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[Actor Spotlight] Jang Ki-yong

This week’s spotlight is on Jang Ki-yong, star of Kill It, which just premiered on OCN. Jang Ki-yong stars as a veterinarian by day; assassin by night, and a whole lot of entanglements await him.

Jang Ki-yong was born in Ulsan, South Korea in 1992. He debuted as a model in 2012, and two years later, made his acting debut with a small role in It’s Okay, It’s Love. Over the next few years Jang Ki-yong had a steady flow of supporting roles, many of them in web dramas (this is not uncommon for the current wave of actors-turned-models that have been gaining experience — and a fan following — by appearing in smaller productions). In 2018, Jang Ki-yong landed his first leading role in the the melo-thriller Come Here and Hug Me, for which he won several MBC awards. And with that, his career was made.

It’s interesting to watch models transition into acting. As with Nam Joo-hyuk and others, on one hand they bring the benefit of being comfortable and easy in front of the camera and are often intuitive about how to move and interact in the scene. But on the other hand, building emotional depth is something that comes with time and practice — and often a strong director at the helm. Either way, I enjoy watching this new crop of young actors build up their resumes and often enjoy their performances all the more for the fact that they are still honing their craft. After all, today’s newbie actor is tomorrow’s Gong Yoo or Hyun Bin.

Here are some dramaland moments from Jang Ki-yong, followed by his full filmography.

 
Go Back Spouses (2017)

This drama definitely belonged to the lead couple played by Jang Nara and Sohn Ho-joon — and to the the heroine’s mother (played by Ajumma from Healer Kim Mi-kyung). At the beginning of the drama we met our leads as they have hit rock bottom in their lives and marriage. When they woke up one morning back in their college days, both were determined to correct the things they grew to regret in this second chance at life. One of these things was marrying each other; another was the “first love” situations they left behind. Sohn Ho-joon pursued the dancer he had had a major crush on, and Jang Nara got involved with the man who said she was his first love — the wealthy student played by Jang Ki-yong. I could have dealt with a lot more of him in the story, but the second leads in Go Back Spouses only served to pull our leads back to each other. That being said, Jang Ki-yong had a really nice presence in this drama, and it was fun to watch Jang Nara turn this uptight, rather unhappy character into a puddle of smitten goo (see above photo). While I might complain that there wasn’t enough second-leading, this drama was beautiful in that it was about returning home, in all shapes and meanings of the word.

 
Come Here and Hug Me (2018)

I have to give it to Jang Ki-yong. At first I thought he was on a career fast-track and just rocketed to leading male status out nowhere — I didn’t realize quite how many years he worked as an actor, taking small roles, side roles, and gaining experience, until he was cast in his first lead role in Come Here and Hug Me. Granted, he’s still a newbie, but the rookie factor for both him and co-star Jin Ki-joo really worked to this drama’s advantage. Their freshness gave authenticity to a story that relied on their shared childhood trauma, and their road to healing. It’s no secret that I really loved this drama. Come Here and Hug Me was dripping with drama and serial killer horror, but it balanced it with such soft and sweet moments and characters, that it really worked for me. While I found Jang Ki-yong a little stiff in this role, a part of me wonders if he was genuinely stiff, or if it was his portrayal of a character who was paralyzed by the guilt of his father’s actions. In retrospect, I think it was a little bit of both. Either way, it really worked here, and I would watch him stare at life-size cutouts of his childhood sweetheart all day.

 
Kill It (2019)

Kill It just aired its premiere episodes, and because I can’t really say no to a handsome, morally conflicted hero with a sniper rifle, I tuned in. OCN shows are not usually my cup of tea — I find them a little on the cold side, and honestly, Kill It was just as expected in that department. The first two episodes covered a lot of ground, giving us three different timelines to set up our hero’s story and give us a firm sense of who he is. He’s haunted by his unknown past, and he’s been raised to be a heartless assassin by David McInnis, but our hero also has a deep respect for life. This is illustrated to us by the many animals he saves. He even performed kitty compressions in his clinic one night when Nana brought in an injured cat. (I shouldn’t have been laughing as hard as I was, but really, it was so hard to take that scene seriously.) But my giggles aside, Kill It is no comedy — it’s actually quite dark, and has hinted nicely at some of its deeper themes on abandonment and grief. The drama will obviously feature a whole lot of interconnection between the characters we have met, and some have already been hinted at. Let the games begin! But please, no more stuffed cats.

 
Jang Ki-yong’s full filmography:

  • It’s Okay, It’s Love (2014) [Drama]
    Jang Ki-yong made his acting debut in a small role here playing Lee Sung-kyung’s boyfriend.

  • The Greatest Marriage (2014) [Drama]
    Jang Ki-yong had a small role in this Park Shi-yeon drama about a successful anchorwoman who becomes a single mom.

  • Seonam Girls’ High Investigation Unit (2014) [Drama]
    High school girls investigated, and Jang Ki-yong supported as one of the girl’s oppa.

  • My Beloved Eun-dong (2015) [Drama]
    Joo Jin-mo and Kim Sa-rang led this melo tale of lovers reunited. Is it bad if I say I enjoyed the younger cast and storyline that opened the drama more than the rest of it? (As for Jang Ki-yong, he had a small side role here.)

