Shin Il-ryong

1.1. Childhood and Family

Shin Il-ryong was born Cho Soo-hyun on October 17, 1948. His ancestral seat was with the Changnyeong Jo clan. His father, a displaced person, was born in Bukcheong County, Hamgyeongnam-do during the Japanese colonial era and later relocated to Gyeongseong (present-day Seoul) in 1941. Shin Il-ryong was the older brother of Jo Jung-hyun, who also became known as a singer, musical actor, and entrepreneur. Upon his film debut, Shin Il-ryong adopted the stage name 'Shin Il-ryong' at the suggestion of his then-agency, Shin Film. The name was intended to signify that he would become "a dragon of Shin Film," embodying strength and success within the company.

2.1. Acting Career

Shin Il-ryong began his acting career as a stage actor in 1969. The following year, in 1970, he made his film debut in the movie Ghost of Chosun (이조괴담_{Ijo Gwedam}^Korean), in which he was credited under his birth name, Cho Soo-hyun. He quickly gained recognition for his dynamic presence and martial arts skills, leading to an extensive filmography. His acting style and dedication to action roles earned him comparisons to Bruce Lee, solidifying his status as a prominent action star in South Korea. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he was a prolific actor, appearing in a wide range of films and television dramas.

2.2. Entrepreneurial Career

In addition to his success in the entertainment industry, Shin Il-ryong also pursued entrepreneurial endeavors. He served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CFC Korea, a testament to his versatility and business acumen beyond the film set.

