1. Overview
Kim Young-kwang is a prominent South Korean actor and model who has significantly impacted both the fashion and entertainment industries. Beginning his career as a model in 2006, he quickly gained international recognition, notably becoming the first Asian model to walk for Dior Homme in 2008. Transitioning into acting, Kim has built a diverse filmography across television dramas, films, and web series. His notable roles include those in the television dramas Pinocchio, Good Doctor, Sweet Stranger and Me, and The Secret Life of My Secretary, as well as films like Runway Cop, Hot Young Bloods, and On Your Wedding Day. His performances have earned him several accolades, including the Best New Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for his work in On Your Wedding Day.
2. Early Life and Background
Kim Young-kwang was born on January 11, 1987, in Incheon, South Korea. His father was a veteran of the Vietnam War and passed away when Kim was in elementary school.
2.1. Education
Kim Young-kwang attended Sunin Middle School and Jeongseok Aviation Science High School. He later pursued higher education at Hanyang University, where he graduated with a degree in Theater and Film.
3. Modeling Career
Kim Young-kwang began his career in the fashion industry at the age of 19, making his debut as a model in 2006 at the Seoul Collection for Lone Costume's 06.07 F/W show. He quickly rose to prominence, gaining international recognition by walking for renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, and Etro in fashion capitals like Paris and Milan. A significant milestone in his modeling career occurred in 2008 when he became the first Asian model to participate in a Dior Homme show, solidifying his status as a trailblazer in the global fashion scene. In recognition of his achievements, he received the Best New Model award from the Korea Fashion Photographers Association in 2008, the Fashion Model award at the Asia Model Festival Awards in 2009, and the Model category award at the 2nd Style Icon Awards in 2009.
4. Acting Career
Kim Young-kwang transitioned from a successful modeling career to acting in 2008, gradually establishing himself as a versatile performer across various media formats, including television dramas, films, web series, and theater.
4.1. Television Dramas
Kim Young-kwang has starred in numerous television series, showcasing his evolving acting range. In 2008, he appeared in Worlds Within as Young-woong. The following year, he took on roles as Jae-wook in Triple and Jung Woo-sung in My Fair Lady. In 2010, he played Lee Young-kwang in the sitcom More Charming By the Day.
In 2011, he was part of the cast for White Christmas, an eight-episode drama series, portraying Jo Young-jae. He also appeared as Lee Seul-woo in Bachelor's Vegetable Store. His 2012 projects included the role of Han Tae-sung in Love Rain and Gong Ki-joong in Can We Get Married?.
In 2013, Kim played Park Soo-chang in The Secret of Birth and Han Jin-wook in the medical drama Good Doctor. The year 2014 was particularly busy, with appearances in KARA: Secret Love as Yoon Joon-moon (specifically in episodes 3-4, "The Thirteenth Item on the Bucket List"), Plus Nine Boys as Kang Jin-gu (a 14-episode series), and Pinocchio as Seo Beom-jo. For his performance in Pinocchio, he received the New Star Award at the SBS Drama Awards in 2014.
In 2015, he starred as Lee Hae-sung in the medical disaster drama D-Day. The following year, 2016, saw him in lead roles as Kang Tae-ho in the web-turned-television drama Gogh, The Starry Night and Go Nan-gil in the romantic comedy Sweet Stranger and Me, for which he was nominated for an Excellence Award at the KBS Drama Awards. In 2017, he portrayed the passionate prosecutor Jang Do-han in the thriller drama The Guardians, earning a nomination for the Top Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards.
In 2018, he appeared as Ki Yoo-jin in the mystery drama Room No. 9. He continued his romantic comedy streak in 2019 with The Secret Life of My Secretary, playing Do Min-ik, and received the Top Excellence Award at the SBS Drama Awards for this role. In 2021, he starred as Han Yoo-hyun in the fantasy romantic comedy Hello, Me!. More recently, in 2023, he took on the role of Seo Do-young in the 10-episode crime noir series Evilive and is set to make a cameo appearance as Lee Mu-gi in the 2025 SBS drama Haunted Palace.
