gained recognition for his roles in the television series The Devil Judge (2021), Yumi's Cells (2021–2022), and Our Unwritten Seoul (2025), for which he received a Best Actor nomination at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards.

Early life and education Park is a native of Udo Island in Jinhae District, Changwon, where his grandparents reside, but grew up in Yongwon-dong, Jinhae District.

He had childhood ambitions to be an entertainer and appear on TV since his fifth year of primary school. His mother was against it and, when Park was attending his sixth year, she sent him to an audition for SM Entertainment, agreeing that, if he failed, he would give up; although he didn't take it seriously for the first three months until his father reproached him. he subsequently moved to Seoul alone, in the middle of his first year of high school. At that time he only liked dancing, but, thinking seriously about his future, he realized that he loved music as a whole. He attended Gyeonggi High School

Career 2011–2014: Dream High 2, JJ Project and debut with Got7 In 2011, after six months of acting classes, The drama began airing on January 30, 2012, on KBS. On February 29, he released the song "We Are The B" for the drama's soundtrack, along with Jinwoon, Kang So-ra and Kim Ji-soo.

In May 2012, Park and fellow trainee Jay B debuted as the duo JJ Project with the single album Bounce. On March 11, 2013, it was announced that he would be appearing as Ddol-yi on MBC's new drama When a Man Falls in Love, which aired for twenty episodes beginning April 3. On January 16, 2014, Park debuted as a vocalist in JYP Entertainment's new boy group Got7. Their first EP was released soon after on January 20 and Park made the choreography for one of the songs, "Follow Me".

2015–2017: Hosting and acting roles

In 2015, Park was cast in a supporting role in the drama This is My Love, which aired on JTBC from May 29 to July 18. His portrayal of the male lead's younger counterpart caught attention and he received favorable reviews for his natural acting of a teenage boy. His stable performance showcasing the typical bluntness, rough rebellion, and subtle excitement of a teen's first love was deemed unbecoming of a rookie and was noted to be completely different from Got7's soft boyfriend image. Although the previous roles hadn't sparked his interest in acting, while filming This is My Love Park realized that it was actually fun, and the memories of that time prompted him to continue working as an actor. Park left his position as MC in March 2016 to focus on activities with Got7, including the group's first worldwide concert tour.

In 2016, Park was cast as the male lead in the independent film A Stray Goat, directed by Cho Jae-min: in the film, he played a high school student who moves to the town of Goseong where he meets a girl, who is an outcast because of rumors and suspicions about her father. The film was theatrically released on March 1, 2017, and premiered at the 17th Jeonju International Film Festival. In February 2017, SBS announced Park, NCT's Doyoung, and Blackpink's Jisoo as the new fixed MCs of Inkigayo.

2018–2020: Transition to leading roles In December 2018, Park landed his first lead role in the fantasy rom-com drama He Is Psychometric alongside Kim Kwon, Kim Da-som and Shin Ye-eun, receiving favorable reviews from viewers for his rough action scenes and heartbreaking tearful acting. Producer Kim Byung-soo stated that he had struggled five years to find the right guy in his early twenties to play Lee Ahn, and that Park caught his eye through This is My Love while he was looking for new faces. In 2020, Park starred in the television series When My Love Blooms alongside Yoo Ji-tae, Lee Bo-young and Jeon So-nee, and was cast in the film Yaksha: Ruthless Operations as the youngest member of a team of spies in foreign countries dedicated to overseas missions.

In August, he was confirmed as the main lead in the tvN legal drama The Devil Judge alongside Ji Sung as associate judge Kim Ga-on. Park auditioned for the role due to a fascination for Kim Ga-on's gradual change over the course of the series. Writer Moon Yoo-seok later shared that he had cast him for his defiant gaze and that, upon learning of Park's commitment to studying the role, he thought that he had found the perfect Ga-on, "sincere, competent and eager, but with an indistinct sense of resignation and anger". The drama premiered in July 2021, and Bryan Tan of Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore praised Park by writing, "[he] has been spectacularly pleasurable to watch. The young actor is extremely authentic in his portrayal of the tortured and righteous associate judge Kim Ga-on, and his ambiguous romantic feelings towards his friend Yoon Soo-hyun adds flavour to the side plot, and his presence adds a lighter and youthful dimension in contrast to Kang Yo-han's direct and merciless methods".

