Park Hyung-sik was born on November 16, 1991, in Giheung District, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea,[1] as the second of two sons.[2] His father is a member of the board of directors at BMW Korea, and his mother is a piano teacher.[3] He was named Hyung-sik (형식; 炯植) by a Buddhist monk, as his mother and grandmother are Buddhists.[2] Park joined his school's band as a vocalist in middle school.[2] They covered popular Korean contemporary artists such as Buzz and Flower.[2] During Yongin's Youth Music Contest, his last competition with the band, Park received several business cards from different entertainment agencies and decided to audition with the support of his parents.[2] He passed and began his training at the start of high school.[4] Park said that he liked singing but struggled with dancing.[4] After a year, Park followed his manager and joined Star Empire Entertainment, where he continued to train for two more years.[4] Every day, Park attended school in Yongin, commuted by bus to the agency located in Seoul to train, and returned home in the middle of the night.[4]
As a trainee, Park featured in the music video of the 2009 single "Date" by labelmates Jewelry S[5] and modeled for a school uniform brand.[6] His first appearance as a member of Star Empire's boy group ZE:A was in Mnet's reality television series Star Empire, aired in April 2009.[7] The series told the "behind-the-scenes stories" of the entertainment industry, focusing on the lives of the company's staff, managers, and trainees.[8] In October 2009, Park appeared in a second Mnet series, Empire Kids Returns, documenting the group's street performances across South Korea staged to prepare for their upcoming debut.[7]
2010–2014: ZE:A, acting debut, and rising popularity
He began his acting career in 2012, starring in SBS' special drama I Remember You.[12] The same year, he starred in SBS' Dummy Mommy, where he played a vocalist of an indie band.[13]
The following year, Park had a role in KBS2's drama special Sirius (2013), where he played the adolescent version of twin brothers with starkly contrasting personalities.[14] It was also in early 2013 when Park participated in his second musical theatre production, Gwanghwamun Love Song, playing the role of Ji-Yong.[15]
In March 2013, Park, along with his fellow ZE:A members Siwan, Kevin, Minwoo and Dongjun formed the group's first sub-unit called ZE:A Five.[16] He then featured in tvN's time-slip drama Nine as the younger version of Lee Jin-wook's character.[17]
Park gained wider recognition after joining Real Men in June 2013, where he was nicknamed "Baby Soldier" for his innocent, yet passionate image.[18]
In September 2013, Park was cast as Clyde in his third musical theatre production, Bonnie & Clyde.[19] He followed this with a role in hit teen drama The Heirs (2013).
In early 2014, Park was cast for the role of D'Artagnan in his fourth musical production, The Three Musketeers.[20] And in August of the same year, Park joined the main cast of the family drama What's With This Family (2014) as Cha Dal-bong, the youngest child who is struggling with finding a stable job.[21][22]
2015–2020: Breakthrough and enlistment
In 2015, Park was part of the main cast in SBS's romance drama High Society where he played the role of a chaebol who falls for a part-timer at the gourmet supermarket he manages.[23][24] Park drew favorable reviews for his performance in the series, which led to increased popularity for the actor in Japan.[25][26]
In April 2017, Park officially signed with United Artists Agency (UAA) after deciding not to renew with his former agency, Star Empire Entertainment.[34] In December 2017, he starred in a romantic short film, Two Rays of Light alongside Han Ji-min.[35]
In April 2018, Park starred in the Korean remake of American legal drama series Suits, portraying the Korean counterpart of Mike Ross.[36][37] Following this, in November 2018, Park returned to the musical scene, playing the role of Der Tod in the stage production of Elisabeth.
In May 2019, Park made his feature film debut in the legal film Juror 8.[38][39] This role won him the Best New Actor award at the 39th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards in November 2019.[40] The role also earned him nominations for Best New Actor (Film) at the 40th Blue Dragon Film Awards and 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.[41][42] Park began his mandatory military service on June 10, 2019. He entered the Nonsan Army Recruit Training Center in South Chungcheong Province to start his basic military training and completed the rest of his military duties in the military police department of the Capital Defense Command as an active duty soldier.[43][44] Park had earlier revealed that he was inspired to join the Capital Defense Command after he received positive feedback for his shooting skills while training for the variety show Real Man. The actor said that he wanted to put his skills to good use, and was excited to join the unit and be of service to his country.[45]
2021–present: Return to acting
Following his military discharge in January 2021,[46] Park starred in the apocalyptic city thriller Happiness as Jung Yi-hyun, an intelligent and honest violent crimes detective alongside Han Hyo-joo.[47][48]Happiness recorded low television ratings and mixed reviews in South Korea.
