Yang Dong-geun

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This article is about the actor. For the basketball player, see Yang Dong-geun (basketball).
In this Korean name, the family name is Yang.

Yang Dong-geun
Yang Dong-geun in March 2012
Born (1979-06-01) June 1, 1979 (age 46)
Seoul, South Korea[1]
Other names
  • YDG
  • Dong-kun Yang
EducationYong In University (Theatrical Performance)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • breakdancer
Years active1986–present
AgentPolaris Entertainment
SpousePark Ga-ram
Children3
Musical career
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenresHip hop
LabelsBrand New Music
Korean name
Hangul
양동근
Hanja
梁東根
[2]
RRYang Donggeun
MRYang Tonggŭn

Yang Dong-geun (Korean: 양동근; born June 1, 1979), also known as YDG, is a South Korean actor and rapper. He started his career as a child actor, drawing attention for his roles in the television shows Seoul Ttukbaegi (1990) and Hyung (1991).[3] He began releasing music as a rapper in 2001, establishing himself as a star of Korean hip-hop.[3] Yang continued acting, gaining popularity for his roles in the television shows New Nonstop (2002) and Ruler of Your Own World (2002).[4] He is best known outside of South Korea for playing Park Yong-sik in the second season of Squid Game (2024).[5]

Career

[edit]

His comeback project after being discharged from the military was the film Grand Prix with Kim Tae-hee. He was cast as male lead Lee Woo-suk after Lee Joon-gi had to pull out when the Military Manpower Administration declined his application to postpone enlistment for military service.[6][7]

On October 18 to November 23, 2008, he acted in the musical Mine with singer Kangta. The musical follows the true life story of Lieutenant Lee Jong-myung, who lost his legs in a land mine explosion near the demilitarized zone in June 2000, when he saved fellow soldier, Sul Dong-seob, from a minefield.[8]

In 2016, he and his daughter Yang Joy joined as a member of KBS variety show The Return of Superman.

Philanthropy

[edit]

On February 8, 2023, Yang donated 10 million won to help 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, by donating money through the Embassy of Turkey in South Korea.[9]

Personal life

[edit]

Yang and his wife Park Ga-ram have two sons and a daughter.[10][11]

Yang majored in Theatrical Performance at Yong In University.[12]

Yang enlisted for mandatory military service in May 2008 for 21 months of active duty.

Filmography

[edit]

Television series

[edit]
Year Title Role Network
1986 Three Families Under One Roof MBC
1987 Tappuri KBS
1989 Carousel KBS1
MBC Best Theater:
"Crescent Moon and Night"		 MBC
1990 Seoul Earthen Bowl Jang Soo-gon KBS
1991 Hyung (My Older Brother) young Dong-hoon KBS2
1992 Gwanchon Essay SBS
1995 New Generation Report: Adults Don't Know KBS1
1996 Three Guys and Three Girls MBC
1999 School 1 Jo Suk-ho KBS2
Ad Madness Hwang Dae-joo KBS2
2000 Drama City:
"He Got Off at The Train Station"		 KBS2
New Nonstop Yang Dong-geun MBC
8.15 Drama:
"Seongam Island"		 MBC
2001 The Full Sun Choi Dong-pal KBS2
2002 Ruler of Your Own World Ko Bok-su MBC
2006 Dr. Kkang Kang Dal-go MBC
2007 I Am Sam Jang Yi-san KBS2
2012 Hero Kim Heuk-chul OCN
2014 The Three Musketeers Heo Seung-po tvN
2016 My Fair Lady cameo KBS2
2017 Missing 9 Yoon Tae-young MBC
The Bride of Habaek Joo Dong tvN
Borg Mom Choi Go-Bong MBC
2018 The Third Charm[13] Lee Dong-jae JTBC
My Secret Terrius Cha Jung-il MBC
2020 365: Repeat the Year[14] Bae Jung-tae MBC
2021 Lost Woo-nam[15] JTBC
2022 Cheer Up[16] Bae Young-woong SBS
The Forbidden Marriage[17] Jo Seong-gyun MBC

