Gang Dong-won
Gang Dong-won (born January 18, 1981) is a South Korean actor. He debuted as a model and rose to stardom through the film Temptation of Wolves (2004). He is subsequently known for starring in the films Maundy Thursday (2006), Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard (2009), Secret Reunion (2010), Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014), The Priests (2015), A Violent Prosecutor (2016), Master (2016), and Peninsula (2020).
Also recorded as Kang Dong-won
Gang Dong-won

Moritania (안주) · CC BY 4.0
- Name
- Gang Dong-won
- Born
- 18 January 1981
- Birthplace
- Busan, South Korea
- Occupation
- Actor
- Education
- Hanyang University (Mechanical engineering)
- Nationality
- South Korea
- Languages
- Korean
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Gang Dong-won (born January 18, 1981) is a South Korean actor. He debuted as a model and rose to stardom through the film Temptation of Wolves (2004). He is subsequently known for starring in the films Maundy Thursday (2006), Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard (2009), Secret Reunion (2010), Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014), The Priests (2015), A Violent Prosecutor (2016), Master (2016), and Peninsula (2020).
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Gang Dong-won (born 1981) is an actor and model, of South Korean nationality. The actor was born in Busan. Gang Dong-won was educated at Hanyang University. Languages used include Korean.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 27 September 2026
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Gang Dong-won • Born — 18 January 1981 • Birthplace — Busan, South Korea • Other Names — Kang Dong-won • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 2000–present • Education — Hanyang University (Mechanical engineering) • Agent — * AA Group (South Korea) • Creative Artists Agency (USA) Gang Dong-won (born January 18, 1981) is a South Korean actor. He debuted as a model and rose to stardom through the film Temptation of Wolves (2004). He is subsequently known for starring in the films Maundy Thursday (2006), Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard (2009), Secret Reunion (2010), Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014), The Priests (2015), A Violent Prosecutor (2016), Master (2016), and Peninsula (2020).
Early life and education
Early life and education
Gang Dong-won was born January 18, 1981, in Busan, and grew up in Changwon of South Gyeongsang Province. His father, Gang Cheol-woo, was an engineer and later the vice president of SPP Heavy Industries. Gang's family suffered economic hardship at times and Gang had to work part-time in college to pay for his tuition. Academically gifted with an IQ of 137, Gang graduated from Hanyang University at Ansan with a degree in mechanical engineering.
2000–2004: Beginnings
2000–2004: Beginnings
In 2000, when Gang was a first year university student, he was spotted on the street by a modeling agent. Thus began his modeling career, and he appeared on the catwalk for prêt-à-porter collections in Paris such as DKNY, Gucci and Hugo Boss, as well as for the local Seoul Fashion Artists Association (SFAA). After being cast in the music video for Jo Sung-mo's "I Swear," Gang began taking acting classes, leading to a change in career. He made his acting debut on television in 2003, playing a doctor with a regional dialect in Country Princess (also known as Funny Wild Girl), and a chaebol's son in Something About 1%. In 2004, he shot his first movie, the romantic comedy Too Beautiful to Lie, which was moderately successful.
2005–2010: Career breakthrough and mainstream success
2005–2010: Career breakthrough and mainstream success
Gang's first real breakthrough was in Temptation of Wolves, the film adaptation of Guiyeoni's teen internet novel. Gang's popularity subsequently rose, extending to other Asian countries, especially Japan. He then briefly returned to television as an antihero in Magic, though it received low ratings. Gang's next roles were an inmate on death row on Maundy Thursday, and the antagonist in Voice of a Murderer. His two collaborations with auteur Lee Myung-se in Duelist and M further cemented Gang's status as one of the top young actors in Korean cinema, earning him critical recognition for his stylish flair and diverse choice of roles. Gang said that he decided to play the mischievous titular character in the action fantasy Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard because "he wanted to work on a fun movie, as he was emotionally drained while formerly having worked on several serious films. The Choi Dong-hoon film turned into a holiday blockbuster, selling over 6 million tickets over the winter season despite opening in theaters only a week after the release of Avatar in Korea. In 2010, he was cast opposite veteran actor Song Kang-ho in Jang Hoon's spy film Secret Reunion. It became one of the biggest Korean box office hits of 2010, with over 5 million tickets sold. He then joined the Busan-centered omnibus Camellia, starring in Jang Joon-hwan's short film Love For Sale. Gang's last project before enlistment was the psychic thriller Haunters.
