Kim Dong-wook

Quick Facts: Who was Kim Dong-wook?

Subject:

Kim Dong-wook

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actor known for intense roles in period dramas and thrillers.

Born:

1983-07-29

Century / Era:

1983s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kim Dong-wook (Korean: 김동욱; born July 29, 1983) is a South Korean actor. After appearing in student short films and several minor parts, Kim became a star through his supporting role in the popular TV series Coffee Prince (2007), followed by box office hit Take Off (2009). He then starred in Happy Killers (2010), Romantic Heaven (2011), The Guest (2018) and The King of Pigs (2022). His acclaimed performance as an obsessed and tormented king in the 2012 period drama The Concubine, along with his appearance in the fantasy action films Along with the Gods 1 and 2 has brought Kim the best reviews of his career yet. After officially debuting in A Crimson Mark, Kim Dong-wook's first notable role was the angry, impoverished teenager in director Byun Young-joo's 2004 coming-of-age film Flying Boys.

Career & Major Achievements

He then broke into the mainstream as the bubbly waiter in MBC's 2007 hit romantic comedy series Coffee Prince. In the popular 2009 sports flick Take Off, he starred as a former night club bouncer who ends up being a member of Korea's national ski jumping team. In spite of the enormous physical challenge, Kim said it was a character he genuinely enjoyed playing. His musical theatre debut was in On Air: Season 2, which was produced by his fellow alumni from the Korea National University of Arts. A loose spin-off of the TV series On Air, it takes place at a radio station and centers around an idol singer-turned-DJ and an older female PD.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His follow-up the year after was the Korean production of Legally Blonde, the Broadway musical based on the 2011 Hollywood film of the same name. He played Luke Wilson's role Emmett. Kim said "the show must go on, no matter what" mentality was what he found appealing yet tough about doing musicals. Kim then played lead roles in the omnibus film Five Senses of Eros, thriller Happy Killers, and melodrama Romantic Heaven. But it was his performance in period thriller The Concubine that he gained significant attention on the big screen.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1983 (1983-07-29): Birth of Kim Dong-wook — Acclaimed South Korean actor known for intense roles in period dramas and thrillers.
2. 2004: 2004 Milestone — After officially debuting in A Crimson Mark, Kim Dong-wook's first notable role was the angry, impoverished teenager in director Byun Young-joo's 2004 coming-of-age film Flying Boys.
3. 2007: 2007 Milestone — After appearing in student short films and several minor parts, Kim became a star through his supporting role in the popular TV series Coffee Prince (2007), followed by box office hit Take Off (2009).
4. 2009: 2009 Milestone — In the popular 2009 sports flick Take Off, he starred as a former night club bouncer who ends up being a member of Korea's national ski jumping team.
5. 2010: 2010 Milestone — He then starred in Happy Killers (2010), Romantic Heaven (2011), The Guest (2018) and The King of Pigs (2022).
6. 2011: 2011 Milestone — His follow-up the year after was the Korean production of Legally Blonde, the Broadway musical based on the 2011 Hollywood film of the same name.
7. 2012: 2012 Milestone — His acclaimed performance as an obsessed and tormented king in the 2012 period drama The Concubine, along with his appearance in the fantasy action films Along with the Gods 1 and 2 has brought Kim the best reviews of his career yet.

Notable Quotes by Kim Dong-wook

“While feeling sorry for him, I also found the complexity of the character fascinating. That's what drew me in.” (2012)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kim Dong-wook

True or False: “Kim Dong-wook first gained mainstream recognition through his role in the romantic comedy series Coffee Prince.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He broke into the mainstream as the bubbly waiter in MBC's 2007 hit romantic comedy series Coffee Prince.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Ahmed Rushdi — Contemporary (Died in 1983) (1983): A legendary Pakistani playback singer, known as the 'Magician of Voice'.
• Alan Moorehead — Contemporary (Died in 1983) (1983): Australian war correspondent and author of popular histories, famed for Nile explorations.
• Alfred Tarski — Contemporary (Died in 1983) (1983): Pioneering logician known for model theory and the formal concept of truth.
• Abai Qunanbaiuly — Shared historical date (07-29 · Born) (1845): Foundational Kazakh poet, composer, and Islamic reformer of the 19th century.
• Akram Khan (dancer) — Shared historical date (07-29 · Born) (1974): Pioneering English dancer and choreographer blending Kathak and contemporary forms.
• Amy Winehouse — Historical peer (Born in 1983) (1983): Iconic British soul artist blending jazz, R&B, and retro sounds.
• Anastasia Davydova — Historical peer (Born in 1983) (1983): Five-time Olympic gold medalist and celebrated coach in Russian synchronized swimming.
• Al Oerter — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• Albert Ellis — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Pioneering figure in psychotherapy, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Aage Bohr — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• 1983 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1983
• July 29 (07-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 29

Frequently Asked Questions about Kim Dong-wook