Kim Yoon-seok (Korean김윤석; born January 21, 1968) is a South Korean actor, film director and screenwriter. Kim began his career in theater and it subsequently led him to be cast in minor roles in films and television dramas. His breakout role came as the villain in gambling film Tazza: The High Rollers (2006), but it was his performance as an ex-cop turned pimp in surprise hit The Chaser (2008) that brought him acting awards and wider recognition.

Kim Yoon-seok
Born (1968-01-21) January 21, 1968 (age 56)
EducationDong-eui University - German Language & Literature
Occupations
Years active1988-present
AgentHodu&U Entertainment
Spouse
Bang Joo-ran
(m. 2002)
Children2
Korean name
Hangul
김윤석
Revised RomanizationGim Yun-seok
McCune–ReischauerKim Yunsŏk

Kim has since become an acclaimed actor in South Korea, with notable performances in films such as Running Turtle (2009), Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard (2009), The Yellow Sea (2010), Punch (2011),The Thieves (2012), Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013), The Classified File (2015), The Priests (2015), 1987: When the Day Comes (2017), Dark Figure of Crime (2018) and Escape from Mogadishu (2022).

In 2019, Kim made his directorial debut with Another Child, a family drama film starring Yum Jung-ah and Kim So-jin.

Career

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Kim Yoon-seok was trained on stage as a member of the renowned of Yeonwoo Theater Company (Yeonwoo Mudae),[note 1] and he made his acting debut in 1988 with A Streetcar Named Desire[1] After many years in theater, he began acting in film and television late in his career, at first appearing in minor roles.

Then in 2006, Kim had his breakthrough in Choi Dong-hoon's Tazza: The High Rollers, with audiences praising his performance in the supporting role as ruthless gambler Agwi (meaning "starving demon" in Buddhism). A leading role followed in 2008 with The Chaser, directed by Na Hong-jin. He successfully portrayed the morally ambiguous character of a retired-cop-turned-pimp hunting down a serial killer who murdered the call girls due to his impotence.[2] The thriller was a critical and commercial hit, becoming one of the classic films in thriller genre, and Kim's excellent performance brought him 8 awards totally, made him a major player in the Korean film industry.[3]

He transitioned from one of the finest character actors in the industry into a popular leading actor: Kim played a middle-aged man following his lifelong dream to play in a rock band in The Happy Life, a rural detective trying to capture a legendary prison breaker in Running Turtle,[4] and a rival Taoist wizard in Jeon Woo-chi.[5][6][7]

In 2010, Kim reunited with The Chaser costar Ha Jung-woo in Na's sophomore film The Yellow Sea.[8] Kim then costarred with Yoo Ah-in in coming-of-age film Punch, a critically and commercial hit.[9][10]

Kim once again triumphed in 2012, as his heist movie The Thieves became the second best-selling Korean film of all time.[11][12]

In 2013, he continued working with one of Korea's leading directors, in Yim Soon-rye's family drama film South Bound.[13][14] He then starred in Hwayi: A Monster Boy, an action thriller directed by Jang Joon-hwan.[15][16] In 2014, Kim starred in the critically acclaimed arthouse film Sea Fog directed by Shim Sung-bo.[17][18]

In 2015, Kim collaborated with director Kwak Kyung-taek in The Classified File.,[19] playing a detective cooperating with a shaman to find out and save a kidnapped girl. Kim then reunited with Kang Dong-won in The Priests, a supernatural mystery thriller by director Jang Jae-hyun.[20] The Priests was a box office hit, attracting 5.44 million admissions to cinema. Kim then made a brief appearance in retro film C'est Si Bon by Kim Hyun-seok, playing a middle-aged man retrospecting his youth in 1980s.[21] In 2016, Kim starred in romance film Will You Be There?, directed by Hong Ji-young, based on the novel of the same name of Guillaume Musso. Kim portrayed a middle-aged pediatric whose last wish before death was to see his first love once again.[22][23]

In 2017, Kim starred in director Hwang Dong-hyuk's historical film The Fortress.[24][25] He also reunited with director Jang Joon-hwan in 1987: When the Day Comes, another historical political film about pro-democratic movement in South Korea in 1987.[26]

In 2018, Kim starred in murder mystery film Dark Figure of Crime. He reportedly worked on the script alongside director Kwak Kyung-taek.[27] In 2019, Kim made his directorial debut with Another Child, a family drama film.[28]

In October 2022, Kim signed with new agency Hodu&U Entertainment.[29]

Personal life

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Kim was born in Danyang County, North Chungcheong Province but grew up in Busan, then moved to Seoul for acting career.

