Park (Korean surname)



Park, also spelled as Pak or Bak is the third-most common surname in Korea, traditionally traced back to 1st century King Hyeokgeose Park and theoretically inclusive of all of his descendants. Park or Bak is usually assumed to come from the Korean noun Bak, meaning "gourd". As of the South Korean census of 2015, there were 4,192,074 people with the name in South Korea, or roughly 8.4% of the population.

Founding legend
All the Park clans in Korea trace their ancestry back to the first king of Silla, Hyeokgeose. According to a legend, the leaders of the six clans of the Jinhan confederacy were gathering on a hilltop to choose a king, when they looked down and saw lightning strike at the foot of the Yangsan mountain and a white horse bow at the same place. When they went there to check, they found a red egg, which hatched a baby boy. They bathed the boy in the nearby stream and he was emitting bright light and the sun and the moon rose at the same time, indicating the divine birth of the child. Thus the child was named Hyeokgeose, meaning "ruling with a bright light" and his clan name became Bak or "gourd" after the round shape of the egg he hatched from. At age 13 he was given the title, the equivalent of "king" at the time. The birth legends of early Korean kings were necessary to validate the "divine" nature of their rule.

According to Yang Ju-dong's (梁柱東) research, both '赫' and '朴' in '朴赫居世' are repeatedly written with the meaning of ''.

According to the Samguk Sagi, the Jin people called gourd as "park", and the first large egg looked similar to the shape of the gourd, so his last name become Park.

Clans


As with other Korean surnames, different lineages, known as bon-gwan or clans, are inherited from a father by his children. These designate the region of Korea or paternal ancestor, from which they claim to originate. Out of the kings of Silla, ten had the Park surname. During the rule of King Pasa (80–112), the Park clans became divided and during the reign of King Gyeongmyeong (917–924) they became even more fractured, creating several lineages. This is when the nine Park clans named after the nine sons of Gyeongmyeong came into existence.

70–80% of the current bearers of the surname belong to the Miryang Park clan. In 2015, there were 314 Park clans in South Korea, with about 4.19 million people altogether. The clans which produced the most number of notable people in Korean history are collectively called the "Eight Parks", these are: the Miryang Park clan, the Bannam Park clan, the Goryeong Park clan , the Hamyang Park clan , the Juksan Park clan , the Suncheon Park clan , the Muan Park clan and the Chungju Park clan.

Position in society
King Hyeokgeose was said to have founded the Korean kingdom of Silla at the age of thirteen in 57 BC. Pak was one of three houses of the Korean kingdom of Silla. Among the houses of Pak, Kim, and Seok, princes rotated on the throne of Silla. According to historical records, all three houses have been recorded as having worshipped the founding father, Bak Hyeokgeose as their ancestral shrine. For example, the 4th king Talhae of Silla, the 9th king Beolhyu of Silla, the 10th king Naehae of Silla, the 11th king Jobun of Silla, the 12th king Cheomhae of Silla, the 14th King Yurye of Silla and the 15th king Girim of Silla were house of Seok, but according to the Samguk sagi Silla bongi, all of them worshipped Bak Hyeokgeose as their progenitor. In addition, the 13th king Michu of Silla, the 16th king Heulhae of Silla, the 17th king Naemul of Silla, the 18th king Silseong of Silla, the 19th king Nulji of Silla, the 20th king Jabi of Silla, the 21st king Soji of Silla, the 22nd king Jijeung of Silla, the 40th king Aejang of Silla, the 41st king Heondeok of Silla and the 42nd king Heungdeok of Silla are descendants of Kim Al-chi, but according to the Samguk sagi Silla bongi, all of them worshipped Bak Hyeokgeose as their progenitor. In addition, according to Samguk sagi, the Shrine Shingung(神宮) was founded in the birthplace of the progenitor Bak Hyeokgeose and every king has been recorded as paying their respects at this shrine. All of these historical records imply that the three lineages of Pak, Seok, and Kim worshipped Bak Hyeokgeose as their founding ancestor.

