Kwon Sang-woo

Quick Facts: Who was Kwon Sang-woo?

Subject:

Kwon Sang-woo

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actor known for melodramas and diverse roles.

Born:

1976-08-05

Century / Era:

1976s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kwon Sang-woo (Korean: 권상우; born August 5, 1976) is a South Korean actor, famous for the melodrama series Stairway to Heaven. His other notable credits include the films Once Upon a Time in High School (2004), 71: Into the Fire (2010), The Accidental Detective (2015) and its 2018 sequel, The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful (2019), and Hitman: Agent Jun (2020), as well as the television series Big Thing (2010), Medical Top Team (2013), and Queen of Mystery (2017). He has garnered numerous accolades, including multiple SBS Drama Awards and nominations for the Baeksang Arts Awards. Kwon Sang-woo starred in the Chinese drama Poong Hwa Sul Wul. Kwon Sang-woo, the most visible example of the so-called mom-zzang (slang for "great body") movement, started his career as a fashion model in the late 1990s.

Career & Major Achievements

His first acting experience was in the TV drama Delicious Proposal, and for the first few years of his entertainment career, he received only minor roles on television, before making his big-screen debut in the martial arts film Volcano High (2001). The following year, he played his first lead role in the comedy Make It Big (2002) together with real-life best friend Song Seung-heon. Kwon's breakthrough came in 2003 with the phenomenally successful romantic comedy My Tutor Friend, as a troublesome high school boy who is tutored by a college student of the same age (played by actress Kim Ha-neul). This was followed by appearances in My Good Partner, the world's first movie made for mobile phones, and the music video collection Project X. His next film released in early 2004 was also a hit. Once Upon a Time in High School portrayed the authoritarian society of the 1970s through a notoriously violent high school.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Simultaneously, Kwon's TV tearjerker Stairway to Heaven was winning high ratings over 40%. The drama eventually screened throughout Asia and helped to turn him into a regional star. However, Kwon's follow-up film Love, So Divine, about a priest in training who falls in love, earned poor reviews and did not get much attention from audiences. For 2006, Kwon starred in the big-budget action noir Running Wild, about a detective, a prosecutor, and a criminal who are all equally vicious. Running Wild received satisfactory reviews, but disappointing returns, and Kwon's next film Almost Love, a romantic comedy reteaming him with Kim Ha-neul, likewise failed to replicate the success of their previous film.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1976 (1976-08-05): Birth of Kwon Sang-woo — Acclaimed South Korean actor known for melodramas and diverse roles.
2. 2001: 2001 Milestone — His first acting experience was in the TV drama Delicious Proposal, and for the first few years of his entertainment career, he received only minor roles on television, before making his big-screen debut in the martial arts film Volcano High (2001).
3. 2002: 2002 Milestone — The following year, he played his first lead role in the comedy Make It Big (2002) together with real-life best friend Song Seung-heon.
4. 2003: 2003 Milestone — Kwon's breakthrough came in 2003 with the phenomenally successful romantic comedy My Tutor Friend, as a troublesome high school boy who is tutored by a college student of the same age (played by actress Kim Ha-neul).
5. 2004: 2004 Milestone — His other notable credits include the films Once Upon a Time in High School (2004), 71: Into the Fire (2010), The Accidental Detective (2015) and its 2018 sequel, The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful (2019), and Hitman: Agent Jun (2020), as well as the television series Big Thing (2010), Medical Top Team (2013), and Queen of Mystery (2017).
6. 2006: 2006 Milestone — For 2006, Kwon starred in the big-budget action noir Running Wild, about a detective, a prosecutor, and a criminal who are all equally vicious.

Notable Quotes by Kwon Sang-woo

“I hope I'm remembered as an actor whose work the audience looks forward to rather than an actor who acts well.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kwon Sang-woo

True or False: “Kwon Sang-woo initially gained significant fame through his role in the 2003 romantic comedy My Tutor Friend.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The success of My Tutor Friend propelled him into mainstream recognition, leading to subsequent high-profile roles.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A Day at the Races (album) — Contemporary (Born in 1976) (1976): Queen's fifth studio album, a companion piece to A Night at the Opera.
• Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani — Contemporary (Died in 1976) (1976): Bangladeshi statesman and founder of the Awami League, known for advocating for the poor.
• Abiy Ahmed — Contemporary (Born in 1976) (1976): Ethiopian Prime Minister known for sweeping reforms and Nobel Peace Prize.
• Adam Yauch — Shared historical date (08-05 · Born) (1964): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• Alec Guinness — Shared historical date (08-05 · Died) (2000): Iconic English actor celebrated for stage mastery and cinematic versatility.
• Adam Beyer — Historical peer (Born in 1976) (1976): Pioneering Swedish techno producer and DJ, known for founding Drumcode Records.
• Adolph Zukor — Historical peer (Died in 1976) (1976): Pioneering Hungarian-American film producer, co-founder of Paramount Pictures.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Died in 2004) (2004): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Ahn Ji-ho (actor) — Historical peer (Born in 2004) (2004): South Korean actor known for starting his career in web series.
• Alex Chilton — Historical peer (Died in 2010) (2010): American musician, best known for his vocal work with The Box Tops and Big Star.
• 1976 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1976
• August 5 (08-05) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 5

Frequently Asked Questions about Kwon Sang-woo