Jang Hye-jin made her acting debut in the 1998 movie If It Snows on Christmas. In 2007, she appeared in director Lee Chang-dong’s drama film Secret Sunshine, which was named Best Film at the 1st Asia Pacific Screen Awards and the 2nd Asian Film Awards. In 2019, she was launched into international fame for her starring role in director Bong Joon-ho’s acclaimed black comedy thriller film Parasite. The movie won numerous accolades, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. Jang Hye-jin’s performance in the movie also earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 28th Buil Film Awards. Also in 2019, she played supporting roles in KBS2’s When the Camellia Blooms and in tvN’s Crash Landing on You. In 2021, she was named Best Supporting Actress at the 41st Golden Cinema Film Festival for her work in the family comedy film More Than Family. That same year, she took home another Best Supporting Actress citation at the MBC Drama Awards for the sageuk The Red Sleeve Cuff.

Jang Hye-jin studied acting at the Korea National University of Arts.