Soo Ae
Encyclopedia
Park Soo-ae known simply as Soo Ae, is a South Korean actress.
area. She spent six months in grueling practice, but in the end had no album to put out. She reminisced in an interview, "I didn't sing well, but the six months I spent with the team was so fun. I was lucky to get into acting."
She made her small screen debut in 2002 in a one-act drama on MBC
, going on to star in Love Letter, Merry Go Round and April Kiss
. Her hit historical drama Emperor of the Sea
was exported to other Asian countries, South America and the Middle East, introducing Soo Ae to a wider international audience.
With her classical beauty and pure, graceful image, Soo Ae gained the moniker "queen of tears". But she revamped that image in the 2007 romantic comedy Two Outs in the Ninth Inning opposite Lee Jung-jin
, playing a 30-year-old foul-mouthed, disheveled and jaded single woman struggling with life and love. Soo Ae in reality famously has a husky, neutral voice, which helped her tomboyish performance feel so natural. But her voice hasn't always been a plus. "I've been told many times that my voice would be a detriment to my career," she said. "When I first got started, a lot of viewers posted comments online that they changed the channel because of the way I talk. [...] It was odd because I thought of my husky voice as my biggest asset. So I would tell people, 'Keep on listening, you'll get to like it.'"
After a successful big screen debut in A Family, Soo Ae starred opposite Jung Jae-young in the comedy Wedding Campaign
, and Lee Byung-hun
in the melodrama Once in a Summer
.
In 2008 she was cast as the titular Sunny
in a film about an average housewife who becomes a "consolatory band" singer in order to search for her husband who has been dispatched to fight alongside American troops in the Vietnam War
. Director Lee Jun-ik
sought to tell a war story from a female-centric point of view, saying the film grazes upon a broader sense of love and humanitarian concern as it depicts a long voyage of self-discovery. In a scene where she drinks heavily at a U.S. army base, Soo Ae revealed that she drank more than half a bottle of whisky at the director’s criticism that she didn't look real enough. As a result of drinking so much alcohol, she became really drunk, adding reality to the scene where she throws up in the toilet and blacks out. Her commitment to the film paid off, and Soo Ae received multiple Best Actress awards for her performance.
Her 2009 film The Sword with No Name depicts a desperate romance between the last queen of the Joseon Dynasty
and her bodyguard. Empress Myeongseong
, a forward-thinking advocate of modernity, wields her political influence to further her ideals, but is often at odds with her orthodox father-in-law, regent Daewon-gun. The movie is loosely based on history, with clearly fictional elements. Soo Ae, who plays the empress, said the role "was something I had always wanted to do from the moment I started my acting career. When I got the screenplay, I said yes without a moment's hesitation. [...] Playing Empress Myeongseong was not easy, because in addition to the mother of the nation, I had to show her womanly and human side, the joy and anguish she felt at being in love." Having to wear heavy wigs and layers of Korean traditional costumes in the steamy hot summer made the job even more difficult. The fact that she had to appear in almost every scene was another challenge. Describing herself as "timid" and "too introverted", Soo Ae credits her co-star Jo Seung-woo
for making it easier for her to fully absorb herself in the love aspect of her role.
Frustrated by usually receiving melodrama scripts and wanting to take on roles in different genres, Soo Ae next starred in the 2010 suspense thriller Midnight FM
. She said she decided to challenge herself by choosing the role of a strong female character fighting against a villain. She talked about the heightened fear she felt in a confined studio as her radio DJ character receives threatening phone calls from a kidnapper (played by Yoo Ji-tae), as well as the physical difficulty of filming chase and fight scenes in high heels. She tied with Yoon Jeong-hee
(Poetry
) for Best Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards
.
She played a cold-blooded double agent in Athena: Goddess of War
, undergoing martial arts training to perform her intense action scenes in the spy series.
She next starred in Thousand Day Promise, a miniseries written by famed drama writer Kim Soo-hyun. Thousand Day Promise is a traditional melodrama featuring a love story between a woman who is losing her memory and the pure-hearted man (Kim Rae-won) who stands by her side.
