Gong Yoo

Gong Yoo, whose real name is Gong Ji Cheol, is a South Korean actor.

He’s best recognized for his appearances in various drama series such as Coffee Prince (2007), Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017), and Squid Game (2021).

Career

Gong Yoo initially jumped into the entertainment industry after he graduated from his college in 2000. At that time, he became a video jockey on the Korean channel, Mnet.

One year later, in 2001, he made his first debut as an actor for a series called School 4. In this drama, he got a role as a supporting character.

Not only in that series, he then appeared again as a supporting actor for Whenever the Heart Beats (2002) and Hard Love (2002).

In 2003, he debuted as a movie actor for her role in My Tutor Friend. In the same year, he also starred in two series called Twenty Years and Screen.

Gong Yoo got a lot of popularity when he played some iconic roles in several drama series, such as Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy (2005), One Fine Day (2006), and Coffee Prince (2007).

From 2008 to 2009, he went to military service for approximately 8 months in Cheorwon. After being discharged, he came back to the acting industry in Finding Mr. Destiny (2010) as the main character.

Gong Yoo didn’t just active to star in Korean movies, but he later also became active to star in dramas, Big (2012) and Goblin (2016).

After starring in Goblin, he won an award as Best Actor for Baeksang Arts Awards.

In the same year as the Goblin project, he also starred in a huge success Korean movie, Train to Busan. Of course, this role gave him a lot of international fans.

In 2019, he came back to star in a movie called Kim Ji Young: Born 1982. Later, he then starred in a movie titled Seobok (2021).

Also, he appeared in a wild popular Netflix series titled Squid Game (2021) and The Silent Sea (2021).

Profile

Real Name: Gong Ji Chul (공지철)
Stage Name: Gong Yoo (공유)
Also Known as: Gong Yu / Gong Ji Chul
Nickname: National Treasure, Breath of Asia, Husband of the Nation
Birthday: July 10, 1979
Birthplace: Busan, South Korea
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Nationality: South Korean
Religion: Catholic
Profession: Actor
Education: Department of Theatre and Film, Kyung Hee University
Hobbies: Cooking
Facebook: OfficialGongYoo
Twitter: @Gong_Yoo_JP
Threads: –
Instagram: @_gongyoo_official_
TikTok: –
YouTube: –

Height, Weight, & Physical Appearance

Height: 184 cm (6’0″)
Weight: 74 kg (163 lbs)
Blood Type: A
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Body Measurements: –
Shoe Size: 10.5 (US)

Family

Father: Gong Won
Mother: –
Brother: –
Sister: 1

Girlfriend & Dating History

Yoon Eun Hye

Gong Yoo was romantically linked to actress Yoon Eun Hye, who’s his co-star in Coffee Prince. Apparently, their on-screen chemistry was so amazing that dating rumors spread between them.

That being said, none of them has ever acknowledged the rumors.

Kim Sun Ah

Another dating rumors from Gong Yoo came as he starred S Diary with Kim Sun Ah, who’s an actress and model.

She chose him to be her ideal type during her appearance in Section TV.

However, neither of them has clarified the rumors.

Ahn So Hee

The actor was rumored to date Ahn So Hee, a former Wonder Girls member and actress who became his co-star in Train to Busan (2016).

According to rumors, they built a relationship as soon as the movie filming had wrapped and released. They were even caught enjoying time together on a night in a beach.

However, the rumors were personally debunked by So Hee herself. She clarified that they indeed went to a beach, but they didn’t go there alone.

Jung Yoo Mi

In 2018, he was caught in wedding speculations with Jung Yoo Mi. According to the marriage rumors, they even have made reservations for a wedding ceremony.

Their agencies refuted the rumors fiercely, stated that they have been colleagues and friends only.

Im Soo Jung

Gong Yoo’s most famous dating rumor is probably the one he had with Im Soo Jung.

According to wild rumors, they have been dating and secretly got married, but divorced later.

Both sides denied the rumors and stating that they are only close friends.

Net Worth

Multiple sources estimated his net worth to be around $7 million to $14 million. He seems to earn his income mainly from working as an actor as well as starring in commercials.

Plastic Surgery

There is no known information on whether he has undergone any cosmetic surgery.

