Han Suk-kyu
South Korean actor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Han Suk-kyu (Korean: 한석규; born November 3, 1964) is a South Korean actor. One of the leading actors of Korean cinema, he rose to prominence in the 1990s with a string of critically acclaimed films, including Green Fish (1997), No. 3 (1997), The Contact (1997), Christmas in August (1998), and the action thriller Shiri (1999), which was a major box office success and marked a turning point for the Korean film industry. Following this successful period, Han took a hiatus from acting due to a herniated disc.
Han Suk-kyu | |
|---|---|
 Han in 2019 | |
| Born | November 3, 1964 |
| Education | Dongguk University - Theater and Film |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouse |
Im Myung-Ju (m. 1998) |
| Children | 4 |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 한석규 |
| Hanja | 韓石圭 |
| Revised Romanization | Han Seok-gyu |
| McCune–Reischauer | Han Sŏkkyu |
Upon his return, Han re-established himself as a versatile actor with roles in both film and television. His notable later works include the historical drama Deep Rooted Tree (2011),[2] the espionage thriller The Berlin File (2013), and the crime drama The Prison (2017). He is also well known for his portrayal of Teacher Kim in the popular medical drama Dr. Romantic (2016–2023).[3][4] In addition, he appeared in the thriller series Watcher (2019) and the psychological drama Doubt (2024).[5]
Career
Summarize
Perspective
1990–1994: Early work and breakthrough
While a student at the Theater and Film department of Dongguk University, he sang in an amateur folk rock band. He took a brief, year-long contract as voice actor at KBS, before moving on to TV and film acting.[6]
After a debut in the 1990 MBC campus drama Our Paradise, Han rose to stardom as "Hong-shik" in The Moon of Seoul (1994), a charming gigolo from the slums determined to attain wealth at all cost in the big city. "Choon-seop", an old friend from hometown played by Choi Min-sik, struggles hopelessly to stop "Hong-shik" from his self-ruin. The partnership of Han and Choi as uneasy allies or foes, parlayed into two flagship films of the 1990s: No. 3 and Shiri. Both the series and "Hong-shik" character have since become beloved icons, as part of the Korean television's golden era before the advent of Korean Wave.[7]
1995–1999: Prominence
Before the end of the 20th century, Han headlined films that were critically acclaimed (Green Fish, No. 3) and commercially successful (The Contact, Christmas in August,[8] Shiri — the latter two making particular impact in Japan).[9]
Han's experience in the early stages of Korean cinema renaissance in the 1990s, cemented his belief in a script-driven model for movie-making. Thus the founding of "Makdong Script Festival" (named after his role in Green Fish), with co-sponsor film magazine Cine 21. Winners may claim two cash prizes funded by Han, with the potential to launch directing careers based from their own scripts. The annual contest is now extant over 10 years, with two titles produced so far: the comedy 2424 (2002) and Private Eye (2009) starring Hwang Jung-min.
2000–2010: Hiatus and career fluctuations
Han went into an extended hiatus in 1999 declining several lucrative opportunities with name directors as he suffered disc problem.
Han returned in 2003 with espionage film Double Agent.[10] The film, which netted one million admissions, was seen as a failure for a star labeled by the media as "box office guarantee." This was followed by a sizable backlash from netizens and the press, who rushed to bury the co-self-produced spy thriller as the public disgrace of a former golden boy.[citation needed]
His press and image took further beating in the next two, even more polarizing films: the unforeseen tragedy surrounding The Scarlet Letter, and the incendiary political content of The President's Last Bang.[11][12] Nonetheless, these controversial works screened at Cannes, and were featured in a tribute to the actor at the Austrian FilmAsia festival.[13]
Despite this rocky return to feature films, Han remains well regarded by such major directors as Park Chan-wook, Lee Joon-ik, Kang Woo-suk and Jang Jin. Compared to his peak popularity in the 90s, his work may seem an acquired taste for general audiences, although some cult following ensued for his ultra-sadistic turn in A Bloody Aria.[14]
He remained self-managed until as late as 2006, before joining the KM Culture agency[15] due to increased regimentation of the industry. Making 2006 a busy year, Han starred in period sex comedy Forbidden Quest, followed by black comedy film A Bloody Aria and melodrama film Solace.[16][17][18] Stylish thrillers followed, where Han starred alongside Cha Seung-won in Eye for an Eye[19] and Son Ye-jin in the adaptation of Keigo Higashino novel of White Night.[20] Han then starred in Villain and Widow with Kim Hye-soo.[21]
2011–2015: Resurgence and return to small screen
Han returned to the spotlight with his performance in historical drama Deep Rooted Tree, where his performance of King Sejong earned him the Grand Award at the 2011 SBS Drama Awards.[22]
In 2013, Han starred in the action thriller film The Berlin File, playing a South Korean agent.[23] He then starred in musical film My Paparotti, playing a music teacher who is stuck in a rut until he meets a delinquent teenager.[24]
He returned to the small screen in the historical drama Secret Door, playing King Yeongjo. This was followed by period film The Royal Tailor, about a rivalry between two tailors at the Sanguiwon. However, both projects were less successful.[25][26]
2016–present: Established actor
Han bounced back with the hit medical drama Dr. Romantic, written by acclaimed screenwriter Kang Eun-kyung.[27] The drama garnered over 20% viewership ratings, and Han received positive reviews for his performance.[28] He also won the Grand Prize (Daesang) Award at the 2016 SBS Drama Awards.
