Early career as director and scriptwriter

After graduating, he began preparing for his film debut while also working on scriptwriting. He also worked as a cartoon story writer since 1996.^[6] In 1998, in the midst of his endeavors, he impulsively submitted his script to a KBS script contest. The contest was seeking five scripts, and Park's entry ranked sixth among the submissions. However, despite not winning, he unexpectedly received a separate offer for a six-month internship.^[2][5]

Park had the opportunity to direct his first screenplay, marking his directorial debut in the feature film titled Theatre. In 2000, he received an invitation to showcase his independently directed film at the 4th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.^[3][6] The film portrays a group of moviegoers who become trapped in a gloomy theater after watching 1996 horror film Scream. As they grasp the horrifying truth, they discover that the theater owner intends to kill all of them within 70 minutes. With no escape and casualties increasing, the remaining survivors fight desperately for their lives.^[6]

During the years 2002 to 2003, he wrote the one-act dramas 'Panty Model' and 'S University Law School Failure Case' for KBS Drama City. Then, he took a long hiatus as a drama scriptwriter to pursue a career as a director. However, between the ages of 30 and 38, his directing career was marked by four failed film projects, leading him to a period of contemplation. In hindsight, he expressed his concerns, saying, "I was worried because I got married and had a child."^[3][5]

Career breakthrough as drama scriptwriter

Initially, returning to drama writing was not a priority for Park. However, a series of failures and his responsibilities as the family provider changed the situation. Park's path took an unexpected turn when a new project launched by OCN presented him with an unforeseen opportunity. He took on the task of writing the first season of Quiz of God. Being a CJ-planned production, Quiz of God incorporated numerous cinematic elements, which gave Park confidence that he could execute it with his desired tone and style.^[2]

Quiz of God was a groundbreaking production, introducing the genre of medical investigation drama to K Drama. It aired for an extended period, following a seasonal format, which was previously unheard of in South Korea. Both the genre itself and the seasonal model were novel additions to the Korean Drama landscape. From the third season onwards, Park assumed the role of creator, gaining insights into its perspective through trial and error. He fused directing, planning, and writing as creator of Quiz of God. In South Korea, the concept of the creator encompasses both the writer and producer roles, which, while common in American dramas, remains relatively unfamiliar in the country.^[2]

Before the end of Season 3 of Quiz of God, the production of Good Doctor was decided. The script was initially titled Green Mes (Green Scalpel).^[5][7][8] The story centers around Park Si-on, a gifted individual with autism. As a child, he was placed in a specialized care center where his remarkable memory and exceptional spatial skills were discovered. As he grows up, he becomes a resident in pediatric surgery, facing the task of proving his abilities within a six-month period. The show features a cast including Joo Won, Moon Chae-won, Joo Sang-wook, Kim Min-seo, Chun Ho-jin, Kwak Do-won, and Ko Chang-seok. It was broadcast on KBS2 from August 5 to October 8, 2013, with episodes airing on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55. The series consisted of 20 episodes and gained great popularity, earning Park the title of star writer.^[5][9][10]

This work became the first Korean drama to be remade in the United States in a seasonal format.^[5] The adaptation maintains the framework of the original storyline. The American remake, The Good Doctor, debuted on ABC in late September 2017. Produced by Daniel Dae Kim, it is set in San Jose, California, and written by David Shore, known for House. Due to its popularity, the show has continued to air until its fifth season.^[11]

Park's next project was the drama Blood, fantasy medical drama which centered around the character of Jason Park, a remarkably handsome vampire and skilled hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon and medical researcher at Taemin Hospital. The drama features actors Ahn Jae-hyun, Ji Jin-hee, Koo Hye-sun, and Son Soo-hyun. It was aired on KBS2 from February 16 to April 21, 2015, with episodes airing on Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00, totaling 20 episodes.^{[12][13][14][15][16]} Unfortunately, Blood did not replicate the success of Park's previous drama.^[17]