The following year, Park starred in the four-episode musical romanceSoundtrack #1.[49] Park accepted the role to work with director Kim Hee-won and co-star Han So-hee.[50] The actors' performances received mixed reviews; NME said that Park and Han "bring the lead characters to life with charming effortlessness"[51] and Newsen stated that "it is thanks to Park Hyung-sik and Han So-hee that we want to keep watching the obvious unrequited romance",[52] while the South China Morning Post considered that "neither of the stars can sell the romance".[53] Park also appeared in the reality television series In the Soop: Friendcation with his group of celebrity friends, the "Wooga Squad", consisting of Park Seo-joon, V, Choi Woo-shik, and Peakboy. Park first met Park Seo-joon and V on the set of Hwarang; the former later introduced him to Choi Woo-shik and Peakboy.[54]
In February 2023, Park starred as Lee Hwan, a cursed crown prince, in the television series Our Blooming Youth opposite Jeon So-nee.[55] In July 2023, Park announced that he would hold fan meetings '2023-24 Asia Tour Fan Meeting SIKcret Time' in Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand.[56]
Other ventures
In October 2021, Park established his own management agency, P&Studio, together with some of his long-time managers as a subsidiary of his former agency, UAA.[57] Actor Sung Yoo-bin and part of UAA's staff moved to P&Studio along with Park.[57][58] In August 2022, Gong Ji-ho, former member of girl group Oh My Girl, signed with the agency.[59]
^ abcdKim, Ji-yeong (September 14, 2015). [우먼 동아일보 & 여성동아] 우리가 미처 몰랐던 박형식 [[Woman Dong-A Ilbo & Women's Dong-A] Park Hyung-sik we didn't know]. The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
^Moon, Yeon-bae (January 13, 2010). 제국의 아이들, 멤버별 프로필 공개 '케빈·임시완·박형식' [ZE:A members reveal profiles of each member 'Kevin, Im Si-wan, Park Hyung-sik']. Asia Today (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
^ abLee, Su-hyeon (October 1, 2009). 제국의 아이들, 거리공연으로 호된 데뷔 준비중 [Children of Empire, preparing for debut with a street performance]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017 – via Naver.
^Kim, Bo-ram (April 6, 2009). 연예계 뒷얘기 '제국의 아이들'...100% '리얼' 가능할까? [Behind the scenes of the entertainment industry 'Children of the Empire'... Is it 100% 'real' possible]. MK (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017 – via Naver.
^Lee, Soo-hyun (December 28, 2009). 제아·포커즈·CNBLUE...아이돌 열풍 이을 기대주들 [JeA·Focus·CNBLUE... Expectations to follow the idol frenzy]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (January 4, 2021). 박형식, 오늘(4일) 수방사 헌병대 만기 전역...복귀작 검토 중 [Park Hyeong-sik, today (4th) discharged from the Subangsa Military Police Corps... Reviewing a comeback]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 3, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abJeon, Hyung-hwa (February 4, 2022). 박형식x한소희 '사운드트랙 #1' 3월 디즈니플러스 공개 [Park Hyung-sik x Han So-hee Soundtrack #1 released on Disney Plus in March]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abHong, Se-young (December 27, 2022). 박형식·전소니 '청춘월담' 출연확정, 2023년 2월 첫방 [공식] [Park Hyung-sik and Jeon So-ni confirmed to appear in Our Blooming Youth, first broadcast in February 2023 [Official]]. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ga-young (July 10, 2023). 박형식, 아시아 투어 팬미팅 개최...6년 만 팬들과 만남 [Park Hyung Sik, Asia Tour Fan Meeting...Meeting with fans for the first time in 6 years] (in Korean). Edaily [ko]. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abWoo, Da-bin (October 12, 2021). 박형식, UAA 실무진과 함께 새 소속사 성립...성유빈도 함께 이적 [Park Hyung-sik establishes a new agency with UAA executives... Seong Yu-bin also transferred]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (October 12, 2021). UAA 측 "박형식·성유빈 피앤드스튜디오 이적, 전략적 협력관계"(공식) [UAA side "Park Hyung-sik and Seong Yu-bin transferred to P&Studio, strategic partnership" (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023 – via Naver.
^Moon, Wan-shik (August 10, 2022). "달콤 실키 보이스" 방탄소년단 뷔 '인더숲' 타이틀곡 녹음기 '기대UP' ["Sweet Silky Voice" BTS V 'In the Forest' title song recorder 'Expectation UP']. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-yeon (March 14, 2023). 출산 후 복귀' 박신혜, 박형식과 '닥터슬럼프' 출연...10년만 재회 [공식] [Return after childbirth' Park Shin-hye, Park Hyung-sik and 'Doctor Slump' appeared... Reunion after 10 years [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kang, Seon-ae (September 13, 2024). '보물섬', 박형식X허준호 주인공 출연 확정...내년 SBS 방영 ['Treasure Island', Park Hyung-sik X Heo Jun-ho confirmed to star as main characters... Airing on SBS next year] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment. Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via Naver.
^Yoo, Ji-hee (October 24, 2024). [단독] 마동석‧박형식‧서인국→안지혜…12지신 히어로물 ‘트웰브’, 막강 라인업 [종합] [[Exclusive] Ma Dong-seok‧Park Hyung-sik‧Seo In-guk → Ahn Ji-hye…12 zodiac hero movie 'Twelve', powerful lineup [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
^Jo, Yoon-kyung (January 1, 2019). "[2018 KBS 연기대상] 최다니엘·장동건·백진희 미니시리즈 우수상 수상" [[2018 KBS Drama Awards] Daniel Choi, Donggun Jang, Jinhee Baek, Miniseries Excellence Award] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Woo, Bin (January 1, 2019). [2018 KBS 연기대상] 유동근 대상 "장미희 덕분인데 내가 왜..대하드라마 부활 기원" [[2018 KBS Drama Awards] Donggeun Lee Grand Prize "Why am I ... thanks to Jang Mi-hee.]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019 – via Naver.