Han returned to the big screen in crime drama film The Prison.[29] Han is slated to star in upcoming thrillers Idol and Father's War, and period drama film Astronomy.[30][31][32]
In 2019, Han starred in OCN's thriller drama Watcher as a detective.[33]
In 2020, Han reprised his role of Teacher Kim in Dr. Romantic 2.[34]
Image and influence
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Perspective
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Known for his distinctive voice and diction, Han has been a long-time mentor to Kam Woo-sung, including coaching the latter's enunciation for his film debut in Marriage is a Crazy Thing. Actors of the younger generation also continue to cite him as an influence; among them: Hwang Jung-min, Ryoo Seung-bum, Kim Myung-min, Kim Joo-hyuk of Blue Swallow, Kim Ji-soo of This Charming Girl, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (who famously began a second career in Korea after seeing Han in Shiri), Rain, Lee Sung-jae of Barking Dogs Never Bite, TV heartthrob Lee Jin-wook, and the current darling of independent films, Im Ji-kyu.[35][36][37][38][39] He also remains well respected among major peers for his distinctive style (a cerebral and intricate minimalism driven by semantics and implosive restraint): Kim Hye-soo, Song Kang-ho, Oh Dal-su (especially for their collaboration in Forbidden Quest and A Bloody Aria), Sul Kyung-gu, and Choi Min-sik.[40][41][42][43]
For his part, Han has cited influences by legendary Korean actor Kim Seung-ho, Al Pacino, Ken Takakura, The Godfather trilogy, and Hayao Miyazaki.[citation needed]
Personal life
On November 22, 1998, Han married KBS 21st voice actor Im Myung-ju, whom he dated from the days of the KBS Voice Actor Association.[44] The couple have two sons and two daughters.[45][46]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Mom, the Star, and the Sea Anemone | Special appearance | ||
| Doctor Bong | Bong Joon-soo | |||
| 1996 | The Ginkgo Bed | Soo-hyeon/Jong-moon | ||
| 1997 | Green Fish | Kim Mak-dong | ||
| No. 3 | Seo Tae-ju | |||
| The Contact | Kwon Dong-hyeon | |||
| 1998 | Christmas in August | Jung-won | ||
| 1999 | Shiri | Yoo Joong-won | ||
| Tell Me Something | Detective Jo | |||
| 2003 | Double Agent | Rim Byeong-ho | ||
| 2004 | The Scarlet Letter | Lee Ki-hoon | ||
| 2005 | The President's Last Bang | KCIA Chief Agent Joo | ||
| Quiz King | Jo Jin-man | |||
| 2006 | Forbidden Quest | Kim Yoon-seo | ||
| A Bloody Aria | Lee Moon-jae | |||
| Solace | Shim In-gu | |||
| 2008 | Eye for an Eye | Baek Seong-chan | ||
| 2009 | White Night | Han Dong-soo | ||
| 2010 | Villain and Widow | Kang Chang-in | ||
| 2013 | The Berlin File | Jeong Jin-soo | ||
| My Paparotti | Na Sang-jin | |||
| 2014 | The Royal Tailor | Jo Dol-seok | ||
| 2017 | The Prison | Jung Ik-ho | ||
| 2019 | Idol | Goo Myeong-hoe | ||
| Forbidden Dream | King Sejong |
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Our Paradise | Hyun Chul | ||
| 1991 | Eyes of Dawn | Young Man from Seobuk | ||
| 1992–1993 | Sons and Daughters | Suk Ho | ||
| 1993 | Pilot | Park Sang-hyun | ||
| 1994 | The Moon of Seoul | Hong Shik | ||
| Challenge | ||||
| Kareisky | ||||
| 1995 | Hotel | Im Hyung-bin | ||
| 2011 | Deep Rooted Tree | Lee Do / King Sejong | ||
| 2014 | Secret Door | King Yeongjo | ||
| 2016–2023 | Dr. Romantic | Teacher Kim / Boo Yong-joo | Season 1–3 | [47] |
| 2019 | Watcher | Do Chi-kwang | ||
| 2022 | Recipe for Farewell | Kang Chang-wook | [48] | |
| 2024 | Doubt | Jang Tae-su | ||
| TBA | When the Day Breaks | |||
Accolades
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APAN Star Awards | 2012 | Top Excellence Award, Actor | Deep Rooted Tree | Nominated | |
| Asian Film Critics Association Awards | 1999 | Best Actor | Christmas in August | Nominated | |
| 2004 | Best Actor | The Scarlet Letter | Nominated | ||
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 1994 | Best New Actor – Television | Sons and Daughters | Nominated | |
| 1995 | Best Actor – Television | The Moon of Seoul | Nominated | ||
| 1996 | Best New Actor – Film | Doctor Bong | Won | ||
| Best Actor – Film | Nominated | ||||
| 1997 | Best Actor – Film | Green Fish | Won | ||
| 1998 | Best Actor – Film | Christmas in August | Nominated | ||
| 1999 | Best Actor – Film | Shiri | Nominated | ||
| 2005 | Best Actor – Film | The President's Last Bang | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Best Actor – Television | Deep Rooted Tree | Nominated | ||
| 2017 | Best Actor – Television | Dr. Romantic | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | Best Actor – Film | Forbidden Dream | Nominated | ||
| 2025 | Best Actor – Television | Doubt | Pending | [49] | |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 1995 | Best Actor | Doctor Bong | Nominated | |
