From Bass Guitarist To Pink Guard: The 9 Essential TV Shows That Define Park Gyu Young's Versatile Career (2025 Update)

Few South Korean actresses have navigated the K-drama landscape with the sheer versatility and speed of Park Gyu Young. As of today, December 15, 2025, her filmography is a masterclass in genre-hopping, moving seamlessly from a monster-fighting bass guitarist to a glamorous e-celebrity, and now, a highly-anticipated pink guard in one of Netflix's biggest global hits. This article delves into the nine essential TV shows that have cemented her status as a global star, focusing heavily on her most recent and upcoming projects that are setting the stage for her 2025 dominance.

The actress, known for her expressive eyes and ability to embody both fierce action roles and delicate romantic leads, has cultivated a topical authority that few peers can match. Her career trajectory is defined by bold choices, leading to major roles in both the apocalyptic horror of the *Sweet Home* universe and the dark social commentary of *Celebrity*. Prepare for a deep dive into her most essential works, including her highly secretive new character in the *Squid Game* franchise.

Park Gyu Young: Full Biography and Career Milestones

Park Gyu Young (박규영) is a South Korean actress and model who has rapidly risen to international fame through her work on global streaming platforms.

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• Born: July 27, 1993, in Busan, South Korea.
• Education: Graduated from Yonsei University, one of South Korea's most prestigious institutions.
• Debut: She first appeared in Jo Kwon’s music video “Crosswalk” in 2016, marking the beginning of her career.
• Agency Change: In August 2019, she left JYP Entertainment and joined Saram Entertainment, a move that coincided with her breakthrough roles.
• Breakthrough Roles: Her career exploded with key roles in *It's Okay to Not Be Okay* (2020) and the Netflix series *Sweet Home* (2020).
• Recent Awards: She won the Excellence Award (Actress in a Miniseries) for *A Good Day to Be a Dog* at the 2023 MBC Drama Awards. She also received the Best New Actress award for *Dali and Cocky Prince* at the 2021 KBS Drama Awards.
• Notable Nomination: She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 2025 Gold Derby TV Awards for her role in *Squid Game*.

The 2025 Domination: New Roles in Upcoming TV Shows

Park Gyu Young’s upcoming slate is arguably the strongest of her career, featuring high-profile returns to global franchises and new leading roles in diverse genres. These projects highlight her increasing topical authority in the international market.

1. Squid Game Season 2 & 3 (Netflix, 2024/2025) as Kang No-Eul

The most anticipated entry in her filmography is her role in the next installments of the global phenomenon, *Squid Game*.

• The Role Twist: Unlike the main players, Park Gyu Young's character, Kang No-Eul, is a former North Korean soldier who joins the game not as a participant, but as a pink guard, one of the game organizers.
• Character Depth: This casting choice is a significant departure from her previous characters, requiring intense physical training and a cold, disciplined demeanor. Her character is expected to bring a new emotional and moral dynamic to the staff side of the deadly games.
• Authority Boost: Being a central new figure in a franchise of this magnitude instantly elevates her to a global A-list status, showcasing her ability to handle intense, high-stakes drama.

2. Nine Puzzles (Disney+, 2025) as Lee Seung-Joo

Moving from dystopian horror to procedural thriller, *Nine Puzzles* is set to be one of her major 2025 dramas, demonstrating her range in the mystery genre.

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• Plot Focus: The series is a mystery thriller centered around a ten-year-old cold case that suddenly becomes linked to a baffling new string of murders.
• Her Character: Park Gyu Young plays Lee Seung-Joo, a clinical and precise character. Her portrayal is noted for being "soft, precise, and dangerous," suggesting a complex, multi-layered personality required to solve the intricate puzzles.

3. A Proper Romance (Netflix, Upcoming)

After a run of dark and intense dramas, fans are eagerly awaiting her return to a lighthearted romantic comedy, co-starring with the popular Park Hyung Sik.

• Genre Shift: This Netflix original is an office romance that focuses on the ups and downs of a new relationship.
• The Premise: The story centers on a relationship reversal between two people who were previously connected, with Park Hyung Sik playing a startup CEO. This project is a crucial move to solidify her reputation as a versatile leading lady, capable of delivering a charming and relatable performance.

