Jang Geun Seok

Profil
* Name: 장근석 / Jang Geun Seok
* Profession: Actor, singer, and model
* Birthdate: 1987-Aug-04
* Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
* Height: 182cm
* Weight: 63kg
* Star sign: Leo
* Blood type: A
* Family: Father, Mother (Only Child, no siblings)
* Website: http://www.jangkeunsuk.co.kr/


Biography
Jang Geun-Suk was born on August 4, 1987 in Danyang Country, Chungcheongbuk Province, South Korea. He is an only child. Geun-Suk started working as a child model at the age of five after he was discovered by a talent agent. At that time, Geun-Suk's parents were selling their house and the agent, who was a prospective buyer, saw Geun-Suk. Seeing his potential, the agent advised Geun-Suk's parents to allow him to try a career in modeling.

Jang Geun-Suk made his acting debut 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 Japanese by himself. In junior high school, Geun-Suk went to school in New Zealand to learn English and Japanese. Because of his studies in New Zealand, he can carry casual conversations in both languages. Even though Geun-Suk wanted to continue his studies in New Zealand, a job offer brought him back to South Korea. Married to a Filipino Model, Rica Quiambao, 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 then decided to re-devote himself to becoming a true actor. 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 where he played the role of a deaf boy. Using his past experience with the Japanese language, Geun-Suk was able to communicate with his Japanese co-stars with ease. He also learned sign language in preparation for his role.

Back on the small screen, he next played the role of Kim Eun-ho, Hwang Jin-yi's first love in the TV drama Hwang Jin-i. Geun-Suk's performance gained the attention of many female fans. He also starred in the KBS drama, Hong Gil Dong, as Prince Lee Changhwi. In 2007, Geun-Suk was cast in the rock music themed film "The Happy Life." His portrayal of Hyeon-ju in "The Happy Life" allowed Geun-Suk 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 "Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do" and the hit MBC TV drama "Beethoven Virus".

Geun-Suk was the top choice for the role of Goo Jun Pyo during the initial casting of Boys Over Flowers but he turned it down for Beethoven Virus.

Geun-Suk's next role in the 2009 thriller The Case of Itaewon Homicide was his first villain role. The film is based on a true story of a murder that occurred at a Burger King restaurant in Itaewon, South Korea. Geun-Suk portrayed the role of Pearson, a disturbed, young Korean-American accused of stabbing a student to death. Geun-Suk had to speak his lines in English throughout the film, a job he did well, according to BeyondHollywood.com: "Jang Geun Suk performs very well as the sullen Pearson."

Film critics and moviegoers also praised Geun-Suk for his acting. A movie review posted on LondonKoreanLinks.com said: "The casting is cleverly done with Jang Geun-suk as the ‘innocent’ accused, his popularity allowing the audience to feel some empathy and warmth to an otherwise unattractive character. He does well in this role, a break from his normal cheerful persona and, combined with the fact he has to speak English through most of the film, it’s quite impressive. Its not perfect American accent of course, but it plays a vital part in itself."

In You're Beautiful, Geun-Suk played the role of Hwang Tae-Kyung, leader of rock band A.N.Jell, who falls in love with a fellow band member who is a female pretending to be a guy on behalf of her brother, played by Park Shin Hye. The show, which also starred Lee Hong Ki and Jung Yong Hwa, obtained a cult following online and became a hit in other Asian countries.

Geun-Suk was also one of the actors who appeared in the photoshoot "Kolon Christmas Photo Shoot" in 2008, along with co-actors Joo Jin Mo, Song Il-gook, Ko Soo, and Park Jae-jung. He also was a host on Tracking Your X Boyfriend. He's also known for his outspoken personality and tectonic dance.

Though he sings for some of his dramas, he has not released any music of his own except for a few songs done for advertisements: "Black Engine" for Mens cosmetics and skin care, and "Touch Holic" and "Just Drag" for Saumsung's YP-M1 mp3 player from the YEPP line.

Geun-Suk recently reunited with his You're Beautiful co-star Shin Hye to film an advertisement for Korea's Garden 5 Shopping Mall. He will next be seen in the Korean movie adaptation of the Japanese drama Kimi wa Petto.

His last project was Mary Stayed Out All Night where he became Kang Mu Gyul, a rockstar of indie band who have to pretend to be a fake husband of Wi Mae-Ri played by Moon Geun Young. Although the rating wasn't very good, the Geuns Couple (Geun-Suk and Geun Young) become the hottest couple of the year due of their chemistry in the drama. He also sang the OST for this drama.

Keun-Suk did some advertisements in 2010 - 2011 such as Ole Beauty Candy, Zegda CF, Code Combines CF and Samsung Galaxy Player


Recognitions
* 2010 KBS Drama Awards: International Netizen's Popularity Award (Marry Stayed Out All Night)
* 2010 KBS Drama Awards: Best Couple Award - Jang Geun Suk & Moon Geun Young (Marry Stayed Out All Night)
* 2010 Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards: Top Buzz Male Korea Star Award & the Top Buzz Male Asia Star Award
* 2010 Baeksang Awards : Male Popularity Award (Itaewon Murder Case)
* 2009 SBS Drama Awards: Teens' Star Award Actor (You're Beautiful)
* 2009 SBS Drama Awards: Netizens' Popularity Award (You're Beautiful)
* 2008 MBC Drama Awards: New Actor Award (Beethoven Virus)
* 2008 KBS Drama Awards: Popularity Award Actor (Hong Gil Dong)
* 2008 SBS 44th Annual Baeksang Arts Awards: Best New Actor (Movie - The Happy Life)
* 2008 KBS Drama Award: Best Couple Actress - Jang Geun Suk & Sung Yuri (Hong Gil Dong)
* 2007 KBS Drama Awards: Best Couple Actress - Jang Geun Suk & Sung Yuri
* 2006 KBS Performance Awards: Best Couple Award - Jang Geun Seok & Ha Ji Won (Hwang Jin Yi)


Trivia
School:
* February 2000 – Seoul DongYi Primary school graduate
* January 2003 – New Zealand Nelson College enrollment
* February 2003 – KwangJang middle school graduate
* July 2003 – Bangsan High School First year joins in the middle of course
College: February 2006 – Hanyang University Enrollment – Drama (major in Movie)
Hobbies: listening to music, snowboarding, skiing, singing, dancing