| 1996 | Best Actor | The Ginkgo Bed | Nominated | ||
| 1997 | Best Actor | Green Fish | Won | ||
| Popular Star Award | Green Fish / The Contact / No. 3 | Won | |||
| 1998 | Popular Star Award | Christmas in August | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Nominated | ||||
| 1999 | Popular Star Award | Shiri | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Tell Me Something | Nominated | |||
| 2004 | Best Actor | The Scarlet Letter | Nominated | ||
| Buil Film Awards | 2008 | Best Actor | Eye for an Eye | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Best Actor | Idol | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | Best Actor | Forbidden Dream | Nominated | ||
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 1995 | Best New Actor | Doctor Bong | Won | |
| 2020 | Best Actor | Forbidden Dream | Nominated | [50] | |
| Cine 21 Awards | 1996 | Best New Actor | Doctor Bong | Won | |
| 1998 | Best Actor | Christmas in August | Won | ||
| 2024 | Actor of the Year (Series) | Doubt | Won | [51] | |
| Director's Cut Awards | 1998 | Best Actor | Christmas in August | Won | |
| 2019 | Best Actor | Idol | Nominated | ||
| 2023 | Best Actor in Television | Recipe for Farewell | Nominated | [52] | |
| Fantasia International Film Festival | 2019 | Best Actor | Idol | Won | [53] |
| Golden Cinematography Awards | 1997 | Most Popular Actor | Green Fish | Won | |
| Grand Bell Awards | 1996 | Best Actor | Doctor Bong | Nominated | |
| Best New Actor | The Ginkgo Bed | Nominated | |||
| 1997 | Best Actor | Green Fish | Won | ||
| Popularity Award | Green Fish / The Contact / No. 3 | Won | |||
| 1999 | Popularity Award | Christmas in August | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Nominated | ||||
| 2000 | Popularity Award | Tell Me Something | Won | ||
| 2017 | Best Actor | The Prison | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | Best Actor | Forbidden Dream | Nominated | [54] | |
| Grimae Awards | 2024 | Best Actor | Doubt | Won | [55] |
| Korea Drama Awards | 2012 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Deep Rooted Tree | Nominated | |
| 2017 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Dr. Romantic | Nominated | ||
| Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | 1997 | Best Actor | Green Fish | Won | |
| Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards | 1999 | Best Actor | Shiri / Tell Me Something | Won | |
| Korean Film Awards | 2006 | Best Actor | Forbidden Quest | Nominated | |
| MBC Drama Awards | 1993 | Best New Actor | Pilot, Sons and Daughters | Won | |
| 1994 | Top Excellence Award, Actor | The Moon of Seoul | Won | ||
| 2024 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Doubt | Won | [56][57] | |
| Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Nominated | [58] | |||
| MBC Gangbyeon Song Festival | 1984 | Encouragement Award | Han Suk-kyu | Won | |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2011 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Deep Rooted Tree | Won | |
| Top 10 Stars | Won | ||||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special | Nominated | ||||
| 2014 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Secret Door | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Dr. Romantic | Won | [59] | |
| Top 10 Stars | Won | ||||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Genre & Fantasy Drama | Nominated | ||||
| 2020 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Dr. Romantic 2 | Nominated | ||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Genre/Action Drama | Nominated | ||||
| 2023 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Dr. Romantic 3 | Nominated | [60] | |
| Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Seasonal Drama | Nominated | [61] | |||
| TV Journal Star of the Year | 1994 | Excellence Award | The Moon of Seoul | Won | |
| Women Viewers Film Awards | 1998 | Best Actor | Christmas in August | Won | |
State honors
Listicles
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallup Korea | 2004 | Gallup Korea's Film Actor of the Year | 5th | [66] |
| 2011 | 10th | [67] | ||
| 2013 | 17th | [68] | ||
| 2023 | Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year | 8th[b] | [69] | |
| The Screen | 2009 | 1984–2008 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies | 3rd | [70] |
Notes
- Honors are given at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, arranged by the Korea Creative Content Agency and hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.[62][63] They are awarded to those who have contributed to the arts and South Korea's pop culture.[64]
- Tied with Kim Hae-sook and Kim Hye-soo with 2.4% point
References
External links
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