He married actress Bang Joo-ran in 2002, and has 2 daughters.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1994 A Little Lover Student at karaoke Bit part
2001 Kiss Me Much Bailiff 1 Bit part
2002 Oollala Sisters Sachae Quik Bit part
2004 The Big Swindle Detective Lee
To Catch a Virgin Ghost Hak-gyu
2005 All for Love Dong-man
My Girl and I Biology teacher Bit part
2006 Running Wild Joo Hyun-tae
Like a Virgin Oh Dong-ku's father
Tazza: The High Rollers Agwi
2007 The Happy Life Seong-wook
2008 The Chaser Eom Joong-ho
2009 Running Turtle Jo Pil-seong
Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard Hwadam
2010 The Yellow Sea Myun Jung-hak
2011 Punch Lee Dong-ju
2012 The Thieves Macao Park
2013 South Bound Choi Hae-gab
Hwayi: A Monster Boy Seok-tae
2014 Haemoo Captain Cheol-joo
Tazza: The Hidden Card Agwi
2015 C'est Si Bon Oh Geun-tae (40s)
The Classified File Gong Gil-yong
The Priests Father Kim Bum-shin
2016 Will You Be There? Han Soo-hyun (present day)
2017 The Fortress Kim Sang-heon
1987: When the Day Comes Park Cheo-won
2018 Dark Figure of Crime Hyung-min
2019 Another Child Dae-won Directional debut
2021 Escape from Mogadishu Han Sin-seong [30]
2023 Noryang: Deadly Sea Yi Sun-sin [31]
2024 About Family Ham Mu-ok [32]
TBA Virus [33]

Television series

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Year Title Role Notes
2004 Drama City "Anagram" Detective one act-drama
Drama City "Blue Skies in Jeju Island" Kyung-soo
2005 Drama City "Home Improvement Activity Log"
Loveholic
Resurrection Cheon Gong-myung
2006 Thank You, My Life Kang Yoon-ho
Love Me When You Can Han Dong-gyu
2024 The Frog Jeon Young-ha [34]

Theater

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Year Title Role
1988 A Streetcar Named Desire Stanley Kowalski
1993 There Is a Soup
The Revolt of Women
1994 Giselle
살찐 소파에 대한 일기
Bicycle
Waiting for Godot
The Birthday Party
1998 Equus Martin Dysart
Moskito
2000 아싸나체
Blood Brothers
2001 Oedipus
Line 1
2002 Long Day's Journey into Night
2006 Dream of Autumn

Accolades

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2006 MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor Love Me When You Can Won
27th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Tazza: The High Rollers Nominated
2007 8th Busan Film Critics Awards Won
1st Korea Movie Star Awards Won
44th Grand Bell Awards[35] Won
Asian Film Critics Association Awards Nominated
2008 44th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor The Chaser Nominated
16th Chunsa Film Art Awards Best Actor Won
9th Busan Film Critics Awards Won
17th Buil Film Awards[36] Won
45th Grand Bell Awards[37] Won
Most Popular Actor Won
29th Blue Dragon Film Awards[38] Best Actor Won
7th Korean Film Awards Won
4th University Film Festival of Korea Won
2nd Asia Pacific Screen Awards Best Actor Nominated
2009 1st Kmdb Choice Awards Best Actor Won
18th Buil Film Awards Running Turtle Nominated
46th Grand Bell Awards Nominated
30th Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominated
2010 46th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor Nominated
2011 20th Buil Film Awards Best Actor The Yellow Sea Nominated
48th Grand Bell Awards Nominated
32nd Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominated
Cine 21 Awards Won
2012 3rd KOFRA Film Awards Punch Won
48th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor Nominated
21st Buil Film Awards Best Actor Nominated
33rd Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominated
20th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards Grand Prize (Daesang) The Thieves Won
12th Korea World Youth Film Festival Favorite Actor Won
2015 24th Buil Film Awards Best Actor The Classified File Nominated
2017 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards The Fortress Nominated
2018 54th Baeksang Arts Awards[39][40] Grand Prize (Daesang) Nominated
1987: When the Day Comes Nominated
Best Actor Won
12th Asian Film Awards Best Actor Nominated
17th New York Asian Film Festival Star Asia Award Won
23rd Chunsa Film Art Awards[41] Best Actor Nominated
27th Buil Film Awards[42] Nominated
55th Grand Bell Awards[43] Nominated
39th Blue Dragon Film Awards[44] Won
38th Golden Cinema Film Festival[45] Won
Cine 21 Awards Won
3rd London Asian Film Festival[46] Dark Figure of Crime Won
2018 Korea Best Star Awards[47] Won
2019 23rd Fantasia International Film Festival Best Film Another Child Nominated
Special Mention Won
40th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best New Director Nominated
2020 56th Grand Bell Awards Nominated
2021 30th Buil Film Awards[48] Best Actor Escape from Mogadishu Nominated
42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards[49] Best Actor Nominated
2022 58th Baeksang Arts Awards[50] Best Actor – Film Nominated
Chunsa Film Art Awards 2022[51] Best Actor Nominated
2024 60th Baeksang Arts Awards[52][53] Best Actor – Film Noryang: Deadly Sea Nominated
Most Popular Actor Kim Yoon-seok Nominated

