Han Seok Kyu

한석규

3 Nov 1964

Born · age 61

1990

Active since

Screen credits

Han Seok Kyu started as a KBS voice actor before breaking through with Christmas in August and Shiri in the late 1990s. He later won a Daesang for Deep Rooted Tree and starred as Dr. Boo Yong-Joo in Dr. Romantic (2016).

Biography

Han Seok Kyu, born on November 3, 1964, in Seoul, South Korea, is a highly respected South Korean actor, known for his powerful and nuanced performances across television and film. He began his career in the entertainment industry as a voice actor for KBS in the 1980s before transitioning to on-screen acting. His breakthrough role came in 1994 with the hit television drama The Moon of Seoul, where he portrayed a charismatic but flawed character, which helped establish him as a household name in Korea. This role paved the way for a successful career in both film and television.

In the late 1990s, Han became one of the most sought-after actors in Korean cinema. His performances in films like Christmas in August (1998), where he played a terminally ill photographer, and Shiri (1999), a landmark Korean action film, marked a defining period in his career. Shiri, often credited as one of the films that helped Korean cinema gain international recognition, featured Han as a North Korean agent.

Despite his rising fame, Han chose to take a hiatus from acting in the early 2000s, turning down numerous lucrative offers to focus on his personal life and health. After a few years away from the limelight, he returned to acting, taking on roles that further demonstrated his range. His portrayal of King Sejong in the historical drama Deep Rooted Tree (2011) earned him critical acclaim and several awards, including the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the SBS Drama Awards.

Han Seok Kyu's career reached new heights with his role in the medical drama Dr. Romantic (2016), where he played the complex and enigmatic Dr. Boo Yong-Joo. The series was a massive hit, leading to two successful sequels. Han’s portrayal of Dr. Kim earned him widespread praise. Even as he continues to work in the industry, Han remains known for his selective approach to roles, choosing projects that challenge him.

Profile data

Identity

Stage name: Han Seok Kyu
Native name: 한석규
Nationality: South Korean
Gender: Male

Born and physical

Date of birth: 3 November 1964
Age: 61
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Zodiac: Scorpio
Chinese zodiac: Dragon

Personal status

Children: Two sons, two daughters (Names not publicly available)

Education

University: Dongguk University (Theater and Film)

Career timeline

Agency: KM Culture (since 2006)

Data and sourcing

Portrait source: TMDB API
Rights holder: TMDB / respective copyright holder
Usage basis: Editorial use via TMDB API, non-commercial reference
Metadata source: TMDB, Wikipedia, and other sources cited in the record
Last updated: 29 September 2026
Editor: Claude (AI content review)

About Han Seok Kyu

Hobbies

Gardening: Han Seok Kyu enjoys gardening during his free time. It provides him with relaxation and a way to connect with nature, which he finds therapeutic.
Classical Music: He is an avid listener of classical music, often mentioning how it helps him to de-stress and find inspiration for his acting roles.
Reading: Han has a passion for reading, particularly books on philosophy and history, which he uses to deepen his understanding of the characters he portrays.
Cycling: He enjoys outdoor activities like cycling, allowing him to maintain a healthy lifestyle while also enjoying the peacefulness of nature.
Cooking: Han occasionally spends time cooking for his family. He believes it is a great way to bond with loved ones and unwind after a busy day of filming.

Facts

Voice Actor Beginnings: Han Seok Kyu started his career as a voice actor before transitioning to on-screen roles, which helped him develop his distinctive voice and diction.
Selective with Roles: Han is known for being highly selective about the roles he takes, often turning down major projects if they don't align with his values or artistic vision.
Family Man: Despite his fame, Han is very private about his personal life and is known for being a dedicated family man, married to Im Myung-Ju since 1998.
First Major Success: His big break came with the drama The Moon of Seoul in 1994, where he portrayed a flawed but charismatic character.
Award-Winning Actor: Han has received multiple Daesang (Grand Prize) awards, the highest honor in Korean television, for his performances in Deep Rooted Tree and Dr. Romantic.

Funny moments

Imitates His Own Roles: On set, Han is known to sometimes parody his own serious roles to lighten the mood, creating laughter among the crew.
Loves Dad Jokes: Han has a quirky sense of humor and is notorious for telling dad jokes, which often leaves his co-stars both laughing and groaning.
Pranks on Set: He enjoys pulling light-hearted pranks on his co-stars, creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere during filming.
Mischievous Childhood: As a child, Han was known to be quite mischievous, often getting into trouble for pulling pranks on his siblings and neighbors.
Accidentally Too Serious: Han’s naturally serious demeanor sometimes causes misunderstandings, as people often think he is upset or angry when he is simply deep in thought.

Fears and dislikes

Public Speaking: Despite his acting career, Han has admitted that he still gets nervous during public speaking events or when accepting awards.
Failure: Like many actors, Han fears failure, especially when taking on a new role or project that is outside of his comfort zone.
Losing Privacy: As a very private individual, Han has a deep-seated fear of losing his personal privacy to the public eye, which is why he keeps his family life out of the spotlight.
Disappointing Fans: Han takes his responsibility as an actor seriously and has a fear of disappointing his fans with any role that doesn’t live up to their expectations.
Heights: Although not often discussed, Han is said to have a mild fear of heights, which has occasionally made action scenes in his films more challenging.