Baek Yoon-sik

Quick Facts: Who was Baek Yoon-sik?

Subject:

Baek Yoon-sik

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actor known for his distinctive, near-expressionless facial acting.

Born:

1947-03-16

Century / Era:

1947s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Baek Yoon-sik (Korean: 백윤식; born 16 March 1947) is a South Korean actor. He is known for his characteristic near-expressionless facial acting. Baek Yoon-sik made his debut in 1970 on KBS TV. In the coming years he would appear in four films, taking lead roles in his acting debut Excellent Guys and in romantic comedy Only with You with Seo Mi-kyung, a young star of the time. He also obtained his bachelor's degree and master's degree in Theater and Film at Chung-Ang University.

Career & Major Achievements

Nonetheless, his film career appeared to end in the 1970s and he became known thereafter as a TV actor. In the late 1990s and early 2000s he attained a certain degree of visibility in TV dramas such as The Moon of Seoul (1994, with Han Suk-kyu and Choi Min-sik) and Jang Hui-bin (2002, with Kim Hye-soo). In 2003, however, Baek's career was revived in spectacular fashion with a major role in Jang Joon-hwan's acclaimed debut feature Save the Green Planet!. Playing an arrogant company executive—believed by the film's hero to be an alien from the Andromeda Galaxy—Baek's performance won him a Best Actor Award from the 2003 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, as well as numerous best supporting actor mentions from local awards ceremonies. He quickly became sort of a cult figure among younger cinephiles.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Following on this success, Baek went on to appear in several more high-profile films, including a memorable role in Choi Dong-hoon's caper film The Big Swindle and a showstopping performance as intelligence chief Kim Jae-gyu in Im Sang-soo's controversial drama The President's Last Bang. The year 2006 turned out to be a particularly prolific year for Baek, as he took leading and supporting roles in four films. (It was a profitable year as well, with his fee rising to $400,000 per film—just a shade below that of the top stars.) Of these four, Choi Dong-hoon's Tazza: The High Rollers proved to be a runaway hit, selling close to 7 million tickets. In August 2021, Baek signed with new agency Fantagio. Baek divorced his wife in March 2004 after 27 years of marriage.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1947 (1947-03-16): Birth of Baek Yoon-sik — Acclaimed South Korean actor known for his distinctive, near-expressionless facial acting.
2. 1970: 1970 Milestone — Baek Yoon-sik made his debut in 1970 on KBS TV.
3. 1994: 1994 Milestone — In the late 1990s and early 2000s he attained a certain degree of visibility in TV dramas such as The Moon of Seoul (1994, with Han Suk-kyu and Choi Min-sik) and Jang Hui-bin (2002, with Kim Hye-soo).
4. 2003: 2003 Milestone — In 2003, however, Baek's career was revived in spectacular fashion with a major role in Jang Joon-hwan's acclaimed debut feature Save the Green Planet!.
5. 2004: 2004 Milestone — Baek divorced his wife in March 2004 after 27 years of marriage.
6. 2006: 2006 Milestone — The year 2006 turned out to be a particularly prolific year for Baek, as he took leading and supporting roles in four films.
7. 2021: 2021 Milestone — In August 2021, Baek signed with new agency Fantagio.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Baek Yoon-sik

True or False: “Baek Yoon-sik's breakthrough role in the 2003 film *Save the Green Planet!* earned him a Best Actor Award at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): His performance as an arrogant company executive was highly praised and led to significant critical recognition.

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• A. H. M. Jones — Historical peer (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering British historian of classical antiquity, specializing in the later Roman Empire.
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• 1947 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1947
• March 16 (03-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 16

Frequently Asked Questions about Baek Yoon-sik