When Seonggols have died out followed by two consecutive queens, Kim Chun-Chu from Jingol began to monopolize the throne, which lasts 258 years. However, even during this period, the Kims did not fully occupy the throne. In the later period of Silla, the Pak clan from Jingol succeed in restoring the throne. During the last century of the dynasty, the Pak clan from Jingol regained the ruling house position in 728 years. However, the Pak dynasty was cut off when Gyeongae of Silla was forced to commit suicide by King Kyŏn Hwŏn of Later Baekje. The reign of the Pak clan lasted only 15 years. After that, Kim Bu became the last king of Silla, but soon surrendered to the Wang Geon of Goryeo and Silla finally collapsed in 992 years.

During the Unified Silla the Miryang Pak Clan, along with Gimhae Kim clan became the most prominent of the aristocracy, based on the bone rank system. Within the bone rank system, the two clans of Gimhae Kims and Miryang Paks were considered the most Jingol, or "True Bone". As Seonggol, or Divine bones died out through intermarriage, these two clans became the dominant noble houses on the peninsula following the conquest of rival dynasties.

After the fall of Silla, it continued as a major noble house of Goryeo. During the Goryeo dynasty, many of the people who passed the highest-level state examination, which was implemented to recruit ranking officials during the Goryeo dynasty, were Parks. The first General to defeat the Mongols in world history was General Park Seo, who commanded the successful defense of the fortress of Guju in 1231 against the forces led by Mongol General Salitai.

During Joseon period, Parks continued to thrive as one of the main Yangban households. With the Gabo Reform of 1894, when the caste system was abolished, some peasants adopted the surname of Park, bloating the population of the Park family. Simultaneously with the abolition of the Gwageo national service examination, the Yangban system came to an end. During the Japanese Occupation Period, three of the ten Korean aristocrats admitted into Japanese House of Peers were of the Park Clan.

According to Kojiki, Nihon Shoki and 播磨国風土記, one of Pak Princes, recorded in various names as Amenohiboko (天日槍), Amenohihoko (天之日矛), Hiboko (日桙), Amenohibokonomikoto (天日槍命), Amenohibokonomikoto (天日桙命) and Amanohiboko (海檜槍) migrated to Japan in 27 BC and 糸井氏 clan, Miyake clan, 橘守氏 clan, 但馬氏 clan, 絲井氏 clan and Tajimamori are recorded as descendants of Amenohiboko.

Notable people of the past
The following is a list of notable people of the past with the Korean family name Park.

Kings

 * King Hyeokgeose of Silla (57 BC–4 AD)
 * King Namhae of Silla (4–24)
 * King Yuri of Silla (24–57)
 * King Pasa of Silla (80–112)
 * King Jima of Silla (112–134)
 * King Ilseong of Silla (134–154)
 * King Adalla of Silla (154–184)
 * King Sindeok of Silla (912–917)
 * King Gyeongmyeong of Silla (917–924)
 * King Gyeongae of Silla (924–927)

