Kang Dong-won
Encyclopedia
Kang Dong Won is a South Korean film and television actor
.
, Kang's family moved to Changwon
when he was 7 years old. While studying Mechanical Engineering at Hanyang University
, he was spotted on the streets by a modeling agent in 2000. After working as a model, he began his acting career in two TV dramas, and in 2004 shot his first movie, the romantic comedy Too Beautiful to Lie
. However, his first real breakthrough was in Temptation of the Wolves, the film adaptation of Guiyeoni
's teen internet novel. With his beautiful, androgynous looks, Kang's popularity rose, extending to other Asian countries, especially Japan
.
Instead of starring in more mainstream fare, Kang surprised audiences with his next roles as an inmate on death row in Maundy Thursday
and the antagonist in Voice of a Murderer
. His two collaborations with auteur Lee Myung-se
in Duelist
and M
further cemented Kang's status as one of the top young actors in Korean cinema. He has earned recognition from critics for his stylish flair and diverse choice of roles.
Kang said that he decided to play the mischievous titular character in the action fantasy Jeon Woo Chi
because "he wanted to be an actor loved by all generations." With its strong, star-filled ensemble cast and a high effects budget, the Choi Dong-hun
-directed film turned into a blockbuster holiday event, selling over 6 million tickets over the winter season despite opening in theaters only a week after the release of Avatar in Korea.
He then scored an acting coup by being cast opposite acclaimed veteran actor Song Kang-ho
in Jang Hoon
's spy film Secret Reunion
. It became one of the biggest Korean box office hits of 2010, with over 5 million tickets sold.
After filming Haunters
, Kang entered the military on Nov. 18, 2010, a compulsory duty for all South Korean males.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
Career
Born in BusanBusan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
, Kang's family moved to Changwon
Changwon
Changwon is a city in and the capital of Gyeongsangnam-do in South Korea. Changwon city is 8th most populous city in South Korea, with a 2010 established population of 1,089,039. It encompasses a land area of on southeastern of South Korea. The population of Southeastern part of Korea, that...
when he was 7 years old. While studying Mechanical Engineering at Hanyang University
Hanyang University
Hanyang University is one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea. In particular, Hanyang's School of Engineering is one of the oldest engineering schools in Korea. The main campus is Hanyang University at Seoul, located in the Seoul, with its branch campus, the ERICA campus , located...
, he was spotted on the streets by a modeling agent in 2000. After working as a model, he began his acting career in two TV dramas, and in 2004 shot his first movie, the romantic comedy Too Beautiful to Lie
Too Beautiful to Lie
Too Beautiful to Lie is a 2004 South Korean film. A romantic, melodrama comedy about a beautiful ex-con and an innocent, naive village boy.- Plot :...
. However, his first real breakthrough was in Temptation of the Wolves, the film adaptation of Guiyeoni
Guiyeoni
Guiyeoni is the penname of Internet novelist Lee Yoon-sae. She first reached fame with her novels He Was Cool and Romance of Their Own, which spawned commercially successful films of the same name, as with another book, A Wolf's Attraction...
's teen internet novel. With his beautiful, androgynous looks, Kang's popularity rose, extending to other Asian countries, especially Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Instead of starring in more mainstream fare, Kang surprised audiences with his next roles as an inmate on death row in Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday (film)
Maundy Thursday is a 2006 South Korean film directed by Song Hae-seong, and based on a best-selling novel by Gong Ji-young. Starring Kang Dong-won and Lee Na-young, the film is about a convicted murderer awaiting execution, and the bond he forms with a suicidal young woman who starts visiting him...
and the antagonist in Voice of a Murderer
Voice of a Murderer
Voice of a Murderer is a 2007 South Korean film directed by Park Jin-pyo one year after You Are My Sunshine. The story is a fictionalized account of a true life event.-Plot:...