4.2. Films
Kim Young-kwang has also built a significant filmography. In 2012, he starred as Han Seung-woo in the action comedy Runway Cop. He then appeared as Jo Gwang-sik in the teen romance Hot Young Bloods in 2014, for which he received the Best New Actor in a Film award at the 22nd Korea Culture and Entertainment Awards.
In 2017, he took on the role of Choi Sang-min in the film Broker and Tae-jin in Wonderful Life. The year 2018 was notable for his film appearances, including the romantic film On Your Wedding Day, where he played Hwang Woo-yeon opposite Park Bo-young. His performance in this film garnered him critical acclaim, leading to nominations for Best New Actor at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and The Seoul Awards, and ultimately winning the Best New Actor - Film award at the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Popular Star Award at the 39th Blue Dragon Film Awards. He also starred as Tae-jin in the fantasy comedy film The Soul-Mate alongside Ma Dong-seok.
In 2021, he featured as Woo Su-han in the spy action film Mission: Possible and as Seung-hyo in A Year-End Medley, which was also released as a TVING film.
4.3. Web Series
Expanding his presence in digital media, Kim Young-kwang has starred in several web-exclusive drama productions. In 2015, he played Mo Yi-an in Dr. Ian, a Korea-Chinese co-production. He then took on the lead role of Kang Tae-ho in Gogh, The Starry Night in 2016. In 2022, he starred as Sung Yun-oh in the Netflix murder thriller series Somebody. Most recently, in 2023, he portrayed Han Dong-jin in the Disney+ series Call It Love and is cast as Moon Baek in the upcoming Netflix series Trigger.
4.4. Television Shows
Beyond scripted roles, Kim Young-kwang has made various appearances in television variety and non-scripted programs. In 2013, he was a guest on Infinite Challenge (episodes 355, 358) and Happy Together (episode 310, as part of the Good Doctor cast). In 2015, he appeared on Healing Camp (episodes 186, 187) alongside his friend Lee Soo-hyuk.
He participated as a main cast member in the reality-documentary show Law of the Jungle for the "New Caledonia" season (episodes 220-224) in 2016 and the "Antarctica" season (episodes 311-314) in 2018. In 2017, he joined Boat Horn Clenched Fists as a main cast member from episode 2 onwards. He also appeared in Hello Kyushu (episodes 1-2) with Hong Jong-hyun in 2016 and was a guest on Six Sense in 2020. He was also featured in Entertainment Weekly (episodes 1643, 1644) as part of the Sweet Stranger and Me cast.
4.5. Music Video Appearances
Kim Young-kwang has also lent his visual presence to several music videos:
| Year | Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "My Heart Is Like That" (내 맘이 안그래Nae Mami An GeuraeKorean) | Lee Seung-hwan |
| 2007 | "Shout for Love" (사랑을 외치다Sarangeul OechidaKorean) | MC the Max |
| 2008 | "It's You" (그대죠GeudaejyoKorean) | Shin Hye-sung and Lyn |
| 2009 | "Why Are You Such a Nerd?" (밤의 모노레일Bamui MonoreilKorean) | XXX |
| 2011 | "Don't Cry" | Park Bom |
| 2013 | "You" (너를NeoreulKorean) | Brown Eyed Soul |
| 2013 | "Runaway" (둘 중에 하나Dul Jung-e HanaKorean) | Kara |
4.6. Theater
Kim Young-kwang has also performed on stage, demonstrating his versatility as an actor. In 2009, he appeared in the play Beautiful Sunday, where he took on the role of Joon-seok.
| Year | English Title | Korean Title | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Beautiful Sunday | 뷰티풀 선데이Byutipul SeondeiKorean | Joon-seok |
5. Discography
Kim Young-kwang has also contributed to music, primarily through soundtrack appearances for his acting projects and a special Japanese single release.
