Ahn Jae-wook

This is a Korean name; the family name is Ahn.
Ahn Jae-wook
Born 12 September 1971
Seoul, South Korea
Education Seoul Institute of the Arts – Theater (1994)
Yonsei University Graduate School of Public Administration – Social Welfare
Occupation Actor, singer
Years active 1994–present
Agent Jable Entertainment (2009–present)
Universal D
Korean name
Hangul 안재욱
Hanja 安在旭
Revised Romanization An Jae-uk
McCune–Reischauer An Chae-uk
Website
http://www.ahnjaewook.co.kr

Ahn Jae-wook (Hangul: 안재욱; born September 12, 1971) is a South Korean actor and singer.

Biography

Ahn Jae-wook spent most of his childhood in his hometown, the district of Donam-dong in Seoul, before graduating from Seoul Institute of the Arts, where he majored in theater. After graduating in 1994, Ahn made his acting debut in Song of a Blind Bird, which was based on a real-life story, followed by supporting roles in several 1995-96 television series such as Hotel and Their Embrace.[1] In 1997 he and costar Choi Jin-sil shot to stardom in the highly popular trendy drama Star in My Heart, which reached ratings of over 49%. It not only ignited trends in hairstyle, fashion and products featured in the series,[2] Ahn also became a Korean Wave star, extending his popularity to China, Japan and Southeast Asian countries.[3][4]

Star in My Heart likewise kick-started Ahn's music career. Forever, which was featured in the series' ending during the concert of his character Kang Min, sold over 700,000 copies, and became the title song of his debut album.[5] He continued to compose and sing over the years, holding numerous concerts in Japan and China, and releasing albums such as Memories and Reds in Ahn Jae-wook.

In 1998, he played lead roles in three films -- Rub Love with Lee Ji-eun, Tie a Yellow Ribbon with Kim Hye-soo, and First Kiss with Choi Ji-woo -- but did not meet with box office success despite his popularity at the time. He also starred in Garden of Heaven with Lee Eun-ju in 2003, and the Korea-Japan telecinema project Triangle in 2009.

Instead, Ahn focused on the small screen, appearing in over 10 television series from the late 1990s and throughout the 2000s. Among these were Goodbye My Love with Kim Hee-sun, Oh Pil-seung and Bong Soon-young (also known as Oh Feel Young) with Chae Rim, and I Love You (also known as Saranghae) with Seo Ji-hye.[6]

As he entered his forties and his matinee idol status gave way to younger actors, Ahn returned to his stage roots.[7] He played Daniel in Jack the Ripper (a Korean adaptation of the Czech musical Jack Rozparovač) from 2009 to 2011,[8][9] then reprised the role in the musical's run in Tokyo, Japan in 2012.[10][11]

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of broadcaster MBC, Ahn headlined Lights and Shadows in 2011.[12] The sprawling drama, which spotlights Korean show business against the backdrop of history in the 1960s to the 1980s, was number one in its timeslot for 20 consecutive weeks.[13]

He then played the title role in the 2012 Korean staging of Rudolf, a musical about the 1889 Mayerling Incident involving the Crown Prince of Austria.[14]

In February 2013 Ahn underwent brain surgery in the U.S. for a subarachnoid hemorrhage.[15][16][17][18][19][20] After resting for a year, Ahn returned to work in April 2014 via the musical The Sun King.[21] He celebrated his 20th anniversary in entertainment by holding a concert titled One Fine Day in October 2014.[22]

Personal Life

On January 12, 2015 it was confirmed he is dating musical actress Choi Hyun-joo.[23] After originally having denied it, on March 31, 2015 Ahn announced that they were getting married in Seoul on June, 1.[24]

