Jang Dong-gun
Jang Dong-gun | |
---|---|
Jang in an LG ad in 2011 | |
Born |
Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea | March 7, 1972
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1992–present |
Agent | S.M. Culture & Contents[1] |
Religion | Buddhism |
Spouse(s) | Ko So-young (m. 2010) |
Children | 2 |
Website |
jangdonggun |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 장동건 |
Hanja | 張東健 |
Revised Romanization | Jang Dong-geon |
McCune–Reischauer | Chang Tonggŏn |
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]
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
Jang first entered the entertainment world in a talent contest in 1992. He began by acting in TV dramas such as The Last Match,[5] co-starring Shim Eun-ha, and he eventually made his film debut in Repechage (1997) together with Kim Hee-sun.[6]
By the late 1990s he had become quite popular in Korea, but he also became one of the very 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.[6]
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. The following year he also starred in the popular action blockbuster 2009 Lost Memories set in a futuristic Great Japan.[6]
After appearing in the low-budget film The Coast Guard by controversial director Kim Ki-duk, Jang then took the lead role in Kang Je-gyu's Taegukgi, an epic film about two brothers set during the Korean War. Sure enough, this film would beat Friend's record with an astounding 11 million tickets sold. By this time, Jang's name had become known widely throughout Asia.[6]
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. 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.[6]
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.[7][8][9]
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.[10][11][12][13][14]
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.[15][16][17] 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),[18] But despite being simultaneously released in Korea and Japan in December 2011,[19] the film flopped at the box office.
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.[20][21][22][23] 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 and UNHCR's World Food Programme. It was televised on SBS documentary program Hope TV.[24][25]
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.[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]
Jang next starred in Crying Man (also known as 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).[35][36][37][38][39]
In 2015, Jang was cast in the films 7 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.[40]
In 2016, Jang was cast in his first Chinese drama, Once Loved You Distressed Forever alongside actress Tang Yixin. This was also his first drama in 4 years. After wrapping up filming, he was cast in the espionage noir thriller VIP, about the son of a high-ranking North Korean official who commits a murder in South Korea, thus inciting a heart-stopping chase involving North and South Korean police.
Personal life
Jang is a practicing Buddhist, having first explored Buddhist reading while hospitalized in high school, after undergoing chest surgery.[41]
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][42]
The famously private actor surprised the country in November 2009 when he went public with his two-year romance with Ko So-young.[43][44] 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.[45][46] After months of media frenzy leading up to their nuptials,[47][48][49][50] 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, swarms of reporters and fans from around the world.[51][52]
Their son Jang Min-joon was born on October 4, 2010.[53][54][55][56] Their second child, a daughter, was born on February 25, 2014.[57][58][59]
Filmography
Films
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1997 | Repechage | Min-gyu |
Holiday In Seoul | taxi driver | |
1998 | First Kiss | cameo |
1999 | Love Wind Love Song | Tae-hee |
Nowhere to Hide | Detective Kim | |
2000 | Anarchists | Sergei |
2001 | Friend | Lee 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, the slave | |
2009 | Good Morning, President | Cha Ji-wook |
2010 | The Warrior's Way | Yang |
2011 | My Way | Kim Jun-sik |
2012 | Dangerous Liaisons | Xie Yifan |
2014 | No Tears for the Dead | Gon |
2017 | 7 Years of Night | Young-je |
VIP |
Television dramas
Year | Title | Role | Network |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | Our Heaven | MBC | |
1993 | Il Ji Mae | Iljimae | MBC |
1994 | The Last Match | Yoon Chul-jun | MBC |
1996 | Icing | Yoon Chan | MBC |
1997 | Medical Brothers | Kim Su-hyung | MBC |
Model | Lee Jung | SBS | |
Myth of a Hero | Kim Tae-woo | MBC | |
1998 | Ready Go! | Shin Ji-soo | MBC |
Love | Jung In-ha | MBC | |
1999 | Springtime | Kang Hyun-woo | MBC |
Ghost | Jang Dae-hyup | SBS | |
2000 | All About Eve | Yoon Hyung-chul | MBC |
2012 | A Gentleman's Dignity | Kim Do-jin | SBS |
TBA | Once Loved You Distressed Forever | Xu Zhi |
Discography
Album information | Track listing |
---|---|
너에게로 가는 길
|
Track listing |
With Justice And Peace For All
|
Track listing
|
Friendship
|
Track listing
|
飛翔 (Flying)
|
Track listing
|
Bon Seung & Dong Gun
|
Track listing
|
정말 그러길 바랄께
|
Track listing |
과거는 흘러갔다 (From Film)
|
