Does the name Shin Ha Kyun ring any bell? If so, it’s probably because he’s been in the Korean acting industry for a long 23 years, and counting. We mean it when we say this seasoned actor has done it all from psychological crime thrillers, to romantic dramas, to science fiction comedy films, to epic war movies, you name it. That said, newer K-drama fans might be more familiar with him in the 2021 award-winning drama Beyond Evil, especially after he bagged the Best Actor award at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Wherever you may have seen him first, we’re sure you’re here because curious to know more about this brilliant actor who's undoubtedly caught your attention onscreen.
Below we round up 10 facts you need to know about Shin Ha Kyun.
1. He’s a Gemini
Born on May 30, 1974, Ha Kyun is a Gemini raised in Seoul, South Korea.
2. He started out as a stage actor.
Ha Kyun first developed his acting talent via stage plays at the Seoul Institute of the Arts. Here, he met Korean director Jang Jin who took him into his theater group before eventually casting him for his future films in the years to come. This includes Jang Jin’s directorial debut film, The Happenings (1998), which was also Ha Kyun’s first onscreen project.
3. He rose to fame for his film roles.
Ha Kyun made a name for himself by starring in various movies that would define his career. This includes the multi-award-winning mystery thriller Joint Security Area (2000), Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), which also starred Song Kang Ho and Bae Doona, and the science fiction comedy movie Save the Green Planet (2003), which earned him his first Best Actor award at the 4th Busan Film Critics Awards. Twenty three years into his career, the actor has so far appeared in over 40 movies and counting, proving his dedication to the craft.
4. He gained prominence as a TV actor for the 2011 medical drama “Brain.”
Five years after his debut, Ha Kyun finally landed his first TV role in the 2003 series Good Person. It would take him eight years though, before award-giving bodies would recognize his talent on the small screen thanks to his portrayal of a competitive neurosurgeon in the 2011 medical drama Brain. Ha Kyun won four awards for his role, which notably includes the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 2011 KBS Drama Awards. He was also nominated at the 48th Baeksang Arts Awards for the first time in the Best Actor category.
5. He’s been nicknamed the “God of Acting.”
The general Korean public, along with fans of Ha Kyun, gave him the moniker “God of Acting” for his unmatched performance in Brain. He’s since carried the title with him and remains grateful for the nickname, while staying humble all the while. “I always think there is still much room for improvement in my acting. I'm so grateful to my fans who call me a god of acting," he said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency.
6. K-drama fans might know him best for “Pied Piper,” Less Than Evil,” and “Beyond Evil.”
If you’re more into K-dramas rather than movies, then you might have already come across Ha Kyun on shows like Pied Piper (2016), Less Than Evil (2018), and the Baeksang Arts Award-winning drama Beyond Evil (2021). Ha Kyun top-billed all three crime thrillers and even won Best Actor at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards for his portrayal of Lee Dong-sik, a washed up detective in pursuit of a serial killer, in Beyond Evil. He beat out fan favorites Song Joong Ki and Kim Soo Hyun for the award.
7. He’s also featured in several music videos.
Much like other now famous actors, Ha Kyun also appeared in a number of music videos when he was just starting out in the industry. This includes two of balladeer Lee Soo Young’s MVs, and Korean singers Zia’s 2010 release Just Laugh.
8. He’s a jokester with a bright personality.
In contrast to his many serious and dark roles, Ha Kyun has an easy-going personality and often likes to joke around, according to his Beyond Evil co-star Yeo Jin Goo. “[He] makes people laugh. He’s very cute. It’s not so much that he creates a bright atmosphere through his appearance, but if you just spend time with him, you can see both his cute and his cool sides,” said the Hotel Del Luna star in an interview with Sports Chosun. “Because of his sense of humor, I had a lot of fun filming, and it was easy to talk with him about the drama.”
9. He formed a lasting with friendship with EXO’s D.O. in 2017.
FYI, Ha Kyun co-starred with K-pop idol and actor D.O. in the comedy thriller film Room No. 7. The EXO member left Ha Kyun thoroughly impressed with his skills, stating that D.O. was, “very sincere, and adaptable in a manner that was mature beyond his young age…I couldn’t tell that he’s originally an idol at all.” The two have since kept a tight-knit junior-senior relationship and have continued to look out for each other even after their film wrapped.
“I contact D.O., asking him things like, ‘Are you doing well with filming?’ D.O. is also pretty quiet and earnest, but he’ll send texts asking how I’m doing. He’ll sometimes use emoticons. I do quite cherish him,” shared Ha Kyun in an interview.
10. He once dated Kim Go Eun.
Ha Kyun and The King: Eternal Monarch star Kim Go Eun publicly announced their relationship on June 2016. The couple, who were then under one agency, grew close after joining the same scuba diving club. Go Eun and Ha Kyun’s relationship particularly gained unwanted traction due to their 17-year-age gap, and the two eventually parted ways eight months later. “The pair broke up around late February. They drifted apart due to their busy schedules. They will remain colleagues,” announced their agency.
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