Namkoong Min

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Namkoong Min

Role / Field:

Acclaimed South Korean actor known for intense roles in dramas like Good Manager and Hot Stove League.

Born:

1978-03-12

Century / Era:

1978s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Namkoong Min (Korean: 남궁민, born March 12, 1978) is a South Korean actor, director, and screenwriter. He first gained recognition with neo-noir film A Dirty Carnival (2006), and has since given notable performances in Remember (2015–2016), Beautiful Gong Shim (2016), Good Manager (2017), Hot Stove League (2019–2020), and My Dearest (2023). He won the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards for Hot Stove League; the drama also gained Namkoong his third Best Actor nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards. The next year, he received the Grand Prize at the 2021 MBC Drama Awards for The Veil. In 2023, he again received the Grand Prize at the 2023 MBC Drama Awards for My Dearest.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Namkoong was born on March 12, 1978, in Seoul. He has a brother, Namkoong Yoon. His father, Namkoong Hwon, was a principal of Sinneung Middle School (2005–2009). Namkoong was educated at Daeseong High School in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, and Ilsan Seongsa Elementary School. He graduated from the Chung-Ang University with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After his graduation on August 31, 2006, he worked as a Social Service Agent for 18 months at Korea Army Training Center in Nonsan. Namkoong Min debuted as an actor in the film Bungee Jumping of Their Own as the protagonist's best friend, and subsequently appeared in the movie Bad Guy as the female lead's boyfriend. In 2002, Namkoong featured in the sitcom Dae Bak Family and attracted attention with his performance. Since then, he appeared in the television series and single-act dramas such as Rose Fence, Pearl Necklace, Mould Flower and After Love. Namkoong also became known as "little Bae Yong-joon" due to his resemblance with the actor.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1978 (1978-03-12): Birth of Namkoong Min — Acclaimed South Korean actor known for intense roles in dramas like Good Manager and Hot Stove League.
2. 2002: 2002 Milestone — In 2002, Namkoong featured in the sitcom Dae Bak Family and attracted attention with his performance.
3. 2005: 2005 Milestone — His father, Namkoong Hwon, was a principal of Sinneung Middle School (2005–2009).
4. 2006: 2006 Milestone — He first gained recognition with neo-noir film A Dirty Carnival (2006), and has since given notable performances in Remember (2015–2016), Beautiful Gong Shim (2016), Good Manager (2017), Hot Stove League (2019–2020), and My Dearest (2023).
5. 2020: 2020 Milestone — He won the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards for Hot Stove League; the drama also gained Namkoong his third Best Actor nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
6. 2021: 2021 Milestone — The next year, he received the Grand Prize at the 2021 MBC Drama Awards for The Veil.
7. 2023: 2023 Milestone — In 2023, he again received the Grand Prize at the 2023 MBC Drama Awards for My Dearest.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Namkoong Min

True or False: “Namkoong Min first gained significant recognition with the neo-noir film A Dirty Carnival in 2006.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): While he debuted earlier, his performance in A Dirty Carnival is noted as the point where he first gained major public recognition.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolf Dassler — Contemporary (Died in 1978) (1978): Pioneering German cobbler and inventor who founded the sportswear giant Adidas.
• Aldo Moro — Contemporary (Died in 1978) (1978): Italian statesman who served as Prime Minister multiple times, championing the modern Italian centre-left.
• Anastas Mikoyan — Contemporary (Died in 1978) (1978): Long-serving Soviet statesman, diplomat, and Bolshevik revolutionary from Armenia.
• Alexander Mackenzie (explorer) — Shared historical date (03-12 · Died) (1820): Scottish explorer and fur trader famed for crossing North America north of Mexico.
• André Le Nôtre — Shared historical date (03-12 · Born) (1613): Master French landscape architect, famed for the formal gardens of Versailles.
• Ani Lorak — Historical peer (Born in 1978) (1978): Iconic Ukrainian-born Russian singer, celebrated for her powerful vocal style.
• Aram Khachaturian — Historical peer (Died in 1978) (1978): Leading Soviet Armenian composer, known for vibrant ballet scores and captivating melodies.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Jordanian jihadist militant known for orchestrating violence in Iraq (1966–2006)
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Historical peer (Died in 2015) (2015): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• 1978 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1978
• March 12 (03-12) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 12

Frequently Asked Questions about Namkoong Min