The Netflix Trilogy: The Roles That Made Her a Global Star

While her early career was strong, her roles in three major Netflix original series—all released between 2020 and 2023—catapulted her to international recognition, creating a solid foundation of topical authority.

4. Celebrity (Netflix, 2023) as Seo A-ri

*Celebrity* was a viral hit that perfectly captured the dark side of social media fame, giving Park Gyu Young a fiercely modern and complex protagonist.

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• The Plot Hook: The series opens with Seo A-ri, a former heiress turned e-celeb, live-streaming to millions after she was supposedly dead. This twist immediately hooks the audience into a story of ambition, betrayal, and the cutthroat world of influencers.
• Critical Acclaim: Critics widely praised her performance, calling it her best to date. She was described as embodying both the necessary "innocence" of A-ri's beginnings and the "fiery attitude" of a top influencer, showcasing her ability to play a character with real, imperfect depth.
• Topical Relevance: The show’s commentary on "cancel culture," sponsored content, and the fleeting nature of online fame made it highly relevant, further boosting her visibility.

5. Sweet Home Season 1 & 2 (Netflix, 2020 & 2023) as Yoon Ji-su

In the apocalyptic horror series *Sweet Home*, Park Gyu Young took on one of her most beloved early roles, displaying her talent for action and emotional vulnerability.

• The Character: She played Yoon Ji-su, a troubled bass guitarist who moves into the Green Home apartment complex after her boyfriend’s suicide.
• Action Star: Ji-su was known for her resourcefulness, often wielding a baseball bat to defend herself and other survivors against the terrifying monsters. This role established her as a capable action star.
• A Tragic Arc: Fans were shocked when her character, Yoon Ji-su, met a tragic end in Season 2, Episode 3. It has been confirmed that due to her character's death, she will not be returning for the third season, making her two seasons a complete and impactful arc in the *Sweet Home* universe.

6. Dali and Cocky Prince (KBS2, 2021) as Kim Dal-li

This quirky romantic comedy was a departure from her darker roles and earned her significant recognition in the mainstream K-drama world.

• The Plot: She plays Kim Dal-li, a refined and educated heiress who is suddenly left with a massive debt after her father’s death and must navigate the world of art and finance.
• The Win: Her charming and nuanced performance in this series earned her the Best New Actress award at the 2021 KBS Drama Awards, solidifying her status as a rising lead actress in the romance genre.

Essential Roles for Topical Authority and Context

To fully appreciate Park Gyu Young's range, it's necessary to look back at the roles that showcased her ability to play supporting characters with depth and conviction, laying the groundwork for her lead roles.

7. It's Okay to Not Be Okay (tvN, 2020) as Nam Ju-ri

Considered a pivotal role, her portrayal in this critically acclaimed drama demonstrated her ability to hold her own alongside established stars.

• The Character: Nam Ju-ri was a kind, but emotionally reserved nurse who worked with the male lead. Her quiet struggle and unrequited feelings provided a grounded contrast to the drama's main, more fantastical romance.
• Impact: The global success of the series, particularly on Netflix, exposed her talent to a massive international audience for the first time.

8. A Good Day to Be a Dog (MBC, 2023) as Han Hae-na

This fantasy romance, based on a popular webtoon, allowed her to explore a whimsical and unique premise.

• Unique Premise: Han Hae-na is a high school teacher who is cursed to turn into a dog after kissing a man. The only way to break the curse is to receive a second kiss from the same man, who, unfortunately, is terrified of dogs.
• Recognition: Her performance in this challenging, dual-role series earned her the Excellence Award at the 2023 MBC Drama Awards, a major win that confirmed her leading lady status.

9. The Devil Judge (tvN, 2021) as Yoon Soo-hyun

A gripping legal drama set in a dystopian Korea, this series saw her take on a role requiring intensity and a strong sense of justice.

• The Character: She played Yoon Soo-hyun, a detective in the regional investigation unit who is a childhood friend of the male lead. Her character was dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the charismatic but enigmatic head judge.
• Genre Range: This role highlighted her versatility in the crime and thriller genres, proving she could handle complex, politically charged narratives alongside lighter fare.