Track listing |
We Online: Actor's Choice[60]
|
Track listing
|
나보다 더 (More Than Me)
|
Track listing |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1993 | MBC Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Il Ji Mae | Nominated |
1994 | 30th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actor (TV) | The Last Match | Won |
1997 | 33rd Baeksang Arts Awards | Most Popular Actor (TV) | Medical Brothers | Won |
18th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best New Actor | Repechage | Won | |
MBC Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor | Medical Brothers | Won | |
1999 | 20th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nowhere to Hide | Won |
2000 | 37th Grand Bell Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | |
21st Blue Dragon Film Awards | Popular Star Award | Anarchists | Won | |
MBC Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor | All About Eve | Nominated | |
2001 | 46th Asia-Pacific Film Festival | Best Supporting Actor | Friend | Won |
22nd Blue Dragon Film Awards | Popular Star Award | Won | ||
Best Actor | Nominated | |||
2002 | 23rd Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Actor | The Coast Guard | Nominated |
2003 | 40th Grand Bell Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | |
2nd Korean Film Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
2004 | 40th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actor (Film) | Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War | Nominated |
41st Grand Bell Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
25th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Actor | Won | ||
2005 | 2nd Max Movie Awards | Best Actor | Won | |
2006 | 43rd Grand Bell Awards | Best Actor | Typhoon | Nominated |
2007 | 15th Chunsa Film Art Awards | Hallyu Arts Award | N/A | Won |
Korea TV Advertising Festival | Best Couple Award | Won | ||
2009 | 46th Savings Day | President's Commendation | N/A | Won |
30th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Actor | Good Morning, President | Nominated | |
2012 | 5th Style Icon Awards[61][62][63] | Top 10 Style Icons | N/A | Won |
Style Icon of the Year | N/A | Won | ||
SBS Drama Awards | Top 10 Stars | A Gentleman's Dignity | Won | |
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Weekend/Serial Drama | Won | |||
References
- ↑ "Jang Dong Gun talks about acting in a Chinese movie and joining SM Entertainment". Allkpop. 4 October 2012.
- 1 2 Rao, Anjali (24 October 2007). "Interview with Jang Dong-gun". CNN TalkAsia.
- ↑ "Jang Dong-gun Voted Korea's Most Bankable Star". The Chosun Ilbo. 20 October 2005.
- ↑ "Jang Dong-gun Profile". Jang Dong-gun official website. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
- ↑ Kim, Ji-yeon (1 July 2012). "Star Dictionary 2.0: Jang Dong Gun, From 'Beautiful' to 'Actor'". enewsWorld.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Jang Dong-gun". Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
- ↑ Min, Ines (10 October 2010). "Jang's Hollywood debut to bridge East and West". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Lee, Hyo-won (23 November 2010). "Jang Dong-gun brings Asian vibe to Hollywood". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Lee, Seung-han (25 November 2010). "Interview: Actor Jang Dong-gun". 10Asia.
- ↑ "Jang Back to Silver Screen in 4 Years". The Korea Times. 20 July 2009.
- ↑ Lee, Hyo-won (22 September 2009). "Actor Jang Dong-kun Returns as President". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Park, Sun-young (25 September 2009.). "Korean stars take turns playing president". Korea JoongAng Daily.
- ↑ Song, Woong-ki (26 September 2009). "Jang Dong-gun tired of being a bachelor". The Korea Herald.
- ↑ Lee, Ji-hye (8 October 2009). "Jang says not calling for a fight with President". 10Asia.
- ↑ "Jang Dong Gun: 'I Want to Film Movies That My Son Can Watch Later'". KBS Global. 17 May 2011.
- ↑ Kim, Jessica (1 July 2011). "Jang Dong-gun starrer My Way cranks up". 10Asia.
- ↑ "Actor JANG Dong-gun". Korean Cinema Today. 6 January 2012.
- ↑ "Korean Mega War Movie Targets Pan-Asian Audience". The Chosun Ilbo. 15 December 2011.
- ↑ Lee, Hyo-won (20 January 2011). "Jang-Odagiri film set for release in Japan". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Hong, Lucia (8 February 2012). "Jang Dong-gun, Kim Ha-neul cast as leads in new SBS TV series". 10Asia.
- ↑ "Jang Dong-gun Excited About New Drama". The Chosun Ilbo. 25 May 2012.
- ↑ Oh, Jean (24 May 2012). "Jang Dong-gun gets first 'proper' kiss scene". The Korea Herald.
- ↑ Kim, Ji-yeon (26 August 2012). "Interview: Jang Dong Gun "I Just Wanted to Make My Fans Laugh"". enewsWorld.
- ↑ Jeon, Su-mi (18 November 2012). "Jang Dong Gun and Kim Min Jong Meet Children in Congo and Ask for Help". enewsWorld.
- ↑ Sunwoo, Carla (16 November 2012). "Gentlemen show a sensitive streak". Korea JoongAng Daily.
- ↑ Ko, Kyoung-seok (22 September 2011). "Jang Dong-gun set for Hur Jin-ho pic joined by Zhang Ziyi and Cecilia Cheung". 10Asia.
- ↑ Lee, Hyo-won (23 September 2011). "Jang Dong-gun to co-star with Zhang Ziyi, Cecilia Cheung". The Korea Times.
- ↑ "Jang Dong Gun: 'I Am Glad to Work with Zhang Ziyi and Cecilia Cheung'". KBS Global. 28 September 2011.