Career
Soo Ae nearly became a member of a pop idol group. Fresh out of high school, a record agent approached the young stunner on the street in the trendy ApgujeongApgujeong
Apgujeong-dong is a residential, fashion and shopping district in the Gangnam district of Seoul. The dong originates from a pavilion with the same name founded by Han Myeong-hoe , a high-ranking government officer during the Joseon dynasty...
area. She spent six months in grueling practice, but in the end had no album to put out. She reminisced in an interview, "I didn't sing well, but the six months I spent with the team was so fun. I was lucky to get into acting."
She made her small screen debut in 2002 in a one-act drama on MBC
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television...
, going on to star in Love Letter, Merry Go Round and April Kiss
April Kiss
April Kiss , also called Kiss of April, is a South Korean TV drama that aired from April 21, 2004 to July 8, 2004 on KBS.-Song Chae-won:...
. Her hit historical drama Emperor of the Sea
Emperor of the Sea
Mr =Akech JumaEmperor of the Sea is a 51 episode South Korean epic drama that aired in 2004 on KBS2.The show focuses on the life of famous historical figure, Jang Bogo , who was born a slave but rose to the highest ranks of Silla society...
was exported to other Asian countries, South America and the Middle East, introducing Soo Ae to a wider international audience.
With her classical beauty and pure, graceful image, Soo Ae gained the moniker "queen of tears". But she revamped that image in the 2007 romantic comedy Two Outs in the Ninth Inning opposite Lee Jung-jin
Lee Jeong-jin
- Films :- Television :- External links :* * at Jambo Entertainment* at HanCinema*...
, playing a 30-year-old foul-mouthed, disheveled and jaded single woman struggling with life and love. Soo Ae in reality famously has a husky, neutral voice, which helped her tomboyish performance feel so natural. But her voice hasn't always been a plus. "I've been told many times that my voice would be a detriment to my career," she said. "When I first got started, a lot of viewers posted comments online that they changed the channel because of the way I talk. [...] It was odd because I thought of my husky voice as my biggest asset. So I would tell people, 'Keep on listening, you'll get to like it.'"
After a successful big screen debut in A Family, Soo Ae starred opposite Jung Jae-young in the comedy Wedding Campaign
Wedding Campaign
Wedding Campaign is 2005 South Korean film about two aging bachelor farmers from Gyeongsang Province. Unable to find wives in Korea willing to move to the countryside, they go on a 10-day 'campaign' in Uzbekistan, where local matchmakers attempt to pair them up with local ethnic Korean women. It...
, and Lee Byung-hun
Lee Byung-Hun
Lee Byung-hun is a South Korean actor, singer and model. He has starred in popular television dramas such as Iris , All In and Beautiful Days...
in the melodrama Once in a Summer
Once in a Summer
Once in a Summer is a 2006 South Korean melodrama/romance film directed by Jo Geun-Sik. The film stars Lee Byung-Hun and Soo Ae.- Plot :...
.
In 2008 she was cast as the titular Sunny
Sunny (2008 film)
Sunny is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Lee Jun-ik. The film's Korean language title literally translates as "My Love is Faraway".- Plot :...
in a film about an average housewife who becomes a "consolatory band" singer in order to search for her husband who has been dispatched to fight alongside American troops in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Director Lee Jun-ik
Lee Jun-ik
Lee Jun-ik is a South Korean movie director, producer and actor specialising in commercial historic movies and responsible for The King and the Clown; the highest grossing Korean film of 2005.-Director:...
sought to tell a war story from a female-centric point of view, saying the film grazes upon a broader sense of love and humanitarian concern as it depicts a long voyage of self-discovery. In a scene where she drinks heavily at a U.S. army base, Soo Ae revealed that she drank more than half a bottle of whisky at the director’s criticism that she didn't look real enough. As a result of drinking so much alcohol, she became really drunk, adding reality to the scene where she throws up in the toilet and blacks out. Her commitment to the film paid off, and Soo Ae received multiple Best Actress awards for her performance.
