Won Bin

Kim Do-jin (Template:Korean; born November 10, 1977), known professionally as Won Bin ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), is a South Korean actor. He first gained wide popularity in 2000 after starring in the television series Autumn in My Heart. One of the most selective actors in the Korean entertainment industry, he has starred in only five films to date: Guns & Talks (2001), Taegukgi (2004), My Brother (2004), Mother (2009), and The Man from Nowhere (2010). He was Gallup Korea's Film Actor of the Year in 2010 and 2011.<ref name="Gallup 2010">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Gallup 2011">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Early life

Won was born on November 10, 1977, in Jeongseon County,Template:Refn Gangwon Province, South Korea. He is the fifth and youngest child, with one brother and three sisters. His father was employed in a mine, and his mother worked on a farm. Like other children living in mountainous areas, Won spent most of his time playing with friends in the mountains and rivers. He was often shy, introspective, and quiet—traits that would follow him into adulthood. Although not talkative or outgoing, he excelled in sports. Won began taking taekwondo lessons and holds a black belt. He graduated from Chuncheon Mech Tech High School and initially planned to become a car mechanic due to his interest in car racing and motorcycling.<ref name="Sports Seoul">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In November 1995, a cable television network was looking for new actors; Won applied and was accepted in his last semester of high school. He played bit parts on cable television, where he was noticed by fashion designer André Kim, who invited him to appear in his fashion show. Afterward, Won signed with a talent agency and decided to adopt the stage name "Won Bin".<ref name="Sports Seoul" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Career

Won's official acting debut is considered to be the 1997 television series Propose, in which he played a supporting role. He then starred in the series Ready Go! (1998) and Kwangki (1999). In 1998, Won graduated from the Broadcasting and Entertainment Department at Paekche Institute of the Arts.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Won had his big breakthrough in 2000. He played the rebellious youngest son in the critically acclaimed drama Tough Guy's Love (Kkokji). However, it was Autumn in My Heart that brought him widespread recognition not only in Korea but throughout Asia. The series became widely popular outside of Korea, ushering in the cultural phenomenon known as the "Korean Wave".<ref name="Korea.net">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Vogue Korea called Won "the original flower boy" and "the original Hallyu star".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2001, Won graduated from the Department of Theater at Yong In University.<ref name="Yong In University">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2002, he appeared in the series Friends, the first South Korean–Japanese co-production.<ref name="Donga">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> That same year, he enrolled in the master's program at the Department of Film, the Graduate School of Arts, Yong In University.<ref name="Yong In University" />

Won's first major success on the big screen was the war drama Taegukgi, in which he played a sensitive younger brother who was forcibly drafted into the South Korean army at the start of the Korean War. Taegukgi became the highest-grossing film in South Korea in 2004, selling 11.75 million tickets.<ref name="NYT">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Won also starred in such popular films as Guns & Talks (2001) and My Brother (2004).

In November 2005, Won enlisted for mandatory military service. He was stationed in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, a position for which he volunteered.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On June 2, 2006, the military officially confirmed that Won would no longer be active.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The decision was made by the military when Won sustained injury to his ACL. He underwent surgery and was officially discharged on June 7, 2006.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Rehabilitation from the injury took more than a year.

In September 2007, Won was appointed as a special representative of the Korean Committee for UNICEF.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Over the years, he has participated in various programs and charity events for the organization. In June 2024, he was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Korea.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

After a five-year break, Won returned to the big screen with the film Mother, directed by Bong Joon Ho. The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.<ref name="KBS World">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was followed by The Man from Nowhere, which became the highest-grossing film in South Korea in 2010 and is Won's final appearance as an actor to date.<ref name="A.V. Club">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Despite his prolonged hiatus from acting, Won retains his popularity with the public. In 2024, Gallup Korea conducted a survey on "The actor you want to see again", in which Won took first place.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal life

On May 30, 2015, Won married actress Lee Na-young in a small, private ceremony in a wheat field in Won's hometown of Jeongseon County.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Refn The couple reportedly began dating in August 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lee gave birth to their son in December 2015.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Won has investments in real estate.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He also does some farming, growing chokeberries and making chokeberry juice and sesame oil.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Endorsements

Won is a successful commercial model. In 2018, a news program claimed that Won had earned more than Template:KRW from advertising since 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He has modeled for more than 50 brands since the late 1990s.

