Kwon Sang-woo

Kwon Sang-woo (in Korean: 권상우, Kweon Sang-u; born August 5, 1976) is a South Korean actor. He rose to stardom in 2003 with the romantic comedy film My Tutor Friend and the melodrama series Stairway to Heaven.

In this Korean name, the family name is Kwon.
Kwon Sang-woo
Kwon Sang-woo in September 2019
Born (1976-08-05) August 5, 1976
Daejeon, South Korea
EducationHannam University - B.A.[1]
OccupationActor
Years active2001–present
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2008)​
Children2
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGwon Sang-u
McCune–ReischauerKwŏn Sang'u

Career

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. 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.[2]

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.[2]

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. 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.[3][4]

However, Kwon's follow-up film Love, So Divine, about a priest in training who falls in love,[5] earned poor reviews and did not get much attention from audiences.[2]

For 2006, Kwon starred in the big-budget action noir Running Wild,[6] about a detective, a prosecutor, and a criminal who are all equally vicious.[2] Running Wild received satisfactory reviews, but disappointing returns, and Kwon's next film Almost Love, a romantic comedy reteaming him with Kim Ha-neul,[7] likewise failed to replicate the success of their previous film.

Thus began Kwon's career slump, as the films Fate and More Than Blue flopped in the box office, and his small-screen projects Sad Love Story, Bad Love, and Cinderella Man received low ratings.[8][9][10]

Things took a turn for the better in 2010 with the box-office success of Korean War film 71: Into the Fire which Kwon reportedly did not hesitate to take on, though he again portrayed a high school student.[11][12][13][14][15][16] His drama Daemul about Korea's first female president (played by Go Hyun-jung) was also very popular during its run, staying atop TV charts for 11 weeks straight and ending with viewership ratings around 26%.[17][18][19][20]

In the 2011 melodrama Pained, Kwon played a man with analgesia, the inability to sense physical pain, who then falls in love with a woman suffering from hemophilia. Based on an original story by webcomic artist Kang Full, Pained was directed by Kwak Kyung-taek in a departure from his previous macho movies. Kwak said, "The production company told me Kwon Sang-woo was contemplating the part, and I said I would do it only if Kwon does. There was nobody else."[21][22]

Looking to expand his acting career to a wider audience in Asia,[23] in 2012 Kwon starred in movies with Chinese superstars Cecilia Cheung (romantic comedy Shadows of Love, previously known as Repeat, I Love You)[24][25] and Jackie Chan (action film CZ12[26][27][28]).[29] He also made his singing debut in a DVD released in Japan in 2010.[30][31] Cast as the male lead in a Chinese TV series titled Feng Hua Xue Yue (Wind Flower Snow Moon), Kwon's role was an Asian-American Broadway producer who comes back to China to stage a musical production in Yunnan Province and falls in love with the leading lady of his stage musical.[32][33]

He next starred opposite Soo Ae in Yawang (also known as Queen of Ambition), which was adapted from the third installment of manhwa artist Park In-kwon's 21-part saga Daemul (the 2010 SBS TV series of the same name that also starred Kwon was adapted from the comic's second book).[34][35][36][37][38][39]

Kwon was cast in his first medical drama in 2013, Medical Top Team from the director of Moon Embracing the Sun and the writer of Brain. He played a straightforward yet warm-hearted genius surgeon.[40][41] In 2014, he reunited with Stairway to Heaven costar Choi Ji-woo in Temptation, about a married, debt-ridden businessman who agrees to a deal with a female CEO in exchange for her "ownership" of his body.[42]

He next played the owner of an internet startup company in Honey Enemy, a 2015 Chinese romance film opposite Zhang Yuqi that filmed in Jeju Island and Shanghai.[43] Kwon then starred in comedy film The Accidental Detective which revolves around a misfit comic book rental shop owner who becomes involved in a murder case.[44][45][46][47][48]

In 2016, Kwon starred alongside Choi Kang-hee in the crime comedy drama, Queen of Mystery.[49] Kwon reprised his role in the second season of the show, which aired in 2018.[50]

In 2018, Kwon starred in crime comedy The Accidental Detective 2: In Action.[51] He was also cast in the romantic comedy film Shall We Do It Again.[52]

Kwon has said in an interview, "I hope I'm remembered as an actor whose work the audience looks forward to rather than an actor who acts well."[53][54]

Business interests

In 2009 Kwon established the cosmetics firm Natural Tears, of which he is the owner and CEO, as well as the inaugural advertising model for the brand TEARS. It was named after his nickname "Mr. Tears", given to him by fans in recognition of his tear-jerking acting in Stairway to Heaven.[55][56]

He also opened the cafe Tea'Us in Myeong-dong,[57][58] and is the biggest shareholder of the resort Ocean Blue Hotel Bali. The property Kwon owns in Bundang-gu was appraised at an estimated worth of ₩18 billion.[59]

Personal life

Unlike many Korean male stars who had to fulfill their mandatory military service at the height of their careers, Kwon completed his military service long before he became an actor.

