Jang Ki-Yong

Jang Ki-yong (; born August 7, 1992) is a South Korean actor and model. He began his career in the modelling industry and debuted as an actor through a guest appearance on It's Okay, That's Love. He gained popularity with Confession Couple (2017) and was cast in Come and Hug Me (2018), his first-ever lead role. Jang rose to prominence with Search: WWW (2019) and My Roommate Is a Gumiho (2021), and is also known for his roles in My Mister (2018), Born Again (2020) and The Atypical Family (2024).

As a model, Jang earned several awards including the "Fashion Model Award" at the 2014 Asia Model Awards and "Best Dressed Model" at the 2015 Korea's Best Dresser Swan Awards. His transition to acting earned him the accolades "Best New Actor (TV)" at the 2019 Baeksang Arts Awards, the "Excellence Award" at the 2018 MBC Drama Awards and more. Jang is also known for his endorsements with brands Estée Lauder, Lancôme, and Nivea Men.

Early life and education Born and raised in Ulsan, South Korea, Jang Ki-yong was born on August 7, 1992, and lived with his parents and older brother. Growing up, Jang developed an interest for fashion and photography. He saw a runway video from a fashion show starring Lee Soo-hyuk on the internet in his third year at amidst his deliberation of possible future career prospects for college. With his growth in enjoyment for magazines and pictorials, he soon wanted to become a model; however, due to familial expectations, he prepared for the college entrance exam during the second semester of high school. After revealing his dream career to his parents, they were initially reluctant and disapproved of his career choice. Eventually he convinced them to let him follow his dream, to which his father stated: "If you really like it and can do well, do it". Despite recalling his first year as slow-paced, his credits in fashion shows at the time included Kolon and Caruso, and runway show credits included Loriet (로리엣) and Unbounded Avenue (언바운디드어위). He was also selected as one of twelve promising rookie models by the Korea Model Association. Later that year, taking acting more seriously, Jang auditioned for The Greatest Marriage (2014). While many other actors auditioned for the role, Jang was selected as he matched the role and its image more in comparison to the others. Jang cited the drama as a turning point in his acting career as he received various offers to appear in commercials and television shows and felt its effects when he was approached or recognized by people in their 40s and 50s. With Yang Se-jong and Woo Do-hwan, Jang was dubbed a part of "Most Popular Actors Born in 1992" and "Rising Super Rookies" by media outlets in South Korea. His performance earned him the Best New Actor award at the 6th APAN Star Awards and nominations at The Seoul Awards, marking his first as an actor. His performance in the drama earned him the Best New Actor award in television at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

2019–present: Career breakthrough and mainstream success

In 2019, Jang was cast in OCN's action drama Kill It, playing a veterinarian by day and heartless killer at night. The same year, he was cast in the romance drama Search: WWW as a CEO and genius composer.

In 2020, Jang was cast in the mystery romance drama Born Again alongside Lee Soo-hyuk and Jin Se-yeon.

In 2021, Jang starred in the Netflix original romantic comedy film Sweet & Sour alongside Chae Soo-bin and Krystal Jung. Jang later joined the tvN drama My Roommate Is a Gumiho, which is the first iQiyi original production drama alongside Lee Hye-ri, Kang Han-na, Kim Do-wan and Bae In-hyuk. Jang's last project before his mandatory enlistment was the SBS television series Now, We Are Breaking Up with Song Hye-kyo, Choi Hee-seo and Kim Joo-hun, all of which was pre-filmed before his departure in August ahead of its airing in November.

In February 2025, Jang signed with new agency United Artists Agency.

Jang starred in SBS TV's romantic comedy television series Dynamite Kiss opposite Ahn Eun-jin from November to December 2025. He played Gong Ji-hyeok, a team leader at a childcare product company.

Personal life Jang enlisted for his mandatory military service on August 23, 2021, as an active duty soldier. In the midst of his service, Jang was cast in the Korean republic's musical Blue Helmet: Meissa's Song (2022) with Chanyeol of Exo and Hyojin of ONF, marking his first musical performance. Jang served his enlistment for one year and six months in the 15th Infantry Division ahead of his discharge on February 22, 2023.

Artistry Influences Throughout several occasions, Jang has viewed veteran model turned actor and label-mate Cha Seung-won as a role model in both the fields of modelling and acting since debut. Having transitioned from modelling to acting himself, Jang stated: "I want to be faithful to my main job, movies and dramas, and be able to stand on the runway like Cha Seung-won during the fashion show seasons." He also wishes to break the prejudice of "models can't act", just as Cha has done. Jang also briefly cited South Korean veteran actor, Ha Jung-woo as a role model following his appearance on SBS' Healing Camp. Seeing Ha recall his experience prompted Jang to wish to become an actor like him in 10 or 15 years time.

Impact and influence As a model, his influence extended to model turned actor, Nam Joo-hyuk, to pursue a modelling career. His boost in confidence to wear braces also came through the encouragement of Jang, having also worn braces himself.

