Jang Ki Yong
Info
🙂 Native Name: 장기용 (Jang Ki Yong)
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: August 7, 1992
🏠 Birth Place: Ulsan, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Leo
📏 Height: 187 cm (6’2″)
💍 Spouse: Not Married
👶 Children: None
Biography
Jang Ki Yong was born on August 7, 1992, in Ulsan, South Korea. He began his career as a model before transitioning into acting. His unique blend of charisma and height, standing at 187 cm, helped him make a strong impression in the modeling industry, where he worked with several high-profile brands. Jang’s transition to acting came when he made his television debut with minor roles in dramas like It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014). However, his breakthrough came with his supporting role in Go Back Couple (2017), which brought him widespread recognition for his acting skills.
Jang’s acting career gained momentum when he starred in the 2018 drama Come and Hug Me, where he played a detective with a tragic past. His compelling performance in the series earned him several accolades, including the Best New Actor award at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. This role solidified his place as a rising star in the Korean entertainment industry. His roles in subsequent dramas such as Kill It (2019) and Search: WWW (2019) demonstrated his versatility, as he portrayed vastly different characters, from an assassin to a CEO.
In 2021, Jang starred in the romantic drama Now, We Are Breaking Up alongside Song Hye Kyo, a highly anticipated project that further boosted his popularity. Just before the drama aired, Jang enlisted for his mandatory military service in August 2021. Despite his military duties, Jang’s pre-filmed projects kept his presence alive in the industry. He was discharged in February 2023 after completing his service, and fans are eagerly awaiting his post-military career.
Jang Ki Yong is not just known for his acting but also for his down-to-earth personality and love for sports like boxing and skiing. He has shared in interviews that he enjoys staying active and walking along the Han River in Seoul. Despite his growing fame, Jang has kept his personal life private, focusing on his career and further developing his skills as an actor.
Hobbies
- Walking along the Han River: Jang Ki Yong enjoys taking long walks along the Han River, where he finds peace and time to clear his mind. It’s a hobby that helps him relax, especially after long workdays.
- Boxing: Jang loves boxing and incorporates it into his fitness routine. It’s one of the ways he keeps himself physically fit and mentally sharp.
- Skiing: He enjoys winter sports, especially skiing. It’s a hobby he picked up over the years, and he loves hitting the slopes during the colder months.
- Listening to music: During his free time, Jang listens to various types of music. It’s a way for him to unwind and connect with his emotions.
- Photography: Jang is interested in photography, particularly as a creative outlet. He has mentioned taking photos as a hobby to express his artistic side beyond acting.
Interests
- UFC and martial arts: Jang is a big fan of UFC and martial arts in general. He watches fights regularly and is interested in the techniques used in the sport.
- Fashion: Having started his career as a model, Jang continues to have a deep interest in fashion. He follows trends and enjoys experimenting with different styles.
- Cooking: Jang has expressed an interest in learning how to cook. While he’s not an expert, he enjoys trying out simple recipes and improving his skills.
- Fitness and health: Jang is committed to staying fit, and his interest in various physical activities like boxing and skiing keeps him motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Traveling: He loves exploring new places and has said that traveling is something he wants to do more of in the future, especially after his military service.
Facts
- Started as a model: Jang initially gained recognition as a fashion model, working with top brands like Nivea and Giordano before transitioning into acting.
- Military service: Jang enlisted for his mandatory military service in August 2021 and completed it in February 2023. During his service, he performed in the musical Blue Helmet: Meissa’s Song.
- Award-winning actor: He won the Best New Actor award at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards for his role in Come and Hug Me (2018), one of his most critically acclaimed performances.
- Versatile roles: Jang has played a wide range of characters, from a heartless assassin in Kill It (2019) to a romantic lead in Now, We Are Breaking Up (2021).
- Height: At 187 cm (6’2″), Jang Ki Yong is known for his tall and striking appearance, which helped him rise to fame as a model.
Secrets
- Shy as a child: Jang has revealed that he was a shy and introverted child. His personality only began to change after he started working as a model and actor, which helped him gain confidence.
- Hiking with family: Growing up, Jang’s family regularly went hiking. These outings became an important part of his childhood and instilled in him a love for the outdoors.
- Prefers simple moments: Despite his fame, Jang enjoys small, peaceful activities like walking and listening to music, which keep him grounded.