Web series

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021 Emergency Doctor Yang Medical Sitcom [18]
Floor independent actor Audio drama [19]
2022 The King of the Desert Dong-hyeon [20]
Connect musician Z [21]
2023 Moving Jung Joon-hwa [22]
2024-2025 Squid Game Park Yong-sik (Player 007) Season 2 Season 3 [23]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role
1991 Super Hong Gil-dong 5 Dol-yi
1992 Backpack of Memories of Hae-ryong and Dal-ja
1998 Zzang (The Best) Yang Jong-gu
1999 White Valentine Han-seok
Dance Dance Soon-do
2000 Bloody Beach Jae-seung
2001 Address Unknown Chang-guk
2002 Bet on My Disco Wang Seok-gi
2003 Wild Card Bang Je-su
2004 The Last Wolf Choi Cheol-kwon
Fighter in the Wind Choi Bae-dal
2006 Monopoly Na Kyung-ho
2010 Grand Prix Lee Woo-seok
2011 The Perfect Game Sun Dong-yeol
2012 Love 911 Detective Bang Je-su (cameo)
2013 Days of Wrath Chang-shik
Rough Play Kang Bin (cameo)
Black Gospel (documentary) himself
2020 Night of the Undead Dr. Jang[24]
2022 Yaksha: Ruthless Operations Chief Hong[25][26]
2025 Mantis Gwang-cheon / Bi-cheon[27]
TBA Starlight Falls Craft beer brewery owner[28]

Variety shows

[edit]
Year Title Role
2014 Show Me the Money 3 Producer of "Team YDG"
2016 The Return of Superman Himself, with his children
2016 Unpretty Rapstar 3 Host
2017 Law of the Jungle in Komodo Cast member (Episodes 274–278)[29]
King of Mask Singer Contestant as "Columbus" (Episode 125)[30]
2020 Contestant as "Sergeant" (Episodes 261–262)[31][32]
2021–present Master of Life Narrator[33]

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Role
2005 Offending the Audience[34][35][36]
2008 Mine Kang Bong-tae
2015–2017 In the Heights Usnavi

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[37]
Yangdonggeun a.k.a Madman
  • Released: July 27, 2001
  • Label: Star J
  • Format: CD, cassette
 16
Da Man On The Block!!
  • Released: May 13, 2002
  • Label: Star J
  • Format: CD
 30
Travel
  • Released: November 25, 2003
  • Label: Square One
  • Format: CD, cassette
 12
Mirror (거울)
  • Released: July 13, 2006
  • Label: Danal
  • Format: CD
 —
But I Give (But I 드려)
  • Released: October 22, 2007
  • Label: Kemical Record
  • Format: CD
 22

Compilation albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
KOR
[42]
Best of Best
  • Released: November 9, 2010
  • Label: Kemical Record
  • Format: CD, digital download
 19

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
[43]
"Dog" (개키워) (2010 New Version) 2010 48 Non-album single
"Bandolier" (탄띠) 76 Best of Best
"Perfect Game" (with Skull) 2011 91 Non-album singles
"Just The Two Of Us" (feat. Bizzy and Lee Jung) 2012 18
"Give It to Me" (feat. Dok2 and The Quiett) —
"Father" 2013 42
"Jajaja" (feat. Dynamic Duo and Crush) 2014 47
"Jump Down" (feat. Ivy) 2015 —
"Beside Me" (with Code Kunst, Bewhy and Suran) 2016 —
"Work Spirit" (작업혼) (feat. Beenzino) —
"Don't Go" (feat. Hash Swan) —
"Casanova" (카사노바) (feat. Babylon and Carlos) 2017 —
"Then, Single?" (그럼..누님?) (with Esther Kim) 2018 —
"Going Home" 2019 —
"Package of Love" (사랑의 택배) —
"That G" (때찌) 2021 —
"Count Your Blessings" (with Dbo) 2025 —