Filmography

Television drama

Film

Theater

Radio program

Discography

Album information Tracklisting
Forever
  • 1st album
  • Released: April 24, 1997
Memories
  • 2nd album
  • Released: April 17, 1998
Yesterday
  • 3rd album
  • Released: November 1, 1999
Reds in Ahn Jae-wook
  • 4th album
  • Released: March 17, 2003
사랑,이별 그리고...
Sounds Like You
  • 5th album
  • Released: November 11, 2005
사랑의 향기는 설레임을 타고 온다
  • Track from All That Love
  • Released: March 2, 2006
그녀에게
  • EP
  • Released: April 1, 2008
Best Album
사랑에 살다
  • EP
  • Released: August 5, 2009
청춘
  • Track from 다섯남자의 다섯번째 이야기
  • Released: January 13, 2010
Jack the Ripper
At This Moment
  • EP
  • Released: March 28, 2012
하늘아 제발 / 바람
너라는 하늘
  • Single
  • Released: November 13, 2012

Awards

References

  1. ↑ Hong, Lucia (19 August 2011). "Ahn Jae-wook to hold summer camp with 400 fans". 10Asia. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  2. ↑ Seo, Ji-eun (8 July 2008). "Automakers try to make stars of their cars". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  3. ↑ "Actor Ahn Jae-wook and Actress Kim Hee-sun Most Popular in China". The Chosun Ilbo. 24 November 2003. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  4. ↑ "Star in My Heart aka: Wish Upon a Star (MBC TV Series)". YesAsia. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  5. ↑ Lee, Min-a (8 February 2007). "Waves of teenage screams sweep across Jeju island as hallyu celebrates". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  6. ↑ Kwon, Mee-yoo (10 February 2008). "Dramas Adapt New Way of Production". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  7. ↑ Kwon, Mee-yoo (5 July 2011). "Ahn Jae-wook returns with Jack the Ripper". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  8. ↑ Hwang, Hyo-jin (5 July 2011). "At the rehearsal for musical Jack the Ripper". 10Asia. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  9. ↑ Park, Min-young (11 July 2011). "Musical fans get star-studded bonanza". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  10. ↑ Hong, Lucia (2 May 2012). "Super Junior Sungmin's musical Jack the Ripper to open in Japan". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
  11. ↑ Kwon, Mee-yoo. "Musical as next hallyu". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2013-02-12date=18 September 2012. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ↑ Park, So-jung (28 September 2011). "Ahn Jae-wook to star in upcoming series". 10Asia. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  13. ↑ Lee, Hye-ji (4 July 2012). "Light and Shadow keeps No. 1 status till last episode". 10Asia. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  14. ↑ "2013.01.02 TICKET". Korea JoongAng Daily. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  15. ↑ "Korean actor Ahn Jae-wook receives surgery in U.S.". Yonhap. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  16. ↑ "Korean actor Ahn Jae-wook receives surgery in U.S.". The Korea Herald. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
  17. ↑ "Ahn Jae-wook Has Emergency Brain Surgery". The Chosun Ilbo. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  18. ↑ Sunwoo, Carla (7 February 2013). "Ahn Jae-wook rushed to brain surgery". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  19. ↑ "Korean actor Ahn returns home after getting surgery in US". The Korea Times. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  20. ↑ http://www.soompi.com/2013/05/14/ahn-jae-wook-regarding-his-brain-surgery-i-was-angry-and-felt-it-was-unfair/
  21. ↑ "Ahn, Shin to star in musical Sun King". The Korea Times. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  22. ↑ Lee, Sung-eun (22 September 2014). "Ahn Jae-wook celebrates 20 years". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-10-12.
  23. ↑ "Ahn Jae Wook Confirmed to Be Dating Musical Actress Choi Hyun Joo". Soompi. 11 January 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  24. ↑ "Actor Ahn Jae Wook to wed musical actress Choi Hyun Joo". Allkpop. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  25. ↑ "Winners at the 2004 KBS DRAMA AWARDS". Korea Tourism Organization. 6 January 2005. Retrieved 2013-02-12.

External links

See also