2021–2024: Departure from JYPE and solo activities

In January 2021, Park, along with the other six members of Got7, chose not to renew his contract with JYP Entertainment. On January 28 it was announced that he signed an exclusive contract with BH Entertainment. On July 22, 2021, he was confirmed to appear in the tvN drama Yumi's Cells as Yoo Ba-bi alongside Kim Go-eun. The series, based on the webtoon of the same title, premiered the following September. On July 29, 2021, Park released the self-written, self-composed digital single "Dive" as a gift for fans, along with a special performance clip published on 1theK Originals official YouTube channel. debuted on Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart at number 12. In September, he starred in New York Fashion Week's digital fashion short film, Concept Korea New York S/S 2022, for Nohant, a unisex casual brand based in Seoul. The film was released through the New York Fashion Week official website and the Korea Creative Content Agency official YouTube channel.

On September 29, 2021, he released "Dive (Japanese ver.)". The following month, Park was confirmed to star as the lead in the crime thriller film Christmas Carol, based on the novel of the same name, about a guy who goes to a juvenile detention center to avenge his twin brother's death. The film, which was selected by the Busan Asian Project Market (APM), began filming in February 2022. Released on December 7, 2022, the film earned Park the Best New Actor – Film Award and the Most Popular Actor Award at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards. which was defined as "unparalleled" by Jo Jae-yong of Single List. Other journalists and critics noted how he was able to express numerous different emotions with a single glance.

In the summer of 2022, Park reprised his role in the second season of Yumi's Cells, for which he released the OST "Shining on Your Night". In March 2022, he starred in a three-part cinematic advertisement for the virtual game KlayCity. In November 2022, BH Entertainment announced that Park would be releasing a solo album in January 2023 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his debut. The extended play, titled Chapter 0: With, was released on January 18, 2023. On May 8, 2023 he enlisted as an active duty soldier. He served in the 11th Maneuver Division and was discharged on November 7, 2024.

2025–present: Post-military return and acting career After completing his military service, in early 2025, Park joined Got7 to commemorate their eleventh anniversary with the release of the extended play Winter Heptagon, for which he co-wrote the song "Her". Between February and March 2025, he starred in Channel A's mystery romance The Witch, which was filmed before his enlistment. His portrayal of data miner Lee Dong-jin earned praise both from viewers and critics, who highlighted his portrayal of the character's emotional depth and determination to save another person.

In the same year, Park appeared in the tvN series Our Unwritten Seoul opposite Park Bo-young, for which he received a Best Actor nomination at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards. To play the role of a cult leader in the latter, he referred to Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, rewatching the film several times. He was praised for his stable acting and his command of the screen, with media describing his performance as "incredibly compelling". The role earned him a Best New Actor nomination at the 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards. His performance was praised for combining both the clumsy yet fresh and pure emotions of first love, and the longing and sadness for losing his parents.

Personal life Military service Park fulfilled his mandatory military service as an active-duty soldier in the 11th Maneuver Division of the Republic of Korea Army from May 8, 2023, until his discharge on November 7, 2024.

Other activities Endorsements Throughout 2020, Park collaborated with Tom Ford Beauty to promote Rose Prick Eau de Parfum, make-up line Shade and Illuminate, and the unisex perfume collection Private Blend. Rose Prick Eau de Parfum was sold out in a day. On October 10, 2025, Dentiste, an oral care brand, announced that it had selected him as its newest model for a campaign carrying the message 'Happy New Breath'. The company explained that it chose him for his bright and refreshing charm and healthy, sophisticated image, which fit the brand. In June 2026, Park was appointed as the global brand ambassador for South Korean skincare brand Deoproce.

