Sol Kyung-gu

Sol Kyung-gu (born May 14, 1967) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in Public Enemy film series, Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Silmido, Hope and The Merciless.

Sol Kyung-gu
Sol in March 2019
Born (1967-05-14) May 14, 1967
EducationHanyang University
OccupationActor
Years active1993–present
AgentC-JeS Entertainment
Spouse(s)
unnamed
(m. 1996; div. 2006)

(m. 2009)
Children2
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSeol Gyeong-gu
McCune–ReischauerSŏl Kyŏnggu

Career

Sol was born in Seocheon on May 1, 1968, and studied Theater and Film at Hanyang University (Class of '86). Upon his graduation in 1994, he appeared in numerous theatrical productions, such as the hit Korean adaptation of the German rock musical Subway Line 1, and productions of Sam Shepard's True West and A. R. Gurney's Love Letters.[1]

In the mid-1990s, Sol began taking on minor roles in feature films, but it was not until 1999 that he made his breakthrough, with major roles in The Bird That Stops in the Air, Rainbow Trout, and Peppermint Candy in which he played a suicidal man devastated by the two-decades of historical change his country undergoes.[2] The film was acclaimed and brought Sol to win his first Best Actor award at the 2000 Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Sol next appeared in a romantic comedy I Wish I Had a Wife with Jeon Do-yeon in 2001, and then acted in a Japanese TV drama produced by NHK.

In 2002, Sol starred in three major films. As a violent and unscrupulous police detective in Public Enemy, he won Best Actor at the Grand Bell Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards respectively. In August, he starred in Lee Chang-dong's acclaimed third film Oasis, which won the Silver Lion for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival. Sol's portrayal of mildly mentally disabled outcast with sociopathic inclinations won him Best Actor at the Chunsa Film Art Awards, Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, Korean Film Awards, Director's Cut Awards, and 29th Seattle International Film Festival. In November, he acted together with Cha Seung-won in a box office hit Jail Breakers by director Kim Sang-jin.[3]

In 2003, Sol starred in Silmido directed by Cinema Service founder Kang Woo-suk, which became the first Korean film in history to gross 10 million admissions.[4][5] His next role was as the title character in Rikidōzan, about the legendary ethnic Korean pro wrestler who became a national hero in Japan in the 1950s. Sol gained 20 kilograms for the role and also delivered 95% of his lines in Japanese. Although his performance was acclaimed, the film vastly underperformed on its local release.[6][7]

In 2005, Sol starred in the sequel Another Public Enemy, which ended up outgrossing the original.[8] This was followed by a second sequel, Public Enemy Returns in 2008. His other films Haeundae (2009), The Tower (2012) and Cold Eyes (2013) have also been box office hits.[9][10][11][12][13][14] For his performance in Haeundae, he won Grand Prize at the 2009 Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards, followed by Best Actor award at the 18th Chunsa Film Art Awards for his performance in 2010 film No Mercy.

In 2013, Sol was cast in family drama Hope,[15] directed by Lee Joon-ik, which won him Best Actor at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards. The following year, Sol starred in My Dictator, as an aspiring actor who is forced to impersonate North Korean leader. For his performance in My Dictator, he won Best Actor at the 35th Golden Cinematography Awards.[16]

Sol began teaching acting in 2014, at his alma mater Hanyang University, as an adjunct professor in the College of Performing Arts.[17][18][19]

In 2015, Sol starred in the war drama film The Long Way Home alongside Yeo Jin-goo, playing a South Korean farmer who befriended a North Korea soldier.[20][21][22]

In 2017, Sol starred opposite Im Si-wan in The Merciless. It was shown out of competition in the Midnight Screenings section at the 70th Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2017.[23][24] The film brought Sol to win Best Actor awards at the 54th Grand Bell Awards and 37th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards. He next starred in thriller film Memoir of a Murderer, as a retired serial killer with Alzheimer's disease.[25][26] For his performance in Memoir of a Murderer, Sol received Best Actor awards at the 17th Director's Cut Awards in 2017 and the 9th Korea Film Reporters Association Film Awards (KOFRA) in 2018.[27][28] The release of Sol's third film in 2017, I Want to Know Your Parents,[29] has been postponed indefinitely following the scandal of actor Oh Dal-su.[30]

Sol next starred in a 2019 film Idol opposite Han Suk-kyu and Chun Woo-hee, which opened in March.[31] Despite the solid acting by three senior actors, Idol received mix reviews.[32] In April 2019, Sol reunited with Jeon Do-yeon, eighteen years after I Wish I Had a Wife, in the film Birthday.[33] The film, inspired by the Sinking of MV Sewol tragedy, deals with the struggles faced by a couple who lose their son in a tragic accident.[34] The film had its international premiere at the 2019 Far East Film Festival in Udine.[35] The same year, Sol starred in the human comedy film Man to Men with Cho Jin-woong.[36][37]

Sol is set to reunite with The Merciless director Byun Sung-hyun for the film King Maker. It will be released in 2020.[38]

Personal life

Sol married the younger sister of actor Ahn Nae-sang in 1996. They have one daughter together. After being separated for four years, Sol and his wife divorced on July 21, 2006.[39] On May 28, 2009, Sol married actress Song Yoon-ah. They have one son together. Sol and Song previously worked together in the films Jail Breakers (2002) and Lost in Love (2006).[40][41]

Filmography

Film

Year English title Korean title Role Notes
1996 A Petal 꽃잎 Brother of girl
Love Story 러브스토리 Young-ho
1998 Girls' Night Out 처녀들의 저녁식사 Gyu-sik
1999 Phantom: The Submarine 유령 Number 432
Rainbow Trout 송어 Min-soo
2000 Peppermint Candy 박하사탕 Kim Yong-ho
The Legend of Gingko 단적비연수 Juk
2001 I Wish I Had a Wife 나도 아내가 있었으면 좋겠다 Kim Bong-soo
2002 Public Enemy 공공의 적 Kang Chul-joong
The Bird That Stops in the Air 새는 폐곡선을 그린다 Kim
Oasis 오아시스 Hong Jong-du
Jail Breakers 광복절 특사 Yu Jae-pil
2003 Silmido 실미도 Kang In-chan
2004 Rikidōzan 역도산 Rikidōzan/Kim Sin-rak
2005 Another Public Enemy 공공의 적 2 Kang Chul-joong
2006 Lost in Love 사랑을 놓치다 Woo-jae [42][43]
Cruel Winter Blues 열혈남아 Shim Jae-mun [44]
2007 Voice of a Murderer 그놈 목소리 Han Kyung-bae [45][46]
Venus and Mars 싸움 Kim Sang-min [47]
2008 Public Enemy Returns 강철중: 공공의 적 1-1 Kang Chul-joong
2009 Haeundae 해운대 Choi Man-sik
Closer to Heaven 내 사랑 내 곁에 Kim Jong-do Cameo
A Brand New Life 여행자 Jin-hee's father
2010 No Mercy 용서는 없다 Kang Min-ho [48][49]
Troubleshooter 해결사 Kang Tae-sik [50][51]
Camellia 카멜리아 Yong-soo Short film (segment: "Kamome")
2012 The Tower 타워 Kang Young-ki
2013 Cold Eyes 감시자들 Chief Detective Hwang
The Spy: Undercover Operation 스파이 Chul-soo [52][53]
Hope 소원 Im Dong-hoon [15]
2014 My Dictator 나의 독재자 Kim Sung-geun [54][55]
2015 The Long Way Home 서부전선 Nam-bok [20]
2017 Lucid Dream 루시드 드림 Bang-seop [56]
The Merciless 불한당: 나쁜 놈들의 세상 Jae-ho [23]
Memoir of a Murderer 살인자의 기억법 Byeong-soo [25]
1987: When the Day Comes 1987 Kim Jeong-nam Special appearance[57]
2019 Idol 우상 Yoo Joong-sik [31]
Birthday 생일 Jung-il [33]
Man of Men Jang-su [37]
2020 I Want to Know Your Parents 니 부모 얼굴이 보고 싶다 [29]
Kingmaker: The Fox of the Election 킹메이커: 선거판의 여우 Kim Woon-beom [38]
Yacha 야차 Kang-inn [58]
2021 Fisherman 자산어보 Jeong Yak Jeon
TBA Ghost 유령 Junji Murayama Filming[59]

Television series

Year Title Role Network
1988 Joy of Love KBS
1991 Magpie Daughter-in-law MBC
1994 Oldest Sister MBC
1997 A Bluebird Has It KBS2
White Christmas SBS
2001 Prince Shōtoku NHK

Music video appearances

Year Song title Artist
2004 "I Loved You to Death" SG Wannabe
2015 "How Much Love Do You Have in Your Wallet?" Park Yoo-chun

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1992 28th Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor in Theater Won
1999 7th Chunsa Film Art Awards Best New Actor Rainbow Trout Nominated
20th Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominated
2000 10th Oslo International Film Festival Special Mention Award Peppermint Candy Won
36th Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor Won
8th Chunsa Film Art Awards Best Actor Won
2nd International Film Festival Bratislava[60] Won
37th Grand Bell Awards Nominated
Best New Actor Won
20th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards Won
23rd Golden Cinematography Awards Won
21st Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Actor Won
Cine 21 Awards Peppermint Candy, The Legend of Gingko Won
2002 38th Baeksang Arts Awards Grand Prize Public Enemy Won
Best Actor Nominated
39th Grand Bell Awards Best Actor Won
23rd Blue Dragon Film Awards Won
Cine 21 Awards Public Enemy, Oasis, Jail Breakers Won
10th Chunsa Film Art Awards Oasis Won
3rd Busan Film Critics Awards Won
22nd Korean Association of Film Critics Awards Won
1st Korean Film Awards Won
5th Director's Cut Awards Won
2003 29th Seattle International Film Festival Won
39th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor Nominated
26th Golden Cinematography Awards Most Popular Actor Won
3rd Korea World Youth Film Festival Favorite Actor Won
2004 40th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor Silmido Nominated
2005 42nd Grand Bell Awards Best Actor Rikidōzan Nominated
Another Public Enemy Nominated
2006 3rd Max Movie Awards Nominated
2007 44th Grand Bell Awards Voice of a Murderer Nominated
28th Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominated
6th Korean Film Awards Cruel Winter Blues Nominated
15th Chunsa Film Art Awards Nominated
2008 16th Chunsa Film Art Awards Public Enemy Returns Nominated
29th Blue Dragon Film Awards[61] Nominated
Popular Star Award Won
2009 45th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor Nominated
17th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards Grand Prize Haeundae Won
46th Grand Bell Awards Best Actor Nominated
2010 18th Chunsa Film Art Awards No Mercy Won
2013 33rd Korean Association of Film Critics Awards Hope Nominated
34th Blue Dragon Film Awards[62] Won
Popular Star Award Nominated
2014 50th Baeksang Arts Awards[63] Best Actor Won
13th New York Asian Film Festival[64] Star Asia Award N/A Won
22nd Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards Grand Prize My Dictator Won
1st Korean Film Producers Association Awards Best Actor Won
2015 35th Golden Cinematography Awards[16] Won
51st Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor Nominated
2017 Korean Film Shining Star Awards Star Award The Merciless, Lucid Dream Won
1st The Seoul Awards Best Actor The Merciless, Memoir of a Murderer Nominated
54th Grand Bell Awards[65] The Merciless Won
37th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards[66] Won
38th Blue Dragon Film Awards Popular Star Award[67] Won
Best Actor Nominated
Cine 21 Awards Won
17th Director's Cut Awards[27] Memoir of a Murderer Won
2018 9th KOFRA Film Awards[28] Won
Faro Island Film Festival The Merciless Nominated
54th Baeksang Arts Awards[68] Best Actor Nominated
23rd Chunsa Film Art Awards[69] Best Actor Nominated
2019 23rd Fantasia International Film Festival[70] Idol Won
28th Buil Film Awards [71] Birthday Nominated
40th Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominated
2020 56th Grand Bell Awards Nominated

References

  1. Lee, Yong-sung (20 October 2005). "Film star comes back to drama stage". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  2. Scott, A.O. (31 March 2001). "Peppermint Candy: A Life Retreats From Tragedy to Happy Beginnings". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  3. "Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Sol Kyung-gu". Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  4. "Seol Soldiers on to Make 'Silmido' a Blockbuster". Chosun via Hancinema. 19 December 2003.
  5. "'Silmido' makes box office history". Korea JoongAng Daily. 19 February 2004.
  6. Lee, Seung-jae (1 December 2004). "I Reflected on Myself in Rikidozan". The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  7. "Sul Kyung-gu Brings a Touch of Muscle to Wrestling Role". The Chosun Ilbo. 15 December 2004. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  8. "Film Sequels to Hit Local Theaters". The Korea Times. 9 January 2005.
  9. "Sul Returns as Kang Cheol-jung". The Korea Times. 19 June 2008.
  10. "[INTERVIEW] Actor Sul Kyung-gu (Part 1)". 10Asia. 11 January 2010.
  11. "[INTERVIEW] Actor Sul Kyung-gu (Part 2)". 10Asia. 12 January 2010.
  12. "[INTERVIEW] Actor Sul Kyung-gu (Part 3)". 10Asia. 12 January 2010.
  13. Kim, Hyun-min; Lee, Eun-sun (21 December 2012). "THE TOWER's SOL Kyung-gu & SON Ye-jin: Actors' Experience from the Desperate Survival Drama". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  14. "Police Are Hot in Pursuit of a Kingpin in COLD EYES". Korean Film Biz Zone. 8 February 2013.
  15. "NY Asian 2014: HOPE, Korean Acting Legend Sol Kyung-gu Tackles Family Devastation". Screen Daily. 22 July 2014.
  16. "Kim Hye-soo and Sul Kyung-gu to be awarded the Best Actress and Actor". Segye via Hancinema. 20 September 2015.
  17. "Sol Kyung-gu to Teach Acting at Hanyang University". The Chosun Ilbo. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  18. Park, Si-soo (20 March 2014). "Entertainers take on teaching role". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  19. "SEOL Kyung-gu Becomes Professor". Korean Film Biz Zone. 13 March 2014.
  20. "SEOL Kyung-gu and YEO Jin-gu Team for Korean War Film". Korean Film Biz Zone. 25 August 2014.
  21. Jang, Sung-ran; Kim, Hyo-eun (22 September 2015). "Becoming friends on screen and off". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2015-09-22.
  22. Shim, Sun-ah (22 September 2015). "(Yonhap Interview) Actor attracted by dullness of The Long Way Home". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2015-09-24.
  23. "SUL Kyung-gu & IM Si-wan Wrap HOODLUM". Korean Film Biz Zone. 22 December 2016.
  24. "[Herald Interview] 'The Merciless' shows a new Seol Kyung-gu". The Korea Herald. 10 May 2017.
  25. "SUL Kyung-gu, KIM Nam-gil Board New Thriller". Korean Film Biz Zone. 1 September 2015.
  26. "Seol Gyeong-Gu, Wants to become a Proud Actor (Interview)". 10Asia. 10 September 2017.
  27. "BONG Joon-ho Scores 4th DGK Award for OKJA". Korean Film Biz Zone. 15 December 2017.
  28. "1987 Tops Korean Film Reporters Association Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. 9 February 2018.
  29. "SUL Kyung-gu, OH Dal-su, CHUN Woo-hee, MOON So-ri Enter School Bullying Drama". Korean Film Biz Zone. 23 June 2017.
  30. "[이슈IS] 오달수 주연작 전편 무기한 개봉 연기.."대책 없다"" (in Korean). JTBC. 5 June 2018.
  31. "IDOL Begins Filming with HAN Suk-kyu, SUL Kyung-gu and CHUN Woo-hee". Korean Film Biz Zone. 6 November 2017.
  32. Yoon, Min-sik (March 11, 2019). "[Herald Review] Style, great acting not enough to salvage pretentious and gratuitous 'Idol'". Korea Herald. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  33. "JEON Do-yeon and SUL Kyung-gu to Celebrate BIRTHDAY". Korean Film Biz Zone. 9 April 2018.
  34. "Ferry Disaster-Inspired Film Set for Release in April". Chosun Ilbo. February 20, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  35. Frater, Patrick (March 28, 2019). "Udine Festival to Open With Korean Tragedy 'Birthday'". Variety. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  36. "SUL Kyung-gu and CHO Jin-woong Line Up for Bromance PERFECT MAN". Korean Film Biz Zone. September 17, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  37. "SUL Kyung-gu, CHO Jin-woong Face Off in MAN OF MEN". Korean Film Biz Zone. 10 September 2019.
  38. "SUL Kyung-gu & BYUN Sung-hyun Reunite for KINGMAKER: THE FOX OF THE ELECTION". Korean Film Biz Zone. 30 July 2018.
  39. "Actor Sul and Actress Song to Marry on May 28". The Korea Times. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  40. Lee, Hyo-won (8 May 2009). "Actors Sul, Song to Tie Knot on May 28". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  41. "Sol Kyung-gu, Song Yun-ah to Wed". The Chosun Ilbo. 11 May 2009. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  42. "Love, loss and lucid cinematic silence". Korea JoongAng Daily. 16 May 2006.
  43. "'Lost in Love' depicts lovers lacking courage to tell truth". The Korea Herald. 26 January 2006.
  44. "Sul Kyung-gu: no Ordinary Action Hero". The Chosun Ilbo. 8 November 2006. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  45. "Stars of His Voice found roles with meaning". Korea JoongAng Daily. 8 January 2007.
  46. "Voice of Murderer: New Feature from PARK Jin-pyo". Korean Film Biz Zone. 13 December 2006.
  47. "Kim Tae-hee, Sul Kyoung-gu Battle Onscreen". The Korea Times. 20 November 2007.
  48. "Sul, Ryu ignite screen in new thriller". The Korea Herald. 30 March 2010.
  49. "Actors Show No Mercy for Vengeance". The Korea Times. 24 December 2009.
  50. Song, Woong-ki (12 August 2010). "Sul says his latest film was the most difficult". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  51. "'Troubleshooter' plays it too safe". The Korea Times. 2 September 2010.
  52. "Sul Kyung-gu, Moon Sori, Daniel Henney cast in film "Mister K"". 10Asia. 10 February 2012.
  53. "THE SPY: UNDERCOVER OPERATION Press Conference Was Held". Korean Film Biz Zone. 6 August 2013.
  54. "MY DICTATOR Begins Shooting with SEOL Kyung-gu and PARK Hae-il". Korean Film Biz Zone. 4 April 2014.
  55. Jang, Sung-ran (28 October 2014). "Playing a most dictatorial dad". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
  56. "KO Soo and SUL Kyung-gu Star in LUCID DREAM". Korean Film Biz Zone. 21 January 2015.
  57. "1987 Adds YOO Hae-jin, YEO Jin-gu and SUL Kyung-gu". Korean Film Biz Zone. 6 April 2017.
  58. "SUL Kyung-gu and PARK Hae-soo Team Up for DEMON". Korean Film Biz Zone. December 19, 2019.
  59. Jang Ah-reum (January 7, 2021). "'독전' 감독 차기작 '유령'…설경구·이하늬·박소담·김동희 등 확정" ['Dokjeon' director's next work'Ghost'... Seol Gyeong-gu, Lee Ha-ni, Park So-dam, Kim Dong-hee, etc. confirmed]. News 1. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  60. "Ratcatcher reels in top prize at Bratislava". Screen Daily. 15 December 2000.
  61. "Blue Dragon Award Goes to Sports Drama". The Chosun Ilbo. 21 November 2008.
  62. "HOPE Scores Best Film at 34th Blue Dragon Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. 25 November 2013.
  63. "SONG Kang-ho Picks Up Grand Prize at PaekSang Arts Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. 29 May 2014.
  64. "Screen International to honour Fumi Nikaido at NYAFF". Screen Daily. 3 June 2014.
  65. "A TAXI DRIVER Triumphs at 54th Daejong Film Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. 30 October 2017.
  66. "THE FORTRESS Dominates 37th Korean Film Critics Association Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. 30 December 2017.
  67. "A TAXI DRIVER Drives Off with 4 Blue Dragons". Korean Film Biz Zone. 1 December 2017.
  68. "제54회 백상예술대상, TV·영화 각 부문별 수상 후보자 공개". JTBC (in Korean). 6 April 2018.
  69. 제23회 춘사영화제 5월18일 개최..홍상수·김민희 참석하나. Newsen (in Korean). 3 May 2018.
  70. "IDOL, HAN Suk-kyu and SUL Kyung-gu Awarded at Fantasia". Korean Film Biz Zone. August 6, 2019.
  71. "28th Buil Film Awards Nominees 2019". HanCinema. August 28, 2019. Archived from the original on August 28, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
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