  • We Broke Up (2015) [Web drama]
    Naver web drama that starred Kang Seung-yoon (of Winner!) and Dara (of 2NE1!) and a bunch of others from the YG clan, including Jang Ki-yong, and Yoo Inna, and Choi Ji-woo in special appearances.

  • Beautiful Mind (2016) [Drama]
    I distinctly remember watching this Jang Hyuk and Park So-dam medical drama, and I distinctly remember doing it for Yoon Hyun-min. I didn’t even realize Jang Ki-yong was in a side role as a part of the hospital crew!

  • Love for a Thousand More (2016) [Web drama]
    Another day, another YG web drama (they really were doing a lot of these for a while!). Kang Seung-yoon starred again with Hwang Seung-eon, and Jang Ki-yong supported.

  • The Liar and His Lover (2017) [Drama]
    I missed this Lee Hyun-woo and Joy drama, but Jang Ki-yong plays the drummer and rapper in Lee Hyun-woo’s former band. I could stand watching that, I think.

  • Some Guy (2017) [Web drama]
    Also known as The Boy Next Door, this web drama starred Choi Woo-shik and Jang Ki-yong, and they’re probably hilarious together on screen.

  • Go Back Spouses(2017) [Drama]
    Smitten, sweet, and buttoned-up Jang Ki-yong is adorable, and my favorite scene with him was when Jang Nara is running down a hill, unable to stop herself in her high heels, and he steps out to grab her. She slams into him and he “brakes” her fall. And it’s perfect.

  • My Ajusshi (2018) [Drama]
    Jang Ki-yong is not nice to IU in this drama, but don’t worry, he starred in not one but two of IU’s music videos to make it up to her.

  • Come and Hug Me (2018) [Drama]
    Phew, this one was intense. I think I’ll be afraid of Heo Jun-ho forever.

  • Reach of Sincerity (2019) [Drama/Cameo]
    Jang Ki-yong appears as the hero in several of the hyperbolic (and hilarious) drama scenes Yoo Inna re-enacts in her head, the best for me probably being the Descendants of the Sun scarf scene.

  • Kill It (2019) [Drama]
    Jang Ki-yong’s hero is a good combo of ruthless, merciless, and loyal to the people he considers family. He also rescues wounded animals.

  • Bad Guys (2019) [Film]
    After five years of working in TV, Jang Ki-yong seems to be making his film debut in Bad Guys (after the OCN drama). It fits his image and he’s definitely been doing a lot of action of late!

  • Search: WWW (2019) [Drama]
    Jang Ki-yong will play a composer who falls in love with successful career woman Im Soo-jung in this new tvN drama (It’s set to air later this year).

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I really liked him in web-dramas (the Kang Seungyoon ones lol) and also in Liar and his Lover (Liar Ninja forever <3) but it was Go Back Spouses that really highlighted him for me! I am not )yet) watching Kill It! but I am so excited for Jang Ki Yon's future roles! He is sure to do well! <3

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He is

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He is sure to do well...reminds me of the post on your wall, what seems like ages ago. It was the interview where they said said future star of 2018.

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I remember going crazy about him waaaaay back and posting a lot and then you commenting on those posts! Is that how we got talking?

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Yes! Coz you also posted a screenshot of your many pics of him when watching GBS. Lol

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Hehhehehe yeah I remember my screenshot folder being full of him!

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is it his calm soothing voice or his unwavering expressions that makes him so easy to watch, regardless of the role...

he can be super gentle and sweet, then suddenly intense -- reminds me of Yoo Ah In's charisma.

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Yes! Although Yoo Ah-in is a bit more stormy

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Ohhh yes. the Resemblance!

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Let's talk about him in My Ahjussi, he was really great in that role. I almost could not believe he was the sweet guy from Go Back couple!
He was the greatest thing in Come and Hug me.
I am loving him in Kill it.
@jenmole you must be so proud of your boy!
I hope he continues with good work!

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I love how we all know he's @jenmole's boy HAHAHA

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He IS her face. 😂

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Just gonna comment so you a notification of his face. 😂

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I appreciate that. 😂 His face is beautiful. (Also, HIIIII)

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*rubs eyes* HOLY GOD it's really my current crush aka my crack of 2018!!! 🤩😍

I know I'm sounding like a broken record (OKAY I AM), but I fell utterly in love with him after Come Here and Hug Me. It was beyond madness & obsession. I rewatched the drama immediately after I finished it, then carried on to rewatch his older works & even dig out some of those that he only had a supporting role to watch too. Yes, I went crazy & did like a daily post on him on DB fanwall (HAHAHA). Who can blame me right? 😝

I'm actually looking forward more to WWW than Kill It. But of coz I will watch them both HEHEHEHEHEHE

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I loved him as the great might have been sin Go back spouses. And yes, re "Kill it" ......that cat.

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This guy is weird, in a good way. He's almost like a chameleon in the roles I've seen him in, while not exactly being a chameleon. In that way he has an Lee Min Ki-esque quality to his acting. He often presents a similar "neutral" personality in those roles, but the actual character he puts on top of that is usually varied/spot on. I also really appreciate that some of his characters have a complexity about them like everybody's "favourite" loan shark in My Ajusshi.

