Biography of Kim Dong-wook
As a well-liked and versatile South Korean actor, Kim Dong-wook starred in ‘Happy Killers’ (2010), ‘Romantic Heaven’ (2011), ‘The Guest’ (2018) and ‘The King of Pigs’ (TV series) (2022). He became a celebrated and eminent actor with his supporting role in the popular TV series ‘Coffee Prince‘ (2007) and his box office hit ‘Take Off’ (2009). The highest pinnacle of his career was his role as an obsessed and tormented king in the drama ‘The Concubine’ (2012) and the fantasy action drama film ‘Along with the Gods 1 and 2’.
Early Life and Education
Dong-wook was born on 29 July 1983 in Chuncheon, Gangwon, South Korea. He completed his education at the Korea National University of Arts, School of Drama.
Career
Dong-wook’s official acting debut was in the historical romance drama ‘A Crimson Mark’ (2004). He became the spotlight with his first notable role as an angry, impoverished teenager, Kim Ki-tae in the film ‘Flying Boys’. He stole the spotlight with his character as a cheerful waiter in MBC’s 2007 hit romantic comedy series ‘Coffee Prince‘.
In the Athletics flick ‘Take Off’ (2009), Dong-wook starred as a night club bouncer who later ended up as a member of Korea’s national ski jumping team. Even though his character was a herculean task, he sincerely enjoyed playing.
His musical theatre debut was in ‘On Air: Season 2’ produced by his fellow alumni from Korea National University of Arts. An adapted version of the TV series ‘On Air’ was also cast with the setting at a radio station and the plotline of an idol singer-turned-DJ and an older female PD. The following year, he featured in the Korean production of ‘Legally Blonde’, the musical based on the 2011 Hollywood film of the same name, playing the role of Luke Wilson’s Emmett.
Dong-wook played the main lead in the portmanteau film ‘Five Senses of Eros’, the comedy thriller ‘Happy Killers’ and the melodrama ‘Romantic Heaven’. The milestone in his acting journey was his performance in the romantic historical thriller ‘The Concubine’ (2012). According to film critics, one of the highest accolades in the 2012 period thriller is Dong-wook’s captivating performance as the tormented Prince Sung-won. With his obsessive love, he gradually starts losing his sense of judgement and emotional composure. Dong-wook loved playing the character as it portrayed the complexity of the individual.
Dong-wook marked his comeback with the historical action series ‘More Than a Maid’ (2015). The drama narrates the story of three women who discover love as they travel through social hierarchy during the Joseon Dynasty. His big-screen comeback was through the comedy-drama ‘Three Summer Nights’ (2015).
The story narrates the lives of three friends who are thrown into challenging situations and their struggles to pass the bar exams. Dong-wook starred in the lead role in the realistic drama ‘Riders: Get Tomorrow (2015)’. He won the Best Character Award for his performance at the Korea Cable TV Awards.
His notable role was in the fantasy blockbuster ‘Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds’ (2017) and its sequel ‘Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days’ (2018). He won multiple awards and nominations for several Best Supporting accolades.
Dong-wook starred in the OCN’s horror thriller series ‘The Guest’ (2018) about exorcism and shamanism along with Kim Jae-wook and Jung Eun-chae. The series was a megahit and received positive feedback. Dong-wook starred with Ko Sung-hee in the 2019 romantic comedy ‘Trade Your Love’. The film describes the meeting of a blind date and entering into a contract marriage to get what they want. He starred in the television series ‘Special Labour Inspector’ in the Ministry of Employment and Labour.
He starred with Moon Ga-young in the romance mystery drama ‘Find Me in Your Memory’ (2020). The drama depicts the love story of a man and a woman where one tries to recollect memory while the other tries to forget. Along with Seo Hyun-jin, Yoon Park and Nan Gyu-ri, Dong-wook starred in ‘You Are My Spring’. The three main characters deal with their childhood traumas. He acted as Joo Young-do, a psychiatrist who helps people.
He was the main lead in the live-action remake of Yeon Sang-ho’s 2011 animated film ‘The King of Pigs’ (2022). The thriller drama demystifies the mysterious serial murder and memories of violence that happened 20 years ago. He starred as Hwang Kyung-min, who is haunted by the memories of school violence 20 years ago.