2010–2012: Military service
2010–2012: Military service
Gang enlisted for his mandatory military service on November 18, 2010, for four weeks of basic training at the Nonsan military camp in South Chungcheong Province. This was followed by non-active duty as a public service worker at Seoul City Research Institute of Public Health and Environment. He was discharged on November 12, 2012. On the day of his release, his agency uploaded a three minutes YouTube clip of him in various locations throughout the city, titled "Gang Dong-won in a Day."
2013–present: Return to acting
2013–present: Return to acting
In 2013, Gang appeared in The X, a 30-minute spy thriller directed by Kim Jee-woon. In 2014, Gang returned to the big screen in Yoon Jong-bin's period action film Kundo: Age of the Rampant, playing an illegitimate nobleman's son who attempts to destroy a group of Robin Hood-like outlaws in 19th century Joseon Dynasty. He next starred in My Brilliant Life, E J-yong's film adaptation of Kim Aeran's bestselling novel My Palpitating Life about a couple who must watch their son suffering from progeria grow prematurely old. In 2015, Gang reunited with Jeon Woo-chi co-star Kim Yoon-seok in Jang Jae-hyun's mystery thriller The Priests. • Illustration — Gang in 2016 In 2016, Gang played a young con artist in the crime film A Violent Prosecutor directed by Lee Il-hyung, which became the second highest grossing Korean film of 2016. He also starred in Um Tae-hwa's fantasy film Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned and Cho Ui-seok's financial thriller film Master together with Lee Byung-hun and Kim Woo-bin. After ending the contract with United Artist Agency, Gang signed with a new agency, YG Entertainment in January 2016. In 2017, Gang made a special appearance as Lee Han-yeol in Jang Joon-hwan's historical film 1987: When the Day Comes. In 2018, Gang played a deliveryman framed for the assassination of a politician in Noh Dong-seok's thriller Golden Slumber, based on Isaka Kotaro's novel of the same name. His next project was Kim Jee-woon's science fiction action thriller Illang: The Wolf Brigade, which is a film adaptation based on Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, a Japanese animated thriller. In 2020, Gang starred in Yeon Sang-ho's horror-action-thriller Peninsula, a standalone sequel to the 2016 hit Train to Busan. He then starred in Hirokazu Kore-eda's film Broker where he played the role of Dong-soo–a man who was abandoned by his parents, and now sells abandoned babies with his friend played by Song Kang-ho. The film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. In December 2022, Gang ended his contract with YG Entertainment after about 7 years. In 2023, he established his own one-man agency, Studio AA Group. In a March 2024 interview, Imaginus vice president Ryu Hyung-jin revealed that Gang Dong-won co-leads Studio AA, one of ten labels under Imaginus, the content production company founded by Choi Jin-hee, former CEO of Studio Dragon. In June 2024, Gang was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In October, Netflix released the historical war action film, Uprising. Directed by Kim Sang-man and produced by Park Chan-wook, the film stars Gang as Cheon Yeong, a man with unparalleled swordsmanship skills, and depicts the lives of two childhood friends who become adversaries during the Japanese invasions of Korea. The movie premiered at the 29th Busan International Film Festival on October 2, 2024, and was released on Netflix on October 11. On November 12, 2024, Gang officially launched his fashion brand, NONYMOUSAA. Gang's drama series, Polaris, with the English title Tempest, premiered on Disney+ and Hulu on September 10, 2025. Co-produced by two Imaginus labels, Showrunner and Studio AA, the series was written by Jeong Seo-kyeong and directed by Kim Hee-won. Gang stars as Baek San-ho, a former top international mercenary with a mysterious past, who crosses paths with diplomat Seo Mun-ju, played by Jun Ji-hyun.
Endorsements
Endorsements
In May 2022, Gang was selected as the house ambassador for French luxury brand Louis Vuitton.
Family history controversy
Family history controversy
In March 2017, a user of the website Max Movie uploaded a list of currently active film actors who are descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators, and listed Gang. His maternal great-grandfather Lee Jong-man (1885–1977) is listed in the pro-Japanese biographical dictionary, having been involved in the mining business during the Japanese colonial rule and donating to the Japanese army. Because of the revelation, Gang issued a public apology and cancelled his scheduled recording for the Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned commentary.