Other ventures Endorsements In September 2012, South Korean brewery Oriental Brewery (OB) chose Jang alongside labelmate and winner of the third installment of Korea's Next Top Model, model Sora Choi, as their Cass Light Beer endorsement models and muse. Since then, he became advertising models for brands including Guess Korea, TBJ, Jill By Jillstuart, Philips, and Nepa.

In March 2019, Natuur, an ice cream franchise under Lotteria chose Jang as a model for their products, a first after 7 years following their rebranding. A representative revealed Jang is highly popular among women in their 20s and 30s, which is also their largest customer demographic, thus believing he would be the perfect pick. Various events and fansignings were also taken place. An announcement in May through Sprite Korea confirmed Jang as their newest face and model for both their brand and their Summer 2019 "Dive in Sprite" campaign along with singer Chungha. Perfect World Entertainment 3D adventure and fantasy MMORPG Perfect World announced on October 1, Jang was selected as a promotional model alongside veteran singer Kim Jong-kook and labelmate Rosé. He depicts the appearance of the Elyos Prince, an archer through a promotional video.

On August 31, 2020 Estée Lauder cosmetics skin care brand Lab Series Korea named Jang as its new face for the brand. A representative revealed through the selection process, they believed his image who constantly challenges himself with diverse roles while also pursuing an active lifestyle fits well with the innovative concept they wish to portray.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2019 The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos Ko Yoo-sung 2021 Sweet & Sour Jang-hyuk Netflix Film The Idle Mermaid Kim Yeon-sun Cameo The Greatest Marriage Bae Deu-ro Schoolgirl Detectives Ahn Chae-joon 2015 This is My Love Lee Suk-tae 2016 A Beautiful Mind Nam Ho-young 2017 The Liar and His Lover Ji In-ho Go Back Jung Nam-gil Come and Hug Me Chae Do-jin 2019 Touch Your Heart Top star Cameo (Episode 1) Kill It Kim Soo-hyun Search: WWW Park Morgan 2020 Born Again Gong Ji-chul / Chun Jong-bum 2021 Hello, Me! Police officer Cameo (Episode 1) My Roommate Is a Gumiho Shin Woo-yeo 2021–2022 Now, We Are Breaking Up Yoon Jae-guk 2024 The Atypical Family Bok Gwi-joo 2025 Dynamite Kiss Gong Ji-hyeok Pigpen Jin-woo TBALaw of LinesTak Do-il

Web series Year Title Role 2015 We Broke Up Seo Hyun-woo 2016 Love for a Thousand More Jason 2017 The Boy Next Door Sung Ki-je

Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2014–2015 Design Tour Season Host Season 1 & 2 2014 Tasty Road Cast member Episode 26 2015 Off to School Episode 23–25 2016 Travel Without Manager 2 Cast member with Joo Woo-jae Tribe of Hip Hop Contestant Top 10 Finalist 2018 Hope That Bloomed In Mongolia Cast member with Jeong Yu-mi

Music video appearances Year Title Artist Length 2013 "The Red Shoes" IU 8:27 "Friday" 3:52 "EyeKiss" 2:32 2016 "When in Hongdae" Hongdae Kwang 3:56 "The End" Kwon Jin-ah 5:01 2019 "Night and Day" Brown Eyed Soul 4:46

Hosting Year Title Notes 2022 2022 Gyeryong World Military Culture Expo with SF9's Inseong

Theater Year Title Role 2022 Blue Helmet: Meissa's Song Yeon Jun-seok

Discography Soundtrack appearances + List of singles, showing year released, and name of the album Title Year Album "Some Guys" 2017 Some Guy OST "I'm Alright" The Liar and His Lover OST "In your eyes" "Peter Pan" "Paradise Tree" 2018 Come and Hug Me OST

Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s) / work(s) Result APAN Star Awards 2018 Best New Actor My Mister Asia Artist Awards 2018 Rookie Award Jang Ki-yong Asia Model Awards 2014 Fashion Model Award Baeksang Arts Awards 2019 Best New Actor – Television Come and Hug Me KBS Drama Awards 2017 Best New Actor Confession Couple 2020 Best Couple Award Jang Ki-young Born Again Korea's Best Dresser Swan Awards 2015 Best Dressed Model Jang Ki-yong Korea Hallyu Awards 2018 Rising Star Award MBC Drama Awards 2018 Excellence Award, Actor in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama Come and Hug Me Best Couple Award Jang Ki-young Come and Hug Me SBS Drama Awards 2021 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama Now, We Are Breaking Up Best Couple Award Jang Ki-yong Now, We Are Breaking Up 2025 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama Dynamite Kiss Best Couple Award Jang Ki-yong Dynamite Kiss The Seoul Awards 2018 Best New Actor (Drama) My Mister & Come and Hug Me