Ahn Jae-wook

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Ahn Jae-wook

Role / Field:

Acclaimed South Korean actor and singer known for his dramatic stage presence.

Born:

1971-09-12

Century / Era:

1971s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Ahn Jae-wook (Korean: 안재욱; born October 30, 1971) is a South Korean actor and singer. Ahn Jae-wook spent most of his childhood in his hometown, the district of Donam-dong in Seoul, before graduating from Seoul Institute of the Arts, where he majored in theater. After graduating in 1994, Ahn made his acting debut in Song of a Blind Bird, which was based on a real-life story, followed by supporting roles in several 1995–96 television series such as Hotel and Their Embrace. In 1997 he and costar Choi Jin-sil shot to stardom in the highly popular trendy drama Star in My Heart, which reached ratings of over 49%. It not only ignited trends in hairstyle, fashion and products featured in the series, Ahn also became a Korean Wave star, extending his popularity to China, Japan and Southeast Asian countries.

Career & Major Achievements

Star in My Heart likewise kick-started Ahn's music career. Forever, which was featured in the series' ending during the concert of his character Kang Min, sold over 700,000 copies, and became the title song of his debut album. Instead, Ahn focused on the small screen, appearing in over 10 television series from the late 1990s and throughout the 2000s. Among these were Goodbye My Love with Kim Hee-sun, Oh Pil-seung and Bong Soon-young (also known as Oh Feel Young) with Chae Rim, and I Love You (also known as Saranghae) with Seo Ji-hye. As he entered his forties and his matinee idol status gave way to younger actors, Ahn returned to his stage roots.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He played Daniel in Jack the Ripper (a Korean adaptation of the Czech musical Jack Rozparovač) from 2009 to 2011, then reprised the role in the musical's run in Tokyo, Japan in 2012. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of broadcaster MBC, Ahn headlined Lights and Shadows in 2011. The sprawling drama, which spotlights Korean show business against the backdrop of history in the 1960s to the 1980s, was number one in its timeslot for 20 consecutive weeks. Ahn then played the title role in the 2012 Korean staging of Rudolf, a musical about the 1889 Mayerling Incident involving the Crown Prince of Austria. In February 2013 Ahn underwent brain surgery in the U.S. for a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1971 (1971-09-12): Birth of Ahn Jae-wook — Acclaimed South Korean actor and singer known for his dramatic stage presence.
2. 1994: 1994 Milestone — After graduating in 1994, Ahn made his acting debut in Song of a Blind Bird, which was based on a real-life story, followed by supporting roles in several 1995–96 television series such as Hotel and Their Embrace.
3. 1997: 1997 Milestone — In 1997 he and costar Choi Jin-sil shot to stardom in the highly popular trendy drama Star in My Heart, which reached ratings of over 49%.
4. 2009: 2009 Milestone — He played Daniel in Jack the Ripper (a Korean adaptation of the Czech musical Jack Rozparovač) from 2009 to 2011, then reprised the role in the musical's run in Tokyo, Japan in 2012.
5. 2011: 2011 Milestone — To commemorate the 50th anniversary of broadcaster MBC, Ahn headlined Lights and Shadows in 2011.
6. 2012: 2012 Milestone — Ahn then played the title role in the 2012 Korean staging of Rudolf, a musical about the 1889 Mayerling Incident involving the Crown Prince of Austria.
7. 2013: 2013 Milestone — In February 2013 Ahn underwent brain surgery in the U.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ahn Jae-wook

True or False: “Ahn Jae-wook's acting career began immediately after he graduated from Seoul Institute of the Arts in 1994.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he graduated in 1994, his debut role was in 'Song of a Blind Bird,' and his major breakthrough came later with 'Star in My Heart' in 1997.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abd El-Razzak El-Sanhuri — Contemporary (Died in 1971) (1971): Pioneering Egyptian jurist, celebrated for authoring the revised Civil Code of 1948.
• Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Iraqi militant leader and founder of the Islamic State (IS)
• Aditya Chopra — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Pioneering figure in Hindi Cinema, known for producing blockbuster films and leading Yash Raj Films.
• Alexander Radishchev — Shared historical date (09-12 · Died) (1802): Pioneering Russian author and social critic, known for 'Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow'
• Amílcar Cabral — Shared historical date (09-12 · Born) (1924): Bissau-Guinean anti-colonial leader, intellectual, and revolutionary poet.
• Adriano Giannini — Historical peer (Born in 1971) (1971): Italian actor known for dubbing and roles in film and television.
• Alison Krauss — Historical peer (Born in 1971) (1971): Esteemed American bluegrass singer and musician known for her vibrant career.
• Abdullah al-Sallal — Historical peer (Died in 1994) (1994): Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.
• Ahmed Ali (writer) — Historical peer (Died in 1994) (1994): Pioneering Urdu writer, poet, and diplomat from British India to Pakistan.
• Adolf Butenandt — Historical peer (Died in 1995) (1995): Pioneering German biochemist known for sex hormones and pheromone discovery.
• 1971 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1971
• September 12 (09-12) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 12

Frequently Asked Questions about Ahn Jae-wook