Kwon's mother is a Roman Catholic, and he himself converted after filming Love, So Divine in which he played as a seminarian. His confirmation name is Francisco.

Kwon married actress and former Miss Korea Son Tae-young at the Shilla Hotel on September 28, 2008.[60][61][62][63][64] On February 6, 2009, his wife gave birth to a baby boy, christened as Luke (nicknamed Rookie).[65] Their second child, a daughter, was born on January 10, 2015.[66][67]

Controversy

In 2006 Kwon filed a complaint against Kim Tae-chon, the godfather of Beomseobangpa (one of Korea's three major criminal gangs), for threatening him when the actor failed to keep his promise to hold a fan meeting in Japan. Kwon and the defendant eventually came to a settlement, but prosecutors continued investigations into possible ties between kkangpae and Japanese and Chinese crime syndicates that are looking to cash in on the Korean Wave entertainment business.[68][69][70][71]

There was fan backlash to his 2008 marriage due to his wife's previous dating history.[72] In an appearance on a talk show hosted by Kang Ho-dong in 2009, Kwon said, "After I got married, membership in my fan cafe dwindled from 240,000 to 135,000 - it was like a stock market crash." He also said that before he got married, he had an average of seven TV commercials per year, but by early 2009 that number had dwindled down to zero.[16][73]

In the early hours of June 12, 2010, Kwon was involved in a car accident in Gangnam District. According to news reports, Kwon was driving on the wrong side of the road and hit a parked car. He then ran into the police car that had pursued him, continued driving and hit a tree before fleeing the scene on foot. Two days later, he turned himself in at Gangnam Police Station, claiming he had not been drunk.[74][75] Kwon later made a public apology through a handwritten letter, and was fined ₩7 million by a Seoul district court.[76]

Filmography

Television series
Year Title Role Network
2001Delicious ProposalLee Choon-shikMBC
LegendYang Dol-manSBS
2002We Are Dating NowYoon Ho-jaeSBS
2003Into the SunKang Seok-minSBS
Stairway to HeavenCha Song-jooSBS
2005Sad Love StorySeo Joon-young/Choi Joon-kyuMBC
2007Cruel LoveKang Yong-kiKBS2
2009Cinderella ManOh Dae-san/Lee Joon-heeMBC
2010DaemulHa Do-yaSBS
2011Fuyu no SakuraHimself (cameo, episode 8)TBS
2013Queen of AmbitionHa Ryu / Cha Jae-woongSBS
Medical Top TeamPark Tae-shinMBC
2014TemptationCha Seok-hoonSBS
2017Queen of MysteryHa Wan-seungKBS2
2018Queen of Mystery 2
2020–21Delayed JusticePark Tae-yongSBS

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2001Volcano HighSong Hak-rim
2002Make It BigLee Woo-seob
2003My Tutor FriendKim Ji-hoon
2004Once Upon a Time in High SchoolKim Hyun-soo
Love, So DivineKim Kyu-shik
2006Running WildJang Do-young
Almost LoveLee Ji-hwan
2008FateJo Cheol-joong
2009More Than BlueKang Chul-gyu ("K")
2010California - High NoonShort film
71: Into the FireGoo Kap-jo
2011PainedNam-soon
2012Shadows of LoveKwon Jung-hoonChinese film
CZ12SimonChinese film
2015The Honey EnemyChinese film
The Accidental DetectiveKang Dae-man
2018The Accidental Detective 2: In ActionKang Dae-man
2019Love, Again Jo Hyun-woo
The Divine Move: Ghost MoveGwi-soo[77]
2020Hitman: Agent JunJun
2021 The Pirates 2 Bu Heung-Soo [78]
TBA Christmas Gift Park Kang [79]

