Biography of Kim Young-kwang
Actor and model Kim Young-kwang, who began his career as a model for world-famous designers, gained more prominence after playing some notable roles in television dramas, ‘White Christmas’, ‘Love Rain’, ‘Good Doctor’, ‘Plus Nine Boys’, ‘Pinocchio’, ‘D-Day’ and ‘The Man Living in Our House’ and ‘Somebody’. He is under the talent agency, Wide-s Company.
Early Life and Education
Kim Young-kwang was born on 11 January 1987 in Incheon, South Korea. After completing school education at Jungseok Aviation Science High School, he enrolled in Hanyang University and graduated in Theatre and Film.
Reportedly, the childhood of Young-kwang was quite depressing as he lost his father, who was a veteran of the Vietnam War when he was in sixth grade. He had to earn money in numerous ways, including delivering newspapers during his childhood. When he was 19 years old, he received an opportunity to model for an advertisement while walking down a street, which later led him to walk down a fashion show.
Career
Kim Young-kwang started his career as a model for commercial advertisement in 2006 and has walked the runways of world-renowned designers, including Alexander McQueen, Etro and Vivienne Westwood. He became widely successful after being the first Asian to be a Dior Homme model. He made his acting debut in 2008 as an actor in a television drama, ‘Worlds Within’.
In 2009, Young-kwang appeared in two television series. He was Jae-wook in the South Korean television series, ‘Triple’, directed by Lee Yoon-jung, starring Lee Jung-jae, Yoon Kye-sang, Lee Ha-na, Lee Sun-kyun, and Min Hyo-rin in the lead roles. In the same year, he also appeared in another television drama, ‘My Fair Lady’, directed by Ji Young-soo, starring Yoon Eun-hye, Yoon Sang-hyun, Jung Il-woo and Moon Chae-won in lead roles.
Kim Young-kwang was the lead cast in the 2011 South Korean television series, ‘White Christmas’ by Kim Yong-soo. He played the role of Jo Young-jae, who was a detested bully who attacks other people to hide his inferiority complex. In the same year, he was seen in a romantic comedy South Korean television series, ‘Bachelor’s Vegetable Store’, in a lead role along with actors Ji Chang-wook, Wang Ji-hye, Park Soo-jin and Hwang Shin-hye. It is based on a book of the same name about the real-life success story of a young man who turned his 350-square-foot vegetable store into a nationwide franchise having 33 branches.
He took part in several television series and was a part of the main cast of the South Korean action comedy film, ‘Runway Cop’ in 2012, which is his debut film. However, his career did not take off before his role as Han Jin-wook, a friendly fourth-year resident in the 2013 South Korean medical drama television series, ‘Good Doctor’ in 2013. The series stars Joo Won, Moon Chae-won, Joo Sang-wook, Kim Min-seo, Chun Ho-jin, Kwak Do-won, and Ko Chang-seok in the lead roles.
Kim Young-kwang then appeared in a 2014 moderately successful South Korean teen romantic comedy film, ‘Hot Young Bloods’, that portrays love, friendships and rivalries between four high school students. The film was inspired by Daniel Calvin’s short film, ‘That’s What I Told Her’ in 2013.
Fortunately, Young-kwang’s career went uphill thereafter. He gained more popularity with his leading roles as Kang Jin-goo in the romantic comedy series, ‘Plus Nine Boys’, alongside Yook Sung-jae, Oh Jung-se and Choi Ro-woon. One of his most notable roles came from the 2014-2015 television series, ‘Pinocchio’, by Jo Soo-won and Shin Seung-woo, starring Lee Jong-suk, Park Shin-hye, and Lee Yu-bi in the lead roles. He played the role of Seo Beom-jo, a young reporter.
In 2016, Kim Young-kwang was a lead cast in the South Korean comedy series, ‘Sweet Stranger and Me’, based on the 2015 webtoon of the same name by Yoo Hyun-sook. Next year, he took part in an action thriller drama, ‘The Guardians’, starring Lee Si-young, Kim Tae-hoon, Kim Seul-gi and Key, aired from 22 May 2017 to 11 July 2017. In the series, he played the role of a passionate prosecutor having a story of his own and becoming a monster for revenge.
