Jang Geun-Suk was born on August 4, 1987 in Danyang Country, Chungcheongbuk Province, South Korea. He is an only child. Geun-Suk started working as a child model at the age of five after he was discovered by a talent agent. At that time, Keun-Suk's parents were selling their house and the agent, who was a prospective buyer, saw Geun-Suk. Seeing his potential, the agent advised Keun-Suk's parents to allow him to try a career in modeling.
[edit] Career
Jang Keun-Suk made his acting debut in the 1997 HBS sitcom "Selling Happiness" (Haengbokeul Pabmoda). He then continued to work in television as a child actor. In middle school, Geun-Suk heard the music of Japanese pop singer Ken Hirai & Japanese rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel. He was inspired enough by these bands to start learning Japanese by himself. In junior high school, Keun-Suk went to school in New Zealand to learn English and Japanese. Because of his studies in New Zealand, he can carry casual conversations in both languages. Even though Keun-Suk wanted to continue his studies in New Zealand, a job offer brought him back to South Korea, a role in the popular MBC sitcom Nonstop 4. After his work in Nonstop 4, Keun-Suk fell into a self-perceived slump and didn't think his acting was good enough. He decided then to re-devote himself to becoming a true actor. In 2005, Geun Seok's portrayal of the president's son in the SBS drama "Lovers In Prague" became a hit and was well regarded by drama fans.
In 2006, Keun-Suk made the jump to the big screen in the Japanese horror film One Missed Call Final where he played the role of a deaf boy. Using his past experience with the Japanese language, Keun-Suk was able to communicate with his Japanese co-stars with ease. He also learned sign language in preparation for his role.
Back on the small screen, he next played the role of Kim Eun-ho, Hwang Jin-yi's first love in the TV drama Hwang Jin-i. Geun-Suk's performance gained the attention of many female fans. He also starred in the KBS drama, Hong Gil Dong, as Prince Lee Changhwi. In 2007, Geun-Suk was cast in the rock music themed film "The Happy Life." His portrayal of Hyeon-ju in "The Happy Life" allowed Keun-Suk to show off his masculine charms, as well as display his skills as a singer. Geun-Suk would go on to play in two more music inspired titles in 2008, with the feature film Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do and the hit MBC TV drama Beethoven Virus.
Keun-Suk's next role in the 2009 thriller The Case of Itaewon Homicide was his first villain role. The film is based on a true story of a murder that occurred at a Burger King restaurant in Itaewon, South Korea. Geun-Suk portrayed the role of Pearson, a disturbed, young Korean-American accused of stabbing a student to death. Keun-Suk had to speak his lines in English throughout the film, a job he did well, according to BeyondHollywood.com: "Jang Keun Suk performs very well as the sullen Pearson."[1]
Film critics and moviegoers also praised Keun-Suk for his acting. A movie review posted on LondonKoreanLinks.com said: "The casting is cleverly done with Jang Geun-suk as the ‘innocent’ accused, his popularity allowing the audience to feel some empathy and warmth to an otherwise unattractive character. He does well in this role, a break from his normal cheerful persona and, combined with the fact he has to speak English through most of the film, it’s quite impressive. Its not perfect American accent of course, but it plays a vital part in itself."
In You're Beautiful, Keun-Suk played the role of Hwang Tae-Kyung, leader of rock band A.N.Jell, who falls in love with a fellow band member who is a female pretending to be a guy on behalf of her brother, played by Park Shin Hye. The show, which also starred Lee Hong Ki and Jung Yong Hwa, obtained a cult following online and became a hit in other Asian countries.
Keun-Suk was also one of the actors who appeared in the photoshoot "Kolon Christmas Photo Shoot" in 2008, along with co-actors Joo Jin Mo, Song Il-gook, Ko Soo, and Park Jae-jung.[3] He also was a host on Tracking Your X Boyfriend. He's also known for his outspoken personality and tectonic dance.
Though he sings for some of his dramas, he has not released any music of his own except for a few songs done for advertisements: "Black Engine" for Mens cosmetics and skin care, and "Touch Holic" and "Just Drag" for Saumsung's YP-M1 mp3 player from the YEPP line.
He will next be seen in the Korean movie adaptation of the Japanese drama Kimi wa Petto.
His last project was Mary Stayed Out All Night where he became Kang Mu Gyul, a rockstar of indie band who have to pretend to be a fake husband of Wi Mae-Ri played by Moon Geun Young. Although the rating wasn't very good, the GeunGeun Couple (Geun-Suk and Geun Young) become the hottest couple of the year due of their chemistry in the drama. Their team up become popular not only in Korea but also in Asia. He also sang the OST for this drama.
Keun-Suk did some advertisements in 2010–2011 such as Ole Beauty Candy, Zegda CF, Code Combines CF and Samsung Galaxy Player.[4]
His first single as a singer, "Let Me Cry", was released by Pony Canyon in Japan on April 27, 2011. "Let Me Cry" debuted at number 1 on Japan's Oricon single charts, making him the first non-Japanese act to have the debut single to debut at number 1 on the charts.[5]
Filmography
Television
Year
Title
Role
Notes

