Park So-dam is a dynamic and widely admired South Korean actress, celebrated for her versatile performances across film, television, and theatre. She rose to global stardom with her scene-stealing role as Kim Ki-jung (a.k.a. “Jessica”) in Bong Joon-ho’s Academy Award-winning film Parasite (2019), where her wit, swagger, and charisma captivated audiences worldwide. A trained stage actor with an impressive resume in indie films, So-dam has carved out a niche for herself as a performer of tremendous emotional depth, wit, and range.
Born in South Korea on September 8, 1991, Park So-dam originally had no intentions of becoming an actor. But after watching the musical Grease during high school, she was instantly captivated by the performing arts and decided to pursue acting professionally. Her journey wasn’t easy—she auditioned for over a dozen roles and faced repeated rejection, but her resilience and commitment eventually paid off. After garnering attention in independent films such as The Priests (2015) and The Silenced (2015), she quickly climbed the ranks of Korea’s elite performers.
Known for her androgynous charm, smoky voice, and distinctive acting choices, So-dam has developed a strong following not just for her film work but also for her candid personality and grounded outlook. Her passion for acting, combined with her humility and quirky sense of humor, has made her a beloved figure in the Korean entertainment industry.
She’s also recognized for her voice acting, her impressive performances in television dramas like Cinderella and the Four Knights, and her collaborations with acclaimed directors and actors. Despite facing a thyroid cancer diagnosis in late 2021, Park bravely underwent surgery and made a strong comeback, proving her tenacity once again.
Personal Life
| Original/Real Name | Park So-dam |
|---|---|
| Other/Nickname | Sodam-ie, National Little Sister |
| Profession/Occupation | Actress |
| Birthplace | South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Age | 33 (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | September 8, 1991 |
| Hometown | Seoul, South Korea |
| Caste/Religion | Christian (Protestant) |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Virgo |
| Current career status | Active |
Physical Appearance
| Height (Centimeters) | 165 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight (Kilograms) | 50 kg |
| Body Measurements | 32-24-33 |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye’s Color | Dark Brown |
Family Relatives & Siblings
| Parents | Not publicly disclosed |
|---|---|
| Father’s name | Not publicly known |
| Mother’s name | Not publicly known |
| Brother’s name | 1 (name undisclosed) |
| Sister’s name | 1 (name undisclosed) |
Marital Status Affairs Boyfriends Kids & Relationship
| Boyfriend | Not publicly disclosed |
|---|---|
| Dating | N/A |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Spouse/Husband | N/A |
| Son | N/A |
| Daughter | N/A |
Education Qualification and Schooling/College
| School | Local High School in Seoul |
|---|---|
| College/University | Korea National University of Arts |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s in Acting |
Controversies
Park So-dam has maintained a largely controversy-free image throughout her career. In late 2021, her fans were shocked by her diagnosis with papillary thyroid cancer, which led to her temporarily halting her activities. Her management handled the news with transparency and care, gaining her even more respect for her courage and resilience.
Favorite Things and Likes & Dislikes
| Favorite Food | Tteokbokki, Ramyeon, Ice Cream |
|---|---|
| Favorite Movie | Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind |
| Favorite Actor | Song Kang-ho |
| Favorite Actress | Natalie Portman |
| Favorite Color | Blue |
| Favorite Designer | Not publicly known |
| Favorite Destination | Jeju Island |
| Favorite Cafe | Local Seoul cafés |
| Favorite daily wear brand | Comfortable streetwear |
| Favorite Book | Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami |
| Favorite Athlete | N/A |
Money/Net Worth
| Salary | Estimated $100K – $200K per project |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | Estimated $2 – $3 million USD |
Contact Information
| Official Website | N/A |
|---|---|
| E-Mail Address | Not publicly available |
| Phone Number | Not publicly available |
| House Address | Seoul, South Korea |
Social Media
| Wikipedia | Park So-dam |
|---|---|
| Not active on Twitter | |
| N/A | |
| @sodam_park_0908 |
Personal quote:
“If you try something new, you’ll discover something new about yourself.”
Early Life and Career
Park So-dam discovered her passion for acting after watching the musical Grease in high school. Motivated by the performance, she decided to pursue acting professionally and enrolled at the Korea National University of Arts, where she honed her craft. However, her entry into the entertainment industry was far from smooth—she faced over 17 rejections before landing a role.
Her breakout moment came with The Priests (2015), a mystery thriller where her eerie performance as a possessed high school student earned her the Best New Actress award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. From there, she balanced indie film work and commercial roles, culminating in her iconic role in Parasite (2019), where she played the sharp-witted daughter of a struggling family that infiltrates a wealthy household. The film won the Palme d’Or and four Academy Awards, placing Park So-dam on the global map.
She also gained recognition in dramas like Cinderella and the Four Knights and the film Phantom (2023), where she displayed her continued range as a lead actress.
Current life/Events
As of 2025, Park So-dam has fully recovered from her thyroid cancer surgery and is back to work. She recently starred in the espionage thriller Phantom and has several projects lined up, including international co-productions and a return to the stage, where she began her acting journey. She remains active in environmental and mental health advocacy and is admired for balancing her fame with a humble and grounded lifestyle.
Facts: Here’s some interesting lesser known facts about Park So-dam
- She was rejected from over 17 auditions before landing her first major role.
- Park is known to do her own makeup during shoots and prefers minimalism.
- She was nicknamed “female Ryu Jun-yeol” for her unique looks and expressive eyes.
- She almost became a stage actress full-time before her film career took off.
- Park is close friends with her Parasite co-stars, especially Choi Woo-shik.
- Despite her fame, she prefers public transportation and often travels anonymously.
- Her role in Parasite earned her international fans, especially in France and Japan.
- She has said she’d love to play a historical figure in a period drama or film.
- She owns a rescue cat and actively supports animal welfare causes.
- She’s known for sending handwritten letters and thoughtful gifts to her fans.