Won also worked as a fashion model for André Kim, appearing in several of his fashion shows in the 1990s and early 2000s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kim wrote in his book, "I happened to see Won Bin by chance. His exquisite sculptural features, the overall balance of his face, his lonely gaze, and his elegant aura. Very young yet somehow profound. His inner depth was radiating beautifully."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Won in 2010

Public image

Won is one of the most elusive actors in South Korea. Due to the rarity of meeting him in person, other celebrities refer to him as a "legendary dragon".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His long hiatus from acting adds to his mystique.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Won is considered one of the best examples of a good-looking man in South Korea; he has been nicknamed "Godbin" and "CG" by Korean internet users.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The director of Mother, Bong Joon Ho, said that he added the line, "Do-joon's eyes are like a work of art. They're like deer's eyes," after casting Won for the role.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Won is often referenced in popular culture, from songs to dramas.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The first Korean cyber singer, Adam, who debuted in 1998, was modeled after him.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, who has often said she would like to work with Won, named the main character of the 2012 series A Gentleman's Dignity Kim Do-jin, which is Won's real name.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The hair-cutting scene from The Man from Nowhere has spawned numerous parodies.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
1998	Saturday, 2:00 pm	Delivery man	Special appearance	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2001	Guns & Talks	Ha-yun		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2004	Taegukgi	Lee Jin-seok		<ref name="NYT" />
	My Brother	Jong-hyun		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2009	Mother	Yoon Do-joon		<ref name="KBS World" />
2010	The Man from Nowhere	Cha Tae-sik		<ref name="A.V. Club" />

Television series

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
1997	Propose	Hyun-woo		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1997–1998	Ready, Go!	Han Seung-joo		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1999	Jump	Won Bin	Special appearance	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1999–2000	Kwangki	Kang Min		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2000	Drama City – "Small Station"	Min-ho		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Kkokji	Song Myung-tae		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Autumn in My Heart	Han Tae-suk		<ref name="Korea.net" />
2002	Friends	Kim Ji-hoon	South Korea–Japan co-production	<ref name="Donga" />

Music video appearances

Year	Song title	Artist	Template:Abbr
1999	"Goodbye Day"	Han Sung-ho	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2001	"For You"	Yim Jae-beom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Awards and nominations

Award	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Template:Refh
Asian Film Awards	2010	Best Supporting Actor	Mother	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Baeksang Arts Awards	2001	Best New Actor – Television	Autumn in My Heart	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2010	Best Actor – Film	Mother	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2011	Best Actor – Film	The Man from Nowhere	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Blue Dragon Film Awards	2001	Best New Actor	Guns & Talks	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2010	Best Actor	The Man from Nowhere	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Popular Star Award	Won Bin	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Buil Film Awards	2010	Best Actor	The Man from Nowhere	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Bvlgari Brilliant Dreams Award	2002	Template:N/A	Won Bin	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Chunsa Film Art Awards	2004	Best New Actor	Taegukgi	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Cine21 Awards	2010	Actor of the Year	The Man from Nowhere	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Golden Cinematography Awards	2004	Best New Actor	Taegukgi	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Grand Bell Awards	2010	Best Actor	The Man from Nowhere	Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
		Popularity Award	Won Bin	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2011	Popularity Award		Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Japan Best Jewellery Wearer Award	2011	Special Award		Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
KBS Drama Awards	1999	Best New Actor	Kwangki	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2000	Excellence in Acting Award	Autumn in My Heart	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
KOFRA Film Awards	2011	Best Actor	The Man from Nowhere	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Korea Best Dresser Swan Awards	2000	Best Dressed (Actor)	Won Bin	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Korea International Youth Film Festival	2010	Favorite Actor		Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2011	Favorite Actor		Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Korean Film Awards	2002	Best New Actor	Guns & Talks	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2004	Best Actor	My Brother	Template:Nom
	2010	Best Actor	The Man from Nowhere	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Max Movie Awards	2011	Best Actor		Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
University Film Festival of Korea	2010	Best Actor		Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement

Publisher	Year	Listicle	Placement	Template:Abbr
Forbes	2011	Korea Power Celebrity 40	17th	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2012		37th	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Gallup Korea	2010	Film Actor of the Year	1st	<ref name="Gallup 2010" />
	2011		1st	<ref name="Gallup 2011" />
The Screen	2009	1984–2008 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies	37th	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

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