Historical people

 * Bak An-sin (1369–1447), scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty
 * Bak Gyusu (1807–1877), scholar-bureaucrat, teacher, politician, and a diplomat of the Joseon Dynasty
 * Bak Jiwon (1737-1805), philosopher and novelist in the late Joseon dynasty
 * Bak Jungyang (1872-1959), Korean Joseon and Japanese-ruled Korean bureaucrat, politician, liberal and social activist
 * Bak Seo-saeng, civil minister, diplomat and ambassador in the early Joseon Dynasty period
 * Bak Yeon (1378-1458), government official, scholar, astronomer and musician in the early Joseon period
 * Pak Yŏng-gyu (?-970), Silla general and one of the warlords in the Later Three Kingdoms period
 * Pak Je-ga, scholar of Silhak in the late Joseon Dynasty
 * Pak Paeng-nyeon (1417–1456), scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty, known as one of the six martyred ministers
 * Park Do-yu (?-670), general and aristocrat during the reign of King Munmu of Silla
 * Park Jeong Yang (1842–1905), civil servant, diplomat, Prime Minister and first ambassador to the United States during the late Joseon Dynasty
 * Park Joong Seon (1435–1481), military official in the mid Joseon Dynasty
 * Park Mun-su (1691-1756), government official in the period of King Yeongjo in the Joseon dynasty
 * Park Qin (1560–1597), military official and soldier in the mid Joseon Dynasty
 * Park Seo, military official in the late Goryeo Dynasty
 * Park Seo-yang (1885-1940), Korean early modern surgeon, doctor, chemist, and independence activist
 * Park Soon (?-1402), military general and politician in the late Goryeo Dynasty and early Joseon Dynasty
 * Park Un-chang (?-929?), 5th son of King Gyeongmyeong, 54th monarch of Silla during the Later Three Kingdoms period, and the first king of Husabeol
 * Park Yeon (born Jan Jansz Weltevree) (1595–?), Dutch sailor and government official during the Joseon Dynasty

Actors

 * Park Bo-gum
 * Park Byung-eun
 * Park Eun-seok
 * Park Geun-hyung
 * Park Gun-woo
 * Park Hae-il
 * Park Hae-jin
 * Park Hae-joon
 * Park Hae-soo
 * Park Hee-soon
 * Park Hyung-sik
 * Park In-hwan
 * Park Jeong-min
 * Park Ki-woong
 * Park Min-woo
 * Park Myung-hoon
 * Randall Park
 * Park Sang-min
 * Park Seo-joon
 * Park Shin-yang
 * Park Solomon
 * Park Sung-hoon
 * Park Yeong-gyu
 * Park Yong-ha
 * Park Yoo-chun
 * Park Young-woon
 * Park Yu-hwan

Actresses

 * Ashley Park
 * Park Bo-young
 * Park Eun-bin
 * Park Eun-hye
 * Grace Park
 * Park Ha-na
 * Park Ha-sun
 * Park Han-byul
 * Park Hee-jin
 * Park Hee-jung
 * Hettienne Park
 * Park Hwan-hee
 * Park Hye-su
 * Park Ji-hu
 * Park Ju-hyun
 * Park Jung-ah
 * Linda Park
 * Park Min-ha
 * Park Min-young
 * Romi Park
 * Park Se-wan
 * Park Se-young
 * Park Shin-hye
 * Park Si-eun
 * Park Si-yeon
 * Park So-dam
 * Park So-yi
 * Park Sol-mi
 * Park Soo Ae
 * Park Soo-jin
 * Park Sun-young
 * Park Won-sook
 * Park Ye-jin
 * Park Ye-young
 * Park Yoo-na
 * Park Yu-rim

Athletes

 * Angela Park (born 1988), Brazilian-American professional golfer
 * Park Byung-geon (born 1982), South Korean footballer
 * Chan Ho Park (born 1973), South Korean baseball player
 * Piao Cheng (born 1989), Korean-Chinese football player
 * Park Chu-young (born 1985), South Korean footballer
 * Park Dong-keun (born c. 1941), South Korean Grandmaster of taekwondo
 * Park Hang-seo (born 1957), South Korean football manager
 * Hoy Park (born 1996), South Korean baseball player
 * Park Hyung-guen (born 1985), South Korean footballer
 * Inbee Park (born 1988), South Korean professional golfer
 * Jane Park (born 1986), American professional golfer
 * Park Ji-Sung (born 1981), South Korean footballer
 * Park Jong-il (born 1972), South Korean ski mountaineer
 * Park Jong-soo (1941—2021), South Korean master of taekwondo
 * Park Joo Bong (born 1964), South Korean badminton player
 * Park Joo-ho (born 1987), South Korean footballer
 * Marvin Park (born 2000), Spanish footballer
 * Park Sang-young (born 1995), South Korean épée fencer
 * Pak Se-ri (born 1977), South Korean golfer
 * Park Seung-hi (born 1992), South Korean short track speed skater
 * Park Sung-hyun (born 1993), South Korean golfer
 * Park Tae-Hwan (born 1989), South Korean swimmer