State honors

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Name of country, year given, and name of honor
Country Year Honor Or Award Ref.
South Korea[note 2] 2022 Presidential Commendation [57]

Notes

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  1. ^ Yeonwoo Stage (연우무대를), which means 'playing friend', started as a small group on February 5, 1977, and is Korea's representative theater company that has led the revitalization of creative plays in the Korean theater world. From the days of Sinchon to the present in Hyehwa-dong, Yeonwoo Stage has been working hard to realize the complete stage of novel creative works.
  2. ^ Honors are given at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, arranged by the Korea Creative Content Agency and hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.[54][55] They are awarded to those who have contributed to the arts and South Korea's pop culture.[56]

References

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  1. ^ "KIM Yun-seok". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  2. ^ "'Chaser' Offers Heart-Thumping Thrills". The Korea Times. 31 January 2008.
  3. ^ "Gritty psycho-thriller pursues audiences". Korea JoongAng Daily. 27 February 2008.
  4. ^ Yang, Sung-jin (3 June 2009). "A creative take on detective character". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  5. ^ Lee, Ji-hye (18 November 2009). "Woochi set to work its magic – Part 1". Asiae. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  6. ^ Lee, Ji-hye (18 November 2009). "Woochi set to work its magic – Part 2". Asiae. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  7. ^ Kang, Myoung-seok (17 December 2009). "Gang Dong-won says he may write Woochi sequel". Asiae. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  8. ^ Han, Sang-hee (23 November 2010). "Yellow Sea to offer real drama, thrills". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  9. ^ "Kim Yun-seok, Yoo A-in begin shooting new film". Asiae. 8 March 2011.
  10. ^ Lee, Jin-ho (6 October 2011). "Hope Seeping from the Scars of Youth, Punch". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  11. ^ Cho, Jae-eun (June 12, 2012). "The Thieves all-star cast set to steal show". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  12. ^ Quinn, Paul (November 2012). "The London Korean Film Festival 2012 Interviews - Choi Dong-hoon and Kim Yoon-suk". Hangul Celluloid. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  13. ^ Park, Eun-jee (1 February 2013). "Run to the South explores freedom's pleasures, price". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  14. ^ "Review: Kim Yun-seok on Form in SOUTH BOUND". Screen Anarchy. 13 April 2013.
  15. ^ Frater, Patrick (12 December 2012). "Hwayi marks return for Kim, Jang". Film Business Asia. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  16. ^ "Film Review: 'Hwayi: A Monster Boy'". Variety. 23 December 2013.
  17. ^ "Kim Yun-seok Climbs Aboard Bong Joon-ho Produced SEA FOG". Screen Anarchy. 14 June 2013.
  18. ^ "'Haemoo': Toronto Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 6 September 2014.
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  26. ^ "KIM Yun-seok and HA Jung-woo to Reunite for SAVE THE GREEN PLANET Director". Korean Film Biz Zone. 19 December 2016.
  27. ^ "KIM Yun-seok and JU Ji-hoon Face Off in MURDER OF MAN OR WOMAN". Korean Film Biz Zone. 1 September 2017.
  28. ^ "KIM Yun-seok to Helm UNDERAGE". Korean Film Biz Zone. 30 January 2018.
