Han Suk-kyu (Korean: 한석규; born November 3, 1964) is a South Korean actor. One of the leading actors of Korean cinema in the 1990s, he rose to prominence with a string of critically acclaimed films, including Green Fish (1997), No. 3 (1997), The Contact (1997), Christmas in August (1998), and the action thriller Shiri (1999), which was a major box office success and marked a turning point for the Korean film industry. Following this successful period, Han took a hiatus from acting due to a herniated disc.
Upon his return, Han re-established himself as a versatile actor with roles in both film and television. His notable later works include the historical drama Deep Rooted Tree (2011),[2] the espionage thriller The Berlin File (2013), and the crime drama The Prison (2017). He is also well known for his portrayal of Teacher Kim in the popular medical drama Dr. Romantic (2016–2023).[3][unreliable source?][4] In addition, he appeared in the thriller series Watcher (2019) and the psychological drama Doubt (2024).[5]
Career
1990–1994: Early work and breakthrough
While a student at the Theater and Film department of Dongguk University, he sang in an amateur folk rock band. He took a brief, year-long contract as voice actor at KBS, before moving on to TV and film acting.[6]
After a debut in the 1990 MBC campus drama Our Paradise, Han rose to stardom as "Hong-shik" in The Moon of Seoul (1994), a charming gigolo from the slums determined to attain wealth at all cost in the big city. "Choon-seop", an old friend from hometown played by Choi Min-sik, struggles hopelessly to stop "Hong-shik" from his self-ruin. The partnership of Han and Choi as uneasy allies or foes, parlayed into two flagship films of the 1990s: No. 3 and Shiri. Both the series and "Hong-shik" character have since become beloved icons, as part of the Korean television's golden era before the advent of Korean Wave.[7]
1995–1999: Prominence
Before the end of the 20th century, Han headlined films that were critically acclaimed (Green Fish, No. 3) and commercially successful (The Contact, Christmas in August,[8]Shiri — the latter two making particular impact in Japan).[9]
Han's experience in the early stages of Korean cinema renaissance in the 1990s, cemented his belief in a script-driven model for movie-making. Thus the founding of "Makdong Script Festival" (named after his role in Green Fish), with co-sponsor film magazine Cine 21. Winners may claim two cash prizes funded by Han, with the potential to launch directing careers based from their own scripts. The annual contest is now extant over 10 years, with two titles produced so far: the comedy 2424 (2002) and Private Eye (2009) starring Hwang Jung-min.
2000–2010: Hiatus and career fluctuations
Han went into an extended hiatus in 1999 declining several lucrative opportunities with name directors as he suffered disc problem.
Han returned in 2003 with espionage film Double Agent.[10] The film, which netted one million admissions, was seen as a failure for a star labeled by the media as "box office guarantee." This was followed by a sizable backlash from netizens and the press, who rushed to bury the co-self-produced spy thriller as the public disgrace of a former golden boy.[citation needed]
His press and image took further beating in the next two, even more polarizing films: the unforeseen tragedy surrounding The Scarlet Letter, and the incendiary political content of The President's Last Bang.[11][12] Nonetheless, these controversial works screened at Cannes, and were featured in a tribute to the actor at the Austrian FilmAsia festival.[13]
Despite this rocky return to feature films, Han remains well regarded by such major directors as Park Chan-wook, Lee Joon-ik, Kang Woo-suk and Jang Jin. Compared to his peak popularity in the 90s, his work may seem an acquired taste for general audiences, although some cult following ensued for his ultra-sadistic turn in A Bloody Aria.[14]
In 2013, Han starred in the action thriller film The Berlin File, playing a South Korean agent.[23] He then starred in musical film My Paparotti, playing a music teacher who is stuck in a rut until he meets a delinquent teenager.[24]
He returned to the small screen in the historical drama Secret Door, playing King Yeongjo. This was followed by period film The Royal Tailor, about a rivalry between two tailors at the Sangŭiwŏn. However, both projects were less successful.[25][26]
2016–present: Established actor
Han bounced back with the hit medical drama Dr. Romantic, written by acclaimed screenwriter Kang Eun-kyung.[27] The drama garnered over 20% viewership ratings, and Han received positive reviews for his performance.[28] He also won the Grand Prize (Daesang) Award at the 2016 SBS Drama Awards.