Young-kwang played the lead role alongside the South Korean actor Park Bo-young in the romantic comedy film, ‘On Your Wedding Day’, which depicts a decade of love and friendship between two people from teenage to adulthood in 2018. In the same year, he appeared in another South Korean comedy-drama film, ‘The Soul-Mate’, by Jo Won-hee on 26 September 2018. In the film, he starred along with Ma Dong-seok, and Lee Yoo-young in the prominent roles.
In the following year, Kim Young-kwang was cast in a romantic comedy television series, ‘The Secret Life of My Secretary’, co-starring Jin Ki-joo, Kim Jae-kyung and Koo Ja-sung in the lead roles. His role in the series is Do Min-ika, a needy and problematic boss who approaches his secretary for everything, earning him success in his career.
Kim Young-kwang made his comeback to the big screen after three years in 2021 with the film, ‘Hello, Me!’, co-starring Choi Kang-hee, Lee Re, Eum Moon-suk and Kim Yoo-mi, based on the 2011 novel ‘Fantastic Girl’ by Kim Hye-jung.
South Korean action comedy film, ‘Mission: Possible’, written and directed by Kim Hyung-joo in 2021, based on the ‘Mission: Impossible’ series by Bruce Geller is the latest film of Young-kwang as of 2023. Whereas the South Korean television series, ‘Call It Love’ by Lee Kwang-young, co-starring Lee Sung-kyung in the lead role, is his latest drama as of 2023.
Achievements
-
Young-kwang won the ‘Best New Actor’ award at the ’55th Baeksang Arts Awards’ for the film, ‘On Your Wedding Day’ in 2019.
-
He won the ‘Popularity Award’ at the 39th ‘Blue Dragon Film Awards’ in 2018.
-
Young-kwang won the ‘New Star Award’ at the ‘SBS Drama Awards’ in 2014.
Military Life
Kim Young-kwang started his military service from 12 December 2013 to June 2014. As his father served in the Vietnam War, he was exempted from the 18 months of mandatory military service, where he had to serve only for six months.
Personal Life
Unfortunately, there is no information available about the personal life of Young-kwang.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
The estimated net worth of Young-kwang is $5 million US Dollars. His source of income comes from his various career fields, including acting, modelling, reality shows and brand promotions. Besides, he does a lot of brand endorsements and advertisement campaigns for various beauty, fashion and lifestyle brands.
Awards
- Asia Model Awards 2009
Best Fashion Model (2009) - Baeksang Arts Awards 2019
Best New Actor – Film – ‘On Your Wedding Day’ (2019) - Blue Dragon Film Awards 2018
Popular Star Award – ‘On Your Wedding Day’ (2018) - Elle Style Awards 2018
Man of the Year (2018) - Korea Culture and Entertainment Awards 2014
Best New Actor in a Film – ‘Hot Young Bloods’ (2014) - Korea Fashion Photographers Association 2008
Best New Model (2008) - SBS Drama Awards 2014
New Star Award – ‘Pinocchio’ (2014) - Style Icon Awards 2009
Style Icon, Model category (2009)
Interesting Facts About Kim Young-kwang
-
Young-kwang is the son of a veteran of the Vietnam war.
-
Young-kwang was eligible to perform military service just for 6 months.
-
Young-kwang began his career as a model.
-
Young-kwang worked with world-renowned designers Etro, Vivienne Westwood, and Alexander McQueen.
-
Wide-s Company currently represents Young-kwang.
-
The murder thriller 2022 Netflix series, ‘Somebody’ is the latest drama of Young-kwang, as of 2023.
FAQs
- Where is the birthplace of the South Korean actor Kim Young-kwang?
Young-kwang was born in Incheon. - Which year did Young-kwang begin his acting career?
Young-kwang began his acting career in 2008. - What is the Instagram ID of Kim Young-kwang?
aksakfn12 is his Instagram ID.