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My favorite of his roles was most definitely his complex character in My Ahjussi. Not saying his character is someone I actually like, but his interpretation was amazing. I felt every ounce of self hate he felt and i loved his redemption.
I hope to see him in more comedic roles. I loved him in the neighbour web drama with choi woo shik.

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I'm excited he's going to be in a drama I can finally watch (I hope) since it sounds murder free.

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Jang Ki-Yong is one of my fav actors of this new generation. I think he is talented and has a lot of charisma.
I enjoyed all his performances (from dramas I've watched so far), from the sweet guy in Go Back Couple, the awkward and funny guy in The Boy Next Door to dark roles like in Come and Hug Me, and My Ahjussi.
I'm loving him in Kill It too. Also, I can't wait for his next drama WWW.
Wishing him all the best for his career, I'm sure he will do well !

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This guy is good. He was a wallflower in TLAHL, but almost stole the show in GBS, and showed us just how wide his range was in MA. And he can totally pull off swoony heroic eye candy as seen in his cameo for ROS. I’m looking forward to his future career. I think he could totally be the next Hyun Bin.

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Tee hee hee but not the next Gong Yoo? 😉
When I read that, I couldn't wait to see your comment 🤣

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😜 You caught that? It’s funny because I thought of you when I read that as well! He’s not the next anyone, except Jang Ki-yong.

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Did you know that GY and HB are old friends from playing together on Jang Dong Gun's actors baseball team, the Playboys? (Going way back to when they were newbies.) I first saw GY in a team photo and said, whoa who is THAT? 😍☺️

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No, I didn’t! I would lose every game I played with that team. Can you imagine how distracting that would be???

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First saw him in My Ahjusshi and his character there triggered me so much. His acting was good that I can't hate him completely, but oh lord his character was so despicable, doesn't matter if he helped out the female lead in the end.

Then Come and Hug Me<33333333 really sealed the deal for me. Loved that drama so much tho it brought me so many heavy emotions.

I`m still contemplating if I should see Kill It though - reading not so many great reviews doesn't help my enthusiasm.

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*_____*

i wish i was interestwd in kill it or liked seeing nana lol bc i dont think hes angreat actor but my god that FACE

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Come and Hug Me was such a good role for him, I became a big fan!

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He's also one of the best model-actors I've seen so far!

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Hey, it's my current crush!
Like most people here, I was smitten after watching him as the swoony sunbae in Go Back Spouses. But it was My Ajusshi that made me truly appreciating his acting because that was one heck of a complicated character. I'm currently enjoying Kill It (and all its cute BTS videos) and looking forward to his portrayal in WWW.

Btw, I just realized that he is almost always being romantically paired with a noona in his projects. Jang Nara in Go Back Spouses, Jin Ki-joo in Come and Hug Me, Nana in Kill It, and Im Soo-jung in WWW.

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I LOVE HIS VOICE.. :)

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Immediately added to my kdrama crushes after watching him in Go Back Couple 😍. I did not recognize him in those Giordano ads before 😂. More shows for him.😊

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I should finish CAHM but this cinnamon roll breaks my heart in that role. Looking forward to his project with Im Soo-jung!

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This boy's beauty is like a manga character comes to life. I have watched three of his dramas and IMO he has so much potential to become big star in the future.

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Yesss, I'm so excited for his future and he is doing so well!
He always impressed me but he REALLY impressed me in My Ahjusshi. His acting was so inspired even though the character really was a tough act to sit through. I think Come Here and Hug Me was a great start for his leading man career, I can't wait to watch Kill It and WWW.

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Definitely check out his web drama, The Boy Next Door, with Choi Woo-shik! It's very funny and he's surprisingly natural at the comedy.

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I know him as Hair God from Fashion jungle, a 10 mins or so per episode men related fashion variety. A lot of SK famous model was in that show so imagine my surprise when I saw him in drama. Hair god finally speaking~ 😆😆😆
I like how he started small and takes a variety of roles before move up to a meatier roles, which definitely help him. I am liking Kill It right now but which the melo undertone between him and Nana, I wonder how OCN will tackle that. Like you said, OCN is cold when it comes to this genre.
But @missvictrix, pretty sure he starred in IU MVs first before Ahjusshi. I remember he did get some sportlight for starring in 2 of her MVs

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Yes, that was meant to be a silly joke without reference to the actual timeline ;)

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No argument he is one of the finest new generation of model turned actors. He has already established himself as a versatile actors playing flower boy characters to serial killer. He's got both good looks and talent which will take him a long way to become a successful, memorable actor! Looking forward to all his new projects!

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He reminds me so much of Ji Chang Wook...probably because of all the fighting scenes and intense staring (into nothingness) lol.
When Wooky decided to hang up his six pack and jump into rom-coms I was quite sad but this guy here is a worthy replacement. Fingers crossed he will continue with the thrillers, six packs and fighting scenes.

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Intense staring into nothingness hahaha. Brilliant, right?

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