. His two collaborations with auteur Lee Myung-se
Lee Myung-se
Lee Myung-se is a South Korean filmmaker.Lee began his career as an assistant producer under Bae Chang-ho for the films Hwang Jin-I , Our Sweet Days of Youth , and Dream...
in Duelist
Duelist (film)
Duelist is a 2005 South Korean martial arts film, directed by Lee Myung-se. The Korean title translates as "The Detective".- Plot :The movie opens with a fish tale narrated by a low-class metalsmith in a tavern in Joseon-era south-western Korea. The scene then cuts to a street circus, in which an...
and M
M (2007 film)
M is a 2007 South Korean drama film about a young writer who is experiencing hallucinations and nightmares.- Awards :M won three awards at the 6th Korean Film awards. The movie won awards for cinematography, lighting and art direction....
further cemented Kang's status as one of the top young actors in Korean cinema. He has earned recognition from critics for his stylish flair and diverse choice of roles.
Kang said that he decided to play the mischievous titular character in the action fantasy Jeon Woo Chi
Jeon Woo Chi
Jeon Woo Chi is a 2009 fantasy action blockbuster. Writer-director Choi Dong-hun departs from his popular heist films Tazza: The High Rollers and The Big Swindle for this big-budget, special effects-filled action romp that was equally popular with the Korean audience, earning over six million...
because "he wanted to be an actor loved by all generations." With its strong, star-filled ensemble cast and a high effects budget, the Choi Dong-hun
Choi Dong-hun
Choi Dong-hun is a South Korean film director, best known for his gambling film, Tazza: The High Rollers. And his most recent film, Jeon Woo Chi has sold over 6 million tickets domestically...
-directed film turned into a blockbuster holiday event, selling over 6 million tickets over the winter season despite opening in theaters only a week after the release of Avatar in Korea.
He then scored an acting coup by being cast opposite acclaimed veteran actor Song Kang-ho
Song Kang-ho
Song Kang-ho is a leading South Korean film actor.- Career:Song Kang-ho never professionally trained as an actor, beginning his career in social theater groups after graduating from Kimhae High School...
in Jang Hoon
Jang Hun (director)
Jang Hun is a South Korean film director. He has worked primarily with director Kim Ki-duk first with the production department, then as an assistant director, to getting a script from Mr. Kim; Rough Cut. In 2010 he directed Secret Reunion selling over 5,000,000 tickets making it the second...
's spy film Secret Reunion
Secret Reunion
Secret Reunion is one of the highest grossing Korean films of 2010. The story follows Song Kang-ho as Agent Lee Han-gyu of the National Intelligence Service who falls from grace after failing to stop the assassination of a North Korean dissident...
. It became one of the biggest Korean box office hits of 2010, with over 5 million tickets sold.
After filming Haunters
Haunters
Haunters is a 2010 South Korean film directed by Kim Min-suk – cowriter of The Good, the Bad, the Weird – depicts the struggle between a psychic named Cho-in who can control people with his mind and a man named Kyu-nam who is immune to the psychic’s supernatural power.- Plot :Kyu-nam works at a...
, Kang entered the military on Nov. 18, 2010, a compulsory duty for all South Korean males.
Education
- Schools: Namyang Elementary, Kyungwon Junior High, Guhchang High, graduated from Hanyang UniversityHanyang UniversityHanyang University is one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea. In particular, Hanyang's School of Engineering is one of the oldest engineering schools in Korea. The main campus is Hanyang University at Seoul, located in the Seoul, with its branch campus, the ERICA campus , located...
with honors (major in Technological Engineering). - Current School: Sangmyung UniversitySangmyung UniversitySangmyung University is a private, coeducational university in South Korea. It operates campuses in Seoul and in Cheonan.-History:Sangmyung University is located in central Seoul, with a secondary campus in Cheonan, South Korea....
Graduate School, majoring in film.
Movies
- Camellia Love For Sale (2011)
- HauntersHauntersHaunters is a 2010 South Korean film directed by Kim Min-suk – cowriter of The Good, the Bad, the Weird – depicts the struggle between a psychic named Cho-in who can control people with his mind and a man named Kyu-nam who is immune to the psychic’s supernatural power.- Plot :Kyu-nam works at a...
(2010) - Secret ReunionSecret ReunionSecret Reunion is one of the highest grossing Korean films of 2010. The story follows Song Kang-ho as Agent Lee Han-gyu of the National Intelligence Service who falls from grace after failing to stop the assassination of a North Korean dissident...