Her 2009 film The Sword with No Name depicts a desperate romance between the last queen of the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
and her bodyguard. Empress Myeongseong
Empress Myeongseong
Empress Myeongseong , also known as Queen Min, was the first official wife of King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea...
, a forward-thinking advocate of modernity, wields her political influence to further her ideals, but is often at odds with her orthodox father-in-law, regent Daewon-gun. The movie is loosely based on history, with clearly fictional elements. Soo Ae, who plays the empress, said the role "was something I had always wanted to do from the moment I started my acting career. When I got the screenplay, I said yes without a moment's hesitation. [...] Playing Empress Myeongseong was not easy, because in addition to the mother of the nation, I had to show her womanly and human side, the joy and anguish she felt at being in love." Having to wear heavy wigs and layers of Korean traditional costumes in the steamy hot summer made the job even more difficult. The fact that she had to appear in almost every scene was another challenge. Describing herself as "timid" and "too introverted", Soo Ae credits her co-star Jo Seung-woo
Jo Seung-woo
Jo Seung-woo is a South Korean actor and musical star best known for his roles in Marathon and Tazza: The High Rollers.- Career :...
for making it easier for her to fully absorb herself in the love aspect of her role.
Frustrated by usually receiving melodrama scripts and wanting to take on roles in different genres, Soo Ae next starred in the 2010 suspense thriller Midnight FM
Midnight FM
Midnight FM is 2010 South Korean thriller film by Kim Sang-Man which stars Soo-ae and Yoo Ji-tae in lead roles. The film has Yoo's villain role after Oldboy and made cameo by Hyun-ah and Nam Ji-hyun from 4 Minute.-Plot:...
. She said she decided to challenge herself by choosing the role of a strong female character fighting against a villain. She talked about the heightened fear she felt in a confined studio as her radio DJ character receives threatening phone calls from a kidnapper (played by Yoo Ji-tae), as well as the physical difficulty of filming chase and fight scenes in high heels. She tied with Yoon Jeong-hee
Yoon Jeong-hee
Yoon Jeong-hee is a South Korean actress active since 1967. Yoon debuted as an actress in 1967 as starring in Cheongchun geukjang directed by Gang Dae-jin after elected in a recruit held by Hapdong Film. Yoon was commonly referred to as one of the "Troika" along with her rival actresses, Moon Hee...
(Poetry
Poetry (film)
Poetry is a 2010 South Korean drama film written and directed by Lee Chang-dong. It tells the story of a suburban woman in her 60s who begins to grow an interest for poetry while struggling with Alzheimer's disease and her irresponsible grandson. Yoon Jeong-hee stars in the leading role, which was...
) for Best Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards
Blue Dragon Film Awards
The Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
.
She played a cold-blooded double agent in Athena: Goddess of War
Athena: Goddess of War
Athena: Goddess of War is a South Korean espionage television drama series broadcast by SBS in 2010 and a spin-off of 2009's Iris...
, undergoing martial arts training to perform her intense action scenes in the spy series.
She next starred in Thousand Day Promise, a miniseries written by famed drama writer Kim Soo-hyun. Thousand Day Promise is a traditional melodrama featuring a love story between a woman who is losing her memory and the pure-hearted man (Kim Rae-won) who stands by her side.
