Jang Dong-gun

Template:Short description Template:Family name hatnote Template:Infobox person 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,<ref name=cnn>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> consistently topping surveys by industry insiders of most bankable stars.<ref>"Jang Dong-gun Voted Korea's Most Bankable Star" Template:Webarchive. The Chosun Ilbo. 20 October 2005.</ref>

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.<ref name="Jang Dong Gun website">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Career

1992–2003: Beginnings and breakout

File:Jang Dong-gun on April 16, 2009.jpg

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,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Last Match,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> co-starring Shim Eun-ha, and he eventually made his film debut in Repechage (1997) together with Kim Hee-sun.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=Paquet>"Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Jang Dong-gun" Template:Webarchive. Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2012-10-05.</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=Paquet />

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=wave /><ref name=Paquet /> The following year he starred in the popular action blockbuster 2009 Lost Memories set in a futuristic Great Japan,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and appeared in the low-budget film The Coast Guard by controversial director Kim Ki-duk.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=wave>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Min, Ines (10 October 2010). "Jang's Hollywood debut to bridge East and West" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times.</ref><ref>Lee, Hyo-won (23 November 2010). "Jang Dong-gun brings Asian vibe to Hollywood" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times.</ref><ref>Lee, Seung-han (25 November 2010). "Interview: Actor Jang Dong-gun" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia.</ref>

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.<ref>"Jang Back to Silver Screen in 4 Years" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times. 20 July 2009.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Park, Sun-young (25 September 2009.). Template:Usurped. Korea JoongAng Daily.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>"Jang Dong Gun: 'I Want to Film Movies That My Son Can Watch Later'" Template:Webarchive. KBS Global. 17 May 2011.</ref><ref>Kim, Jessica (1 July 2011). "Jang Dong-gun starrer My Way cranks up" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia.</ref> 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 Template:SK won),<ref>"Korean Mega War Movie Targets Pan-Asian Audience" Template:Webarchive. The Chosun Ilbo. 15 December 2011.</ref> But despite being simultaneously released in Korea and Japan in December 2011,<ref>Lee, Hyo-won (20 January 2011). "Jang-Odagiri film set for release in Japan" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times.</ref> the film flopped at the box office.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Hong, Lucia (8 February 2012). "Jang Dong-gun, Kim Ha-neul cast as leads in new SBS TV series" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia.</ref><ref>"Jang Dong-gun Excited About New Drama" Template:Webarchive. The Chosun Ilbo. 25 May 2012.</ref><ref>Oh, Jean (24 May 2012). "Jang Dong-gun gets first 'proper' kiss scene". The Korea Herald.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Ko, Kyoung-seok (22 September 2011). "Jang Dong-gun set for Hur Jin-ho pic joined by Zhang Ziyi and Cecilia Cheung" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia.</ref><ref>Lee, Hyo-won (23 September 2011). "Jang Dong-gun to co-star with Zhang Ziyi, Cecilia Cheung" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times.</ref><ref>"Jang Dong Gun: 'I Am Glad to Work with Zhang Ziyi and Cecilia Cheung'" Template:Webarchive. KBS Global. 28 September 2011.</ref><ref>Son, Jin-ah (5 September 2012). Template:Usurped. StarN News.</ref><ref>Ho, Stewart (7 September 2012). "Jang Dong Gun Charms Zhang Zhiyi and Cecilia Cheung With His Bad Boy Ways in New Movie Stills". enewsWorld.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The film premiered in 2018.

In 2016, Jang was cast in his first Chinese drama, Once Loved You Distressed Forever alongside actress Tang Yixin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was then cast in the espionage noir thriller VIP, which premiered in 2017.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Jang returned to the small screen after five years, starring in the Korean remake of the popular American legal drama series Suits (2018).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=suits>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The same year, Jung starred in Kim Sung-hoon's period zombie action film Rampant alongside close friend Hyun Bin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2019, Jang starred in the fantasy historical drama Arthdal Chronicles.<ref name=asadal>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal life

Jang is a practicing Buddhist, having first explored Buddhist reading while hospitalized in high school, after undergoing chest surgery.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name=cnn /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Kim, Tong-hyung (5 November 2009). "Guess What! They've Been Dating for 2 Years" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times.</ref><ref>Park, Sun-young (12 November 2009). Template:Usurped. Korea JoongAng Daily.</ref> 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.<ref>"Jang to Disclose Wedding Plans in March" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times. 1 February 2010.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After months of media frenzy leading up to their nuptials,<ref>"Star Couple to Marry Vast Assets" Template:Webarchive. The Chosun Ilbo. 9 November 2009.</ref><ref>Han, Jane (4 February 2010). "Jang-Ko Wedding Sets Off PR War" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times.</ref><ref>Lee, Hyo-won (22 April 2010). "Jang Dong-gun, Ko So-young Expecting Baby" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times.</ref><ref>"Jang Dong-gun, Ko So-young 'Ecstatic' Over Pregnancy" Template:Webarchive. The Chosun Ilbo. 23 April 2010.</ref> 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.<ref>Lee, Hyo-won (2 May 2010). "Jang, Ko tie knot" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times.</ref><ref>Yim, Seung-hye (4 May 2010). Template:Usurped. Korea JoongAng Daily.</ref>