Philanthropy In February 2020, it was reported that Park had donated an undisclosed amount of money to wild animals affected by fires in Australia. In August 2020, he donated to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help flood victims in South Korea. On August 10, 2022, Park donated to help those affected by the 2022 South Korean floods through the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association. In December, he donated to One Love Village, a facility for children with severe disabilities. On February 9, 2023, Park donated through Save the Children for the victims of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, especially children, becoming a member of the Honors Club of the organization.

On March 26, 2025, the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association announced that he had donated for wildfire relief and firefighter support, thus joining its Honors Club for achieving a cumulative donation of won. On April 2, he donated won to Save the Children to help children and families affected by the 2025 Myanmar earthquake. On September 22, Park made a second donation to the NGO for his birthday, donating to provide meals and kitchen facilities to children from low-income families. On May 13, 2026, he made a third donation to the NGO to commemorate the release of his solo mini album Said & Done, donating to support overseas children's music education.

Discography

Extended plays + List of extended plays, with selected chart positions and sales figures Title EP details Peak chart positions Sales KOR Chapter 0: With Released: January 18, 2023 Label: BH Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 9 KOR: 48,932 Said & Done Released: May 13, 2026 Label: BH Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 13 KOR: 50,828

Singles

KOR: 600,203 Dream High 2 OST "Hold Me" 2018 — — Top Management OST "Shining on Your Night" 2022 — — Yumi's Cells 2 OST "You Can Be Loved" — — Princess Aya OST Other charted songs "One-Sided Love" 2026 153 — Said & Done "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Songwriting credits All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted.

Filmography

Selected filmography He Is Psychometric (2019) The Devil Judge (2021) Yumi's Cells (2021–2022) Christmas Carol (2022) Hi-Five (2025) Our Unwritten Seoul (2025)

Accolades

Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Music Awards 2020 Male Entertainer Award Park Jin-young APAN Star Awards 2022 Best Couple Park Jin-young Yumi's Cells 2023 Popularity Star Award, Actor Park Jin-young Global Star Award Asia Artist Awards 2020 Potential Award (Actor) Popularity Award (Actor) 2021 U+Idol Live Popularity Award (Actor) 2022 Idolplus Popularity Award (Actor) 2023 Popularity Award (Actor) 2024 Asia Star Entertainer Awards 2026 Best Artist (Actor) Fan Choice Artist (Actor) Baeksang Arts Awards 2017 Most Popular – Actor (Film) A Stray Goat 2023 Best New Actor – Film Christmas Carol Most Popular Actor Park Jin-young 2026 Best Actor – Television Our Unwritten Seoul Blue Dragon Film Awards 2025 Best New Actor Hi-Five Popular Star Award Park Jin-young Brand of the Year Awards 2025 Male Idol Actor of the Year Buil Film Awards 2025 Star of the Year Fundex Awards 2025 Popular Star Prize (Male) iMBC Awards 2025 Best Male Actor KM Chart Awards 2026 Best Popular Solo Male Award Korea Drama Awards 2025 Popular Couple Award Park Jin-young Our Unwritten Seoul Park Jin-young The Witch Multitainer Award Park Jin-young Hot Star Award Excellence Award, Actor The Witch / Our Unwritten Seoul Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2023 Best New Actor Christmas Carol Max Movie Awards 2017 Rising Star Award A Stray Goat Seoul International Drama Awards 2023 Idolchamp Artist Award Park Jin-young Seoul Music Awards 2026 New Icon Award StarHub Night of Stars 2019 Favourite Korean Drama Male Character He Is Psychometric Wildflower Film Awards 2023 Best New Actor Award Christmas Carol

Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Cine21 2024 "Korean Film NEXT 50" – Actors