Korean Actress’s Youthful Visual Has Fans In Denial That She Is In Her 50s

Park Joo Mi, a veteran Korean actress, has managed to make viewers doubt her actual age with her recent appearance in a K-Drama.

Park Joo Mi | @_parkjoomi_/Instagram

Park is playing the lead role in TV Chosun‘s new weekend show, Durian’s Affair. The story revolves around two women from the Joseon period who suddenly time-travel to 2023 and get involved in turbulent romances with people from this modern era.

The poster for “Durian’s Affair.”

Park Joo Mi plays one of the leads, Du Ri An, who was married into the Park family during the Joseon era. But she had a secret lover called Dol Se, and the two had a child together, who was named Park On. Dol Se dies tragically, and Park On grows up to marry the daughter of the Kim family. However, he, too, dies a sudden death. His grieving mother and wife then accidentally time travel to 2023 and arrive at an event of the wealthy Dan family, where Du Ri An spots a reincarnated Dol Se.

The first episode drew an unexpectedly high viewership, despite the tight competition with SBS‘s Revenant and MBC‘s Number. Apart from its unique plot, Park Joo Mi’s visuals have also become a popular discussion among netizens. Many feel that the actress looks like she is in her 30s, some twenty years less than her real age!

Park Joo Mi as Du Ri An | Hancinema Du Ri An in the modern world | @_parkjoomi_/Instagram

Park was born in 1972, making her current age 51 years! She started her career as a model in 1991 and quickly transitioned to television acting. Productions like Beautiful Seoul (1999) and Feels Good (2000) brought her recognition as an actor.

Park Joo Mi in 2001 | Naver

But after marrying businessman Lee Jang Won in 2001, she went on a ten-year hiatus. She gave birth to two sons in 2001 and 2007, and in 2011, she made her comeback with Believe in Love. Since then, she has been constantly appearing in one show after another. Post-hiatus, some of her most recognizable roles include Na Hye Sung from Gangnam Beauty (Cha Eunwoo‘s mother) and Sa Pi Young from Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce).

Park Joo Mi in “Gangnam Beauty” | Netflix

Meanwhile, Durian’s Affair airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 pm KST on TV Chosun. It is also available for streaming in select regions through Viki and Viu.