  29. ^ Song, Soo-min (October 25, 2022). "김윤석, '호두앤유'와 전속계약…이성민·김혜수와 한솥밥" [Kim Yoon-seok, exclusive contract with 'Walnut & You'... Lee Seong-min and Kim Hye-soo and one-pot rice] (in Korean). Dispatch. Retrieved March 19, 2023 – via Naver.
  30. ^ Conran, Pierce (June 20, 2019). "RYOO Seung-wan Plots ESCAPE with KIM Yun-seok, ZO In-sung". Korean Film Biz Zone.
  31. ^ Lee Seung-mi (July 2, 2021). "[공식]김윤석 주연 '노량: 죽음의 바다', 크랭크업…'명량'·'한산' 이을 이순신 3부작 완성". Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
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  33. ^ Kim Seon-woo (January 2, 2023). "[씨네+] 긴 기다림의 끝…극장가 접수할 2023년 韓영화 라인업" [[Cine+] End of long wait... 2023 Korean movie lineup to be accepted by theaters] (in Korean). JTBC. Retrieved January 2, 2023 – via Naver.
  34. ^ Lee Seung-gil (November 3, 2022). "윤계상, 김윤석과 역대급 만남 성사되나? "'부세계' 감독 '아무도 없는 숲속에서' 검토 중" [MD이슈]" [Will Kye-sang Yoon and Yun-seok Kim ever meet? "'Second World' director reviewing 'In the Woods with No One'" [MD Issue]]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2022 – via Naver.
  35. ^ ""Family Ties" ("The Birth of a Family") Wins Top Prize at Home". Korean Film Biz Zone. 12 June 2007.
  36. ^ "The Chaser extends awards lead". Korean Film Biz Zone. 24 October 2008.
  37. ^ Lee, Hyo-won (29 June 2008). "Daejong Film Fest Showcases Trends". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  38. ^ "Blue Dragon Award Goes to Sports Drama". The Chosun Ilbo. 21 November 2008.
  39. ^ 54회 백상 심사 채점 결과 공개, 어떻게 뽑았나. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). 8 May 2018.
  40. ^ "Baeksang Arts Awards recognize 'Stranger,' '1987'". The Korea Herald. 4 May 2018.
  41. ^ "ANARCHIST FROM COLONY Leads Chunsa Film Art Awards Nominees". Korean Film Biz Zone. 10 May 2018.
  42. ^ [23회 부산국제영화제] 부일영화상. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). 20 September 2018.
  43. ^ 제55회 대종상, 각 부문 후보 공개…'공작' 12개 최다부문 노미네이트. Sports Seoul (in Korean). 21 September 2018.
  44. ^ "'1987' wins best picture at Blue Dragon Awards". Yonhap News Agency. 23 November 2018.
  45. ^ "1987 Takes Grand Prize at Golden Cinema Film Festival". Korean Film Biz Zone. 24 December 2018.
  46. ^ "[여기는 BIFF] 런던아시아영화제, 亞 영화·감독·배우 교류의 장으로". Sports Donga (in Korean). 5 October 2018.
  47. ^ 이순재·김윤석·장동건·수애, 베스트 주연상 수상..12일 시상식 [공식입장]. Osen (in Korean). 12 December 2018.
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  52. ^ Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024 – via Naver.
  53. ^ "PRIZM | Baeksang Arts Awards Popularity Award Voting". Prizm. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  54. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (October 18, 2018). "BTS, Red Velvet win at Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  55. ^ Yeo, Yer-im (October 25, 2018). "BTS gets award upon their return home". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2021 – via Korea JoongAng Daily.
  56. ^ Lee, Sang-won (October 25, 2016). "Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards announces winners". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  57. ^ Park, Hae-shik (November 24, 2022). "강수연·박찬욱, 은관문화훈장 수훈…송강호·허영만은 보관문화훈장" [Kang Soo-yeon and Park Chan-wook, awarded with the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit... Song Kang-ho and Heo Young-man received the Order of Cultural Merit] (in Korean). Sports DongA. Retrieved November 24, 2022 – via Naver.
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