Early Life and Education
Born on June 11, 1977 in Daegu, South Korea, An Hee-seon (better known internationally as Kim Hee-seon) demonstrated early flair in performing arts. At age 15, she won the Fair Face Beauty Contest (1992), catapulting her into modeling assignments for teen magazines and commercial endorsements. By 1993, as a high school sophomore, she landed her first TV commercial for Lotte Samkang crab chips and debuted in the drama Dinosaur Teacher.
An Hee-seon pursued formal training at Chung-Ang University, where she majored in Theater and Film and graduated in 2000. Her academic credentials provided a solid foundation for over three decades of acting, while her youthful debut ensured a fan base spanning multiple generations.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1977 | Born in Daegu, South Korea |
| 1992 | Wins Fair Face Beauty Contest |
| 1993 | TV debut in Dinosaur Teacher |
| 2000 | Graduates Chung-Ang University |
Career Milestones
From 1995 onward, An Hee-seon led a parade of hit dramas and blockbuster films. Her breakout roles in Men of the Bath House (1995) and Mister Q (1998) established her as a household name, earning her top awards at SBS Drama Awards by 1998. Transitioning to cinema, she starred opposite Jackie Chan in The Myth (2005) and captivated Chinese audiences with Bichunmoo (2000).
After a five-year hiatus (2007–2012) following her marriage, she returned with the historical medical drama Faith (2012). Recent accolades include her performance in Tomorrow (2022) and Bitter Sweet Hell (2024), demonstrating her enduring versatility.
| Year | Title | Format | Co-star / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Men of the Bath House | TV Drama | Breakout role |
| 2000 | Bichunmoo | Film | Martial arts epic |
| 2005 | The Myth | Film | Jackie Chan |
| 2012 | Faith | TV Drama | Comeback series |
| 2022 | Tomorrow | TV Drama | Contemporary hit |
| 2024 | Bitter Sweet Hell | TV Drama | Modern thriller |
Family and Personal Life
An Hee-seon married businessman Park Ju-young on October 19, 2007, in a ceremony at the Seoul Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel. Park Ju-young, often compared to actor Song Seung-heon for his looks, manages esthetics, trading, and tourism ventures. The couple welcomed their daughter, Park Yeon-ah, on January 21, 2009.
Despite intense public interest, Park Ju-young maintains a low profile; meanwhile, An Hee-seon balances motherhood with international engagements. In March 2025, she publicly addressed malicious online comments about her daughter, revealing she once considered relocating overseas to shield her family from harassment.
| Family Member | Relation | Birth / Marriage Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Ju-young | Husband | Married Oct 19, 2007 | Businessman in esthetics & tourism |
| Park Yeon-ah | Daughter | Born Jan 21, 2009 | Subject of 2025 online harassment incident |
| An Hee-seon | Self | Born Jun 11, 1977 | Actress & cultural ambassador |
Recent Projects and Initiatives
A Hee-seon diversifies her portfolio:
- September 2024: Curated a Korean contemporary art exhibition in New York City, marking her debut as an art curator and cultural promoter.
- May 2024: Starred in the suspenseful drama Our, Home, praised for on-screen chemistry and edge-of-seat tension.
- August 2023: Confirmed for New Police Story 2, a Chinese action sequel set for release in 2025.
- Philanthropy 2022: Donated ₩100 million to the Korean Red Cross (March 9) and ₩100 million to Asan Medical Center (April 25), aiding disaster relief and medical care.
| Date | Activity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 9, 2022 | ₩100M donation to Korean Red Cross | Uljin & Samcheok forest fire relief |
| Apr 25, 2022 | ₩100M donation to Asan Medical Center | Support for low-income patients |
| Sep 29, 2024 | Curated art exhibit in NYC | Promoted Korean contemporary art Internationally |
| May 2024 | Lead role in Our, Home | Critically acclaimed thriller drama |
| Aug 2023 | Cast in New Police Story 2 | International action franchise |
Financial Overview
An Hee-seon and Park Ju-young’s net worths are unknown. Their combined assets come from:
- 30+ years of acting, endorsements, and international film contracts.
- Park Ju-young’s beauty, trade, and tourism businesses.
- Possible chaebol family stakes in Seoul real estate.
| Individual | Estimated Wealth Source | Public Disclosure |
|---|---|---|
| An Hee-seon | Acting fees, endorsements, international films | Not publicly available |
| Park Ju-young | Esthetics brand, trading, tourism business | Not publicly available |
| Park Yeon-ah | N/A (minor) | N/A |
FAQ
Who is An Hee-seon?
The stage name An Hee-seon refers to Kim Hee-seon, a South Korean actress born on June 11, 1977, known for her extensive career in TV dramas and films since the mid-1990s.
What are her most famous roles?
Her breakout came with Men of the Bath House (1995) and Mister Q (1998), followed by international hits like The Myth (2005) alongside Jackie Chan.
Who is Park Ju‑young?
Her husband, Park Ju-young, is an aesthetics, commerce, and tourist tycoon whom she married on October 19, 2007.
Does she have children?
Their daughter, Park Yeon-ah, was born on January 21, 2009, and is now 16 years old.
What controversies has she faced?
In March 2025, she announced her relocation abroad owing to harassment of her daughter online.
What philanthropic work has she done?
Her 2022 donations of ₩100 million each to the Korean Red Cross and Asan Medical Centre supported disaster assistance and low-income patients.
What upcoming projects does she have?
She is slated to appear in New Police Story 2, a Chinese action sequel expected in 2025.