Movies
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | A Family | Lee Jeong-eun |
| 2005 | Wedding Campaign Wedding Campaign Wedding Campaign is 2005 South Korean film about two aging bachelor farmers from Gyeongsang Province. Unable to find wives in Korea willing to move to the countryside, they go on a 10-day 'campaign' in Uzbekistan, where local matchmakers attempt to pair them up with local ethnic Korean women. It... |
La-la |
| 2006 | Once in a Summer Once in a Summer Once in a Summer is a 2006 South Korean melodrama/romance film directed by Jo Geun-Sik. The film stars Lee Byung-Hun and Soo Ae.- Plot :... |
Seo Jung-in |
| 2008 | Sunny Sunny (2008 film) Sunny is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Lee Jun-ik. The film's Korean language title literally translates as "My Love is Faraway".- Plot :... |
Soon-yi / Sunny |
| 2009 | The Sword With No Name The Sword With No Name The Sword With No Name is a 2009 South Korean film based on a fictionalized account of Empress Myeongseong.-Plot:... |
Empress Myeongseong Empress Myeongseong Empress Myeongseong , also known as Queen Min, was the first official wife of King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea... |
| 2010 | Midnight FM Midnight FM Midnight FM is 2010 South Korean thriller film by Kim Sang-Man which stars Soo-ae and Yoo Ji-tae in lead roles. The film has Yoo's villain role after Oldboy and made cameo by Hyun-ah and Nam Ji-hyun from 4 Minute.-Plot:... |
Ko Suh-young |
TV Series
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | School 2 | guest appearance Guest appearance In show business , a guest appearance is a participation of an outsider performer , usually called guest artist , in an event , i.e., the participation of a performer which does not belong to the regular crew In performance... |
KBS |
| 2002 | Best Theater: One Sided Love | MBC Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television... |
|
| The Maengs' Golden Era | Huh Joo-yeon | MBC Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television... |
|
| 2003 | Love Letter | Jo Eun-ha | MBC Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television... |
| Merry Go Round | Seong Jin-kyo | MBC Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television... |
|
| 2004 | April Kiss April Kiss April Kiss , also called Kiss of April, is a South Korean TV drama that aired from April 21, 2004 to July 8, 2004 on KBS.-Song Chae-won:... |
Song Chae-won | KBS |
| Emperor of the Sea Emperor of the Sea Mr =Akech JumaEmperor of the Sea is a 51 episode South Korean epic drama that aired in 2004 on KBS2.The show focuses on the life of famous historical figure, Jang Bogo , who was born a slave but rose to the highest ranks of Silla society... |
Lady Jung-hwa | KBS | |
| 2007 | Two Outs in the Ninth Inning | Hong Nan-hee | MBC Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television... |
| 2010 | Athena: Goddess of War Athena: Goddess of War Athena: Goddess of War is a South Korean espionage television drama series broadcast by SBS in 2010 and a spin-off of 2009's Iris... |
Yoon Hye-in | SBS |
| 2011 | Thousand Day Promise Thousand Day Promise Thousand Day Promise written by famed drama writer Kim Soo-hyun. Thousand Day Promise is a traditional melodrama featuring a love story between a woman who is losing her memory and the pure-hearted man who stands by her side... |
Lee Seo-yeon | SBS |
Commercials
- KTF “Na”
- LotteLotte (conglomerate)Lotte Co., Ltd. is a South Korean-Japanese Jaebeol and one of the largest food and shopping groups in South Korea and Japan. Lotte was established in June 1948, in Tokyo, by Japanese-educated, Korean businessman Shin Kyuk-Ho – also known as...
Cookie "Closer, closer" ("Jeom, Jeom") 롯데제과 “점점” - Maxim
- Soo-rye-han 수려한 make-up
- Maestro 마에스트로
- kiki
- Sin-dideo-perky 신디더퍼키
- CECI
- Famous Telecom 유행통신
- Asiana Airline
Awards
- 2011 Puchon International Fantastic Film FestivalPuchon International Fantastic Film FestivalThe Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival , or PiFan, is an international film festival held annually in July in Bucheon, South Korea...
- Actor's Award - 2010 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Best Actress (Midnight FMMidnight FMMidnight FM is 2010 South Korean thriller film by Kim Sang-Man which stars Soo-ae and Yoo Ji-tae in lead roles. The film has Yoo's villain role after Oldboy and made cameo by Hyun-ah and Nam Ji-hyun from 4 Minute.-Plot:...