- Nervous on set: He often feels nervous when taking on new roles, particularly before starting filming for a project. He has mentioned that it’s part of his process to channel that nervousness into his performance.
- Likes privacy: Jang is quite private when it comes to his personal life. He rarely shares intimate details with the media and prefers to focus on his career.
Funny Things
- Wore braces: Jang once had braces, and he has shared funny stories about how they made him feel self-conscious during his early modeling years.
- Got mistaken for someone else: Due to his tall stature and handsome looks, Jang was once mistaken for another famous model at an event. He found it amusing but didn’t correct the person.
- Learning to cook: Jang has had a few humorous kitchen mishaps while trying to improve his cooking skills. He once joked that he could barely make instant noodles without burning them.
- Awkward fan encounters: Jang has shared funny stories about fans approaching him with unusual requests, like asking for him to pose with their pets or to take selfies at odd angles.
- Loves silly pranks: On set, Jang is known for playing harmless pranks on his co-stars, especially when the atmosphere becomes too tense during filming.
Fears
- Public speaking: Despite his fame, Jang still feels anxious about public speaking. He has said that he prefers to express himself through acting rather than giving speeches.
- Fear of failure: Like many actors, Jang has expressed a fear of failing in his career. He constantly works on improving his skills to avoid disappointing his fans.
- Heights: Jang has mentioned that although he’s tall, he’s not comfortable with extreme heights and avoids activities like bungee jumping.
- Letting down his fans: One of his biggest fears is disappointing his fans, especially after they have supported him through his transition from modeling to acting.
- Tight deadlines: Jang finds the pressure of tight deadlines to be stressful and fears that it may impact the quality of his work. He prefers to take his time to deliver his best performances.
News
Jang Ki Yong Enlists for Mandatory Military Service (August 2021)
Jang Ki Yong began his mandatory military service on August 23, 2021, as an active-duty soldier. Prior to his enlistment, he wrapped up filming for the drama Now, We Are Breaking Up, co-starring Song Hye Kyo, which aired while he was serving.Jang Ki Yong Completes Military Service (February 2023)
After serving for 18 months, Jang Ki Yong was discharged from his military duties on February 22, 2023. Fans eagerly awaited his return to the entertainment industry, and he is expected to resume acting in the coming years.Jang Ki Yong Wins Best New Actor at Baeksang Arts Awards (2019)
Jang Ki Yong received the prestigious Best New Actor award at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards for his role in Come and Hug Me (2018). This marked a significant turning point in his acting career.Starring Role in My Roommate Is a Gumiho (2021)
Jang Ki Yong starred in the hit drama My Roommate Is a Gumiho (2021), playing the role of a nine-tailed fox. This role helped solidify his status as one of Korea’s leading actors.Lead Role in Now, We Are Breaking Up (2021)
In his final project before military service, Jang Ki Yong starred alongside Song Hye Kyo in Now, We Are Breaking Up. The drama aired in late 2021 and was highly anticipated due to its star-studded cast.
TV Drama
Music / OST
Jang Ki Yong is primarily known for his work as a model and actor, but he has also been involved in some musical ventures, though not as extensively as other actor-singers in Korea. Here are some key details about his music-related activities:
OST Participation: Jang Ki Yong has appeared in several drama soundtracks (OSTs) by lending his voice, though not as a lead singer. He was involved in the Come and Hug Me (2018) OST, where his character and role played a part in creating an emotional backdrop for the drama.
Music Videos: Early in his career, Jang Ki Yong gained visibility by appearing in music videos for popular artists. He starred in IU’s music videos for Friday and The Red Shoes, which helped boost his recognition in the industry.
Singing Competitions: Jang Ki Yong participated in singing contests like Singing Battle and Tribe of Hip Hop during his earlier years. While not professionally trained as a singer, these appearances demonstrated his versatile talents.
Musical Performance During Military Service: During his military service, Jang Ki Yong was cast in the musical Blue Helmet: Meissa’s Song (2022). This marked his first formal entry into the musical world, performing alongside EXO’s Chanyeol.
Potential for Future Music Projects: Although Jang’s focus remains on acting, his involvement in musical theater during his military service suggests a growing interest in exploring this field further. Fans are curious to see if he will continue with more music-related projects in the future.
While Jang Ki Yong does not have a dedicated music career like other idols or actors who sing, his occasional ventures into music have shown his potential and versatility across various entertainment mediums.
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