Jang Dong-gun

South Korean actor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jang Dong-gun

Jang Dong-gun (born March 7, 1972) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading roles in the films Friend (2001) and Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War (2004). Jang is one of the highest-paid actors and celebrity endorsers in Korea,[2] consistently topping surveys by industry insiders of most bankable stars.[3]

Quick Facts Born, Occupation ...
Jang Dong-gun
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Jang in May 2019
Born (1972-03-07) March 7, 1972 (age 52)
OccupationActor
Years active1992–present
Spouse
(m. 2010)
Children2
Korean name
Hangul
장동건
Hanja
張東健
Revised RomanizationJang Dong-geon
McCune–ReischauerChang Tonggŏn
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Early life

Jang Dong-gun spent his childhood in Yongsan District, Seoul, and later went on to study at the Korea National University of Arts School of Drama, though he dropped out before obtaining a degree.[4]

Career

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Perspective

1992–2003: Beginnings and breakout

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Jang in April 16, 2009

Jang first entered the entertainment world in a talent contest in 1992. He began by acting in TV dramas such as Iljimae,[5] The Last Match,[6] co-starring Shim Eun-ha, and he eventually made his film debut in Repechage (1997) together with Kim Hee-sun.[7][8]

By the late 1990s he had become quite popular in Korea, but he also became one of the first Korean stars to garner a fan following in other parts of Asia, after several of his TV dramas were screened there in the late nineties. In 1999, after acting in the critically acclaimed Nowhere to Hide as Park Joong-hoon's younger partner, Jang moved on to star in a feature that was filmed on location in Shanghai. Titled Anarchists, this tale of five young terrorists from 1930s China helped to elevate his status even further.[9][8]

Jang's breakout came in early 2001 in Friend, which smashed the box office record set by Shiri to become (at the time) the biggest Korean film of all time. After playing the nice guy in almost all his previous roles, this portrayal of a tough-talking gangster from Busan led him to local stardom.[10][11][8] The following year he starred in the popular action blockbuster 2009 Lost Memories set in a futuristic Great Japan,[12] and appeared in the low-budget film The Coast Guard by controversial director Kim Ki-duk.[13]

2004–2011: Overseas popularity and Hollywood debut

In 2004, Jang took the lead role in Kang Je-gyu's Taegukgi, an epic film about two brothers set during the Korean War. The film broke Friend's record with an astounding 11 million tickets sold. By this time, Jang's name had become known widely throughout Asia.[14][15][11]

Jang followed this up with The Promise, a $30 million pan-Asian production by Chinese director Chen Kaige in which he played opposite Hong Kong star Cecilia Cheung.[16] Meanwhile, he was cast in Typhoon as a modern-day pirate who has been betrayed by both North and South Korea. Directed by Friend's Kwak Kyung-taek, Typhoon set a new record in 2005 for the highest production budget in Korean film history at $15 million.[17]

For the next four years, Jang kept a low profile in the Korean entertainment sphere as he worked on his Hollywood debut The Warrior's Way, also starring Kate Bosworth and Geoffrey Rush. The film encountered problems with post-production and distribution, and was only released in 2010.[18][19][20]

He returned to the silver screen in 2009 as the nation's youngest (and most eligible) head of state in Jang Jin's comedy Good Morning, President.[21][22][23][24][25]

He reunited with director Kang Je-gyu in My Way, a film set during World War II based on the true story of a Korean soldier who is drafted by the Japanese army and eventually is present at the Battle of Normandy.[26][27] A large-scale, ambitious pan-Asian collaboration co-starring Japanese actor Joe Odagiri and Chinese actress Fan Bingbing, My Way was the most expensive Korean movie to date (with an estimated budget of ₩28 billion),[28] But despite being simultaneously released in Korea and Japan in December 2011,[29] the film flopped at the box office.[30]

2012–present: Return to television

Jang made his highly anticipated return to television dramas in A Gentleman's Dignity, saying he was drawn to the romantic comedy tale of 40-something-year-old men struggling to grow up and mend and forge lasting relationships.[31][32][33][34] After the series ended, Jang and co-star Kim Min-jong visited refugees in the Republic of the Congo on a mission trip sponsored by UNICEF, UNHCR and World Food Programme. It was televised on SBS documentary program Hope TV.[35][36]

His 2012 film Dangerous Liaisons was a Chinese adaptation of the French literature classic set in 1930s Shanghai, directed by Hur Jin-ho and co-starring Zhang Ziyi and Cecilia Cheung.[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]

Jang next starred in No Tears for the Dead, an action thriller directed by Lee Jeong-beom. He played a Korean-born American hitman who feels conflicted about killing his last target (played by Kim Min-hee).[46][47][48][49]

In 2015, Jang was cast in the film Seven Years of Night, a revenge thriller based on the novel of the same name by Jung Yoo-jung. He plays a character who takes revenge on his daughter's murderer, by killing his son.[50] The film premiered in 2018.

