Sul Kyung Gu

Biography

Sul Kyung-gu (설경구), born on May 1, 1968, is a highly acclaimed South Korean actor. He was born in Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Sul pursued his higher education in Theater and Film at Hanyang University, graduating in 1994.   

Before transitioning to film, Sul Kyung-gu built a strong foundation in theater. Upon graduation, he actively participated in numerous theatrical productions in the Daehakro district of Seoul. Notably, he starred in the hit Korean adaptation of the German rock musical Subway Line 1 and also took part in productions of plays like Sam Shepard's True West and A. R. Gurney's Love Letters. Since 1988, he has also taken on minor roles in television.   

Sul made his film debut in 1996 with a role in A Petal. However, his breakthrough came in early 1999 when he landed the lead role in director Lee Chang-dong's critically acclaimed film Peppermint Candy. This marked the beginning of a successful film career, where he became known for his intense and versatile performances.   

Throughout the 2000s, Sul Kyung-gu solidified his position as one of the leading actors in the South Korean film industry, often mentioned alongside contemporaries like Choi Min-sik and Song Kang-ho. He is particularly recognized for his collaborations with director Lee Chang-dong in Peppermint Candy (2000) and Oasis (2002), for which he received significant acclaim.   

Another major milestone in his career was the Public Enemy film series (2002-2008), where he played a memorable, ruthless police officer, earning him the Baeksang Arts Award Grand Prize. In 2003, he starred in Silmido, which became the highest-grossing film in South Korea at the time of its release.   

His extensive filmography showcases his range and dedication to his craft, with notable titles including Jail Breakers (2002), Voice of a Murderer (2007), Tidal Wave (also known as Haeundae, 2009), The Tower (2012), Cold Eyes (2013), Hope (2013), The Merciless (2017), Memoir of a Murderer (2017), and The Book of Fish (2021).

In recent years, he has continued to take on diverse roles in films like Kingmaker (2022), Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (2022), Kill Boksoon (2023), and The Moon (2023). He is also set to appear in the upcoming Disney+ series Hyper Knife (2025), where he will play Dr. Choi Deok-hee, and the Netflix series The Whirlwind (2024).   

Sul Kyung-gu has received numerous awards throughout his career, recognizing his exceptional talent and contribution to South Korean cinema. He is known for his immersive portrayals and willingness to transform for his roles, often gaining or losing significant weight to better embody his characters, earning him the nickname "Mr. Fluctuating Weight." He is married to actress Song Yun-ah, and they have one child. He also has a child from a previous marriage.