Bae Yong Joon (배용준)
kim soo hyun Bae Yong Joon Bae Yong-joon thumbnail

Bae Yong Joon (배용준)

배용준
  • Korean Name:배용준
  • Nickname:Yonsama (ヨン様 – affectionate Japanese nickname), Bae Yong-sensei
  • Birthday:August 29, 1972
  • Nationality:South Korean
  • Zodiac Sign:Virgo
  • Height:180 cm (5'11")
  • Weight:75 kg
  • Blood Type:O
  • Occupation:Actor, Businessman
  • Years Active:1994–2017 (semi-retired)
  • Agency:KeyEast (he was also the founder and major shareholder)
  • Spouse:Park Soo-jin (2015)
  • Children:2
  • Education:Studied Film and Television at Sungkyunkwan University
  • SNS:Instagram: @yongjoon_bae (https://www.instagram.com/yongjoon_bae/)Threads: @yongjoon_bae (https://www.threads.com/@yongjoon_bae)

Biography

Bae Yong-joon (배용준), born on August 29, 1972, is a South Korean actor, businessman, and one of the earliest global faces of the Hallyu (Korean Wave). Affectionately known as “Yonsama” in Japan, Bae is best remembered for his romantic, charismatic roles that helped spark international interest in Korean dramas in the early 2000s. He was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. He studied Film and Television at Sungkyunkwan University, laying the groundwork for his future career in entertainment.

Bae Yong-joon
bae yong joon
Actor Bae Yongjoon

Bae debuted in 1994 with the KBS drama Salut D’Amour, gaining quick attention for his good looks and emotional depth. However, it was the 2002 drama Winter Sonata that catapulted him to international stardom. The series became a cultural phenomenon, particularly in Japan, where he gained an enormous following. Following Winter Sonata, Bae starred in high-profile projects like The Legend and the film April Snow, solidifying his position as a top-tier actor.

Beyond acting, Bae Yong-joon is a savvy businessman. He founded the entertainment company KeyEast, which grew into a major talent management agency. He also invested in various lifestyle businesses, including restaurants and travel.

Bae Yong-joon and Park Soo-jin thumbnail

In 2015, Bae married actress Park Soo-jin, and the couple has two children. Since marriage, Bae has stepped away from the limelight, focusing on family and business.

Though semi-retired, Bae Yong-joon remains a symbol of classic Hallyu. His gentle, dignified image continues to evoke nostalgia among fans who witnessed the beginning of Korea’s cultural rise on the global stage.

Fun Facts

  1. Bae Yong-joon was one of the first Korean stars to gain massive international popularity, especially in Japan His role as Kang Joon-sang in the 2002 drama Winter Sonata turned him into a cultural icon, sparking a tourism boom in Korea from Japanese fans.
  2. He founded KeyEast, a leading entertainment agency that managed many top stars. He sold major shares to SM Entertainment in 2018.
  3. In 2004, Bae published a photo essay book titled "The Image: Volume 1", which became a bestseller in Korea and Japan.
  4. Despite his fame, Bae is known for being extremely private. He rarely appears in public and avoids variety shows or interviews.
  5. Bae Yong Joon and Actress Park Soo-jin married in 2015 after a brief courtship and now have two children. Their relationship was kept low-key until the wedding.
  6. Although not officially retired, Bae has stepped back from acting and now focuses on his family and business ventures.
  7. Despite being active as an actor for many years, he has never appeared in an SBS drama — with one exception. Back in 1995, during his rookie years, he starred alongside Jang Seo-hee in Sea Breeze, a special drama celebrating the launch of PSB, the Busan regional network of SBS.
  8. Contrary to his image, he reportedly enjoys playing PSP games.
  9. He decided to become an actor in his senior year of high school after watching the film Mean Streets starring Robert De Niro.
  10. He owns a Maybach 62.
  11. According to anecdotes from acquaintances, his personality is unexpectedly down-to-earth and manly.
  12. In the 2000s, he was considered not just one of the "Four Kings of the Korean Wave," but often regarded as the top among them.
  13. Alongside Bae Yong-joon, he was featured in a Korean language-learning Nintendo DS software titled Learn Korean with Bae Yong-joon DS (ぺ・ヨンジュンと学ぶ韓国語DS), which was released in Japan on September 19, 2009. A Bae Yong-joon figurine was also launched.
  14. He once teamed up with Park Jin-young to produce the drama Dream High, which led to speculation about whether he would pursue a career shift into directing or producing. However, this was simply a collaborative effort with a friend, and unlike actors such as Jung Woo-sung or Kim Yoon-seok, he has not yet taken on directorial duties himself.