5.1. Soundtrack Appearances
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Oh-Sing-Sing-Men" (오싱싱맨O-Sing-Sing-MaenKorean) | 2011 | Bachelor's Vegetable Store OST (Japanese release) |
| "Star Candy" | 2016 | Gogh, The Starry Night OST |
In 2019, Kim Young-kwang made his CD debut in Japan, releasing two songs: "Kimi wo Wasurenai" (君を忘れないI Won't Forget YouJapanese) and "Yasashisa Nanka Janai" (優しさなんかじゃないIt's Not KindnessJapanese). Both songs were written and composed by Daisuke Mori.
6. Advertising and Endorsements
Kim Young-kwang's popularity has led to numerous advertising and endorsement deals with various brands across different sectors.
- 2007: LG Uplus (17 Mileage), Hyundai Card (Alphabet), TBJ
- 2008: Bulgari (perfume), L'Oréal, Anycall (Style Report Phone)
- 2009: Jin Ramen, Kia Forte (Boys be luxury edition)
- 2010: Lotte Card, Chris Christy (with Esom, Lee Soo-hyuk)
- 2012: ANDEW
- 2013: HiteJinro Chamisul (with Lee Yoo-bi), Lotte Confectionery Ghana Chocolate (with Son Soo-hyun)
- 2015: Samchuly Bicycles (Appalanchia), Pizza Hut (with Esom), Off-Road, Appalanchia
- 2017: Hanwha Resort Geoje Belvedere
7. Awards and Nominations
Kim Young-kwang has received several awards and nominations throughout his career in recognition of his contributions to both the modeling and acting industries.
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Model Awards | 2009 | Best Fashion Model | Kim Young-kwang | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2019 | Best New Actor - Film | On Your Wedding Day | Won |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2018 | Best New Actor | On Your Wedding Day | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2018 | Popular Star Award | On Your Wedding Day | Won |
| Elle Style Awards | 2018 | Man of the Year | Kim Young-kwang | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2013 | Best New Actor | Good Doctor | Nominated |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2016 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Sweet Stranger and Me | Nominated |
| Korea Culture and Entertainment Awards | 2014 | Best New Actor in a Film | Hot Young Bloods | Won |
| Korea Fashion Photographers Association | 2008 | Best New Model | Kim Young-kwang | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2017 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Drama | The Guardians | Nominated |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2014 | New Star Award | Pinocchio | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2019 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | The Secret Life of My Secretary | Won |
| Style Icon Awards | 2009 | Style Icon, Model category | Kim Young-kwang | Won |
| The Seoul Awards | 2018 | Best New Actor (Film) | On Your Wedding Day | Nominated |
| MBC Entertainment Awards | 2010 | Best New Male Comedian/Sitcom Actor | More Charming By the Day | Nominated |
8. Personal Life
Kim Young-kwang maintains close friendships with several fellow models who have also transitioned into acting, including Lee Soo-hyuk, Kim Woo-bin, Hong Jong-hyun, and Sung Joon. This group of friends, who also worked together on the drama White Christmas, has been affectionately dubbed the "Model Avengers" by their fans.
Kim began his mandatory military service on December 12, 2013. However, he was only required to serve for six months as a public service worker. This shorter enlistment period was due to his father's status as a Vietnam War veteran and an acknowledged person of national merit. Kim was discharged from his service in June 2014. He has a reported height of 74 in (188 cm) and weighs 181 lb (82 kg).
9. Public Perception and Legacy
Kim Young-kwang's career trajectory from a top model to a respected actor has solidified his consistent presence in the South Korean entertainment industry. His ability to navigate both the fashion world and the acting sphere, taking on diverse roles from romantic leads to complex thriller characters, has contributed to his broad public appeal. His international recognition as the first Asian model for Dior Homme established him as a pioneer. His growing popularity in Japan led to the establishment of the KIM YOUNGKWANG JAPAN OFFICIAL FANCLUB in 2017, which held its first anniversary fan meeting in 2019, further demonstrating his expanding influence beyond South Korea. He continues to evolve his acting repertoire, consistently appearing in popular dramas and films and maintaining a steady career in a competitive industry.