Park's Justice Trilogy, film scriptwriting and upcoming projects

After wrapping up the drama Blood, Park experienced a physical breakdown due to accumulated stress from the past decade. Following his surgery, he found himself confined to the hospital for approximately two weeks with nothing to do, so he turned to watching various Korean entertainment shows. Subsequently, he embarked on a trip to Gunsan. It was during his visit that Park encountered two individuals engrossed in conversation. The exchange appeared to revolve around one person seeking employment from the other, yet both expressed disappointment with the lack of sincerity. This overheard conversation ignited an idea, serving as inspiration for his next project, Chief Kim.^[18][19]

Chief Kim, also known as Good Manager, is a comedic office drama centered around Kim Sung-ryong, an accounting manager who excels at exposing financial misconduct and fighting against injustice. Namgoong Min performs as Chief Kim, a former low-level accountant from Gunsan, a small city in North Jeolla Province, who has a history of working for gangster. This 20 episodes series was broadcast on KBS2 from January 25 to March 30, 2017, airing on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22:00 KST.^[20][21][22]

Good Manager ended with a final episode viewership rating of 18.4% (Nielsen Korea). The book 'Chief Kim's Workplace White Paper' (Aureum), which compiles famous lines, was published and continues to be popular.^[4]

In the same year, Park returned to the big screen with The Wrath, a remake of the 1986 Korean horror film Woman's Wail. Park adapted the original script by Heo Seong-su. Directed by Yoo Young-seon, known for the acclaimed film The Wicked in 2014, the film follows the story of Ok-bun (Son Na-eun), who unintentionally enters a mansion plagued by mysterious deaths. There, she encounters Mrs. Shin (Seo Young-hee), a woman with a secret.^[23] The film was released domestically on November 8, 2018.^[24]

The Fiery Priest (SBS, 2019) revolves around a hot-tempered Catholic priest who confronts evildoers and delivers punches to those who refuse to repent for their sins. The series offers a blend of diverse characters and comedy. Featuring Kim Nam-gil, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Hanee, Go Jun, and Keum Sae-rok in the lead roles, The Fiery Priest made history as the first drama to occupy SBS's Fridays and Saturdays timeslot. It aired from February 15 to April 20, 2019.^[25][26] In terms of viewership, The Fiery Priest achieved success, becoming the highest-rated miniseries drama on public broadcast in 2019, according to Nielsen Korea. It garnered widespread popularity and became one of the most talked-about dramas of the year. Kim Nam-gil's portrayal of the priest struggling with anger management issues earned him numerous accolades.^[27]

In 2021, Vincenzo emerged as the definitive version of writer Jay Park's unique satire, featuring Song Joong-ki as an Italian mafia lawyer who undergoes a transformation into a dark hero. With the motto "punish evil with evil", the dark hero confronts a more insidious form of villainy. The involvement of the Geumga Plaza merchants, entangled with Vincenzo, adds to the intrigue. Inspired by Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle, Geumga Plaza represents oppressed small-town citizens who are empowered by Vincenzo's villainous presence, transforming into strong and active individuals. Their growth process and eccentricities become the highlights of Geumga Plaza.^[28]

After Vincenzo, it was reported that Park worked on script adaptation for Han Jae-rim's disaster film Emergency Declaration.^[5]

In 2019, it was reported that Park has been planning to create a drama called "Chief Inspector 1963" (working title), which serves as a prequel to MBC's legendary detective drama, Chief Inspector [ko]. The series aired on MBC for a remarkable 18-year run, spanning from 1971 to 1989, and garnered viewership rating exceeding 70%. The portrayal of Chief Park Young-han by actor Choi Bool-am played a significant role in its popularity.^[29] In September 2022, MBC confirmed the production and announced that it will be written by new writer Kim Young-shin, who was discovered by MBC's drama planning team. Set in the 1960s, a decade before the events of the original series, the prequel will be directed by Kim Sung-hoon.^[30] In April 2023, Lee Je-hoon confirmed his appearance as the younger version of Park Young-han.^[31][32]

Film

Television drama

Awards and nominations

State honors

Listicles