Kwon Sang-woo

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This is a Korean name; the family name is Kwon.
Kwon Sang-woo
Kwon Sang-Woo from acrofan.jpg
Born (1976-08-05) August 5, 1976 (age 37)
Daejeon, South Korea
Education Hannam University - B.A. Education[1]
Occupation Actor
Years active 2001 – present
Spouse(s) Son Tae-young (m. 2008)
Children Kwon Ruk-hee (b. 2009)
Korean name
Hangul 권상우
Hanja 權相佑
Revised Romanization Gwon Sang-u
McCune–Reischauer Kwŏn Sang'u

Kwon Sang-woo (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.

Career[edit]

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 debuting in Volcano High (2001). The following year he played his first lead role in the comedy Make It Big together with real-life best friend Song Seung-heon.[2]

Kwon's breakthrough came in the phenomenally successful 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). In this year he also starred in My Good Partner, the world's first movie made for mobile phones, and in the music video collection Project X.[2]

His next film released in early 2004 was also a great hit. Once Upon a Time in High School portrays the authoritarian society of the 1970s through a notoriously violent high school. Simultaneously, his tearjerker Stairway to Heaven was winning over high ratings on TV. The drama was 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 didn't hesitate to take on even 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 of around 26 percent.[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 will play the role of 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] This was followed by a leading role in 2014 romance melodrama Temptation, about a naïve man from a rural village in Gangwon Province who gets into the country's best college despite his family's economic plight, but ends up plunged into massive debt -– and finds himself, now a married man, torn over a shady deal from a woman to "own" his body.[42][43]

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."[44][45]

Business interests[edit]

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.[46][47]

He also opened the cafe Tea'Us in Myeong-dong,[48][49] and is the biggest shareholder of the resort Ocean Blue Hotel Bali.

Personal life[edit]

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 a Catholic priest. His confirmation name is Francisco.

Kwon married actress and former Miss Korea Son Tae-young at the Shilla Hotel on September 28, 2008.[50][51][52][53][54] On February 6, 2009, his wife gave birth to a baby boy, christened as Luke (nicknamed Rookie).[55]

Controversy[edit]

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.[56][57][58][59]

There was fan backlash to his 2008 marriage. 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][60]

In the early hours of June 12, 2010, Kwon was involved in a car accident in Gangnam-gu. 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.[61][62] Kwon later made a public apology through a handwritten letter, and was fined ₩7 million by a Seoul district court.[63]

Filmography[edit]

Television drama[edit]

Year Title Role Network
2001 Delicious Proposal Lee Choon-shik MBC
Legend Yang Dol-man SBS
2002 We Are Dating Now Yoon Ho-jae SBS
2003 Into the Sun Kang Seok-min SBS
Stairway to Heaven Cha Song-joo SBS
2005 Sad Love Story Seo Joon-young/Choi Joon-kyu MBC
2007 Bad Love Kang Yong-ki KBS2
2009 Cinderella Man Oh Dae-san/Lee Joon-hee MBC
2010 Daemul Ha Do-ya SBS
2011 Fuyu no Sakura himself (cameo, ep 8) TBS
2013 Queen of Ambition Ha Ryu/Cha Jae-woong SBS
Medical Top Team Park Tae-shin MBC
2014 Temptation Cha Seok-hoon SBS

Film[edit]

Year Title Role
2001 Volcano High Song Hak-rim
2002 Make It Big Lee Woo-seob
2003 My Tutor Friend Kim Ji-hoon
2004 Once Upon a Time in High School Kim Hyun-soo
Love, So Divine Kim Kyu-shik
2006 Running Wild Jang Do-young
Almost Love Lee Ji-hwan
2008 Fate Jo Cheol-joong
2009 More Than Blue K
2010 California - High Noon (short film)
71: Into the Fire Goo Kap-jo
2011 Pained Nam-soon
2012 Shadows of Love Kwon Jung-hoon
CZ12 Simon

Music video[edit]

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)" Why Ryu Si-won, Lee Yo-won and Gong Yoo
"First Love" Ji Young-sun Moon Geun-young[64]
2002 "I Can't Tell" Cha Eun-ju Kim Joo-hyuk
"Ace of Sorrow" Jo Sungmo Jung Joon-ho and Shin Eun-kyung
2003 "Project X" Cha Seung-won and Kim Min-jung
2005 "Sad Love Story" Yoon Gun Kim Hee-sun and Song Seung-heon
"Anyclub" Eric Mun and Lee Hyori Eric Mun and Lee Hyori

