Kwon Sang-woo

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Kwon Sang-woo (Korean: Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler; 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. His other notable credits include the films Once Upon a Time in High School (2004), 71: Into the Fire (2010), The Accidental Detective (2015) and its 2018 sequel, The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful (2019), and Hitman: Agent Jun (2020), as well as the television series Big Thing (2010), Medical Top Team (2013), and Queen of Mystery (2017).

He dashed across movie and television screens, which afforded him blockbuster success in terms of ticket sales and viewership ratings, respectively. He rose to stardom for his lead role opposite in TV soap opera Stairways to Heaven and became one of the hottest hallyu stars. Hallyu actor Kwon Sang-woo has begun filming for the Chinese drama Poong Hwa Sul Wul. After completing both foreign productions, Kwon will return to play a more prominent role in the Korean entertainment scene.[1]

In February 2025, actor Kwon Sang-woo secured the top spot in the movie star brand reputation rankings, according to the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute.[2]

Career

2001–2005: Early career and breakthrough

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.[3]

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.[3]

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.[4][5]

However, Kwon's follow-up film Love, So Divine, about a priest in training who falls in love,[6] earned poor reviews and did not get much attention from audiences.[3]

2006–2009: Career fluctuations

For 2006, Kwon starred in the big-budget action noir Running Wild,[7] about a detective, a prosecutor, and a criminal who are all equally vicious.[3] Running Wild received satisfactory reviews, but disappointing returns, and Kwon's next film Almost Love, a romantic comedy reteaming him with Kim Ha-neul,[8] 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, Cruel Love, and Cinderella Man received low ratings.[9][10][11]

2010–2015: Comeback and overseas expansion

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.[12][13][14][15][16][17] His drama Big Thing 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%.[18][19][20][21]

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."[22][23]

Looking to expand his acting career to a wider audience in Asia,[24] in 2012 Kwon starred in movies with Chinese superstars Cecilia Cheung (romantic comedy Shadows of Love, previously known as Repeat, I Love You)[25][26] and Jackie Chan (action film CZ12[27][28][29]).[30] He also made his singing debut in a DVD released in Japan in 2010.[31][32] 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.[33][34]

He next starred opposite Soo Ae in King 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).[35][36][37][38][39][40]

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.[41][42] 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.[43]

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.[44] 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.[45][46][47][48][49]

2015–present: Continued success

In 2016, Kwon starred alongside Choi Kang-hee in the crime comedy drama, Queen of Mystery.[50] Kwon reprised his role in the second season of the show, which aired in 2018.[51]

In 2018, Kwon starred in crime comedy The Accidental Detective 2: In Action.[52] He was also cast in the romantic comedy film Shall We Do It Again.[53]

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."[54][55]

In February 2025, actor Kwon Sang-woo secured the top spot in the movie star brand reputation rankings, according to the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute. This ranking was based on a big data analysis of media coverage, interaction, and participation, according to an article on Soompi. The analysis encompassed 100 actors appearing in dramas, movies, or OTT content.[2]

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.[56][57]

He also opened the cafe Tea'Us in Myeong-dong,[58][59] 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 Template:SK won.[60]

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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Kwon married actress and former Miss Korea Son Tae-young at the Shilla Hotel on September 28, 2008.[61][62][63][64][65] On February 6, 2009, his wife gave birth to a baby boy, christened as Luke (nicknamed Rookie).[66] Their second child, a daughter, was born on January 10, 2015.[67][68]

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 the Japanese yakuza and Chinese crime syndicates that are looking to cash in on the Korean Wave entertainment business.[69][70][71][72]

There was fan backlash to his 2008 marriage due to his wife's previous dating history.[73] In an appearance on talk show Golden Fishery 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.[17][74]

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.[75][76] Kwon later made a public apology through a handwritten letter, and was fined Template:SK won by a Seoul district court.[77]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
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 Kang Chul-gyu ("K")
2010 71: Into the Fire Goo Kap-jo
2011 Pained Nam-soon
2012 Shadows of Love Kwon Jung-hoon Chinese film
CZ12 Simon
2015 The Honey Enemy Zhou Yunfeng
The Accidental Detective Kang Dae-man
2018 The Accidental Detective 2: In Action
2019 Love, Again Jo Hyun-woo
The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful Gwi-soo [78]
2020 Hitman: Agent Jun Jun
2021 A Year-End Medley Himself Special appearance [79]
2022 The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure Bu Heung-Soo [80]
2023 Switch Park Kang [81]
2025 Hitman 2 Jun [82]
Template:TBA No Kids [83]

Television series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2001 Delicious Proposal Lee Choon-shik
Legend Yang Dol-man
2002 We Are Dating Now Yoon Ho-jae
2003 Into the Sun Kang Seok-min
Stairway to Heaven Cha Song-joo
2005 Sad Love Story Seo Joon-young/Choi Joon-kyu
2007 Cruel Love Kang Yong-ki
2009 Cinderella Man Oh Dae-san / Lee Joon-hee
2010 Big Thing Ha Do-ya
2011 Fuyu no Sakura Himself Cameo (Episode 8)
2013 King of Ambition Ha Ryu / Cha Jae-woong
Medical Top Team Park Tae-shin
2014 Temptation Cha Seok-hoon
2017 Queen of Mystery Ha Wan-seung
2018 Queen of Mystery 2
2020–2021 Delayed Justice Park Tae-yong
2022 Why Her Jung Hyeon-soo Cameo (Episode 1) [84]
Curtain Call Bae Dong-jae [85]

Web series

Year Title Role Ref.
2022 X of Crisis Mr. A [86]
2023 Han River Police Han Doo-jin [87]

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021 House on Wheels: For Rent Cast member Spin-off of House on Wheels; With The Pirates 2 cast [88]

Music video appearances

Year Title Artist Ref.
2000 "Smile Smile" Papaya
"It's All Right" Circle
2001 "I Wish You Happiness"
(Joy Project - 1 Year of Love)		 Why
"First Love" Ji Young-sun [89]
2002 "I Can't Tell" Cha Eun-ju
"Ace of Sorrow" Jo Sung-mo
2003 "Project X" Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
2005 "Sad Love Story" Yoon Gun
"Anyclub" Eric Mun and Lee Hyori

Ambassadorship

  • Seoul Public Relations Ambassador for 2023 S/S Seoul Fashion Week (2022)[90]

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Andre Kim Best Star Awards 2004 Male Star Award Kwon Sang-woo Template:Won [91]
2007 Star Award, Men's category Template:Won [92]
Asia Model Awards 2011 Asia Star Award Kwon Sang-woo Template:Won [93]
Baeksang Arts Awards 2003 Best New Actor – Film My Tutor Friend Template:Won
2004 Most Popular Actor – Film Once Upon a Time in High School Template:Won
Best Actor – Film Template:Nom
2008 Most Popular Actor – Film Fate Template:Won [94]
2011 Best Actor – Television Big Thing Template:Nom
Blue Dragon Film Awards 2002 Best New Actor Make It Big Template:Nom
2004 Popular Star Award Once Upon a Time in High School Template:Won
Grand Bell Awards 2003 Best New Actor My Tutor Friend Template:Won
2004 Popularity Award Once Upon a Time in High School Template:Won
KBS Drama Awards 2007 Best Couple Award Kwon Sang-woo (with Lee Yo-won)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Cruel Love 		Template:Nom
Popularity Award, Actor Cruel Love Template:Nom
Top Excellence Award, Actor Template:Nom
2017 Best Couple Award Kwon Sang-woo (with Choi Kang-hee)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Queen of Mystery 		Template:Nom
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Queen of Mystery Template:Nom
Netizen Award, Actor Template:Nom
Top Excellence Award, Actor Template:Nom
2018 Best Couple Award Kwon Sang-woo (with Choi Kang-hee)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Queen of Mystery 2 		Template:Nom
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Queen of Mystery 2 Template:Nom
Netizen Award, Actor Template:Nom
Korea Best Dresser Swan Awards 2003 Best Dressed, TV Actor Category Kwon Sang-woo Template:Won
Korea Drama Awards 2011 Best Actor Big Thing Template:Nom
Korea-Japan Culture Awards 2007 Non-Governmental Diplomacy Award Kwon Sang-woo Template:Won
MBC Drama Awards 2005 Best Couple Award Kwon Sang-woo (with Kim Hee-sun)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Sad Love Story 		Template:Nom
Top Excellence Award, Actor Sad Love Story Template:Nom
2013 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Medical Top Team Template:Nom
Mnet 20's Choice Awards 2007 Hot Body Kwon Sang-woo Template:Won
SBS Drama Awards 2002 New Star Award We Are Dating Now Template:Won
2003 Netizen Popularity Award Stairway to Heaven / Into the Sun Template:Won
Top 10 Stars Template:Won
Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special Stairway to Heaven Template:Nom
Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama Into the Sun Template:Nom
Top Excellence Award, Actor Stairway to Heaven / Into the Sun Template:Nom
2010 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special Big Thing Template:Won [95]
Top 10 Stars Template:Won
Best Couple Award Kwon Sang-woo (with Go Hyun-jung)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Big Thing 		Template:Nom
Netizen Popularity Award, Actor Big Thing Template:Nom
2013 Best Couple Award Kwon Sang-woo (with Soo Ae)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
King of Ambition 		Template:Nom
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special King of Ambition Template:Nom
2014 Best Couple Award Kwon Sang-woo (with Choi Ji-woo)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Temptation 		Template:Nom
Netizen Popularity Award Temptation Template:Nom
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special Template:Nom
2020 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-Length/Long Drama Delayed Justice Template:Nom
Seoul International Drama Awards 2013 Outstanding Korean Drama Actor King of Ambition Template:Nom
Style Icon Awards 2009 Style Icon, TV Actor Category Kwon Sang-woo Template:Won [96]
The Motion Pictures Association of Korea's The Year in Film Awards 2005 Hallyu Star Award Kwon Sang-woo Template:Won

Honors

Name of country or organization, year given, and name of honor or award
Country or organization Year Honor / Award Ref.
Savings Day 2005 Presidential Citation

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Baeksang Arts Award Best New Actor Film Template:Baeksang Arts Award for Most Popular Actor Template:Grand Bell Awards for Best New Actor Template:SBS Drama Awards for Best New Actor Template:Authority control

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ a b c d "Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Kwon Sang-woo" Template:Webarchive. Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ "야수 (Running Wild) Press Screening Report". Twitch Film. January 4, 2006.
  8. ↑ "청춘만화 (Almost Love) Press Screening Report". Twitch Film. March 14, 2006.
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ "Interview: Kwon Sang-woo "thirsty" for Fire success". Asiae. June 23, 2010.
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ "TOP says lived as 17-year-old for 6 months for Fire (1)" Template:Webarchive. Asiae. May 11, 2010.
  14. ↑ "TOP says lived as 17-year-old for 6 months for Fire (2)" Template:Webarchive. Asiae. May 11, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Kwon Sang Woo: 'I Filmed Movie with Debut Mindset'". KBS Global. May 11, 2010.
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ "Will female president appeal to TV drama fans?" Template:Webarchive. The Korea Times. October 5, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Kwon Sang-woo says pondered over President after car accident" Template:Webarchive. Asiae. September 30, 2010.
  20. ↑ "SBS The President ends run on top for 11th consecutive week" Template:Webarchive. Asiae. December 24, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Kwon Sang-woo's The President to air in Japan" Template:Webarchive. Asiae. July 8, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Kwak, Kwon team up for melodrama" Template:Webarchive. The Korea Times. July 21, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Kwon Sang-woo says enjoyed Pain" Template:Webarchive. Asiae. July 21, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Kwon Sang-woo eyeing acting roles in China" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia. June 23, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Kwon Sang-woo, Cecilia Cheung's pic Shadows of Love to open in China this week" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia. May 10, 2012.
  26. ↑ Template:Usurped. Korea JoongAng Daily. May 11, 2012.
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ "South Korea's Kwon Sang-woo Eyes Chinese Film Career" Template:Webarchive. The Hollywood Reporter. May 28, 2011.
  31. ↑ "Actor Kwon Sang-woo to make singing debut in Japan" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia. February 16, 2010.
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ "Kwon Sang-woo to play lead role in Chinese TV series" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia. March 5, 2012.
  34. ↑ Template:Usurped. Korea JoongAng Daily. March 6, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Kwone Sang-woo, Soo-ae to play in SBS drama presold to Asian countries" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia. June 12, 2012.
  36. ↑ Template:Usurped Korea JoongAng Daily. September 6, 2012.
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ "Interview: Kwon Sang-woo - Part 1" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia. June 25, 2010.
  55. ↑ "Interview: Kwon Sang-woo - Part 2" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia. June 25, 2010.
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ "Kwon Sang-woo Becomes Entrepreneur" Template:Webarchive. The Korea Times. December 4, 2009.
  58. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  59. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  60. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  61. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  62. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  63. ↑ "Kwon Vows to be a Passionate and Devoted Husband" Template:Webarchive. KBS Global. July 21, 2008.
  64. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  65. ↑ "Kwon Sang-woo & Son Tae-young Say "I Do"" Template:Webarchive. KBS Global. September 29, 2008.
  66. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  67. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  68. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  69. ↑ "Actor Threatened by Organized Crime Boss" Template:Webarchive. The Chosun Ilbo. November 10, 2006.
  70. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  72. ↑ "Threats Highlight Mob Role in Korean Show Business" Template:Webarchive. The Chosun Ilbo. February 7, 2007.
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  76. ↑ Template:Usurped. Korea JoongAng Daily. July 1, 2010.
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  89. ↑ "권상우 뮤비 열도누빈다" Template:Webarchive (in Korean). Herald Media via Naver. March 7, 2008.
  90. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  92. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  93. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  94. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  95. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  96. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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