Facts

Gong Yoo is under Management SOOP.
His stage name, comes from his mother and father.
His father once attended a baseball academy, Busan Sango.
He is actually a descendant of Confucius, a Chinese philosopher.
Initially, he didn’t want to be an actor. He chose his major in Theatre just because he thought it would be fun.
Gong Yoo is really a private person.
He didn’t have social media until 2021, because he thought social media presence can judge actors based on their personal life.
He prefers staying home to going out.
He doesn’t like to be captured by a lot of cameras whenever he walks.
Gong Yoo loves to go to the gym every day.
When he was in elementary school, he often swam very frequently that led into his wide shoulder.
He loves baseball and basketball so much.
He idolizes Golden State Warrior, his favorite player is Stephen Curry.
Gong Yoo once attended an NBA match in 2018.
When he was in military service, he once became a radio DJ.
He went to military service from 2008 to 2009.
Gong Yoo lived in Busan until he graduated from high school.
He has a baptismal name, Joseph.
Gong Yoo is labeled as one of the most high-profile actors which are proven by up to 50 advertisement deals in his career history.
He directly agreed to star in Goblin after he received offers from Kim Eunsook, a popular screenwriter.
He was once rumored to have a relationship with his partner in Train to Busan, Jung Yumi.
He idolizes Lotte Giants, a baseball club.
He joined Playboys, a celebrity baseball team.
Gong Yoo has a Kia K7 hybrid.
He is a best friend and also a relative of Kang Dong Won.
He made a good friendship with Haha, Yoo Jaesuk, Lee Dong Wook, and Cho Seho.
280 mm is his shoe measurement.
When he was in middle school, he got top 20 ranks.
His ideal type is a woman who has tendencies of a cat, a proactive woman who knows actually what to do for her own self.

Movies

Seobok (2021), as Min Ki Hun
Kim Ji-Young: Born 1982 (2019), as Jung Dae Hyun
The Age of Shadows (2016), as Kim Woo Jin
Train To Busan (2016), as Seok Woo
A Man and A Woman (2016), as Ki Hong
The Suspect (2013), as Ji Dong Cheol (North Korean spy)
Silenced (2011), as Kang In Ho
Finding Mr. Destiny (2010), as Han Ki Hoon
Like a Dragon (2007), as Park
She’s on Duty (2005), as Kang No Young
S Diary (2004), as Yu-In
Mr. Gam’s Victory (2004), as Park Cheol Su
Spygirl (2004), as Choi Ko Bong
My Tutor Friend (2003), as Jong Soo

Drama Series

The Trunk (Netflix | 2024), as Jung Won
Squid Game S2 (Netflix | 2023), as suit man
The Silent Sea (Netflix | 2021), as Captain Han Yun Jae
Squid Game (Netflix | 2021), as suit man
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (tvN | 2016-2017), as Kim Shin (Dokkaebi)
Dating Agency: Cyrano (tvN / 2013), as Bong Soo A’s secret crush on (ep.9)
Big (KBS2 | 2012), as Yoon Jae’s body, Gyung Joon’s spirit / Seo Yoon Jae
Coffee Prince (MBC | 2007), as Choi Han Gyul
One Fine Day (MBC | 2006), as Seo Keon
Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy (SBS | 2005), as Park Tae In
Screen (SBS | 2003)
Hard Love (KBS | 2002)
School 4 | Hakgyo 4 (KBS | 2001-2002), as guest appearance

Quotes

“I tend to pick projects that give me a sense of freshness. So my filmography, especially after hitting my 30s, has become a lot more diverse.”

“I learned that I can earn many things if I don’t use stunts and do everything myself.”

“I don’t know if this is because I’m a bit too old, but it is true that I’m getting insensible about romance recently. I’m very used to being alone now, and I don’t think that’s not half bad.”

“I never thought about becoming an actor. Even when I applied for university, I didn’t choose theater as a major to become an actor.”

“I have become more and more afraid about marriage and parenting. I think it’s because I am getting older. Of course, there will be a lot to learn, and I also know that the experience will help in my acting.”

“I had a lot of friends who dreamed of being actors, and as I hung out with them, I became more interested in it.”

“Hong Kong movies were really popular in my generation.”

FAQs

Who is Gong Yoo?

He is a South Korean actor.

Who is Gong Yoo’s real name?

His real name is Gong Ji Chul (공지철).

What makes Gong Yoo famous?

He’s famous for his appearances in various drama series such as Coffee Prince (2007), Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017), and Squid Game (2021).