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2003 — Country Princess — Min Ji-hoon • Something About 1% — Lee Jae-in • 2004 — Magic — Cha Gang-jae • 2025 — Tempest — Baek San-ho
Music videos
Music videos
• Year — Title — Artist — Ref. References • 2000 — "I Swear" (다짐) — Jo Sung-mo • 2001 — "Light" (빛) — J • 2004 — "It Rains" (비가와) — Jung Chul • 2010 — "Let's Break Up" (헤어지자고) — Joo Hyung-jin • 2016 — "Telling A Secret" (비밀을 말하다) • 2022 — "I'll Hear" (들을게)
Soundtrack appearances
Soundtrack appearances
List of singles, with year, and album • Title — Year — Album • "Shadow" (with Ha Ji-won) — 2005 — rowspan="2" Non-album single • "Love Song" (with Ha Ji-won) • "Victimae paschali laudes" (Deacon Choi Version) — 2015 — The Priests OST • "A Hidden Path" (가리워진 길) (with Kim Tae-ri) — 2017 — 1987: When the Day Comes OST • "Cheer Up" (Friends with Shin Hae Chul Version) (with Kim Sung-kyun, Kim Dae-myung, and Shin Hae Chul) — 2018 — Golden Slumber OST
Listicles
Listicles
Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement • Publisher — Year — Listicle — Placement — Ref. Reference(s) • Forbes Korea — 2011 — Korea Power Celebrity 40 — 21st • The Screen — 2019 — 2009–2019 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies — 9th

Gang Dong-won at an event for Wild Sing at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in May 2026
SBS Star Daily · Cropped image from YouTube: Gang Dongwon Channels Idol Vibes with a Ribbon-Accented Look – View/save archived versions on archive.org
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
2020
[[FREE Download]] `Peninsula:TRAIN TO BUSAN 2` Full Movie In ENG SUB Gang Dong-Won (2020) is digitised and catalogued by Open Library.
2020
[[FREE Download]] `Peninsula:TRAIN TO BUSAN 2` Full Movie In ENG SUB Gang Dong-Won digitised by Open Library.
Film
• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Ref. Reference(s) • 2004 — Too Beautiful to Lie — Choi Hee-cheol • Temptation of Wolves — Jeong Tae-seong • 2005 — Duelist — Sad Eyes • 2006 — Maundy Thursday — Jeong Yun-soo • 2007 — Voice of a Murderer — Kidnapper — Voice • M — Han Min-woo • 2009 — Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard — Jeon Woo-chi • 2010 — Secret Reunion — Song Jee-won • Haunters — Cho-in • 2011 — Camellia — Jay — Segment: "Love for Sale" • 2013 — The X — X — Short film • 2014 — Kundo: Age of the Rampant — Jo Yoon • My Brilliant Life — Dae-su • 2015 — The Priests — Deacon Choi • 2016 — A Violent Prosecutor — Han Chi-won • Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned — adult Sung-min • Master — Kim Jae-myung • 2017 — 1987: When the Day Comes — Lee Han-yeol — Special appearance • 2018 — Golden Slumber — Kim Gun-woo • Illang: The Wolf Brigade — Im Joong-kyung • 2020 — Peninsula — Jeong-seok • 2022 — Broker — Dong-soo • 2023 — Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman — Dr. Cheon • 2024 — The Plot — Yeong-il • Uprising — Cheon Yeong • 2025 — Dark Nuns — Deacon Choi — Cameo • 2026 — Wild Sing — Hyun-woo
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q488031: Gang Dong-won
Reputable secondary · Wikidata
- “Gang Dong-won”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority file
- Gemeinsame Normdatei 1071379089, Gang, Dong won.
Unverified · Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Awards and nominations
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination • Award ceremony — Year — Category — Nominee / Work — Result — Ref. Reference(s) • Baeksang Arts Awards — 2004 — Most Popular Actor – Film — Too Beautiful to Lie • Best New Actor – Film • 2005 — Most Popular Actor – Film — Temptation of Wolves • 2007 — Best Actor – Film — Maundy Thursday • 2010 — Secret Reunion • Blue Dragon Film Awards — 2004 — Popular Star Award — Temptation of Wolves • Best New Actor • 2005 — Popular Star Award — Duelist • 2010 — Best Actor — Secret Reunion • Buil Film Awards — 2010 — Best Actor — Secret Reunion • 2018 — Popular Star Award — Illang: The Wolf Brigade • 2020 — Peninsula • CGV Audience Choice of the Year Awards — 2005 — Best New Actor — Temptation of Wolves • Director's Cut Awards — 2004 — Best New Actor — Too Beautiful to Lie • Golden Cinematography Awards — 2005 — Best New Actor — Temptation of Wolves • Grand Bell Awards — 2004 — Best New Actor — Too Beautiful to Lie • 2010 — Best Actor — Secret Reunion • 2014 — Best Actor — Kundo: Age of the Rampant • InStyle Star Icon — 2016 — Best Actor — The Priests • Korean Association of Film Critics Awards — 2004 — Best New Actor — Temptation of Wolves • 2010 — Best Actor — Secret Reunion • Korean Film Awards — 2004 — Best New Actor — Temptation of Wolves / Too Beautiful to Lie • MBC Drama Awards — 2003 — Best New Actor — Something About 1% • New York Asian Film Festival — 2017 — Star Asia Award — Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Lee Yu-na. YTN. March 24, 2022.