Music video
Year Song title Artist Co-star
2000"Smile Smile"Papaya
"It's All Right"Circle
2001"I Wish You Happiness"
(Joy Project - 1 Year of Love)		WhyRyu Si-won,
Lee Yo-won,
Gong Yoo
"First Love"Ji Young-sunMoon Geun-young[80]
2002"I Can't Tell"Cha Eun-juKim Joo-hyuk
"Ace of Sorrow"Jo Sung-moJung Joon-ho,
Shin Eun-kyung
2003"Project X"Cha Seung-won,
Kim Min-jung
2005"Sad Love Story"Yoon GunKim Hee-sun,
Song Seung-heon
"Anyclub"Eric Mun and Lee HyoriEric Mun,
Lee Hyori

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
200223rd Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest New ActorMake It BigNominated
SBS Drama AwardsNew Star AwardWe Are Dating NowWon
200339th Baeksang Arts AwardsBest New Actor (Film)My Tutor FriendWon
40th Grand Bell AwardsBest New ActorWon
20th Korea Best Dresser Swan AwardsBest Dressed, TV actor categoryN/AWon
SBS Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActorStairway to Heaven, Into the SunNominated
Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama SpecialStairway to HeavenNominated
Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning DramaInto the SunNominated
Netizen Popularity AwardStairway to Heaven, Into the SunWon
Top 10 StarsWon
20042nd Andre Kim Best Star Awards[81]Male Star AwardN/AWon
40th Baeksang Arts AwardsMost Popular Actor (Film)Once Upon a Time in High SchoolWon
Best Actor (Film)Nominated
41st Grand Bell AwardsPopularity AwardWon
25th Blue Dragon Film AwardsPopular Star AwardWon
200542nd Savings DayPresidential CitationN/AWon
The Motion Pictures Association of Korea's
The Year in Film Awards		Hallyu Star AwardN/AWon
MBC Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActorSad Love StoryNominated
Best Couple Award with Kim Hee-sunNominated
2007Andre Kim Best Star Awards[82]Star Award, Men's categoryN/AWon
1st Mnet 20's Choice AwardsHot BodyN/AWon
Korea-Japan Culture AwardsNon-Governmental Diplomacy AwardN/AWon
KBS Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActorBad LoveNominated
Popularity Award, Actor Nominated
Best Couple Award with Lee Yo-won Nominated
200844th Baeksang Arts Awards[83]Most Popular Actor (Film)FateWon
20092nd Style Icon Awards[84]Style Icon, TV actor categoryN/AWon
2010SBS Drama Awards[85]Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama SpecialDaemulWon
Netizen Popularity Award, ActorNominated
Best Couple Award with Go Hyun-jungNominated
Top 10 StarsWon
201147th Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Actor (TV)Nominated
4th Korea Drama AwardsBest ActorNominated
6th Asia Model Festival Awards[86]Asia Star AwardN/AWon
20138th Seoul International Drama AwardsOutstanding Korean Drama ActorQueen of AmbitionNominated
SBS Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama SpecialNominated
Best Couple Award with Soo AeNominated
MBC Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesMedical Top TeamNominated
2014SBS Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama SpecialTemptationNominated
Netizen Popularity AwardNominated
Best Couple Award with Choi Ji-wooNominated
2017KBS Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActorQueen of MysteryNominated
Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesNominated
Netizen Award, ActorNominated
Best Couple Award with Choi Kang-heeNominated
2018 KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Queen of Mystery 2 Nominated
Netizen Award, ActorNominated
Best Couple Award with Choi Kang-heeNominated
2020 SBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-Length/Long Drama Delayed Justice Nominated

References
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  4. "Fueled by Japan, star shines his light on Asia" Archived 2012-07-09 at Archive.today. Korea JoongAng Daily. September 4, 2006.
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  6. "야수 (Running Wild) Press Screening Report". Twitch Film. January 4, 2006.
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  12. "TOP says lived as 17-year-old for 6 months for Fire (1)". 10Asia. May 11, 2010.
  13. "TOP says lived as 17-year-old for 6 months for Fire (2)". 10Asia. May 11, 2010.
  14. "Kwon Sang Woo: 'I Filmed Movie with Debut Mindset'". KBS Global. May 11, 2010.
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  42. "Look who's back together: Kwon Sang-woo, Choi Ji-woo re-united in SBS drama Temptation". The Korea Times. July 11, 2014.
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