Kim Yoon-seok is a renowned South Korean actor, film director, and screenwriter. He is celebrated for his powerful and versatile performances across crime, thriller, historical, and dramatic cinema. Born on January 21, 1968, in Danyang County, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea, he is one of the most bankable and critically acclaimed character actors in the Korean entertainment industry. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has transitioned from gritty stage productions to massive commercial and artistic box-office hits.
- Quick Facts About Kim Yoon-seok
- Early Life and Background
- Acting Career Breakthroughs
- Directorial Debut
- Selected Filmography
- Awards and Accolades
- Personal Life: Wife and Children
- Net Worth
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Kim Yoon-seok’s wife?
- How many children does Kim Yoon-seok have?
- What is Kim Yoon-seok’s net worth?
- How tall is Kim Yoon-seok?
- What are some of Kim Yoon-seok’s most famous movies?
- Has Kim Yoon-seok directed any films?
Quick Facts About Kim Yoon-seok
- Full Name: Kim Yoon-seok
- Date of Birth: January 21, 1968
- Age: 58 years old
- Place of Birth: Danyang County, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Ethnicity: Korean
- Height: 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
- Religion: Catholicism
- Spouse: Bang Joo-ran (m. 2002)
- Children: 2 daughters
- Occupation: Actor, film director, screenwriter
- Net Worth: $8 million
Early Life and Background
Kim Yoon-seok was raised by his parents in Danyang County before spending much of his childhood in Busan. He eventually moved to Seoul to pursue his creative ambitions. Growing up, he developed a deep passion for the arts and later attended Dong-eui University, where he majored in German Language and Literature. Although his academic major was unrelated to performing arts, his dedication to acting guided him directly to the theatre.
He made his professional stage debut in 1988 in a production of A Streetcar Named Desire. During the early 1990s, he joined the Yeon Woo Theater Company and appeared in numerous stage productions that sharpened his craft. Before breaking into commercial cinema, Kim faced significant financial and career struggles. He reportedly contemplated leaving film acting altogether until fellow actors, including Song Kang-ho, encouraged him to persist.
Acting Career Breakthroughs
Kim transitioned slowly into cinema, starting with minor roles in films such as A Little Lover, Kiss Me Much, The Big Swindle, and Running Wild. His breakthrough arrived in 2006 when he played the formidable gambler Agwi in Choi Dong-hoon’s box-office hit Tazza: The High Rollers. His magnetic performance won him the Best Supporting Actor award at the Grand Bell Awards.
In 2008, Kim achieved superstardom starring as Eom Joong-ho, a former detective turned pimp turned vigilante, in Na Hong-jin’s tense thriller The Chaser. The role earned him sweeping critical acclaim and multiple Best Actor trophies. He followed this success with celebrated turns in The Yellow Sea, The Thieves, Hwayi: A Monster Boy, 1987: When the Day Comes, Dark Figure of Crime, and Escape from Mogadishu.
Directorial Debut
Demonstrating his storytelling versatility behind the camera, Kim made his directorial and screenwriting debut in 2019 with the family drama Another Child. Starring Yum Jung-ah and Kim So-jin, the film explored complex domestic relationships and earned international festival recognition, including a Special Mention at the Fantasia International Film Festival.
Selected Filmography
- A Little Lover (1994)
- The Big Swindle (2004)
- Tazza: The High Rollers (2006)
- The Chaser (2008)
- Running Turtle (2009)
- The Yellow Sea (2010)
- The Thieves (2012)
- Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013)
- The Classified File (2015)
- 1987: When the Day Comes (2017)
- Dark Figure of Crime (2018)
- Another Child (2019 – Director)
- Escape from Mogadishu (2021)
- Noryang: Deadly Sea (2023)
Awards and Accolades
- 2007 Grand Bell Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Tazza: The High Rollers)
- 2008 Blue Dragon Film Awards: Best Actor (The Chaser)
- 2008 Korean Film Awards: Best Actor (The Chaser)
- 2018 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best Actor (1987: When the Day Comes)
- 2018 Blue Dragon Film Awards: Best Actor (1987: When the Day Comes)
- 2022 Republic of Korea: Presidential Commendation
Personal Life: Wife and Children
Kim Yoon-seok married South Korean actress Bang Joo-ran in 2002 after meeting through theatre circles. The couple has been married for over two decades and shares two daughters. Kim maintains a relatively private personal life, preferring to keep details about his children away from the media spotlight. In his downtime, he enjoys reading, listening to music, exploring art, and traveling.
Net Worth
As of 2026, Kim Yoon-seok has an estimated net worth of $8 million. His wealth stems from decades of successful leading roles in high-grossing South Korean blockbuster films, television projects, endorsement deals, and income generated from his work as a film director and screenwriter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kim Yoon-seok’s wife?
Kim Yoon-seok is married to South Korean actress Bang Joo-ran. The couple tied the knot in 2002.
How many children does Kim Yoon-seok have?
He has two daughters with his wife, Bang Joo-ran.
What is Kim Yoon-seok’s net worth?
Kim Yoon-seok has an estimated net worth of $8 million, earned through his extensive acting and filmmaking career.
How tall is Kim Yoon-seok?
He stands at a height of 178 cm (5 feet 10 inches).
What are some of Kim Yoon-seok’s most famous movies?
Some of his most acclaimed films include The Chaser, Tazza: The High Rollers, The Thieves, 1987: When the Day Comes, and Escape from Mogadishu.
Has Kim Yoon-seok directed any films?
Yes, he made his directorial and screenwriting debut with the 2019 family drama film Another Child.