- 2.JoongAng Ilbo. November 8, 2010.
- 3.Maxmovie. January 27, 2010.
- 4.XPORT Media. July 19, 2014.
- 5.The Dong-A Ilbo. August 19, 2015.
- 6.Kang, Myoung-seok. 10LINE: Actor Gang Dong-won. The Asia Business Daily. April 9, 2010.
- 7.All That Star: The Handsome and Talented Actor with Superior Genes, Gang Dong-won, who gradually rose to stardom!. Arirang News.
- 8.Gang Dong-won Selected As Top Dream Date. KBS Global. March 24, 2005.
- 9.Happy Hours and Two Complex Stars. The Chosun Ilbo. September 6, 2009.
- 10.Lee, Min-a. Time for boy's killer to repent. Korea JoongAng Daily. January 8, 2007.
- 11.Yang, Sung-hee. More than just a pretty face. Korea JoongAng Daily. November 7, 2007.
- 12.Min, Dong-yong. "I Have Chi Coming Out of My Fingertips Now". The Dong-A Ilbo. June 2, 2005.
- 13.Lee, Hyo-won. M Sets Busan Film Festival on Fire. The Korea Times. October 7, 2007.
- 14.Kang, Myoung-seok. Gang Dong-won says he may write Woochi sequel. 10Asia. December 17, 2009.
- 15.Lee, Hyo-won. Woochi Marks Birth of Korean Superhero. The Korea Times. December 17, 2009.
- 16.Korean box office sets all-time high during first half of 2010. HanCinema. July 7, 2010.
- 17.Park, Sun-young. Bonds of brotherhood, on and off screen. Korea JoongAng Daily. January 21, 2010.
- 18.Kim, Lynn. Gang Dong-won, Song Hye-kyo start filming Love. 10Asia. January 20, 2010.
- 19.Hong, Lucia. Gang Dong-won says "wants the power to teleport". 10Asia. October 18, 2010.
- 20.Sung, So-young. Pretty-boy actor takes his turn as a villain. Korea JoongAng Daily. October 28, 2010.
- 21.Lee, Eun-ji. Gang Dong-won to enter military today. 10Asia. November 18, 2010.
- 22.Lee, Tae-ho. Actors Gang Dong-won, Ko Joo-won Discharged from Military Today. 10Asia. November 12, 2012.
- 23.Sunwoo, Carla. Military releases Gang Dong-won. Korea JoongAng Daily. December 14, 2012.
- 24.Lee, Maggie. Film Review: The X. Variety. October 28, 2013.
- 25.Sunwoo, Carla. Chemistry for Ha, Gang in Kundo. Korea JoongAng Daily. June 13, 2014.
- 26.Lee, Seung-mi. Gang back in bitter bad boy role. Korea JoongAng Daily. July 21, 2014.
- 27.Gang, Song Hye-kyo to star in new film. The Korea Times. December 4, 2013.
- 28.Song, Soon-jin. GANG Dong-won and SONG Hye-kyo to Collaborate on Human Drama. Korean Film Biz Zone. December 5, 2013.
- 29.Sunwoo, Carla. A-listers bring to life sad story of a fast-aging boy. Korea JoongAng Daily. August 8, 2014.
- 30.Kim, June. Rendezvous for KIM Yun-seok and GANG Dong-won. Korean Film Biz Zone. December 9, 2014.
- 31.Conran, Pierce. GANG Dong-won and HWANG Jung-min Confirmed for A VIOLENT PROSECUTOR. Korean Film Biz Zone. May 12, 2015.
- 32.South Korea Yearly Box Office. Box Office Mojo.