Comedians

 * Park Kyung-lim

Directors

 * Annabel Park, Korean American documentary filmmaker and activist
 * Park Chan-wook, South Korean director
 * Park Kwang-su, South Korean filmmaker
 * Park Nam-ok, first Korean woman director
 * Sunghoo Park, South Korean anime director

Literary figures

 * Park Chong-hwa, Korean poet and novelist
 * Park Hyoung-su, South Korean writer
 * Park In-hwan, Korean poet and author
 * Pak Jaesam, South Korean poet
 * Linda Sue Park, American author
 * Park Nam-su, South Korean poet
 * Park Taesun, South Korean writer
 * Park Taewon, South Korean writer
 * Park Wan-suh, South Korean writer
 * Park Yeonghan, South Korean writer
 * Park Yong-rae, South Korean poet
 * Park Ynhui, South Korean poet and writer

Politicians

 * Park Chung Hee (1917-1979), former President of South Korea
 * Park Geun-hye (born 1952), former President of South Korea
 * Park Jie-won (born 1942), South Korean politician
 * Jihyun Park (born 1968), British-North Korean politician
 * Pak Song-chol (1913–2008), North Korean politician
 * Park Won-soon (1956–2020), South Korean politician, activist and lawyer

Singers

 * Park Bom, South Korean singer, former member of girl group 2NE1
 * Park Bo-ram, South Korean singer
 * Brandon Paak Anderson, also known as Anderson .Paak, American musician
 * Park Chanyeol, South Korean rapper, member of boy band Exo
 * Park Choong-jae (stage name Jun Jin), South Korean singer, member of boy band Shinhwa
 * Park Cho-a, South Korean singer, former member of girl group AOA
 * Park Cho-rong, South Korean singer, member of South Korean girl group Apink
 * Park Eun-hye (stage name Ivy), South Korean singer
 * Park Gil-ra (1965-1986), South Korean singer
 * Park Gyu-ri, South Korean singer, member of girl group Kara
 * Park Hwayobi, South Korean R&B singer-songwriter
 * Park Hye-won (stage name Hynn), South Korean singer-songwriter
 * Park Hyo-jin (stage name Narsha), South Korean singer, member of girl group Brown Eyed Girls
 * Park Hyo-shin, South Korean singer and musical theater actor
 * Park Jae-beom (stage name Jay Park), American rapper, former member of boy band 2PM
 * Park Jae-chan, South Korean singer, member of boy band DKZ
 * Park Jae-hyung (stage name Jae), Argentine-born American musician, former member of pop rock band Day6
 * Park Jae-sang (stage name Psy), South Korean singer and producer
 * Park Ji-hoon, South Korean singer and actor, former member of boy band Wanna One
 * Park Ji-min (stage name Jamie Park), South Korean singer
 * Park Jimin (stage name Jimin), South Korean singer and dancer, member of boy band BTS
 * Park Jin-woo (stage name Jinjin), South Korean rapper, member of boy band Astro
 * Park Jin-young (stage name Jinyoung), South Korean singer, member of boy band Got7
 * Park Jin-young (stage name JYP), South Korean singer-songwriter, founder of JYP Entertainment
 * Park Ji-hyo, South Korean singer, member of girl group Twice
 * Park Ji-sung, South Korean singer, dancer, and actor. member of boy group NCT Dream
 * Park Ji-yeon, South Korean singer and actress, member of girl group T-ara
 * Park Ji-yeon (stage name Gummy), South Korean singer
 * Park Ji-yoon, South Korean singer and actress
 * Park Ji-young (stage name Kahi), South Korean singer, former member of girl group After School
 * Park Joon-hyung, South Korean-born American singer, member of boy band g.o.d
 * Park Jun-young, South Korean rapper, member of hip hop trio MFBTY
 * Park Jung-ah, South Korean singer and actress, former member of girl group Jewelry
