Actor · South Korea
Jang Young Nam
장영남
Jang Young-nam is a South Korean actress with a theater background known for supporting roles in It's Okay to Not Be Okay and The Crowned Clown, and for playing queen dowager roles in historical dramas including Captivating the King (2024).
Biography
Jang Young Nam, born on November 25, 1973, in South Korea, is a versatile and acclaimed actress celebrated for her powerful and nuanced performances across television, film, and theater. Graduating from Seoul Institute of the Arts, Jang initially pursued a career in theater, where she quickly gained recognition for her emotional range and stage presence. Her early work in theater helped her build a strong foundation in acting, allowing her to move into film and television with a versatile and dynamic skill set.
She made her on-screen debut in the early 2000s and quickly became known for her roles in supporting characters. One of her breakout roles came in the film Hello Ghost (2010), where she played a ghostly character that highlighted her ability to balance humor and depth. This performance earned her critical acclaim and led to more prominent roles in both film and television, where she continued to impress with her ability to adapt to different genres and roles, from intense dramas to light-hearted comedies.
In recent years, Jang Young Nam has gained significant attention for her performances in popular K-Dramas like It's Okay to Not Be Okay and The Crowned Clown. These roles showcased her range, portraying both compassionate and complex characters with ease. Since The Crowned Clown, she has repeatedly taken on queen dowager roles in historical dramas, reprising the archetype in Captivating the King (2024). Her range across protagonist and antagonist roles has made her a favorite among fans and critics alike.
Outside of her professional life, Jang Young Nam married Lee Ho-ung, a theater director, in 2011, and they welcomed a son in 2014. She continues to balance her family life with her demanding career, showing resilience and dedication. Jang remains highly respected in the industry, not only for her talent but also for her work ethic and humility. Her contributions to South Korean entertainment make her a beloved figure, and her fans eagerly await each new role that promises to display her exceptional skills on screen.
Profile data
- Stage name
- Jang Young Nam
- Native name
- 장영남
- Gender
- Female
- 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 Jang Young Nam
Hobbies
- Reading Classic Literature: Jang Young Nam enjoys reading, particularly classic novels and plays, which she finds helpful in deepening her understanding of human emotions and psychology.
- Cooking for Family: She loves cooking and finds joy in preparing meals for her family. It’s her way of relaxing and showing affection to her loved ones.
- Gardening: Jang finds peace in gardening, spending her free time cultivating plants and flowers, which she says helps her disconnect from the busy industry.
- Painting: She has an artistic side and occasionally paints for leisure. Painting allows her to express her creativity outside of acting.
- Watching Theater Performances: Despite her busy schedule, she frequently watches theater performances to stay connected to her roots and learn from live acting.
Facts
- Theater Background: Jang Young Nam started her career in theater and credits her early stage work for building her acting skills and emotional resilience.
- Motherhood: She balances her career with being a mother to her son, who was born in 2014, and often shares how motherhood has changed her perspective on life.
- Award-Winning Actress: Jang has won several awards for her acting, including recognition for her roles in Hello Ghost and The Crowned Clown.
- Versatile Actor: Known for her versatility, she's played a wide range of characters, from villains to heartwarming mother figures, making her a standout in the industry.
- Respected Among Peers: She is highly respected by her colleagues for her dedication and work ethic, often praised for her humility despite her success.
Funny moments
- Accidentally Serious Expressions: Jang has a habit of unintentionally looking serious, even during lighthearted moments, which her friends and co-stars find amusing.
- Loves Bad Jokes: She has a quirky sense of humor and enjoys sharing corny jokes, often making her castmates laugh with her unexpectedly goofy side.
- Clumsy in Real Life: Though composed on screen, she’s known to be a bit clumsy, often dropping things or tripping, which brings humor to her everyday life.
- Awkward Laugh: Jang has an awkward yet endearing laugh that others find charming, adding to her down-to-earth and relatable personality.
- Confuses Directions: Known to get lost easily, Jang often jokes about her poor sense of direction, relying on GPS even for familiar routes.
Fears and dislikes
- Fear of Heights: Like many, Jang has a fear of heights and tries to avoid high places or scenes that require elevated settings whenever possible.
- Fear of Letting Down Fans: She deeply values her fans’ support and sometimes fears disappointing them, which drives her commitment to each performance.
- Public Speaking Anxiety: Although she is comfortable acting, she feels nervous speaking in front of large audiences, preferring scripted performances over impromptu speeches.
- Fear of Losing Privacy: As a private person, she values her family’s privacy and worries about the impact of fame on her personal life, especially concerning her son.
- Typecasting Concern: Known for her versatility, she fears being typecast into similar roles, making her careful in choosing diverse characters to portray.
Jang Young Nam shows and movies
Supporting roles 2 titles
Guest appearances 2 titles
Other credits 20 titles
Drama
2024
Drama
2024
Drama
2023
Drama
2021
Drama
2020
Drama
2020
Drama
2019
Film
2018
Film
2017
Film
2017
Drama
2016
Drama
2015
Film
2012
Drama
2012
Drama
2009
Drama
2008
Film
Film
Film
Film
Frequently worked with
Counted from shared credits across the database, most shared titles first.