- 33.Kang Dong-won to appear on big screen. The Korea Times. October 15, 2015.
- 34.Top actors to light up action film "Master". The Korea Times. December 17, 2015.
- 35.Gang Dong-won closes contract with UAA. The Korea Times. April 23, 2013.
- 36.Son, Ji-hyoung. YG clinches contract with Gang Dong-won. K-pop Herald. January 18, 2016.
- 37.'1987,' film on historic democratic movement boasts star-studded cast. The Korea Herald. April 3, 2017.
- 38.GANG Dong-won & HAN Hyo-joo Headline Thriller GOLDEN SLUMBER. Korean Film Biz Zone. December 27, 2016.
- 39.Korean wrong-man thriller 'Golden Slumber' has the right stuff. Los Angeles Times. February 25, 2018.
- 40.Kim Jee-woon's upcoming sci-fi flick boasts stellar cast. The Korea Herald. July 18, 2017.
- 41.Noh, Jean. 'The Good, The Bad, The Weird' director Kim Jee-woon sets cast, shoot date for new sci-fi. Screen Daily. July 17, 2017.
- 42.KIM Jee-woon's Sci-fi Action INRANG Starts Shooting in August. Korean Film Biz Zone. July 28, 2017.
- 43.Choi Ji-won. 'Peninsula' takes post-zombie apocalypse to another level. The Korea Herald. June 16, 2020.
- 44.Lee Gyu-lee. [INTERVIEW] Gang Dong-won focuses on portraying feelings of orphan in 'Broker'. The Korea Times. June 8, 2022.
- 45.Song, Min-joo. TV Report. December 30, 2022.
- 46.Kim, Bo-ra. OSEN. 2023-08-29.
- 47.Lim, Soo-yeon. Cine21. 1446. 2024-03-08. 1228-4025.
- 48.The Academy Invites 487 New Members for 2024: See the Full List. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 2024-06-25.
- 49.Netflix's 'Uprising' set for release after powerful BIFF debut. The Chosun Daily. 2024-10-10.
- 50.Nate News.
- 51.Cine21. 2024-03-08.
- 52.Geom, Bich-na. ytn.co.kr. July 23, 2025.
- 53.Lee, Soo-jin. edaily news. January 21, 2025.
- 54.Herald Corporation. Herald Corp. May 31, 2022.
- 55.🧐칸의 레드 카펫에서 💫루이 비통의 턱시도를 차려입은 게 힌트였네요. 루이 비통이 배우 강동원을 하우스의 새로운 앰배서더로 발표했습니다. ELLE Korea on Instagram. June 1, 2022.
- 56.#FASHION #STARS #NEWS 루이 비통(@louisvuitton)이 배우 강동원을 하우스의 새로운 앰버서더로 발탁했습니다. Y Magazine on Instagram. May 31, 2022.
- 57.A-list actor mired in controversy. Korea JoongAng Daily. March 8, 2017.
- 58.KBS News. March 6, 2017.
- 59.Herald Corporation. Kang Dong-won apologizes for pro-Japanese controversy. Kpop Herald. March 6, 2017.
- 60.Ahn, Tae-hyun. Herald Pop. June 6, 2019.
- 61.Jeon Hyung-Hwa. Star News. February 1, 2021.
- 62.Kang Hyo-jin. spoTV News. September 19, 2022.
- 63.Yoo Ji-hye. Sports Donga. August 26, 2021.
- 64.Cho Ji-young. Sports Chosun. June 7, 2023.
- 65.Kim, Ye-rang. Hankyung. January 20, 2025.
- 66.Kim Kyung-hee. MBC. April 10, 2026.
- 67.Geom, Bich-na. YTN. July 23, 2025.
- 68.Ko Seung-ah. News1. May 11, 2022.
- 69.'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance' wins Best Picture Award. KBS World. November 30, 2005.
- 70.Ji, Min-kyung. Naver. OSEN. October 22, 2020.
- 71.'Poetry' Wins Korean Critics' Prize. The Hollywood Reporter. October 23, 2010.
- 72.GANG Dong-won Receives the Star Asia Award at NYAFF. Korean Film Biz Zone. June 20, 2017.
- 73.Celebrity list 40. JoongAng Ilbo. February 24, 2011.
- 74.2009-2019 Korean movie actor box office power 2nd to 10th. The Screen.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority file
Gemeinsame Normdatei 1071379089, Gang, Dong won.Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Partially resolvedreference work
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
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