In 2016, Jang was cast in his first Chinese drama, Once Loved You Distressed Forever alongside actress Tang Yixin.[51] He was then cast in the espionage noir thriller VIP, which premiered in 2017.[52][53]

Jang returned to the small screen after five years, starring in the Korean remake of the popular American legal drama series Suits (2018).[54][55][56] The same year, Jung starred in Kim Sung-hoon's period zombie action film Rampant alongside close friend Hyun Bin.[57]

In 2019, Jang starred in the fantasy historical drama Arthdal Chronicles.[58][59]

Personal life

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Perspective

Jang is a practicing Buddhist, having first explored Buddhist reading while hospitalized in high school, after undergoing chest surgery.[60]

He enjoys playing baseball and is a member of the celebrity amateur baseball team "Playboys" with Lee Jong-hyuk, Hyun Bin, Kim Seung-woo, Hwang Jung-min, Ji Jin-hee, and other actors.[2][61]

Relationship and marriage

The famously private actor surprised the country in November 2009 when he went public with his two-year romance with Ko So-young.[62][63] Since co-starring together in the 1999 film Love Wind Love Song, rumors about Jang and Ko had spread several times in the past, but both had consistently denied them. The announcement immediately sparked speculation of an impending marriage although it wasn't until March 2010 that Jang officially told his fans at a fan meeting that he would be marrying Ko in May.[64][65] After months of media frenzy leading up to their nuptials,[66][67][68][69] the two tied the knot on May 2, 2010 in an extravagant wedding ceremony at Seoul's Shilla Hotel which was attended by their A-list celebrity friends, reporters and fans from around the world.[70][71]

Their son, Jang Min-joon, was born on October 4, 2010.[72][73][74][75] Their second child, a daughter, was born on February 25, 2014.[76][77][78][79]

Filmography

Film

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Jang in an LG ad in 2011
More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRole Notes Ref.
1997 Repechage Min-gyu
Holiday In Seoul Taxi driver
1998 First Kiss Actor Cameo
1999 Love Wind Love Song Tae-hee [80]
Nowhere to Hide Detective Kim
2000 Anarchists Sergei
2001 Friend Han Dong-su
2002 2009: Lost Memories Masayuki Sakamoto
The Coast Guard Private Kang
2004 Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War Lee Jin-tae
2005 Typhoon Sin
The Promise Kunlun Chinese production
2009 Good Morning, President Cha Ji-wook
2010 The Warrior's Way Yang International co-production
2011 My Way Kim Jun-sik
2012 Dangerous Liaisons Xie Yifan Chinese production
2014 No Tears for the Dead Gon
2017 V.I.P. Park Jae-hyuk
2018 Seven Years of Night Young-je
Rampant Kim Ja-joon
2023 A Normal Family Jae-gyu [81]
TBA Tropical Night Baek Do-jun [82]
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Television series

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1992 Our Heaven
1993 Iljimae Iljimae
1994 The Last Match Yoon Chul-jun
1996 Icing Yoon Chan [83]
1997 Medical Brothers Kim Su-hyung [84]
Model Lee Jung [85]
Myth of a Hero Kim Tae-woo [86]
1998 Ready Go! Shin Ji-soo [87]
Love Jung In-ha [88]
1999 Springtime [ko] Kang Hyun-woo [89]
Ghost Jang Dae-hyup [90]
2000 All About Eve Yoon Hyung-chul [91]
2012 A Gentleman's Dignity Kim Do-jin
2018 Suits Choi Kyung-seo
2019–2023 Arthdal Chronicles Ta Gon Season 1–2 [92]
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Television shows

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Back to the Books Host Season 2 [93]
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Discography