) - 2009 Republic of Korea Entertainment Arts Awards: Prize, Film category
- 2009 Grand Bell AwardsGrand Bell AwardsThe Grand Bell Awards is an awards ceremony presented annually by The Motion Pictures Association of Korea for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Best Actress (SunnySunny (2008 film)Sunny is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Lee Jun-ik. The film's Korean language title literally translates as "My Love is Faraway".- Plot :...
) - 2008 Golden Cinematography Awards: Popularity Award
- 2008 Arts Council Korea: Artist of the Year, Film category (SunnySunny (2008 film)Sunny is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Lee Jun-ik. The film's Korean language title literally translates as "My Love is Faraway".- Plot :...
) - 2008 Korean Critics' Choice Awards: Best Actress (SunnySunny (2008 film)Sunny is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Lee Jun-ik. The film's Korean language title literally translates as "My Love is Faraway".- Plot :...
) - 2008 Buil Film AwardsBuil Film AwardsThe Buil Film Awards is a South Korean film awards ceremony hosted by the Busan Ilbo newspaper. The awards began in 1958 and were held annually until 1973...
: Best Actress (SunnySunny (2008 film)Sunny is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Lee Jun-ik. The film's Korean language title literally translates as "My Love is Faraway".- Plot :...
) - 2008 PremierePremiere (magazine)Premiere was an American and New York City-based film magazine published by Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., published between the years 1987 and 2007. The original version of the magazine, Première , was started in France in 1976 and is still being published there.-History:The magazine originally...
Rising Star Awards: Best Actress (SunnySunny (2008 film)Sunny is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Lee Jun-ik. The film's Korean language title literally translates as "My Love is Faraway".- Plot :...
) - 2007 Korea Broadcast Advertising Festival - Best Couple Award with Jang Dong-gunJang Dong-gun-Early life:Spending his childhood in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, he later went on to the Korea National University of Arts, dropping out before obtaining a degree.-Career:Jang Dong-gun first entered the entertainment world in a talent contest in 1992...
(Maxim CFTelevision advertisementA television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
) - 2005 KBS Drama Awards: Best Actress, Excellence (Emperor of the SeaEmperor of the SeaMr =Akech JumaEmperor of the Sea is a 51 episode South Korean epic drama that aired in 2004 on KBS2.The show focuses on the life of famous historical figure, Jang Bogo , who was born a slave but rose to the highest ranks of Silla society...
) - 2005 KBS Drama Awards: Best Couple Award with Song Il-gookSong Il GookSong Il Gook is a popular South Korean actor. He starred in several historical Korean dramas such as Jumong and Emperor of the Sea. He graduated from the Cheongju University and majored in Performing Arts. He is the grandson of Kim Du-han, great grandson of the famous Korean independence movement...
(Emperor of the SeaEmperor of the SeaMr =Akech JumaEmperor of the Sea is a 51 episode South Korean epic drama that aired in 2004 on KBS2.The show focuses on the life of famous historical figure, Jang Bogo , who was born a slave but rose to the highest ranks of Silla society...
) - 2005 Baeksang Arts AwardsPaekSang Arts AwardsPaekSang Arts Awards, also known as BaekSang Arts Awards, is an awards ceremony held annually by IS PLUS Corp, since 1965. It is to honour outstanding achievements in the South Korean entertainment industry and to garner public attention upon the best in Korean films and dramas...
: Best New Actress (A Family) - 2005 Max Movie Awards: Best Actress
- 2004 Director's Cut Awards: Best New Actress (A Family)
- 2004 Korean Film AwardsKorean Film AwardsThe Korean Film Award is a South Korean film awards ceremony hosted by the MBC.-Awards:The categories are*Best Film*Best Director*Best New Director*Best Leading Actor*Best Leading Actress*Best Supporting Actor*Best Supporting Actress...
: Best New Actress (A Family) - 2004 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Best New Actress (A Family) - 2003 MBC Drama Awards: Best New Actress (Love Letter, Merry Go Round)