Their son, Jang Min-joon, was born on October 4, 2010.<ref>Kim, Jessica (4 October 2010). "Jang Dong-gun wife gives birth" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia.</ref><ref>"Jang Dong-gun, Ko So-young Celebrate Birth of Son" Template:Webarchive. The Chosun Ilbo. 5 October 2010.</ref><ref>Min, Ines (5 October 2010). "Actors Jang, Ko become parents" Template:Webarchive . The Korea Times.</ref><ref>Kim, Hannah (14 October 2010). Template:Usurped. Korea JoongAng Daily.</ref> Their second child, a daughter, was born on February 25, 2014.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Filmography

Film

File:Jangdonggun 02.jpg

Jang in an LG ad in 2011

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
1997	Repechage	Min-gyu
	Holiday In Seoul	Taxi driver
1998	First Kiss	Actor	Cameo
1999	Love Wind Love Song	Tae-hee		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	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		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:TBA	Tropical Night	Baek Do-jun		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Television series

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
1992	Our Heaven
1993	Iljimae	Iljimae
1994	The Last Match	Yoon Chul-jun
1996	Icing	Yoon Chan		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1997	Medical Brothers	Kim Su-hyung		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Model	Lee Jung		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Myth of a Hero	Kim Tae-woo		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1998	Ready Go!	Shin Ji-soo		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Love	Jung In-ha		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1999	Template:Ill	Kang Hyun-woo		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Ghost	Jang Dae-hyup		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2000	All About Eve	Yoon Hyung-chul		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2012	A Gentleman's Dignity	Kim Do-jin
2018	Suits	Choi Kyung-seo
2019–2023	Arthdal Chronicles	Ta Gon	Season 1–2	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Television shows

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
2022	Back to the Books	Host	Season 2	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Discography

Album information	Track listing
너에게로 가는 길 Track from Our Heaven OST Released: March 1, 1993 Label: 킹	Template:Hidden
With Justice And Peace For All Album Artist: Jang Dong-gun Released: June 1993 Label: 킹	Template:Hidden
Friendship Album Artists: Jang Dong-gun and Jeon Cheol Released: June 1994 Label: Asia (Shinchon Music)	Template:Hidden
飛翔 (Flying) Album Artist: Jang Dong-gun Released: October 1995 Label: Seoul Records	Template:Hidden
Bon Seung & Dong Gun Album Artists: Goo Bon-seung and Jang Dong-gun Released: February 12, 1998 Label: Doremi	Template:Hidden
정말 그러길 바랄께 Track from Dong Gam: Sympathy 1970~2001. June Released: June 22, 2001 Label: One Entertainment (Sony Music Korea)	Template:Hidden
과거는 흘러갔다 (From Film) Track from The Coast Guard OST Released: November 13, 2002 Label: DreamBeat	Template:Hidden
citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Single Released: March 5, 2010 Label: A&G Modes	Template:Hidden
나보다 더 (More Than Me) Single from A Gentleman's Dignity OST 2 Released: July 27, 2012 Label: CJ E&M	Template:Hidden

Awards and nominations

Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category, nominated work and the result of the nomination

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result	Template:Abbr
1993	MBC Drama Awards	Best New Actor	Iljimae	Template:Nom
1994	30th Baeksang Arts Awards	Best New Actor (TV)	The Last Match	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1997	18th Blue Dragon Film Awards	Best New Actor	Repechage	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	33rd Baeksang Arts Awards	Most Popular Actor (TV)	Medical Brothers	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	MBC Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor		Template:Won
1999	20th Blue Dragon Film Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Nowhere to Hide	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2000	37th Grand Bell Awards			Template:Nom
	21st Blue Dragon Film Awards	Popular Star Award	Anarchists	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	MBC Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor	All About Eve	Template:Nom
2001	46th Asia-Pacific Film Festival	Best Supporting Actor	Friend	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	22nd Blue Dragon Film Awards	Popular Star Award		Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Best Actor		Template:Nom
2002	23rd Blue Dragon Film Awards		The Coast Guard	Template:Nom
2003	40th Grand Bell Awards			Template:Nom
	2nd Korean Film Awards			Template:Nom
2004	40th Baeksang Arts Awards	Best Actor (Film)	Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War	Template:Nom
	41st Grand Bell Awards	Best Actor		Template:Nom
	25th Blue Dragon Film Awards			Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2005	2nd Max Movie Awards			Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2006	43rd Grand Bell Awards		Typhoon	Template:Nom
2007	15th Chunsa Film Art Awards	Hallyu Arts Award	Template:NA	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Korea TV Advertising Festival	Best Couple Award (with Soo Ae)	Template:NA	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Korean Entertainment Industry Society	Star (Movie) Award	Template:NA	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2009	46th Savings Day	President's Commendation	Template:NA	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	30th Blue Dragon Film Awards	Best Actor	Good Morning, President	Template:Nom
2012	5th Style Icon Awards	Top 10 Style Icons	Template:NA	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Style Icon of the Year	Template:NA	Template:Won
	SBS Drama Awards	Top 10 Stars	A Gentleman's Dignity	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Weekend/Serial Drama		Template:Won
2017	5th Marie Claire Asia Star Awards	Actor of the Year	V.I.P.	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2018	2018 Korea Best Star Awards	Best Actor	Seven Years of Night	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	KBS Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor	Suits	Template:Nom
		Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries		Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2019	4th Asia Artist Awards	Grand Prize (Daesang)	Arthdal Chronicles	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2025	18th Asian Film Awards	Excellence in Asian Cinema Award	Template:N/a	Template:Honored	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement

Publisher	Year	Listicle	Placement	Template:Abbr
Forbes	2010	Korea Power Celebrity 40	34th	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2011		25th	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2014		37th	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• Template:Official website Template:In lang