More information Album information, Track listing ...
Album information Track listing
너에게로 가는 길
  • Track from Our Heaven OST
  • Released: March 1, 1993
  • Label: 킹
Track listing
5. 너에게로 가는 길 - Jang Dong-gun
With Justice And Peace For All
  • Album
  • Artist: Jang Dong-gun
  • Released: June 1993
  • Label: 킹
Track listing
  1. 우리들의 천국(Main Theme)
  2. 너에게로 가는 길(주제곡)
  3. 처음느낀 너
  4. 내 안에 있는 너
  5. 우리들의 천국(Love Theme)
  6. 고독 그리고 나
  7. 너에게로 가는 길(Remake Dance)
  8. 구름과 나
  9. 우정
  10. Happy Ending
Friendship
  • Album
  • Artists: Jang Dong-gun and Jeon Cheol
  • Released: June 1994
  • Label: Asia (Shinchon Music)
Track listing
  1. 그대가 있기에
  2. 나의 친구
  3. 너에겐 너무 미안해
  4. 늘 푸르른 소나무 처럼
  5. 사랑한다는 이유만으로
  6. 슬픈추억
  7. 이제 난 알아
  8. 조금씩
飛翔 (Flying)
  • Album
  • Artist: Jang Dong-gun
  • Released: October 1995
  • Label: Seoul Records
Track listing
  1. 프롤로그-소중한 너에게
  2. 슬픈 발라드
  3. 나만의 착각
  4. SHE SAID 'GOOD BYE'
  5. 연인에게
  6. 부킹
  7. 에덴의 저편
  8. 바람둥이
  9. 밤은 깊은데
  10. 사랑을 내곁에
Bon Seung & Dong Gun
Track listing
  1. Bach & Andante
  2. 풍경
  3. Love Song (Piano Version)
  4. 불멸의 사랑
  5. 동거
  6. Remember
  7. Love Song(Full Version)
  8. Bach & Adagio
  9. Remember
  10. 정말 그러길 바랄께
  11. 내안에 있는 너
  12. 풍경 Repeat
  13. 풍경 Repeat & B.T
정말 그러길 바랄께
  • Track from Dong Gam: Sympathy 1970~2001. June
  • Released: June 22, 2001
  • Label: One Entertainment (Sony Music Korea)
Track listing
Disc 1 - 1. 정말 그러길 바랄께 - Jang Dong-gun
과거는 흘러갔다 (From Film)
Track listing
9. 과거는 흘러갔다 (From Film) - Jang Dong-gun
We Online: Actor's Choice[94]
  • Single
  • Released: March 5, 2010
  • Label: A&G Modes
Track listing
  1. 우리 (We) - Gong Hyung-jin, Kim Seung-woo, Lee Ha-na, Jang Dong-gun, Ji Jin-hee, Hwang Jung-min
  2. 우리 (We) (Inst.)
나보다 더 (More Than Me)
Track listing
1. 나보다 더 (More Than Me) - Jang Dong-gun
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Awards and nominations

More information Year, Award ...
Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category, nominated work and the result of the nomination
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1993 MBC Drama AwardsBest New ActorIljimaeNominated
1994 30th Baeksang Arts AwardsBest New Actor (TV)The Last MatchWon [95]
1997 18th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest New ActorRepechageWon [96]
33rd Baeksang Arts AwardsMost Popular Actor (TV)Medical BrothersWon [97]
MBC Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActorWon
1999 20th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest Supporting ActorNowhere to HideWon [98]
2000 37th Grand Bell AwardsNominated
21st Blue Dragon Film AwardsPopular Star AwardAnarchistsWon [99]
MBC Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActorAll About EveNominated
2001 46th Asia-Pacific Film FestivalBest Supporting ActorFriendWon [100]
22nd Blue Dragon Film AwardsPopular Star AwardWon [101]
Best ActorNominated
2002 23rd Blue Dragon Film AwardsThe Coast GuardNominated
2003 40th Grand Bell AwardsNominated
2nd Korean Film AwardsNominated
2004 40th Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Actor (Film)Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of WarNominated
41st Grand Bell AwardsBest ActorNominated
25th Blue Dragon Film AwardsWon [102]
2005 2nd Max Movie AwardsWon [103]
2006 43rd Grand Bell AwardsTyphoonNominated
2007 15th Chunsa Film Art AwardsHallyu Arts AwardWon [104]
Korea TV Advertising FestivalBest Couple Award (with Soo Ae)Won [105]
Korean Entertainment Industry Society Star (Movie) Award Won [106]
2009 46th Savings DayPresident's CommendationWon [107]
30th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest ActorGood Morning, PresidentNominated
2012 5th Style Icon AwardsTop 10 Style IconsWon [108][109]
Style Icon of the YearWon
SBS Drama AwardsTop 10 StarsA Gentleman's DignityWon [110]
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Weekend/Serial DramaWon
2017 5th Marie Claire Asia Star AwardsActor of the YearV.I.P.Won [111]
20182018 Korea Best Star AwardsBest ActorSeven Years of NightWon [112]
KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Suits Nominated
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Won [113]
2019 4th Asia Artist Awards Grand Prize (Daesang) Arthdal Chronicles Won [114][unreliable source?]
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Listicles

More information Publisher, Year ...
Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Forbes 2010 Korea Power Celebrity 40 34th [115]
2011 25th [116]
2014 37th [citation needed]
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References

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