Ambassadorship

[edit]
  • Public relations ambassador of the global medical volunteer group Green Doctors (2022)[44]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category, nominated work and the result of the nomination
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1991 27th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Young Actor Hyung Won
KBS Drama Awards Best Young Actor Won
2001 21st Korean Association of Film Critics Awards Best New Actor Address Unknown Won
MBC Entertainment Awards Top Excellence Award in a Sitcom New Nonstop Won
2002 MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Ruler of Your Own World Won
TV Actor of the Year (chosen by journalists) Won
TV Actor of the Year (chosen by netizens) Won
2003 39th Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor (TV) Won
1st Korea Fashion World Awards Best Dressed, Film category — Won
2004 27th Golden Cinematography Awards Most Popular Actor Wild Card Won
41st Grand Bell Awards Best Actor Nominated
2006 1st Anniversary of the Police Film Festival Plaque of Appreciation — Won
2009 Award from the Army Chief of Staff Recipient — Won
2017 MBC Entertainment Awards Special Award in Sitcom Borg Mom Won
2022 SBS Drama Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy[45] Cheer Up Nominated
Best Supporting Team[46] Won
MBC Drama Awards[47] Best Supporting Actor The Forbidden Marriage Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 양동근. Cinefox (씨네폭스) (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  2. ^ 영화 '와일드 카드' 주연 양동근·한채영 명예 경위 [Honorary detectives Yang Dong-geun and Han Chae-young star in the movie 'Wild Card']. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). August 6, 2003. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  3. ^ a b 양동근, 아역에서 34년차 배우로…잘 버텨온 진짜 만능 엔터테이너 [★파헤치기] [Yang Dong-geun, from child actor to 34-year veteran actor… A true all-round entertainer who has endured well]. Xports News (in Korean). September 27, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  4. ^ [인터뷰]양동근 '이젠 기술직 배우…'막장' 드라마 출연도 가능해' [[Interview] Yang Dong-geun, "Now a technical actor... I can even appear in a 'ridiculous' drama"]. The Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). September 29, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  5. ^ 양동근 "'오겜2'는 병풍이었던 내게 찾아온 거대한 파도" [Yang Dong-geun, "'Squid Game 2' is a huge wave that picked me up"]. Herald Corporation (in Korean). January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  6. ^ Ko, Kyoung-seok (April 28, 2010). "Lee Jun-ki to enter military next month". Asiae. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  7. ^ Kim, Lyn (May 10, 2010). "Yang Dong-geun to make comeback in film Grand Prix". Asiae. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  8. ^ Lee, Eun-joo (October 1, 2008). "Military musical mines true story of loyalty and sacrifice". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  9. ^ Park, Seo-yeon (February 8, 2023). 깊은 위로" 신민아→장성규, 튀르키예 강진에 ★들 기부 행렬 [MD이슈](종합) [Deep Consolation" Shin Min-ah→Jang Seong-gyu, donated procession to the Turkiye earthquake [MD issue] (comprehensive)] (in Korean). MyDaily. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2023 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Kim, Hyun-jung (May 2, 2017). 양동근, 셋째 득남 사진 공개…"왕자님입니다" [Yang Dong-geun reveals photos of third son… "He's a prince"]. Xports News (in Korean) – via Naver.
  11. ^ 중앙일보의 양동근 셋째 아기에 대한 스토리 이미지양동근, 셋째 득남 사진 공개…'깜찍한
  12. ^ "NATE" (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 7, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  13. ^ [공식입장]'제3의 매력' 양동근-이윤지, 출연 확정…서강준·이솜과 호흡. Sports Chosun (in Korean). July 10, 2018. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  14. ^ Kim, Jung-Eun (December 12, 2019). 양동근, 드라마 ‘365 : 운명을 거스르는 1년’ 출연 확정! ‘기대 UP’ [Yang Dong-geun confirmed his appearance in the drama '365: Repeat the Year'! 'Expectations Up']. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean).
  15. ^ Tae Yu-na (July 12, 2021). 전도연→류준열 '인간실격' 베일 벗었다 [Jeon Do-yeon → Ryu Jun-yeol took off the veil of 'disqualification']. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  16. ^ Kang Seon-ae (April 21, 2022). 카이스트' 이후 23년 만의 캠퍼스물 '치얼업', 한지현→배인혁 캐스팅 확정 [Cheer Up', the first campus film in 23 years since 'KAIST', cast Han Ji-hyun → Bae In-hyuk confirmed] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Baek Sung-hoon (October 12, 2022). 금혼령' 박주현→김영대, 첫 만남부터 완벽 호흡 ['The Forbidden Marriage' Park Joo-hyun → Kim Young-dae, perfect breathing from the first meeting] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Park Soo-in (October 1, 2021). 양동근→마미손 김희정 '이머전시' 출연, 래퍼들 멘탈 치유한다 [Yang Dong-geun → Mommy Son Kim Hee-jung Appears in 'Emergency' to heal rappers' mental health]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021 – via Naver.
