Jang Geun-Suk

PROFILE

• Name Jang Geun-Suk / Jang Geun-Seok
• Hangul: 장근석
• Birthdate: August 4, 1987
• Birthplace: South Korea
• University: Hanyang University
• Height: 182 cm
• Blood type: A

Biography

Jang Geun-Suk was born on August 4, 1987 in Danyang County, Chungcheongbuk Province, South Korea. He is the only child in his immediate family. At the early age of six, Geun-seok started to work as a child model. His work as a child model came about by a fortuitous event. When his parents were selling their home, a perspective buyer came to their house who worked as a talent agent. When he saw young Jang Geun-Suk at the house, he advised his parents that Geun-seok should work as model. [1]

Jang Geun-Suk made his acting debut four years later in the 1997 HBS sitcom "Selling Happiness" (Haengbokeul Pabmoda). He then continued to work in television as a child actor. In middle school, Geun-Suk heard the music of Japanese pop singer singer Ken Hirai & Japanese rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel. He was inspired enough by these bands to start learning the Japanese language by himself. In junior high school, Geun-seok went to school in New Zealand to learn English & Japanese. Because of his studies in New Zealand, he can carry casual conversations in both languages.[2] Even though Geun-Suk wanted to continue his studies in New Zealand, a job offer brought him back to South Korea. Geun-Suk landed a role in the popular MBC sitcom "Nonstop 4." After his work in Nonstop 4, Geun-Suk fell into a self-perceived slump and didn't think his acting was good enough. He decided then to re-devote himself to becoming a true actor.[3] In 2005, Geun-Suk's portrayal of the president's son in the SBS drama "Lovers in Prague" became a hit and was well regarded by drama fans.

In 2006, Geun-Suk made the jump to the big screen in the Japanese horror film "One Missed Call Final." Using his past experience with the Japanese language, Geun-Suk was able to communicate with his Japanese co-stars with no problems. He also learned sign language for the prior three months in preparation for his role as a deaf boy in "One Missed Call Final". His next role was back on the small screen with the KBS2historical drama "Hwang Jin-yi." Geun-Suk's performance in "Hwang Jin-yi" did gain the attention of many female fans. The following year in 2007, Geun-Suk was casted in the rock music themed film "The Happy Life." His portrayal of Hyeon-ju in "The Happy Life" allowed Geun-seok to show off his masculine charms, as well as display his skills as a singer. Geun-Suk would go on to play in two more music inspired titles in 2008, with the feature film "Doremifasolasido" and the MBC TV drama "Beethoven Virus."

Geun-Suk's next role in the 2009 thriller "The Case of Itaewon Homicide" marked the first time Geun-Suk performed as a villain. The film is based on a true story of a murder that occurred at a Burger King restaurant in Itaewon, South Korea.