Han returned to the big screen in crime drama film The Prison.[29] Han is slated to star in upcoming thrillers Idol and Father's War, and period drama film Astronomy.[30][31][32]
In 2019, Han starred in OCN's thriller drama Watcher as a detective.[33]
On November 22, 1998, Han married KBS 21st voice actor Im Myung-ju, whom he dated from the days of the KBS Voice Actor Association.[44] The couple have two sons and two daughters.[45][46]
^Jeong Hee-yeon (September 15, 2022). '낭만닥터 김사부' 시즌3 내년 상반기 방송…한석규-안효섭-이성경 출연 [공식] ['Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim' Season 3 to be broadcast in the first half of next year… Han Seok-gyu - Ahn Hyo-seop - Lee Sung-kyung [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jeong Bit (March 22, 2022). [공식]한석규, 왓챠 '오늘은 좀 매울지도 몰라' 출연…번역가 역할 [[Official] Han Seok-gyu to appear in Watcha's 'Maybe A Little Spicy Today'... translator role] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Jeong-seon (April 7, 2025). '제61회 백상예술대상 with 구찌' 방송·영화·연극 후보 공개 ['61st Baeksang Arts Awards with Gucci' Broadcast, Film, and Theater Nominees Revealed]. JTBC News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
^Lee Woo-bin (December 20, 2024). "[특집] 2024 올해의 감독, 작가, 제작사, 남자배우" [[Special Feature] Director, Writer, Production Company, Actor of the Year 2024]. Cine21 (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 5, 2025. Retrieved January 5, 2025. 올해의 남자배우 <이토록 친밀한 배신자> 한석규 [Actor of the Year <Such a Close Traitor> Han Suk-kyu]
^Kim, Bo-young (February 9, 2023). 제21회 '디렉터스컷 어워즈', 3년 만에 오프라인 개최 [공식] [The 21st 'Director's Cut Awards' held offline for the first time in 3 years [Official]] (in Korean). E-Daily. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023 – via Naver.
^Ryu Ye-ji (December 18, 2024). 한석규 딸, 이름값 했다…그리메상 최우수여자연기자상 수상 [Han Seok-kyu's daughter lives up to her name... Wins Best Actress Award at the Grime Awards]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 5, 2025. Retrieved January 5, 2025. 이번 그리메상에서 이친자는 최우수작품상, 최우수남자연기상(한석규), 최우수여자연기상(채원빈), 연출상, 편집상까지 총 5관왕을 달성하며 웰메이드 드라마로서의 가치를 다시 한번 입증했다. [At this year's Grimme Awards, Doubt won a total of five awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Han Suk-kyu), Best Actress (Chae Won-bin), Best Direction, and Best Editing, once again proving its value as a well-made drama.]
^Ahn Byeong-gil (January 5, 2025). 한석규 'MBC 연기대상' 대상 영예[종합] [Han Seok-kyu Wins Grand Prize at MBC Drama Awards [Comprehensive]]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on January 5, 2025. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
^Kim Hyun-jung (January 5, 2025). 유연석·이제훈, 남자 최우수연기상 공동 수상 "감개무량" [2024 MBC 연기대상] [Yoo Yeon-seok and Lee Je-hoon jointly win the Best Actor Award, "Deeply emotional" [2024 MBC Drama Awards]]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved January 20, 2025. 남자 최우수연기상 미니시리즈 부문 후보로는 '백설공주에게 죽음을-Black Out' 변요한, '지금 거신 전화는' 유연석, '수사반장 1958' 이제훈, '원더풀 월드' 차은우, '이토록 친밀한 배신자' 한석규가 이름을 올렸다. [The nominees for the Best Actor in a Miniseries Award are Byun Yo-han from 'Snow White's Death - Black Out', Yoo Yeon-seok from 'The Caller', Lee Je-hoon from 'Chief of Staff 1958', Cha Eun-woo from 'Wonderful World', and Han Suk-kyu from 'So Intimate Traitor'.]
^Kim Na-young (December 27, 2023). "'2023 SBS 연기대상' 주인공은 누구? 이제훈vs한석규vs김태리vs김래원" [Who will be the main character of the '2023 SBS Drama Awards'? Lee Je-hoon vs. Han Seok-gyu vs. Kim Tae-ri vs. Kim Rae-won]. MK Sports (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
^Lee Dong-gun (December 30, 2023). "[SBS 연기대상] 안효섭 최우수연기상…"모두 낭만적인 하루 보내셨으면"" [[SBS Drama Awards] Ahn Hyo-seop Best Actor Award... "I hope everyone had a romantic day."]. MediaPen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^한국인이 가장 좋아하는 연예인은? "꽃남꽃녀보다 소탈남녀" [Who is Korean's favourite celebrity? "A man and a woman who are more than a flower man and a woman"]. The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). July 21, 2009. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
^2011년 올해를 빛낸 '영화배우' [A movie star who shined in 2011]. Gallup Korea. December 6, 2012. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
^2013년 올해를 빛낸 영화배우 - 최근 7년간 추이 포함 [Actor who shined this year in 2013 - including trends for the last 7 years]. Gallup Korea. November 18, 2013. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
^"1984~2008 한국영화 배우 흥행 파워 50" [1984–2008 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies]. thescreen.co.kr. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