  19. ^ Kim Na-ra (December 10, 2021). 이제훈X문채원 '층', 27일 바이브 공개 '국내 최초 오디오 무비' [공식] [Lee Je-hoon X Moon Chae-won 'Floor', Vibe released on the 27th 'Korea's first audio movie' [Official]] (in Korean). MyDaily. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021 – via Naver.
  20. ^ Kim Na-yeon (May 27, 2022). 진구·양동근·장동윤, 'D.P.' 김보통 작가 신작 '사막의 왕' 출연[공식] [Jin-goo, Yang Dong-geun, Jang Dong-yun, 'D.P.' Writer Kim Bo-tong's new work 'King of the Desert' Appears [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022 – via Naver.
  21. ^ Ahn Eun-jae (November 28, 2022). '커넥트' 김뢰하·양동근, '믿보배' 배우진 몰입감 더한다. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  22. ^ Kim, Hyeon-jeong (September 9, 2023). "(title is in Korean)". Gukje News. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  23. ^ Kim Joon-seok (June 18, 2023). '오징어 게임2' 이정재·이병헌·공유→임시완·강하늘·양동근 캐스팅 확정[공식] ['Squid Game 2' Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo → Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Yang Dong-geun cast confirmed [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Naver.
  24. ^ "'Night of the Undead' features more than just absurd comedy". The Korea Herald. September 2, 2020. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  25. ^ Jung Yu-jin (August 13, 2021). 설경구·박해수 '야차', 넷플릭스 공개 확정 [Seol Kyung-gu and Park Hae-soo's 'Yacha' to be released on Netflix]. News1 (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  26. ^ Jung Yu-jin (March 4, 2022). 설경구·박해수 '야차', 4월8일 넷플릭스 공개 확정 [Seol Kyung-gu and Park Hae-soo's 'Yacha' to be released on Netflix on April 8] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022 – via Naver.
  27. ^ "Netflix's film "Mantis" starring Yim Siwan reaches second place globally... Making-of stills revealed". October 8, 2025.
  28. ^ Yeon Hwi-seon (February 18, 2022). 이솜X옹성우X심은경X양동근, '별빛이 내린다' 출연...4월 크랭크인 [공식] [Esom X Ong Seong-wu X Shim Eun-kyung X Yang Dong-geun to appear in 'Starlight Falls'... April crank-in [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022 – via Naver.
  29. ^ Im Joo-hyun (March 21, 2017). 이수근부터양동근·유이까지..'정법' 코모도라인업완성(공식). Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  30. ^ Yoo Ji-hye (August 20, 2017). '복면' 김대희·예빈·양동근·임상아..이게 '소름 반전' [종합]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  31. ^ Kim Na-ra (June 28, 2020). [종합] '복면가왕' 오승아X창빈X차준환X강재준, 원더걸스 등 원곡자도 놀란 반전 '깜짝'. MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  32. ^ Ji Min-kyung (July 5, 2020). '복면가왕' 장미여사, 2연승 성공 '감격의 눈물'..오징어 정체는 김정민 [종합]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  33. ^ Lee Seung-gil (October 6, 2021). 양동근, '생활의 달인' 내레이터 합류…황인용, 7년만에 하차 [Yang Dong-geun joins 'Master of Life' narrator... Hwang In-yong to leave after 7 years]. MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021 – via Naver.
  34. ^ "양동근 연극무대 데뷔". Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  35. ^ "::리빙앤조이". Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  36. ^ "[生生인터뷰] '관객모독'으로 연극무대 도전 양동근". Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  37. ^ Recording Industry Association of Korea monthly chart positions:
  38. ^ 2001년 가요 음반 판매 집계 현황 [2001 Total K-pop Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2002. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  39. ^ "2002.06월 - 가요 음반 판매량" [June 2002 K-Pop Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 21, 2006. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  40. ^ "2003.12월 - 가요 음반 판매량" [December 2003 K-Pop Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 26, 2005. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  41. ^ "2007.총결산 판매량" [2007 Total Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  42. ^ 2010년 47주차 Album Chart [2010 Week 47 Album Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  43. ^ Circle (formerly Gaon) Digital Chart positions:
  44. ^ Kim Bo-ra (April 14, 2022). 양동근, 의료봉사단체 '그린 닥터스' 홍보대사 발탁[공식] [Yang Dong-geun selected as an ambassador for medical volunteer group 'Green Doctors' [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2022 – via Naver.
  45. ^ Kim, Na-yeon (December 31, 2022). 천변' 박진우·공민정, 남녀 조연상 '싹쓸이'.."생각도 못해" 울컥[2022 SBS 연기대상] ['Cheongbyeon' Park Jin-woo and Gong Min-jung, male and female supporting actors 'sweeping' .. "I can't even think of it" crying [2022 SBS Drama Awards]]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Naver.
  46. ^ Kim, Ji-hye (January 1, 2023). "[2022 SBS 연기대상]'악마음' 김남길, 두번째 대상 영예..남궁민 디렉터즈 어워드(종합)" [[2022 SBS Drama Awards] 'Evil Mind' Kim Nam-gil, second grand prize .. Namgoong-min Director's Award (comprehensive)] (in Korean). Herald POP. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2022 – via Naver.
  47. ^ Choi, Hee-jae (December 30, 2022). 예수정·이창훈, 조연상 수상…우현주, 감격의 눈물 [MBC 연기대상] [Ye Soo-jeong and Lee Chang-hoon won the Best Supporting Actor Award... Woo Hyeon-joo, tears of emotion [MBC Drama Awards]] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023 – via Naver.
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