 * Park Jeong-hwa, South Korean singer and actress, member of girl group EXID
 * Lena Park (born Park Junghyun), American-born South Korean singer
 * Park Jung-Min, South Korean singer, member of boy band SS501
 * Park Jeong-su (stage name Leeteuk), South Korean singer and actor, member of boy band Super Junior
 * Park Kyung, South Korean rapper, member of boy band Block B
 * Park Kyung-ri, South Korean singer and actress, member of girl group 9Muses
 * Park Min-hyuk (stage name Rocky), South Korean rapper, member of boy band Astro
 * Park Min-young (stage name Meenoi), South Korean singer
 * Park Myung-soo, South Korean singer and comedian
 * Roseanne Park (stage name Rosé), Korean-New Zealand singer, member of girl group Blackpink
 * Sandara Park (stage name Dara), South Korean singer and actress, former member of girl group 2NE1
 * Park Sang-hyun (stage name Thunder), South Korean singer, former member of boy band MBLAQ
 * Park Si-eun, South Korean singer and actress, member of girl group STAYC
 * Park Yu-hyang (stage name Shion), Korean Japanese singer
 * Park So-jin, South Korean singer and actress, member of girl group Girl's Day
 * Park Soo-ah (born Park Soo-young), South Korean singer and actress, former member of girl group After School
 * Park Soo-young (stage name Joy), South Korean singer and actress, member of girl group Red Velvet
 * Park Subin, South Korean singer, member of girl group Dal Shabet
 * Sun Park, Korean Australian singer and entertainer, former member of children's entertainment group Hi-5
 * Park Sun-young (stage name Luna), South Korean singer and musical actress, member of girl group f(x)
 * Park Sung-hoon, South Korean singer, member of boy band Enhypen
 * Teddy Park (born Park Hong-jun), Korean–American rapper and record producer
 * Park Woo-jin, South Korean singer, member of boy band AB6IX
 * Park Ye-eun, South Korean singer, former member of girl group Wonder Girls
 * Park Yoo-chun, Korean-American singer-songwriter and actor
 * Zior Park, South Korean rapper

Other

 * David Park (also known as Davidior, born 1983), American composer, music producer, songwriter, audio engineer
 * Park Hye-min (born 1990), South Korean beauty vlogger and make-up artist
 * Park Junghwan (born 1993), South Korean professional Go player
 * Park Kun-bae (born 1948), former president of the Boy Scouts of Korea
 * Sae Eun Park (born 1989), South Korean ballet dancer
 * Soo Sunny Park, Korean-American artist
 * Suji Park (born 1985), Korean-New Zealand ceramic sculptor and artist
 * Park Tae-joon (1927–2011), South Korean business tycoon, war hero, political leader, and philanthropist
 * Piao Wenyao (also known as Park Moon-yo, born 1988), Chinese Korean professional Go player
 * Yeonmi Park (born 1993), North Korean defector and activist
 * Youngsook Park (born 1955), South Korean futurist

Fictional characters

 * Adam Park, a character on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
 * Park, a character on Hey Arnold!
 * Linda Park, a character in the Flash series of comics from DC Comics
 * Sun Park, a character on American Dragon: Jake Long
 * Park Sheridan, a book character from the novel Eleanor & Park
 * Glory Park, a book character from the novel Every Anxious Wave
 * Soojin Park, a book character from the novel Amina's Voice
 * Chloe Park, a character on We Bare Bears
 * Jake Park, a character from the action-horror video game Dead by Daylight
 * Willow Park, a character in The Owl House