Dong-wook and Jin Ki-joo were featured as the lead cast members of the KBS series ‘My Perfect Stranger’ (2023). The time travel fantasy mystery narrates the tangled lives of two people who got trapped in the year 1987. He also showcased his stellar performance in the revenge tragedy ‘Delightfully Deceitful’ starring Yoon Park, Chu Woo-hee, Park So-jin and Moon Ga-young.
Achievements
Kim Dong-wook, a popular and versatile actor, has been stealing the screen spotlight for more than 2 decades. He has won, nominated and is still nominated for multiple awards. Here are some of his notable achievements:
- At the 2009 and 2018 Chunsa Film Art Awards, Dong-wook won the Ensemble Acting Award for Take Off and Best Supporting Actor for Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds.
- He won the Best New Actor Award for Take Off at the Director’s Cut Awards.
- In 2018, he won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Cinema Film Festival and Korea Best Star Awards for Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds.
- In 2016, he won the Best Character for Riders: Catch Tomorrow at the 2016 Korea Cable TV Awards.
- For Coffee Prince, Dong-wook won the Netizen Popularity Award at the 2007 Korea Drama Awards.
- In 2019, he won the Top Excellence Award, Actor for Special Labour Inspector at the Korea Drama Awards.
- He won the Best New Actor for Take Off.
- At the 2019 MBC Drama Awards, he won the Grand Prize (Daesang) and Top Excellence Awards, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Miniseries for Special Labour Inspector.
- In 2020, he won the Best Couple Award with Moon Ga-young for Find Me in Your Memory at the MBC Drama Awards.
- In 2019, he won the Best Actor Award at the Seoul International Drama Awards for Special Labour Inspector.
Military Life
Dong-wook was enlisted for his mandatory military service on 30 August 2012 at a training camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. He had five weeks of basic training and served for two years. He served as a riot policeman for the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. He was discharged on 29 May 2014.
Personal Life
On 30 August 2023, KeyEast confirmed Dong-wook’s winter wedding with his non-celebrity girlfriend. The wedding ceremony will be a close-knit wedding happening in Seoul.
Net worth and Lifestyle
Dong-wook’s net worth is estimated at around $5-6 million US dollars.
Having been on screen for more than two decades, Dong-wook is releasing brand new works each year. With his stellar performance, he is gaining massive attention both domestically and internationally.
As of his fruitful career in the industry for almost 20 years, he has featured in various hit dramas. His major source of income comes from his renowned musical actor and model. With his successful acting career, he is gearing up for his future endeavours.
Awards
- MBC Drama Awards (2020)
Best Couple Award – Kim Dong-wook and Moon Ga-young- Find Me in Your Memory - MBC Drama Awards (2019)
Grand Prize (Daesang) – Special Labor Inspector - Korea Drama Awards (2019)
Top Excellence Award, Actor – Special Labor Inspector - MBC Drama Awards (2019)
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Miniseries – – Special Labor Inspector - Seoul International Drama Awards (2019)
Best Actor – Special Labor Inspector - Chunsa Film Art Awards (2018)
Best Supporting Actor – Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds - Golden Cinema Film Festival (2018)
Best Supporting Actor – Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds - Korea Best Star Awards (2018)
Best Supporting Actor – Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds - Korea Cable TV Awards (2016)
Best Character –Riders: Catch Tomorrow - Max Movie Awards (2010)
Best New Actor – Take Off - Chunsa Film Art Awards (2009)
Ensemble Acting Award- Take Off - Director’s Cut Awards (2009)
Best New Actor – Take Off - Korea Drama Awards (2007)
Netizen Popularity Award – Coffee Prince
Interesting Facts about Kim Dong-wook
- Kim Dong Wook likes exercising.
- He is passionate about scuba diving.
- His skin is very sensitive and allergic to long sun exposure.
- His baptismal name is Daniel.
- Kim Dong Wook is currently under the management of KeyEast.
- His role model in acting is Ahn Sung Ki.
- Dong-wook rose to stardom through a supporting role in the mega-hit drama ‘Coffee Prince’. (2007)
- He belongs to the same scuba diving club as Alex (Clazziquai).
FAQs
- Is Dong-wook married?
Dong-wook confirmed his marriage with his non-celebrity girlfriend in 2023. - Is he active on social media?
He has no social media accounts. - When is Kim Dong-wook’s birthday?
29 July - How old is Dong-wook?
As of 2023, he is 40 years old. - Does Dong-wook have any social media accounts?
He has no social media accounts. One of his fan page Instagram ID is jdwkim.
