Jang Keun-suk is a South Korean actor, singer, and director. If looks could kill, Jang Keun-suk would have been held responsible for the exploitation of thousands of females around the world, particularly in South Korea. Needless to say, the male fraternity would have admired him and aspired to be just like him. In 2009, he received international acclaim for his Korean television drama ‘You’re Beautiful.’ This aided him in ascending the ladder of success, and he has never looked back since. Behind all of the glitz and glory, he is a committed humanitarian. He donates to numerous philanthropic causes on a monthly basis and hopes to start his own charity foundation to help those in need. It is quite rare to come across a celebrity of his caliber who devotes so much time and effort to helping the less fortunate.
Childhood and Adolescence
On August 4, 1987, Jang Keun-Suk was born into a middle-class household in Danyang County, North Chungcheongbuk Province, South Korea. His parents, Maya Lee and Jung Keun-suk, had only one child. Their family is of white ancestry and follows the Buddhist religion. Jang’s family experienced a financial crisis when he was a child, and they were forced to relocate after losing their home. The young and attractive Jang was observed by the property agent who was caring after their house issue. He recommended Jang’s parents to look into modeling prospects for the child, as he was impressed by his features at such a young age. When he was five years old, he became a child model.
Jang was strongly influenced by Japanese pop singer Ken Hirai and the Japanese rock band ‘L’Arc-en-Ciel’ when he was in middle school. So much so that he decided to pursue a career as a singer right away and enrolled in a music class the next day. Not only that, but he began studying the Japanese language on his own. In the year 2003, Jang traveled to Nelson College in New Zealand to study Japanese and English for junior high school. He returned to his homeland after gaining complete command of these two languages and enrolled in Hanyang University’s Theater and Films program. He learned about many skill sets connected to acting, fighting, and dancing while he was there.
Career of Jang
Although Jang became a well-known model, he eventually felt confined in that field, believing that his career had reached its peak. He made his acting debut in a television sitcom called ‘Selling Happiness’ in 1997 around this time.
While in New Zealand, Jang was offered a role in the popular MBC sitcom ‘Nonstop 4’. The success and popularity of the previous three seasons added to Jang’s need to deliver a convincing performance in this difficult position. He, on the other hand, sulked into believing that he is a bad actor, and his faith in himself was shattered. Following that, he focused on improving his acting skills.
Jang starred as the president’s son in the SBS drama ‘Lovers in Prague’ in 2005. It was an instant smash and earned a positive response from drama fans. Jang made his big screen debut in 2006, and it was a huge step forward for him. He was a part of the Japanese horror film ‘One Missed Call Final.’ He was able to speak with his co-stars with ease because he was fluent in Japanese. He also attended three months of sign language courses to prepare for his role as a deaf boy in the film.
His portrayal of Hwang Jin-yi in the historical drama ‘Hwang Jin-yi’ on KBS2 earned him a large female fan base. In 2007, he starred in the film ‘The Happy Life,’ which was about rock music. His portrayal of Hyeon-ju allowed him to show off his male charms while also showcasing his singing abilities. In 2008, he appeared in the feature film ‘Doremifasolasido’ and the MBC TV drama ‘Beethoven Virus,’ both of which included similar themes. Jang starred as a villain in the thriller ‘The Case of Itaewon Homicide’ in 2009. The movie is based on a true story about a murder that occurred at a Burger King in Itaewon, South Korea.
In April 2011, Jan embarked on his ‘The Cri Show’ fan tour. He visited Malaysia, Thailand, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan before concluding his tour on August 4th of the same year in the Seoul Olympic Hall. Jang has created a name for himself in the music industry in addition to his very successful acting and modeling career. For the gifted child, music and acting have always gone hand in hand, and he has released numerous songs as well as albums over the years. On April 27, 2011, he made his debut with the song “Let Me Cry.” ‘Just Crazy’ (2012), ‘I Just Wanna Have Fun’ (2013), ‘Nature Boy’ (2013), ‘Driving to the Highway’ (2014), ‘Monochrome’ (2015), and ‘Voyage’ (2016) are some of his other albums (2017).
He has also performed in a number of concerts and tours. He toured Japan in 2015 with the ‘Jang Keun Suk Cri Show 3’ tour, which took him to six cities. His popularity is such that all 16 of his shows were totally sold out. Jang’s first directing short film, ‘Camp,’ was released in 2016 in partnership with filmmaker Yoon Hong-seung. Jang’s attempts to film wild animals in the mountains as a documentary director are depicted in the story, which was shot on Jejudo Island. It garnered positive feedback and topped the weekly film segment of the Oricon Chart.
Achievements & Awards
Jang has garnered numerous major honors during his career as a result of his dedication and talent. In 2016, he won the award for Best New Actor for the film “The Royal Gambler.” In the same year, he received a Ten Star Award for his long-form play “The Royal Gambler.” In 2010, he won the 46th BaekSang Arts Awards for ‘Where the Truth Lies’ in the Most Popular Actor category. In 2012, he received the ‘Most Popular Actor’ award at the 48th PaekSang Arts Awards for his role in ‘You’re +My Pet.’
Personal Experiences
When he is not working, Jang enjoys volunteering and conducting social and philanthropic activities. He has given millions of dollars to the less fortunate. He contributed ten million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society in support of tsunami victims in 2011. He’s also given his alma mater 1.2 billion yen (approximately 1.1 million USD).
His contributions to the social sector have been recognized. Jang made history in 2010 when he became Seoul’s youngest public relations ambassador. He was also named the 2011 Nuclear Safety Summit’s promotional ambassador. Jang’s fan clubs also donate to numerous social initiatives on a regular basis, demonstrating his commitment to the subject. They frequently accompany their favorite celebrity to charitable organizations.
Estimated Net Worth
Jang Geun Suk’s net worth is $6 million. Jang Geun Suk is a South Korean actor, singer, and model. Jang Geun Suk, who was born on August 4, 1987, began modeling when he was just six years old. His parents were selling their home at the time, and a potential buyer suggested that Geun Suk work as a model.