- ↑ Son, Jin-ah (5 September 2012). "Dangerous Relationship Jang Dong-gun to return as a playboy". StarN News.
- ↑ Ho, Stewart (7 September 2012). "Jang Dong Gun Charms Zhang Zhiyi and Cecilia Cheung With His Bad Boy Ways in New Movie Stills". enewsWorld.
- ↑ Lee, Claire (5 October 2012). "Zhang, Cheung touched by Jang Dong-gun's professionalism". The Korea Herald.
- ↑ Lee, Jin-ho (7 October 2012). "Interview: Jang Dong Gun on Family and Who He is as an Actor". enewsWorld.
- ↑ Jung, Hyun-mok (8 October 2012). "Language no barrier to Jang's appeal". Korea JoongAng Daily.
- ↑ Ji, Yong-jin (18 October 2012). "JANG Dong-gun of DANGEROUS LIAISONS: I want to be more active in co-produced films". Korean Cinema Today.
- ↑ Baek, Byung-yeul (2 June 2014). "Unlikely hitman: After string of disastrous films, heartthrob Jang Dong-gun is back". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Jo, Yeon-kyung (31 May 2014). "Interview: Jang Dong Gun Confesses He Fell into a Slump for Years". enewsWorld.
- ↑ Jo, Yeon-kyung (31 May 2014). "Interview: Jang Dong Gun was Glad to Act Opposite Kim Min Hee in Crying Man". enewsWorld.
- ↑ Park, Jin-hai (11 May 2014). "Hallyu stars return to big screen". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Lee, Eun-sun (12 June 2014). "Jang rejects copycat claims over new film". Korea JoongAng Daily.
- ↑ http://www.hancinema.net/photos-jang-dong-gun-and-ryoo-seung-ryong-s-7-years-of-night-95098.html
- ↑ 组图:娱乐圈明星信佛知多少 (in Chinese). QQ News. 27 February 2007.
- ↑ "Japanese Fans Flock to See Korean Celebrities Play Baseball". The Chosun Ilbo. 4 January 2011.
- ↑ Kim, Tong-hyung (5 November 2009). "Guess What! They've Been Dating for 2 Years". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Park, Sun-young (12 November 2009). "Korea’s most eligible bachelor finds love". Korea JoongAng Daily.
- ↑ "Jang to Disclose Wedding Plans in March". The Korea Times. 1 February 2010.
- ↑ "Jang Dong-gun: 'Bless the Start of Our New Life'". KBS Global. 8 March 2010.
- ↑ "Star Couple to Marry Vast Assets". The Chosun Ilbo. 9 November 2009.
- ↑ Han, Jane (4 February 2010). "Jang-Ko Wedding Sets Off PR War". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Lee, Hyo-won (22 April 2010). "Jang Dong-gun, Ko So-young Expecting Baby". The Korea Times.
- ↑ "Jang Dong-gun, Ko So-young 'Ecstatic' Over Pregnancy". The Chosun Ilbo. 23 April 2010.
- ↑ Lee, Hyo-won (2 May 2010). "Jang, Ko tie knot". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Yim, Seung-hye (4 May 2010). "Jang-Ko fever doesn’t end with the wedding". Korea JoongAng Daily.
- ↑ Kim, Jessica (4 October 2010). "Jang Dong-gun wife gives birth". 10Asia.
- ↑ "Jang Dong-gun, Ko So-young Celebrate Birth of Son". The Chosun Ilbo. 5 October 2010.
- ↑ Min, Ines (5 October 2010). "Actors Jang, Ko become parents". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Kim, Hannah (14 October 2010). "Jang plays proud papa". Korea JoongAng Daily.
- ↑ Park, Jin-hai (25 February 2014). "Jang couple get newborn daughter". The Korea Times.
- ↑ Kim, Gwang-kuk (25 February 2014). "Jang Dong-gun and Wife Welcome Baby Girl". 10Asia.
- ↑ Jin, Eun-soo (26 February 2014). "Ko, Jang celebrate 2nd child". Korea JoongAng Daily.
- ↑ Kim, Hannah (4 March 2010). "WE are singing for charity". Korea JoongAng Daily.
- ↑ Lee, Nancy (25 October 2012). "LIVE BLOG/LIVE STREAM: Style Icon Awards 2012 Part II". enewsWorld.
- ↑ Lee, Nancy (25 October 2012). "Jang Dong Gun Wins Style Icon of the Year at 2012 SIA". enewsWorld.
- ↑ Oh, Mi-jung (26 October 2012). "Jang Dong Gun Talks About His Year at '2012 SIA'". enewsWorld.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jang Dong-gun. |
- Official website (Korean)
- Jang Dong-gun at S.M. Culture & Contents (Korean)
- Jang Dong-gun official international fan club
- Jang Dong-gun at HanCinema
- Jang Dong-gun at the Korean Movie Database
- Jang Dong-gun at the Internet Movie Database