K-Drama
Easily Distracted by Korean Dramas Sweatshirt
$35.99View
Namkoong Min
남궁민
Under 935 Entertainment
Profile
- Birth name
- Namkoong Min
- Birthday
- March 12, 1978
- Place of birth
- Seoul, South Korea
- Height
- 177 cm
- Age
- 48
- Zodiac
- Pisces
- Nationality
- South Korean
- Blood type
- B
Dramas & Roles2 titles
About
Short bio
Discover Namkoong Min's profile, including his age, birthday, height, wife, dramas, awards, and fun facts. Learn about the award-winning South Korean actor behind My Dearest, Hot Stove League, Good Manager, and more.
Background
Namkoong Min was born on March 12, 1978, in Seoul, South Korea. Before pursuing acting, he attended Chung-Ang University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering—a very different path from the entertainment industry. His career began after winning the 5th Music Star Contest VJ, which opened the door to his acting debut in the 2001 film Bungee Jumping of Their Own. Like many South Korean men, he also fulfilled his mandatory military service, serving as a Social Service Agent at the Korea Army Training Center in Nonsan for 18 months beginning in August 2006.
Although he spent years building his résumé through supporting roles, Namkoong Min's career reached new heights in the mid-2010s thanks to memorable performances in dramas such as Remember: War of the Son, Good Manager, Doctor Prisoner, Hot Stove League, The Veil, One Dollar Lawyer, and My Dearest. Over time, he established himself as one of Korea's most respected actors, earning multiple Daesang (Grand Prize) awards and widespread praise for his ability to transform into vastly different characters across genres.
Personality & Image
Few actors reinvent themselves as successfully as Namkoong Min. Early in his career, he was often cast in romantic or supporting roles, but he later became famous for playing unforgettable villains before transitioning once again into charismatic leading men. Whether portraying a ruthless prosecutor, an eccentric accountant, a baseball general manager, or a Joseon-era nobleman, he has a remarkable ability to disappear into each character, making every performance feel completely distinct.
Fans also admire his perfectionism and dedication to his craft. Directors and co-stars frequently praise the amount of preparation he puts into every project, while viewers appreciate that he consistently chooses scripts with strong storytelling rather than simply chasing popularity. His steady rise over more than two decades has made him one of the most respected actors in Korean television.
New Merch Drop
Fan-made pieces inspired by drama nights, bias feelings, and soft delulu moods.
More picture of Namkoong Min
FAQ
- How tall is Namkoong Min?
- Namkoong Min is 177 cm tall.
- How old is Namkoong Min?
- Namkoong Min is 48 years old.
- Where is Namkoong Min from?
- Namkoong Min is from South Korean.
Fun facts
- Before becoming an actor, Namkoong Min earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chung-Ang University. Few would have guessed that someone trained to solve engineering problems would eventually become one of Korea's most celebrated actors. Source: MyDramaList
- His entertainment career began after winning the 5th Music Star Contest VJ, an opportunity that led directly to his acting debut in the 2001 film Bungee Jumping of Their Own. Source: MyDramaList
- Like many Korean actors, Namkoong Min fulfilled his mandatory military duty. Beginning on August 31, 2006, he served for 18 months as a Social Service Agent at the Korea Army Training Center in Nonsan. Source: MyDramaList
- Although he's now known as one of Korea's top leading men, Namkoong Min spent years gradually building his career through supporting roles before finally receiving widespread recognition in his late 30s. Source: MyDramaList
- One of the biggest turning points in his career came with Remember: War of the Son (2015). His chilling portrayal of the villain Nam Gyu-man is still considered one of the greatest antagonist performances in modern K-dramas. Source: MyDramaList
- Rather than being typecast as a villain, Namkoong Min completely reinvented himself the very next year in Good Manager (Chief Kim). His comedic performance surprised audiences and proved he could excel far beyond dark roles. Source: KBS, MyDramaList
- He received three Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor nominations for Remember: War of the Son, Good Manager, and Hot Stove League, highlighting how consistently his performances have been recognized by critics. Source: MyDramaList
- Hot Stove League became one of the defining dramas of his career. The series won Best Drama at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, while Namkoong Min earned his first Daesang (Grand Prize) at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards. Source: MyDramaList, Baeksang Arts Awards
- His dedication to every role has become legendary among fans. For dramas such as The Veil, he underwent dramatic physical transformations, including gaining significant muscle mass to convincingly portray an elite intelligence agent. Source: MBC, interviews
- In 2023, Namkoong Min delivered one of the most acclaimed performances of his career as Lee Jang-hyun in My Dearest. The role earned him both the Best Actor Award at the Grimae Awards and the Daesang at the MBC Drama Awards. Source: MBC Drama Awards, Grimae Awards
- Beyond acting, Namkoong Min has also worked behind the camera as both a director and screenwriter, giving him a broader understanding of storytelling than many of his peers. Source: MyDramaList
- In February 2016, Namkoong Min confirmed that he was dating model and actress Jin Ah Reum. After more than six years together, the couple married on October 7, 2022, becoming one of Korean entertainment's most admired celebrity couples. Source: MyDramaList
- Despite his intense on-screen characters, colleagues often describe Namkoong Min as soft-spoken, thoughtful, and highly considerate on set. His calm personality contrasts sharply with many of the fierce roles he's famous for playing. Source: Cast interviews, Korean media
- Throughout his career, Namkoong Min has repeatedly chosen unconventional projects over predictable hits. Whether starring in sports dramas, legal thrillers, historical romances, or dark psychological series, he has built a reputation for selecting scripts based on quality rather than trend. Source: Drama press interviews, MyDramaList
- More than two decades after his debut, Namkoong Min has become one of the industry's most respected actors—not because he found instant success, but because he continually evolved. His journey from engineering student to award-winning actor is often cited as an example of how persistence and constant reinvention can lead to lasting success. Source: MyDramaList, MBC Drama Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards
