Hyun Bin

Kim Tae-pyung (; born September 25, 1982), better known by his stage name Hyun Bin , is a South Korean actor. Hyun gained recognition for the romantic comedy My Lovely Sam Soon. His other notable works include television series Secret Garden (2010–2011), Memories of the Alhambra (2018–2019), Crash Landing on You (2019–2020); films The Fatal Encounter (2014), Confidential Assignment (2017) and its 2022 sequel, and The Swindlers (2017). Hyun won the Grand Prize for Television at the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Actor in 2025. He was named Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year in 2011.

Career

2003–2007: Career beginnings and rise to stardom Hyun's first film was Shower in 2002. However, filming was stopped and was not released due to lack of proper funding. He eventually made his debut as an actor in the 2003 television series Bodyguard. He then starred in the sitcom Nonstop 4 and quirky romance drama Ireland, and made his film debut the same year in the youth sports film Spin Kick.

Hyun shot to stardom with the 2005 romantic comedy My Lovely Sam Soon with Kim Sun-a, for which Hyun won the Top Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards. My Lovely Sam Soon was a massive hit with average viewership ratings of over 37% and recorded 50.5% for the finale, making it one of the highest-rated Korean drama of all time. The high level popularity of the drama and his portrayal as Sam-sik established Hyun Bin as a top star in South Korea and a Hallyu star as his popularity expanded beyond South Korea to Japan and other countries in Asia.

Hyun starred in a lead role in his first film A Millionaire's First Love, written by internet novelist Guiyeoni. The film was a hit with young audiences. Hyun's next television project was The Snow Queen, although the series underperformed, it earned him his first Best Actor nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

2008–2011: New career challenges and Secret Garden To expand his acting profile, Hyun started to choose more eclectic projects. In 2008, he acted in director Yoon Jong-chan's film I Am Happy, playing as Man-soo, a man who suffered from mental illness. The film was selected to screen at the 13th Busan International Film Festival in 2008, but it was not released in theatres until late 2009. He later returned to television with Worlds Within, which was well-received for Noh Hee-kyung's writing. He was praised for his nuanced acting in the drama series. In 2009, Hyun drew critical acclaim with his portrayal as a sociopath in the gangster saga Friend, Our Legend. To prepare for his role, he reportedly watched Kwak Kyung-taek's original film 20 to 30 times.

In 2010, Hyun starred in Secret Garden, a romantic fantasy drama written by Kim Eun-sook. The drama recorded a high viewership rating of 35%, and gained enormous popularity both domestically and internationally for its fashion, catchphrases and music. His portrayal as Kim Joo-won created a "Hyun Bin Syndrome" as his name and face were plastered everywhere, from newspapers to television and the internet. Hyun was recognized at the 2010 SBS Drama Awards and the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards for his stellar performance. He also contributed to the soundtrack of the drama with "That Man", which peaked at number one in eight Korean music portals.

In 2011, Hyun appeared in two films that were released back to back; Come Rain, Come Shine, a minimalist breakup indie directed by Lee Yoon-ki, and Late Autumn directed by Kim Tae-yong. Shot in Seattle city, Late Autumn is an English-language remake of the 1966 Lee Man-hee classic, in which Hyun played a man on the run who falls in love with a woman who is on special leave from prison. It was the highest-grossing Korean film released in China to date, taking in more than over two weeks, which was unprecedented for a melodrama. He received a good review from The Hollywood Reporter which stated, "it is Hyun who impresses more for not underplaying the dandy, narcissistic side of his personality." Hyun walked the red carpet at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival, where the two films were both selected to be screened. He described the honor as his "most happiest achievement".

2011–2012: Military enlistment and discharge On March 7, 2011, Hyun began his 21-month mandatory military service as a soldier in the Marine Corps. He volunteered to serve in the Marine Corps, said to be the toughest branch of the Korean military, as he had a good impression of the Marines. Competition rate to enter the Marines at that time was high at 4:1 with Hyun placing in the top 5% of applicants. Hyun applied to be a combat soldier. Seven broadcasting companies, including Japan's NHK, requested access to the training camp. Hyun hit the target 19 times out of 20 in day shooting training, and all of his 10 shots hit the target during night training. To qualify as a top marksman, rookies must hit the target more than 18 times out of 20 in day training and nine out of 10 at night.