[edit]

Year Product
2001 국민(kb) Pass Card
Hang Ten
2002 KT Icom GCUV
2003 Ibros
Haitai Ice Cafe
Hannam University
Try
K-Fimm/K-merce
KTF-Terminal Relief Service
KTF-Skylife
Biltmore
2004 Maru
Hite Prime
Vivaldi Park
Haitai Aminoup
KTF-Good Time Cinema Party
Samsung Anycall
The Face Shop
2005 GS e-Store
BangBang
Healthy Vinegar (Japan)
F-Cure Shampoo (Japan)
Morinaga Milk (Japan)
2007 Ocean Blue Hotel Bali

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2002 SBS Drama Awards New Star Award We Are Dating Now Won
2003 Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor My Tutor Friend Won
Grand Bell Awards Best New Actor Won
Korea Best Dresser Swan Awards Best Dressed, TV actor category Won
SBS Drama Awards Netizen Popularity Award Stairway to Heaven Won
Top 10 Stars Won
2004 Baeksang Arts Awards Popularity Award Once Upon a Time in High School Won
Grand Bell Awards Popularity Award Won
Blue Dragon Film Awards Popularity Award Won
2005 Savings Day Presidential Citation Won
The Motion Pictures Association of Korea's The Year in Film Awards Hallyu Star Award Won
2007 Andre Kim Best Star Awards Star Award, Men's category Won
Korea-Japan Culture Awards Non-Governmental Diplomacy Award Won
2008 Baeksang Arts Awards Popularity Award Fate Won
2009 Style Icon Awards Style Icon, TV actor category Won
2010 SBS Drama Awards Top 10 Stars Daemul Won
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special Won
2011 Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor (TV) Nominated
Korea Drama Awards Best Actor Nominated
Asia Model Festival Awards Asia Star Award Won
2013 Seoul International Drama Awards Outstanding Korean Drama Actor Queen of Ambition Nominated
SBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special Nominated
MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Medical Top Team Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ "권상우 영화배우, 탤런트" (in Korean). Naver. December 8, 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c d "Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Kwon Sang-woo". Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  3. ^ "Korean actor wows Japan". Korea JoongAng Daily. December 14, 2004. 
  4. ^ "Fueled by Japan, star shines his light on Asia". Korea JoongAng Daily. September 4, 2006.
  5. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo Looks for Divine Love in Upcoming Movie". The Korea Times via Hancinema. May 2, 2004. 
  6. ^ "야수 (Running Wild) Press Screening Report". Twitch Film. January 4, 2006.
  7. ^ "청춘만화 (Almost Love) Press Screening Report". Twitch Film. March 14, 2006.
  8. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo Resumes Romantic Role". The Korea Times. January 13, 2009. 
  9. ^ "Male Hallyu Stars Clash on TV". The Korea Times. April 7, 2009. 
  10. ^ "Interview: Kwon Sang-woo "thirsty" for Fire success". 10Asia. June 23, 2010.
  11. ^ "Korean War resurrected onscreen". The Korea Times. May 11, 2010. 
  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.
  15. ^ "Kwon Sang Woo: 'I Acted While Motivating Myself'". KBS Global. May 31, 2010. 
  16. ^ a b "Actor banks on his lucky charm". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 28, 2010. 
  17. ^ "Will female president appeal to TV drama fans?". The Korea Times. October 5, 2010.
  18. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo says pondered over President after car accident". 10Asia. September 30, 2010.
  19. ^ "SBS The President ends run on top for 11th consecutive week". 10Asia December 24, 2010.
  20. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo's The President to air in Japan". 10Asia. July 8, 2011.
  21. ^ "Kwak, Kwon team up for melodrama". The Korea Times. July 21, 2011.
  22. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo says enjoyed Pain". 10Asia. July 21, 2011.
  23. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo eyeing acting roles in China". 10Asia. June 23, 2010.
  24. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo, Cecilia Cheung's pic Shadows of Love to open in China this week". 10Asia. May 10, 2012.
  25. ^ "China to see a lot of Kwon Sang-woo". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 11, 2012.
  26. ^ "Kwon Sang Woo, Jackie Chan’s Chinese Zodiac Movie Sets January Release Date in Korea". enewsWorld. November 28, 2012. 
  27. ^ "Kwone's Chinese Zodiac Breaks Record in China". 10Asia. December 24, 2012. 
  28. ^ "KWON Sang-woo’s 12 CHINESE ZODIAC HEADS Top of the Chinese Box Office". Korean Film Biz Zone. December 26, 2012. 
  29. ^ "South Korea's Kwon Sang-woo Eyes Chinese Film Career". The Hollywood Reporter. May 28, 2011.
  30. ^ "Actor Kwon Sang-woo to make singing debut in Japan". 10Asia. February 16, 2010.
  31. ^ "Kwon's gotta sing". Korea JoongAng Daily. February 18, 2010. 
  32. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo to play lead role in Chinese TV series". 10Asia. March 5, 2012.
  33. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo to star in Chinese drama". Korea JoongAng Daily. March 6, 2012.
  34. ^ "Kwone Sang-woo, Soo-ae to play in SBS drama presold to Asian countries". 10Asia. June 12, 2012.
  35. ^ "King of the Beast will air in January. Korea JoongAng Daily. September 6, 2012.
  36. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo Wins Back Fans as Jilted Lover in SBS Soap". The Chosun Ilbo. January 29, 2013. 
  37. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo says acting is hard". Korea JoongAng Daily. March 16, 2013. 
  38. ^ "Interview: Kwon Sang-woo tells about his life in drama and in reality". BNTNews. April 11, 2013. 
  39. ^ "Interview: Kwon Sang Woo Says Yawang Was a Half-Success". enewsWorld. April 20, 2013. 
  40. ^ "Kwone Sang-woo Cast in New Medical Drama". 10Asia. July 5, 2013. 
  41. ^ "Kwon shows another side with new medical drama". Korea JoongAng Daily. July 8, 2013. 
  42. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo to star SBS TV show Seduction". The Korea Herald. May 20, 2014. 
  43. ^ "Kwon back with Temptation". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 21, 2014. 
  44. ^ "Interview: Kwon Sang-woo - Part 1". 10Asia. June 25, 2010.
  45. ^ "Interview: Kwon Sang-woo - Part 2". 10Asia. June 25, 2010.
  46. ^ "Actor Kwon Sang-woo to Run Cosmetics Firm". The Korea Times. September 30, 2009. 
  47. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo Becomes Entrepreneur". The Korea Times. December 4, 2009.
  48. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo offers fans another taste of him". The Korea Herald. May 19, 2009. 
  49. ^ "Café TEA’US Myeongdong 1st Branch". Korea Tourism Organization. Retrieved 2012-11-21. 
  50. ^ "Kwon, Sohn to Wed in Sept.". The Korea Times. July 18, 2008. 
  51. ^ "Kwone, Son to Tie the Knot on Sept. 28". The Chosun Ilbo. July 21, 2008. 
  52. ^ "Kwon Vows to be a Passionate and Devoted Husband". KBS Global. July 21, 2008.
  53. ^ "Actors Kwon, Sohn Tie Knot". The Korea Times. September 28, 2008. 
  54. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo & Son Tae-young Say "I Do"". KBS Global. September 29, 2008.
  55. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo, Sohn Tae-young reveal son's pics". 10Asia. January 27, 2010. 
  56. ^ "Actor Threatened by Organized Crime Boss". The Chosun Ilbo. November 10, 2006.
  57. ^ "Gang leader indicted for threatening actor". Korea JoongAng Daily. February 7, 2007. 
  58. ^ "The brave Mr. Kwon". Korea JoongAng Daily. February 7, 2007. 
  59. ^ "Threats Highlight Mob Role in Korean Show Business". The Chosun Ilbo. February 7, 2007.
  60. ^ "'최고의 사랑'은 권상우-손태영 맞춤 이야기? 비하인드 스토리 공개" [Kwon Sang Woo's dedication to his wife revealed during Pain press conference] (in Korean). TV Daily. July 21, 2011. 
  61. ^ "Actor Kwon Sang-woo booked for hit-and-run". The Korea Times. June 25, 2010. 
  62. ^ "Kwon Sang-woo’s car troubles force his wife to shut Web site". Korea JoongAng Daily. July 1, 2010.
  63. ^ "Actor Kwon Sang-woo fined W7 mil.for hit-and-run". The Korea Times. July 29, 2010. 
  64. ^ "권상우 뮤비 열도누빈다" (in Korean). Herald Media via Naver. March 7, 2008.

External links[edit]

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