(2010) - Jeon Woo ChiJeon Woo ChiJeon Woo Chi is a 2009 fantasy action blockbuster. Writer-director Choi Dong-hun departs from his popular heist films Tazza: The High Rollers and The Big Swindle for this big-budget, special effects-filled action romp that was equally popular with the Korean audience, earning over six million...
(2009) - MM (2007 film)M is a 2007 South Korean drama film about a young writer who is experiencing hallucinations and nightmares.- Awards :M won three awards at the 6th Korean Film awards. The movie won awards for cinematography, lighting and art direction....
(2007) - Voice of a MurdererVoice of a MurdererVoice of a Murderer is a 2007 South Korean film directed by Park Jin-pyo one year after You Are My Sunshine. The story is a fictionalized account of a true life event.-Plot:...
(2007) - Maundy ThursdayMaundy Thursday (film)Maundy Thursday is a 2006 South Korean film directed by Song Hae-seong, and based on a best-selling novel by Gong Ji-young. Starring Kang Dong-won and Lee Na-young, the film is about a convicted murderer awaiting execution, and the bond he forms with a suicidal young woman who starts visiting him...
(2006) - DuelistDuelist (film)Duelist is a 2005 South Korean martial arts film, directed by Lee Myung-se. The Korean title translates as "The Detective".- Plot :The movie opens with a fish tale narrated by a low-class metalsmith in a tavern in Joseon-era south-western Korea. The scene then cuts to a street circus, in which an...
(2005) - Temptation of the Wolves (2004)
- Too Beautiful to LieToo Beautiful to LieToo Beautiful to Lie is a 2004 South Korean film. A romantic, melodrama comedy about a beautiful ex-con and an innocent, naive village boy.- Plot :...
(2004)
TV Dramas
- Magic (SBS, 2004)
- 1% of Anything (MBC, 2003)
- Country Princess (MBC, 2003)
Music Videos
- JJ (singer)Chung Jae-Young , better known by her stage name J, is a Korean R&B/Soul artist who is known for her soft unique voice tone. She attended Northern Virginia Community College. She was discovered in a beauty pageant for Koreans in Washington D.C. The contest allowed her to get the attention of a...
- "Beet" - Jo SungmoJo SungmoJo Sung Mo , born on February 28, 1977, is a South Korean singer who mainly focuses on ballads. He debuted in 1998 with a sad, romantic ballad titled "To Heaven." Jo is notable for his "million sellers", as his first few albums were widely popular....
- "Dajim" - Link - "Bigawa"
- Ju Hyung-Jin - Let's Break Up (60s mini MV)
Commercials
- French Cafe Coffee Mix (Current)
- Bom Bom's Soju (Current)
- Adidas (Current)
- Cowon (Current)
- Chris-Christy (Current)
- Cyon Phone (Current)
- Digital Dictionary (made in Sharp Corporation) (Current)
- KTFKTFKTF was a South Korean telecommunications firm, now merged into Korea Telecom, specializing in cellular, or mobile, phones. Since 1999, it has also developed extensive overseas operations. The company is credited with developing customised ring back tones...
(2003)
Awards
- 2004 Korean Film AwardsKorean Film AwardsThe Korean Film Award is a South Korean film awards ceremony hosted by the MBC.-Awards:The categories are*Best Film*Best Director*Best New Director*Best Leading Actor*Best Leading Actress*Best Supporting Actor*Best Supporting Actress...
: Best New Actor for Temptation of the Wolves - 2004 Baeksang Arts Awards: Popularity Award for Temptation of the Wolves
- 2004 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Popularity Award for Temptation of the Wolves - 2005 Baeksang Arts Awards: Popularity Award for DuelistDuelist (film)Duelist is a 2005 South Korean martial arts film, directed by Lee Myung-se. The Korean title translates as "The Detective".- Plot :The movie opens with a fish tale narrated by a low-class metalsmith in a tavern in Joseon-era south-western Korea. The scene then cuts to a street circus, in which an...
- 2005 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Popularity Award for DuelistDuelist (film)Duelist is a 2005 South Korean martial arts film, directed by Lee Myung-se. The Korean title translates as "The Detective".- Plot :The movie opens with a fish tale narrated by a low-class metalsmith in a tavern in Joseon-era south-western Korea. The scene then cuts to a street circus, in which an...
External links
- GANG DONG WON - Official website
- Kang Dong-won at HanCinema