Starting from the stage, he is an actor who covers screens and televisions, portraying a wide range of characters from warm protagonists to chilling villains. With his acting that meticulously builds up the nuances of a character, he shows a completely different face in each work, making it hard to believe he's the same actor. In 2026, he will present another transformation as an agent of the Teacher's Rights Protection Bureau in Get Schooled.
| Category | Content |
|---|---|
| Born | May 22, 1982 |
| Debut | 2002 (Stage) |
| Profession | Actor · Musical Actor |
| Representative Works | Iljimae, The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil, Juvenile Justice, The Roundup: Punishment, Get Schooled |
Starting his career in 2002, he first honed his skills on the musical stage. He appeared in genre-defying works such as 'Grease', 'Thrill Me', 'Finding Kim Jong-wook', 'Spring Awakening', and 'The Three Musketeers', developing his singing, acting, and stage presence simultaneously. The foundational skills he gained during this period became the basis for his extensive work across films and dramas.
After gaining recognition as Byun Shi-wan in the 2008 drama 'Iljimae', he expanded his presence by taking on a leading role in the film 'War of the Dog' (2012). In 'Illang: The Wolf Brigade' (2018), he portrayed an intense villain, and in 'Money Bag', he played a lead role, showcasing a spectrum that doesn't distinguish between good and evil. For 'The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil' (2019), he was acclaimed for his powerful leading performance.
While showing a warm side by playing juvenile court judge Cha Tae-joo in Netflix's 'Juvenile Justice' (2022), he also presented a chilling villain as the final antagonist Baek Chang-gi in 'The Roundup: Punishment' (2024). He solidified his presence in genre works, such as Kim Young-hoo in 'Sweet Home' Season 2, establishing himself as an actor who can convincingly portray characters of any hue.
In Get Schooled, he takes on the role of Na Hwa-jin, an agent of the Teacher's Rights Protection Bureau, who directly intervenes in the collapsing education system. His wide spectrum, honed by moving between good and evil, perfectly overlays this character who carries both the thrill of retribution and the doubts behind it. Coincidentally, this work also marks a reunion with director Hong Jong-chan of 'Juvenile Justice'.
Other main cast members of Get Schooled include Lee Sung-min and Jin Ki-joo, the script is by Lee Nam-gyu, and the direction is by Hong Jong-chan. More works continue in Drama.
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