Son Hyun joo

Biography

Son Hyun-joo (born 24 June 1965) is a South Korean actor known for his extensive work in television dramas and films. He has established himself as a respected performer in the Korean entertainment industry through his portrayals of complex characters in family dramas, crime thrillers, mystery films, and action productions. He is particularly recognised for The Chaser (2012), Hide and Seek (2013), Secretly, Greatly (2013), The Chronicles of Evil (2015), and The Good Detective (2020–2022).

Early life and education

Son Hyun-joo was born in South Korea on 24 June 1965. He studied Theatre and Film at Chung-Ang University, where he developed his interest and skills in acting. After completing his education, he pursued a professional career in the entertainment industry and successfully passed the KBS television talent recruitment audition in 1991.

Acting career

Son began his acting career in 1991, initially appearing in television productions and taking on supporting roles. He gradually gained recognition through his performances in Korean television dramas. One of his early notable appearances was in Even If the Wind Blows (1995), which helped introduce him to a wider television audience.

He achieved greater popularity through First Love (1996), in which he portrayed Joo Jung-nam. The series became one of the most successful Korean television dramas of its time. His performance also earned him the Best Supporting Actor award at the 1996 KBS Drama Awards.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, he expanded his career into films while continuing to work regularly in television. His early film appearances included The Happenings (1998), The Spy (1999), and Guns & Talks (2001). He subsequently appeared in Two Guys (2004), Father and Son: The Story of Mencius (2004), and The Devil's Game (2008).

Television breakthrough

Son received considerable recognition for his performance in the television drama My Rosy Life (2005), which strengthened his position as an established television actor. He later appeared in H.I.T (2007), Tazza (2008), My Too Perfect Sons (2009), and Definitely Neighbors (2010).

A major turning point came with the crime drama The Chaser (2012), in which he played a central character involved in a tense story of family tragedy, investigation, and revenge. His performance earned him several major acting awards, including the Grand Prize at the 2012 SBS Drama Awards.

Major film roles

In 2013, Son appeared in two commercially successful films, Secretly, Greatly and Hide and Seek. In Secretly, Greatly, he portrayed Kim Tae-won, a North Korean intelligence officer responsible for training undercover agents. In Hide and Seek, he played the lead character, Baek Seong-soo, in a mystery thriller that became a major box-office success.