1998
Hug (포옹)
Won Joo


2000
School3 (학교3)
Kang Won Seok's younger brother


2001
Ladies Of The Palace / Women's World (여인천하)
Young Jeong Ryeom



Four Sisters' Story (네 자매 이야기)
Yeong Hoon


2002
Orange (오렌지)
Jang Keun-Suk



The Great Ambition (대망)
Young Park Shi-yeong


2003
Nonstop 4 (논스톱4)
Jang Keun-Suk


2005
Lovers in Prague (프라하의 연인)
Yoon Gun-hee


2006
Alien Teacher (에일리언샘)
Bong Saem (Luxurious)



Hwang Jin-i (황진이)
Kim Eun Ho


2008
Hong Gil Dong (쾌도홍길동}
Lee Chang Whee



Beethoven Virus (베토벤 바이러스)
Kang Geon Woo (Trumpet)


2009
You're Beautiful (미남이시네요)
Hwang Tae Kyung


2010
Mary Stayed Out All Night (매리는 외박중)
Kang Mu-Kyul


[edit] Film
Year
Title
Role
Notes

2006
One Missed Call: Final
An Jin Woo
Japanese film

2007
Happy Life (즐거운 인생)
Park Hyeon-jun


2008
The Longest 24 Months (기다리다 미쳐)
Park Won-Jae



Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do (film) (도레미파솔라시도)
Shin Eun-gyu



Baby and I (아기와 나)
Han Joon-Su


2009
The Case of Itaewon Homicide (이태원 살인사건)
Pearson
Korean American. English speaking role

2011
You're my Pet (너는팻)



Discography
Single
"Let Me Cry" (in Japan)
Awards
2010 KBS Drama Awards: International Netizen's Popularity Award - Mary Stayed Out All Night
2010 KBS Drama Awards: Best Couple Award - with Moon Geun Young- Mary Stayed Out All Night
2010 Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards: Top Buzz Male Korea Star Award & the Top Buzz Male Asia Star Award [6]
2010 Baeksang Awards : Male Popularity Award (Itaewon Murder Case)
2009 SBS Drama Awards: Teens' Star Award (Actor) - You're Beautiful
2009 SBS Drama Awards: Netizens' Popularity Award - You're Beautiful
2008 MBC Drama Awards: New Actor Award - Beethoven Virus
2008 KBS Drama Awards: Popularity Award (Actor)- Hong Gil Dong
2008 SBS 44th Annual Baeksang Arts Awards - Best New Actor (Movie- The Happy Life)
2006 KBS Performance Awards: Best Couple Award (With co-star Ha Ji Won)
MNet TOP 100 Charming Guys Who are Single
MNet Top 100 Adorable Males (2006): # 29
MNet Top 100 Must Have Males (2007): # 3
2008 KBS Drama Award: Hong Gil Dong - Jang Keun Suk & Sung Yuri best couple actress
[edit] Product Endorsements
LeSportsac
Coca Cola
Daily Milk
Hyundai
Salim Food
Shu Uemura
Kellogs Cornflakes
Ottogi Quick Meals
Chic Choc Biscuit
Motorola
SAMSUNG Products YEPP YP-M1/ Toucholic/ Magic Drag (ft. SISTAR's Hyo Rin)
TTL Phone call charges
SK Telecom (with BoA )
ETUDE House -Aqua Sherbet Summer Collection and Vitcara(with Ara)
ETUDE House -BB JINJU Compact Powder and Etude VIP Girl (with Park Shin Hye)
Garden 5 CF Mall – (with Park Shin Hye)
Maxim Coffee- (with Kim So Eun)
Maeil Caffe Latte
Skool Looks
MCM Collections
Black ‘N Jean
BSX Clothing
EXR Clothing – (with Kim Ri Na )
Jack & Jill environmental fashion
Ole beauty Candy
Zegda CF from China
Code Combines CF
Samsung Galaxy Player
Suntory Seoul Makgeolli CF
[edit] References
^ "Review of "The Case of the Itaewon Homicide"". BeyondHollywood.com. link.
^ "Review of "The Case of Itaewon Homicide"". LondonKoreanLinks.com. link.
^ YouTube: Kolon Christmas Photo Shoot
^ link 장근석, 新한류스타 부상..드라마 이어 영화 겨냥
^ "チャン・グンソク、海外歌手史上初のデビュー作初登場首位" (in Japanese). Oricon Style. Oricon. May 3, 2011. link. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
^ [1]
[edit] External links
Jang Geun-suk Official Website
Jang Geun-suk at the Internet Movie Database
Jang Geun-suk at HanCinema
Keun Suk Fansite Sukkies Fansite (Philippines)
Love Jang Keun Suk Love Jang Keun Suk - the newest English source
Jang Geun-suk Suk Age - JangKeunSuk Hong Kong Critical Fansite
♥۩۞۩张根硕马来西亚首站JKSFCMsia۩۞۩♥
Jang Geun-suk CRI-J I Love Jang Geun Suk Site♥