Yang Dong-geun, also known as YDG, is a South Korean actor, music artist, and breakdancer. In 2023, he was announced to appear in the second season of the popular Netflix South Korean survival drama series ‘Squid Game.’
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Yang Dong-geun was born on Friday, 1 June 1979 (age 44 years; as of 2023) in Seoul, South Korea. His zodiac sign is Gemini. He majored in Theatrical Performance at Yong-In University in South Korea.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
Wife & Children
In 2014, he got married to his pregnant girlfriend Park Ga-ram, a South Korean singer and actress. The couple has three children; two sons, a younger boy named Shi Lo, and a daughter named Joy.
Yang Dong-geun with his wife and children
Yang Dong-geun with his children
Relationships/Affairs
Before getting married to Park Ga-ram in 2014, he dated her, and she got pregnant with him. Later, they got married to each other. [1]Soompi In an interview, he shared the story of how he met his wife for the first time and said,
I met her when we were cast as the main characters for a music video. Back then, I didn’t hit on her. I did think that if we were really meant to be, then we would meet again sometime. But one day, she messaged me first on social media. After meeting my wife, I kept telling her, ‘I’m going to have kids with you.'” [2]Soompi
Career
Television
TV Shows
In 1986, he made his acting debut with MBC’s South Korean TV series ‘Three Families Under One Roof.’
Poster of the 1986 South Korean TV series ‘Three Families Under One Roof’
He played the role of young Dong-hoon in KBS2’s 1991 TV series ‘Hyung (My Older Brother). He is known for playing the lead role of Heo Seung-po in tvN’s popular TV series ‘The Three Musketeers’ released in 2014. He has acted in many TV series including ‘The Bride of Habaek’ (2017), ‘365: Repeat the Year’ (2020), and ‘Cheer Up’ (2022).
Reality TV Shows
In 2016, he hosted Mnet’s South Korean music competition show ‘Unpretty Rapstar 3.’ Some of the South Korean variety shows on which has appeared include ‘Show Me the Money 3’ (2014), ‘The Return of Superman’ (2016), and ‘Law of the Jungle in Komodo’ (2017).
Film
In 1991, he debuted in the South Korean film industry with the film ‘Super Hong Gil-dong 5’ in which he appeared as Dol-yi.
Poster of the 1991 South Korean film ‘Super Hong Gil-dong 5’
He has appeared in many South Korean films including White Valentine (1999), Fighter in the Wind (2004), Days of Wrath (2013), and Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (2022).
Theatre
In 2005, he appeared in the theatrical production ‘Offending the Audience.’ In 2008, he appeared as Kang Bong-tae in the stage play ‘Mine.’
Web Series
In 2021, he appeared as Doctor Yang in the South Korean medical sitcom titled ‘Emergency.’
Poster of the 2021 South Korean web series ‘Emergency’
In 2022, he worked in the web series ‘Floor,’ ‘The King of the Desert,’ and ‘Connect.’
Singer/Rapper
In 2001, he released a Korean hip-hop album titled ‘Yangdonggeun a.k.a Madman.’
Poster of the 2001 South Korean album ‘Yangdonggeun a.k.a Madman’
He has released many hip-hop and rap albums including Travel (2003), 1945 (2005), and Mirror (28 Look at Youth) (2006).
Controversy
Arrested for Alleged Drug Usage
In April 2019, an actor with the last name ‘Yang’ was reportedly arrested on drug use suspicions. A South Korean news agency reported that after getting 112 calls indicating that Yang had been running around the road close to a hotel in the Nonhyeon neighbourhood of Seoul, police were called to the scene at around 3 a.m. KST. Yang was taken to the police station the police after exhibiting strange behaviour such as talking nonsense. According to sources, Yang tested positive for Philopon, a kind of methamphetamine, during a drug test. Yang’s drug use was thoroughly investigated by the Gangnam Police Station, which also looked into Yang’s drug-buying intermediaries and company. Yang reportedly had recent appearances in well-known movies and dramas on public broadcasting networks (SBS, KBS, MBC). Following the news, the media enquired about the role of various actors with the last name ‘Yang’ in the case. Yang Dong-geun’s agency responded regarding the controversy and said,
Awards & Honours
- 1991: Best Young Actor for the South Korean TV series ‘Hyung’ at the 27th Baeksang Arts Awards
- 1991: Best Young Actor for the TV series ‘Hyung’ at the KBS Drama Awards
- 2001: Best New Actor for the South Korean film ‘Address Unknown’ at the 21st Korean Association of Film Critics Awards
- 2001: Top Excellence Award in a Sitcom for the South Korean sitcom ‘New Nonstop’ MBC Entertainment Awards
- 2002: Excellence Award (Actor in a Miniseries), TV Actor of the Year (chosen by journalists), and TV Actor of the Year (chosen by netizens) for the South Korean TV series ‘Ruler of Your Own World’ at the MBC Drama Awards
- 2003: Best New Actor (TV) for the TV series ‘Ruler of Your Own World’ at the 39th Baeksang Arts Awards
- 2003: Best Dressed (Film category) at the 1st Korea Fashion World Awards
- 2004: Most Popular Actor for the South Korean film ‘Wild Card’ 27th Golden Cinematography Awards
- 2006: Plaque of Appreciation at the 1st Anniversary of the Police Film Festival
- 2009: Award from the Army Chief of Staff
- 2017: Special Award in Sitcom for the TV series ‘Borg Mom’ at the MBC Entertainment Awards
- 2022: Best Supporting Team for the South Korean TV series ‘Cheer Up’ at the SBS Drama Awards
Facts/Trivia
- In 2001, he was appointed as Hope 2002 Project Honorary Ambassador.
- In 2003, he was designated to the position of National Police Agency honorary police lieutenant.
- In 2022, he was appointed as public relations ambassador of the global medical volunteer group Green Doctors.
- On 8 Feb 2023, he made a donation of 10 million won to support the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake relief efforts. He made this donation through the Embassy of Turkey in South Korea. [4]Naver