The Corps originally planned to put Hyun on public relations duty; however due to public criticism and Hyun's reported desire to serve on the front line, Hyun was assigned on active duty to the island Baengnyeongdo, close to the Northern Limit Line and Yeonpyeong, site of a November 2010 artillery engagement between the North and South Korean forces.

After joining the Marines and completing his six months in the service, Hyun participated in the "Seoul Reclamation Anniversary Marine Marathon Competition". He ran a 6.25 km long course with 400 exemplary senior marines. This event was held in remembrance of the historically significant event when the Marines won back the capital Seoul that had been taken during the 6.25 Korean War.

He was discharged on December 6, 2012, and was awarded the Secretary of Defense Award and the Marine Corps Commandant Commendation for being an exemplary soldier. After the merger of their former agency AM Entertainment with SM Entertainment, Hyun's reps announced in November 2012 that the actor and Shin Min-ah had decided to go independent and set up their own management agency O& Entertainment.

2013–2016: Comeback to entertainment industry Hyun spent most of 2013 shooting ad commercials as an in-demand product endorser, and holding fan meetings all over Asia. For his acting comeback after military service, Hyun chose The Fatal Encounter, his first period film, in which he played the lead role of King Jeongjo who faced fierce party strife and assassination attempts during his reign. It was released in April 2014 and drew more than three million admissions. However, Hyun was criticized for his flat tonation and lack of emotions in the film, which received mostly negative reviews.

In 2015, Hyun made a comeback in the Korean drama scene after four years, via romantic comedy Hyde Jekyll, Me. In the drama inspired by the literary character, he played a man with split personality disorder whose two personas both fall for the same woman. In January 2016, he set up his own agency, VAST Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kakao M.

2017–present: Career resurgence Hyun returned to big screen with action-thriller film Confidential Assignment (2017), where he played the role of a North Korean detective who was secretly sent to South Korea to apprehend a crime ring made up of North Korean traitors. The film was a success, and Hyun received positive reviews from critics for his action scenes and comedic performance. He then starred in a blockbuster crime action film The Swindlers, along with Yoo Ji-tae, about a prosecutor who plans to catch a con man who has swindled a large sum of money.

In 2018, Hyun played his first villain role in crime thriller The Negotiation, alongside Son Ye-jin; and zombie blockbuster Rampant, co-produced by VAST Entertainment. The same year, he returned to the small screen with fantasy suspense drama Memories of the Alhambra with Park Shin-hye. The series is one of highest rated Korean drama in cable television history, and Hyun was praised for his seemingly indifferent but humorous depiction of his character.

In 2019, Hyun played the role of a North Korean army captain in the romance drama Crash Landing on You, reuniting with The Negotiation co-star Son Ye-jin. The drama was a huge success and is the fifth highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history, and Hyun was praised for his versatile range of emotions and acting skills. For his portrayal as Captain Ri Jeong Hyuk, a North Korean elite army officer, Hyun won Grand Prize at the APAN Star Awards. In the 2023 action thriller film The Point Men, directed by Yim Soon-rye, Hyun starred as an NIS agent.

Philanthropy On October 29, 2013, Hyun received the President's award at the 50th Savings Day held by the Financial Services Committee, for saving 35 billion won (approximately US$33 million) within 17 years. In February 2016, he was involved in an awareness campaign against animal cruelty. As part of the project, Hyun's agency VAST Entertainment released pictures of him posing with a retired search and rescue dog named "Vision".

In March 2020, Hyun made a secret donation of 200 million won to the non-profit organization, Community Chest of Korea, to help fight against the COVID-19 outbreak on February 21, 2020. Hyun was also included as a member in the "Honor Society", a group of major private donors, for his many donations to different causes. He has continually supported projects by organizations such as Save the Children, Community Chest of Korea and international relief NGOs.

On March 8, 2022, Hyun made a donation million to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association, together with Son Ye-jin, to help those who have been damaged by the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has continued to spread Samcheok, Gangwon.

Personal life Hyun was born and raised in Seoul and has one elder brother. He graduated from Youngdong High School and studied at Chung-Ang University, where he majored in Theater Studies in 2004. In 2009, he enrolled at the same university and obtained a Master's degree.

Relationship and marriage

On January 1, 2021, Hyun's agency confirmed that he had been in a relationship with actress Son Ye-jin, his co-star in The Negotiation and Crash Landing on You. They began dating in 2020.

On February 10, 2022, Hyun and Son announced their engagement in letters posted on their social media accounts. They married in a private ceremony on March 31, 2022, attended by their families and close friends. On June 27, 2022, Son announced that she was pregnant with the couple's first child, and she gave birth to a son, named Kim Woo-Jin on November 27, 2022.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes English Korean 2002 Shower 샤워 Hong-kyu Unreleased 2006 A Millionaire's First Love 백만장자의 첫사랑 Kang Jae-kyung 2014 The Fatal Encounter 역린 King Jeongjo 2023 The Point Men 교섭 Park Dae-sik 2024 Harbin 하얼빈 An Jung-geun

Television series Year Title Role Notes English Korean 2003 Bodyguard 보디가드 Stalker Extra Ireland 아일랜드 Kang Gook 2005 My Lovely Sam Soon 내 이름은 김삼순 Hyun Jin-heon Nonstop 5 논스톱 5 Himself Cameo 2006–2007 The Snow Queen 눈의 여왕 Han Tae-woong / Han Deuk-gu

Television shows Year Title Role 2010–2011 Tears of Africa Narrator 2012 Tears of the Earth - from the North Pole to the South Pole

Music video appearances Year Song Title Artist 2003 "내탓이죠" Herb 2005 "Memory" Kim Bum-soo "Hey U" Lemon Tree 2018 "Reply" Kim Dong-ryool 2024 "The World of You" Kim Bum-soo

Discography Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album KOR "That Man" Secret Garden OST "Can't Have You" 6 KOR: 923,888

Ambassadorship Year Event 2009 Pink Ribbon Love Marathon Ambassador 2011 PR Ambassador of Hyundai Motors' "Hyundai Grandeur" 2013 PR Ambassador of Kia Motors' "The New K5" 2014 Promotional Ambassador of Incheon Asian Games 2016 Promotional Ambassador of Gwangju Biennale

Accolades 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 APAN Star Awards 2021 Grand Prize (Daesang) Crash Landing on You Baeksang Arts Awards 2005 Best New Actor – Television Ireland 2006 Most Popular Actor – Film A Millionaire's First Love 2007 Best Actor – Television The Snow Queen 2011 Secret Garden 2020 Crash Landing on You Most Popular Actor 2025 Best Actor – Film Harbin 2026 Best Actor – Television Made in Korea Blue Dragon Film Awards 2025 Best Actor Harbin Popular Star Award Buil Film Awards 2025 Best Actor Harbin Director's Cut Awards 2026 Best Actor in a Series Made in Korea Global OTT Awards 2026 Best Lead Actor Blue Dragon Series Awards 2026 Best Actor KBS Drama Awards 2006 Best Couple Award Hyun Bin The Snow Queen Netizen Award The Snow Queen Popularity Award Excellence Award, Actor 2008 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Worlds Within Korean Film Actors Association Awards 2017 Top Star Award Confidential Assignment, The Swindlers Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival 2014 Producer's Choice Award Hyun Bin MBC Drama Awards 2004 Best New Actor Ireland 2005 Best Couple Award Hyun Bin My Lovely Sam Soon Popularity Award My Lovely Sam Soon Top Excellence Award, Actor 2009 Excellence Award, Actor Friend, Our Legend MBC Entertainment Awards 2004 Special Award, TV Actor category Nonstop 4 SBS Drama Awards 2010 Best Couple Award Hyun Bin Secret Garden Netizen Popularity Award Secret Garden Top 10 Stars Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special 2015 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special Hyde Jekyll, Me Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards 2020 Most Popular Korean Artist Hyun Bin

State honors + Name of country, year given, and name of honor Country Year Honor South Korea 2020 Presidential Commendation

Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Forbes 2011 Korea Power Celebrity 2015 2020 2021 Gallup Korea 2024 Best Television Couple of the Past Decade Korean Film Council 2021 Korean Actors 200 The Screen 2019 2009–2019 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies