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Kang Ji-hwan

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In thisKorean name,the family name isJo.In the stage name or pen-name, thesurnameisKang.
Kang Ji-hwan
Kang in March 2016
Born
Jo Tae-gyu

(1977-03-20)March 20, 1977(age 47)
Seoul,South Korea
OccupationActor
Years active2002–2019
Korean name
Hangul
강지환
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGang Ji-hwan
McCune–ReischauerKang Chihwan
Birth name
Hangul
조태규
Hanja
Revised RomanizationJo Tae-gyu
McCune–ReischauerCho T'aegyu

Kang Ji-hwan(born Jo Tae-gyu; March 20, 1977) is a formerSouth Koreanactor. He began his career inmusical theatre,and has since starred intelevision dramassuch asBe Strong, Geum-soon!(2005),Capital Scandal(2007),Hong Gil-dong(2008),Lie to Me(2011),Incarnation of Money(2013),Big Man(2014) andChildren of a Lesser God(2018) as well as the filmsRough Cut(2008) andMy Girlfriend Is an Agent(2009).

Career[edit]

2002–2005: Beginnings and rising popularity[edit]

Jo Tae-gyu made his acting debut inmusical theatrein 2002, in the Korean stagings of popular musicalsThe Rocky Horror ShowandGrease.From 2003 to 2004, using thestage nameKang Ji-hwan, he began appearing in small roles on television, which included thesitcomNonstop 4and theKorean dramasSummer ScentandSave the Last Dance for Me.

2005–2008: First fame film roles and commercial peak[edit]

Kang shot to fame in 2005 withBe Strong, Geum-soon!,in his first onscreen leading role as a fastidious doctor who falls for a widowed hairdresser (played byHan Hye-jin).[1]The drama increased hispan-Asianpopularity, particularly in Japan,[2]China, and Taiwan. He then made his big screen debut in the role of aJehovah's Witnesswho befriends an unemployed professor in theindependent filmHost and Guest,which traveled the international film festival circuit.[3][4]

Kang continued acting on television but his 2006 dramasFireworks,about two cosmetics firm employees who plot revenge against their exes (oppositeHan Chae-young),[5]and90 Days, Time to Love,about a terminally ill married man who's in love with his cousin (oppositeKim Ha-neul), received low viewership ratings. In 2007, he andHan Ji-minstarred inCapital Scandal,aperiod dramaadapted from Lee Sun-mi's novel set inJapanese-occupied Korea.[6]His portrayal of a carefree playboy who transforms into an independence fighter garnered positive reviews.[7]

2008 became a successful year for Kang. He was cast as thetitularJoseonfolk hero inHong Gil-dong,written by theHong sisters.Kang said his portrayal was inspired byStephen Chow,and the fusion-perioddramedybecame a TVcult hit.[8]Later that year, he also starred inRough Cut,a low-budget film directed byJang Hoonand written byKim Ki-dukabout a gangster who wants to become an actor and a hot-tempered star who acts like a thug.[9]Kang and costarSo Ji-subwere praised for their performances, and both won several Best New Actor awards.

2009–2012: Commercial success and comeback in film[edit]

Kang then reunited with previous leading lady Kim Ha-neul inMy Girlfriend Is an Agent,a 2009action-romantic comedyin which their characters are former lovers and spies trying to conceal their professions from each other.[10]It became the fourth highest grossing Korean film of that year, with more than 4 million tickets sold.[11]Afterwards, he played a looks-oriented architect whose eye problem magically causes him to see the homely heroine (played byLee Ji-ah) as beautiful inThe Relation of Face, Mind and Love,a "telecinema" which received a brief theatrical release and a TV run.[7][12]

In 2010, Kang starred in romantic comedy seriesCoffee House,in which he played an eccentric novelist who is caught in a love triangle with his publisher (played byPark Si-yeon) and his assistant (played byHam Eun-jung).[13][14][15]This was followed by his return to the stage in the musical revivalCafe In,a love story between a malesommelierand a femalebarista.Kang produced the show's Korean and Japanese runs, and he also starred in the latter, becoming the first Korean actor to perform at theTokyo Globe Theatre.[16][17][18]

Kang andYoon Eun-hyethen starred in 2011'sLie to Me,playing a hotelier and a civil servant who fake being married to each other after she tells a white lie that quickly spreads through the gossip channels.[19][20]

The 2012 comedy filmRunway Copreunited him with previous costarSung Yu-ri(fromHong Gil-dong) and director Shin Tae-ra (fromMy Girlfriend Is an Agent).[21][22]During filming, Kang gained 12 kilograms and shed 15 kilograms two weeks later for his role as an overweight and messy detective who goesundercoveras afashion runway modelto solve a case.[23][24][25][26][27]Following that, he andLee Ki-wooappeared in a 25-minute "music videodrama "to promoteKim Hyung-jun'sEPEscape.[28]

2013–2015: Success roles[edit]

In 2013, Kang starred inIncarnation of Money,in the role of a prosecutor with ties to aloan shark.[29][30]Then in 2014'sBig Man,he played a "good-for-nothing" orphan who is tricked into thinking that he is the long-lost eldest son of a wealthytycoon's family, when they only want to harvest his heart for atransplant.[31][32][33][34][35][36]

Kang andYoon Jin-seoshot the gangster love storyHeartbreak HotelinLos AngelesandLas Vegas,and the indie was released in 2015.[37]He was next cast in the Korean-Chinese romantic comedyA-lister Fall from the Sky,about a scandal-riddenHallyustar who goes to China and encounters his biggest fan (played by Jiang Yuan).[38][39]

2016–2017: Other films and later popularity[edit]

Kang reunited withHong Gil-dongandRunaway Copco-starSung Yu-riin revenge melodramaMonster,which aired in 2016.[40][41]In 2018, Kang starred in his first cable dramaChildren of a Lesser God,playing a genius detective.[42][43]The same year, he starred in the workplace comedyFeel Good to Die.[44][45]

2018–2020: Focus on roles and other works[edit]

In 2019, Kang starred in the seriesJoseon Survival Period,but due to sexual assault allegations against him, he was replaced bySeo Ji-seokfrom episode 11 onward.[46][47][48]

Contract disputes[edit]

In 2010, Kang was sued forbreach of contractby his former talent agency Jambo Entertainment. Kang had signed with S-Plus Entertainment after asking to be released from his contract with Jambo, which the latter claimed was still valid for eight months.[49]S-Plus stated that of the six years that Kang was with Jambo, he was without a contract for three years, and after receiving no response from their overtures regarding Jambo's "unfair terms," they took steps to legally terminate Kang's contract.[50][51]Uponmediation,the Corea Entertainment Management Association (CEMA) instructed Kang to suspend his entertainment activities for eight months, but when he starred inCoffee Houseanyway, CEMA members threatened to boycott him unless he dropped out of playing the leading role inFaith.[52][53]

In 2012, S-Plus Entertainment moved to extend Kang's contract with them for an additional eight months, citing his lack of projects for that same length of time due to CEMA's edict. When Kang refused and began entrusting his business affairs to his lawyer, S-Plus sued him for breach of contract.[53][54][55]In 2013, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed the lawsuit and upheld the validity of the original contract; the court also ordered S-Plus to pay Kang ₩5 million indamagesafter the agencydefamedhim in the press.[56]

Sexual assault allegations[edit]

Arrest and sexual content disputes[edit]

On July 9, 2019, Kang was arrested over allegations that he sexually molested and assaulted two of his agency's female employees at his home. Kang stated that he remembered drinking with them but did not remember what happened afterwards.[57][58]Kang’s agency,Huayi Brothers,issued an apology and sought another actor to replace Kang in his ongoing TV series.[59][48]On July 15, 2019, Kang admitted to all charges against him and apologized to the victims.[60][61]Following this, Huayi Brothers terminated their contract with Kang on July 16, 2019 and he decided to retire from the entertainment industry.[62]On July 26, 2019, Kang was indicted on the criminal charges of quasi-rape and quasi-indecent acts by force.[63]During the first trial, in September 2019, it was revealed that Kang had offered the victims a settlement before the trial, but they rejected it.[64]

On December 5, 2019, Kang was found guilty and sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment, suspended for three years of probation, by the Suwon District Court. Kang was also ordered to conduct 120 hours of social service, take part in 40 hours of sexual offender treatment and be restricted from employment for three years.[65]

Filmography[edit]

Television series[edit]

Year Title Role
2003 MBC Best Theater– "Confession of Murder"
Summer Scent Park Jung-ah's husband
(episode 20)
Nonstop 4
2004 More Beautiful Than a Flower Kim Jae-sik
(sticker photo on cellphone)
If You Only Knew
Save the Last Dance for Me Shin Jung-kyu
2005 Be Strong, Geum-soon! Goo Jae-hee
2006 Fireworks Na In-jae
90 Days, Time to Love Hyun Ji-seok
2007 Capital Scandal Sunwoo Wan
2008 Hong Gil-dong Hong Gil-dong
2010 Coffee House Lee Jin-soo
2011 Lie to Me Hyun Ki-joon
2013 Incarnation of Money Lee Kang-seok / Lee Cha-don
2014 Big Man Kim Ji-hyuk
2016 Monster Kang Ki-tan / Lee Guk-cheol
2018 Children of a Lesser God Cheon Jae-in
Feel Good to Die Baek Jin-sang
2019 Joseon Survival Period Han Jung-rok

Film[edit]

Year Title Role
2006 Host and Guest Kye-sang
2008 Rough Cut Jang Soo-ta
2009 My Girlfriend Is an Agent Lee Jae-joon
The Relation of Face, Mind and Love Kang Tae-poong
2012 Runway Cop Cha Chul-soo
2015 Heartbreak Hotel John
A-lister Fall from the Sky Kim Hyun-joon

Music video[edit]

Year Title Artist Notes
2012 "Just Let It Go" / "Bad Guy Thing" Kim Hyung-jun From the albumEscape

Variety show[edit]

Year Title Role
2017 Island Trio Guest
2018 Real Man 300 Cast

Musical theatre[edit]

Year Title Role
2002 The Rocky Horror Show
2004 Grease Danny Zuko
2010 Cafe In Jung-min

Discography[edit]

Year Song title Notes
2006 "Just a Person I Know" Track fromFireworksOST
2011 "Lovin' Ice Cream" (feat.As One) Track fromLie to MeJapaneseOST

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2005 MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor Be Strong, Geum-soon! Won
Best New Actor Won
Best Couple AwardwithHan Hye-jin Nominated
Popularity Award, Actor Nominated
2006 42ndBaeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor (TV) Nominated
2007 KBS Drama Awards[66] Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Capital Scandal Won
Best Couple AwardwithHan Ji-min Won
Popularity Award, Actor Nominated
2008 44thBaeksang Arts Awards Best Actor (TV) Nominated
Most Popular Actor (TV)[67] Hong Gil-dong Won
28thKorean Association of Film Critics Awards[68] Best New Actor Rough Cut Won
29thBlue Dragon Film Awards[69] Best New Actor Won
7thKorean Film Awards Best New Actor Won
KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Hong Gil-dong Nominated
Netizen Award, Actor Won
Best Couple AwardwithSung Yu-ri Won
2009 45thBaeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor (Film) Rough Cut Won
18thBuil Film Awards Best New Actor Nominated
10thBusan Film Critics Awards Best New Actor Won
46thGrand Bell Awards Best New Actor My Girlfriend Is an Agent Won
5th University Film Festival of Korea[70] Best New Actor Won
2010 SBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama Coffee House Nominated
2011 6thSeoul International Drama Awards Outstanding Korean Actor Nominated
SBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama Lie to Me Nominated
2013 SBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special Incarnation of Money Nominated
2014 9th Asia Model Awards Asia Star Award — Won
KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Big Man Nominated
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Nominated
2016 5th APAN Star Awards Best Actor in a serial drama (excellence award) Monster Nominated
MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama Nominated
2018 KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Feel Good to Die Nominated

References[edit]

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  2. ^"Kang Ji-hwan Gains Popularity in Japan".HanCinema.KBS World. June 29, 2007.
  3. ^Hartzell, Adam."Host & Guest".Koreanfilm.org.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  4. ^"Alienation".The Dong-a Ilbo.January 20, 2007.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  5. ^"< Fireworks > Starts Off with Positive Reviews!".MBC Global.February 14, 2008.
  6. ^"Kang Ji-hwan, Han Ji-min cast as main leads for 'Capital Scandal'".HanCinema.Broasia. April 30, 2007.
  7. ^ab"Kang Ji-hwan's Movie Picks".10Asia.December 24, 2009.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  8. ^Kwon, Mee-yoo (January 1, 2008)."Epic Dramas Continues to Boom This Year".The Korea Times.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  9. ^Lee, Hyo-won (August 12, 2008)."Buddies Play Enemies in New Action Flick".The Korea Times.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
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  11. ^"The Best Selling Films of 2009".Koreanfilm.org.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  12. ^Lee, Hyo-won (November 5, 2009)."Relation Trips Over Own Subject Matter".The Korea Times.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  13. ^"Kang Ji-hwan wants" to break Mon-Tues TV ratings record "".10Asia.May 11, 2010.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  14. ^Han, Sang-hee (May 16, 2010)."New drama to bring more than coffee".The Korea Times.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  15. ^"Kang Ji-hwan saysCoffee Houseis adventure ".10Asia.June 1, 2010.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  16. ^"Kang Ji-hwan to star in Korean original musical in Japan".10Asia.May 26, 2010.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  17. ^"Kang Ji-hwan says will act in musicalCafe InJapan show ".10Asia.August 4, 2010.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  18. ^Hong, Lucia (October 28, 2010)."Kim Hyung-joon to visit Kang Ji-hwan in Japan forCafe In".10Asia.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  19. ^Kwon, Mee-yoo (May 8, 2011)."True Romance: new spin on rom-coms?".The Korea Times.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  20. ^Hong, Lucia (May 4, 2011)."Kang Ji-hwan says will sign for more episodes of drama if extended".10Asia.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  21. ^"Kang Ji-hwan, Sung Yu-ri cast as leads in new movie".10Asia.October 13, 2011.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  22. ^"Kang Ji-hwan, Sung Yu-ri's comedyRunway Copto hit local theaters next month ".10Asia.April 18, 2012.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  23. ^Ho, Stewart (May 2, 2012)."Kang Ji Hwan Gains 10 Kgs [sic] forDetective ChaThen Sheds 20 Kgs in Two Weeks ".enewsWorld.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  24. ^Ho, Stewart (May 25, 2012)."Kang Ji Hwan Unveils Photo Timeline of Dramatic Weight Gain and Loss".enewsWorld.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  25. ^Oh, Mi-jung (May 28, 2012)."Kang Ji Hwan Got Worried About His Commercials When He Was Fat and Dirty".enewsWorld.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  26. ^Oh, Mi-jung (June 10, 2012)."Interview Part 1: Kang Ji Hwan Opens Up About Being A Fat and Dirty Detective".enewsWorld.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  27. ^Oh, Mi-jung (June 10, 2012)."Interview Part 2: Kang Ji Hwan ofDetective ChaWants to Be Nominated for His Role ".enewsWorld.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  28. ^Hong, Grace Danbi (June 26, 2012)."Kang Ji Hwan and Lee Ki Woo to Join Kim Hyung Jun in his Upcoming MV".enewsWorld.Archived fromthe originalon December 20, 2013.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  29. ^"Kang Ji-hwan and Hwang Jung-eum in SBS" Incarnation of Money "".HanCinema.Nate.January 6, 2013.
  30. ^Jang, Seo-yoon (May 31, 2013)."Kang Ji-hwan's Song Picks".TenAsia.Archived fromthe originalon March 31, 2014.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  31. ^Kim, Jessica (February 13, 2014)."Kang Ji-hwan, Choi Daniel to go Face to Face in New Series".TenAsia.Archived fromthe originalon March 21, 2014.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  32. ^Choi, Eun-hwa (April 28, 2014)."Big ManKang Ji Hwan Gained 4 Kg for His Drama Role ".enewsWorld.Archived fromthe originalon April 30, 2014.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  33. ^Jung, Jung Ji-young (April 29, 2014)."Kang Ji Hwan Says the Most Important Thing in Choosing New Project is 'Feeling'".enewsWorld.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  34. ^Choi, Eun-hwa (May 27, 2014)."Kang Ji Hwan Continued Filming Despite Injuring His Toe".enewsWorld.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  35. ^Jung, Jin-young (July 5, 2014)."Interview: Kang Ji Hwan Expresses His SpecialHubae Lovefor Choi Daniel ".enewsWorld.Archived fromthe originalon July 14, 2014.RetrievedJuly 8,2014.
  36. ^Jung, Jin-young (July 5, 2014)."Interview: Kang Ji Hwan Spills His Plan to Build a House for Future Family".enewsWorld.RetrievedJuly 8,2014.
  37. ^"ROMANCE GAME Locks KANG Ji-hwan for Lead".Korea Film Biz Zone.November 6, 2013.
  38. ^Jin, Min-ji (July 18, 2015)."Kang takes turn in new film".Korea JoongAng Daily.RetrievedJuly 22,2015.
  39. ^"KANG Ji-hwan to Make Debut in China".Korea Film Biz Zone.July 24, 2005.
  40. ^"Kang Ji-hwan, Sung Yu-ri to star in drama".Korea JoongAng Daily.February 5, 2016.
  41. ^"Dedication is key for Kang Ji-hwan".Korea JoongAng Daily.October 4, 2016.
  42. ^"Kang Ji-hwan and Kim Ok-bin to star in OCN's" Children of a Small God "".HanCinema.TV Daily. November 6, 2017.
  43. ^"Drama 'Children of Lesser God' pursues reality amid fantasy".Kpop Herald.February 22, 2018.
  44. ^"Kang Ji-hwan to Star in" Love Over Death "".HanCinema.Newsen. September 6, 2017.
  45. ^"New TV series fulfils office fantasy of reforming nasty boss".Yonhap News Agency.November 5, 2018.
  46. ^Lee, Hyo-won (July 11, 2019)."South Korean Actor Arrested on Rape and Sexual Molestation Allegations".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 15,2019.
  47. ^"서지석, '구속된' 강지환 빈자리 채울까…'조선생존기' 측" 논의 중 "[공식]".My Daily(in Korean). July 15, 2019.RetrievedJuly 15,2019.
  48. ^abSchwartz, William (July 16, 2019)."[HanCinema's News]" Joseon Survival "Cut Down to Sixteen Episodes From Its Original Twenty".Hancinema.RetrievedJuly 17,2019.
  49. ^"Kang Ji-hwan may face lawsuit by former agency".10Asia.January 12, 2010.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  50. ^"Kang Ji-hwan's rep takes legal action against former agency".10Asia.January 20, 2010.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  51. ^"Police start grilling Kang Ji-hwan and former agency".10Asia.March 24, 2010.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
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  53. ^abLee, Cory (December 24, 2012)."Kang Ji-hwan Embroiled in Lawsuit with His Agency".TenAsia.Archived fromthe originalon June 24, 2014.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  54. ^Lee, Jin-ho (November 8, 2012)."Kang Ji Hwan and Agency Fight Over Contract and Mediation Claims".enewsWorld.Archived fromthe originalon October 14, 2014.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  55. ^Ko, Hong-ju (December 21, 2012)."S-Plus Entertainment Files 360 Million Won Compensation Suit Against Kang Ji Hwan".enewsWorld.Archived fromthe originalon October 14, 2014.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
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  57. ^Kim, Jae-heun (July 10, 2019)."Actor Kang under probe over alleged rape".The Korea Times.RetrievedJuly 10,2019.
  58. ^Yonhap(July 10, 2019)."Actor arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting, molesting his agency's employees".The Korea Herald.RetrievedJuly 10,2019.
  59. ^Lee, Hyo-won (July 11, 2019)."South Korean Actor Arrested on Rape and Sexual Molestation Allegations".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 15,2019.
  60. ^"[전문] 강지환" 성폭행 모든 혐의 인정, 피해자에 사과 "".News One(in Korean). July 15, 2019.RetrievedJuly 15,2019.
  61. ^Park, Si-soo (July 17, 2019)."Actor Kang admits sexual crimes against female colleagues".The Korea Times.RetrievedJuly 17,2019.
  62. ^"[전문] 강지환 전속계약 해지…화이브라더스" 신뢰 무너졌다 "".Sports Donga(in Korean). July 16, 2019.RetrievedJuly 16,2019.
  63. ^"Actor Kang Ji-hwan Charged for Sexual Assault, No Charge for Drug Use".Hancinema.July 25, 2019.RetrievedJuly 26,2019.
  64. ^"Kang Ji-Hwan Completes First Court Trial On Charges Of Alleged Sexual Assault".E!Online.September 3, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 6,2019.
  65. ^"'성폭행 혐의' 강지환에 집행유예 선고... 왜? ".December 6, 2019.
  66. ^"2007 Year-end Korean drama awards round-up".HanCinema.January 7, 2008.
  67. ^"The 44th PaekSang Arts Awards Sparkles with Stars".KBS World.April 24, 2008.
  68. ^"Kang, So awarded best new actor by critics".10Asia.October 13, 2009.RetrievedJune 25,2014.
  69. ^"Blue Dragon Award Goes to Sports Drama".The Chosun Ilbo.November 21, 2008.
  70. ^"Ha Ji-won Wins 1st Best Actress Award".The Korea Times.December 1, 2009.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kang_Ji-hwan&oldid=1232658274"