3.1. Film

• 1970: Ghost of Chosun (이조괴담_{Ijo Gwedam}^Korean) - credited as Cho Soo-hyun
• 1971: War and Human (전쟁과 인간_{Jeonjaenggwa Ingan}^Korean)
• 1971: Pyongyang Bomber (평양폭격대_{Pyeongyang Pokgyeokdae}^Korean)
• 1972: Young Teacher (청춘교사_{Cheongchun Gyosa}^Korean)
• 1972: Long Live the Island Frogs (섬개구리 만세_{Seomgaeguri Manse}^Korean)
• 1972: Between Love and Affection (정과 정 사이에_{Jeonggwa Jeong Saie}^Korean)
• 1972: Bachelor Teacher (총각선생_{Chonggak Seonsaeng}^Korean)
• 1972: Tiger of Inwangsan (인왕산 호랑이_{Inwangsan Horangi}^Korean)
• 1973: Special Forces Foreign Legion (특공외인부대_{Teukgong Oeindae}^Korean)
• 1973: Sunday Guests (일요일의 손님들_{Ilyoil-ui Sonnimdeul}^Korean)
• 1973: Seoul Lovers (서울의 연인_{Seoul-ui Yeonin}^Korean)
• 1973: Gone Love (가버린 사랑_{Gabeorin Sarang}^Korean)
• 1973: Depart in the Sunset (석양에 떠나라_{Seogyang-e Tteonara}^Korean)
• 1973: Toast (축배_Chukbae^Korean)
• 1973: Lover's Classroom (애인교실_{Aein Gyosil}^Korean)
• 1973: Three Days' Reign (삼일천하_Samilcheonha^Korean)
• 1973: Tiger General (호랑이장군_{Horangijanggun}^Korean)
• 1973: Ttolttol-i Naval Special Forces (똘똘이 해상특공대_{Ttolttol-i Haesangteukgongdae}^Korean)
• 1973: Journey (Continued) (여로(속)_{Yeoro (Sok)}^Korean)
• 1973: Escape of Life and Death (생사의 탈출_{Saengsa-ui Talchul}^Korean)
• 1973: Secret Garden (비원_Biwon^Korean)
• 1973: Youth 25 Hours (청춘25시_{Cheongchun 25si}^Korean)
• 1973: Special Investigation Headquarters: The Bae Tae-ok Case (특별수사본부 배태옥사건_{Teukbyeolsusabonbu Bae Tae-ok Sageon}^Korean)
• 1973: Korea Military Academy (육군사관학교_{Yukgun Sagwanggakgyo}^Korean)
• 1973: Depart in the Sunset (석양에 떠나라_{Seogyang-e Tteonara}^Korean)
• 1973: Married on an Ox (황소타고 시집왔네_{Hwangso Tago Sijibwatne}^Korean)
• 1973: East Wind (동풍_Dongpung^Korean)
• 1973: Sunshine on Her Face (그 얼굴에 햇살을_{Geu Eolgure Haessal-eul}^Korean)
• 1974: Testimony (증언_Jeungeon^Korean)
• 1974: Woman Who Speaks After Death (죽어서 말하는 여인_{Jugeoseo Malhaneun Yeoin}^Korean)
• 1974: Deep Relationship (깊은 사이_{Gipeun Sai}^Korean)
• 1974: New Snow (신설_Sinseol^Korean)
• 1974: Car Running on Plain Water (맹물로 가는 자동차_{Maengmullo Ganeun Jadongcha}^Korean)
• 1974: Special Investigation Headquarters: The Life of Kim Soo-im (특별수사본부 김수임의 일생_{Teukbyeolsusabonbu Kim Su-im-ui Ilsaeng}^Korean)
• 1974: Dallae (달래_Dallae^Korean)
• 1974: Luck (행운_Haengun^Korean)
• 1974: Will Never Forget (잊을수는 없겠지_{Ijeulsuneun Eopgetji}^Korean)
• 1974: Saturday Night (토요일밤에_Toyoilbam-e^Korean)
• 1976: Arabia's Hot Wind (아라비아의 열풍_{Arabia-ui Yeolpung}^Korean)
• 1976: The Judge (심판자_Simpanja^Korean) - Korea-Hong Kong co-production
• 1977: New Tangshan Big Brother (신당산대형_{Sindangsandaehyeong}^Korean) - Korea-Hong Kong co-production
• 1980: Phoenix (불새_Bulsae^Korean)
• 1981: Gyeongui Line (경의선_Gyeonguiseon^Korean)
• 1982: Lover (애인_Aein^Korean)
• 1982: Abengo Paratroopers (아벤고 공수군단_{Abengo Gongsu Gundan}^Korean)
• 1983: Mist Whispers Like a Woman (안개는 여자처럼 속삭인다_{Angaeneun Yeojacheoreom Soksaginda}^Korean)
• 1983: The Green Pine of Ilsongjeong (일송정 푸른 솔은_{Ilsongjeong Pureun Sor-eun}^Korean)
• 1983: Equatorial Flower (적도의 꽃_{Jeogdo-ui Kkot}^Korean)
• 1984: A Cruel History of Women: Spinning Wheel (여인잔혹사 물레야 물레야_{Yeoin Janhoksamulleyamulleyo}^Korean)
• 1984: Madame Aema 2 (애마부인2_{Aema Buin 2}^Korean)
• 1984: Overnight Stay (외박_Oebak^Korean)
• 1984: When Night Falls (밤이 무너질 때_{Bami Muneojil Ttae}^Korean)
• 1984: Day and Night (낮과 밤_{Najgwa Bam}^Korean)
• 1985: Miss Kim (미스 김_{Miss Kim}^Korean)
• 1986: Love That Left Autumn (가을을 남기고 간 사랑_{Gaeur-eul Namgigo Gan Sarang}^Korean)
• 1986: Hwang Jin-yi (황진이_{Hwang Jin-yi}^Korean)

3.2. Television

• 1973: Bukgando (북간도_Bukgando^Korean), TBC historical drama
• 1989: Wind, Clouds, and Rain (바람과 구름과 비_{Baramgwa Gureumgwa Bi}^Korean), KBS Monday-Tuesday drama

3.3. Commercials

• 1984-1990: Amorepacific (for products such as Kwaenam Root, Kwaenam Gold, Goryeowang Drink, Miss Kwaenam)

4.1. Major Awards

• 1973: Blue Dragon Film Award for Best New Actor for his performance in Long Live the Island Frogs (섬개구리 만세_{Seomgaeguri Manse}^Korean).
• 1976: Grand Bell Award for Best Actor for his role in Arabia's Hot Wind (아라비아의 열풍_{Arabia-ui Yeolpung}^Korean).