Won Bin (원빈)

Biography

Won Bin is a South Korean actor known for his exceptional talent and selective filmography. He gained widespread recognition with the drama Autumn in My Heart (2000), which made him a household name across Asia. His transition to the big screen was marked by successful films such as Taegukgi (2004) and Mother (2009), showcasing his versatility. Won Bin’s last film, The Man from Nowhere (2010), became a major box office hit, solidifying his status as a top actor.

Despite his popularity, he has remained highly selective with his roles, leading to a long hiatus from acting. His striking visuals and reserved personality have contributed to his mystique, making him one of Korea’s most beloved stars. Even with his absence from the screen, Won Bin continues to be a cultural icon and a sought-after figure in the advertising industry.

Career

In 1997, Won Bin made his debut in the KBS2 Monday-Tuesday drama “Propose,” playing an exotic-looking neighbor who often walked his dog. Although he had few lines, his striking facial features and unique aura left a strong impression. His character was a slightly eccentric young man with a dreamy disposition, secretly in love with the female lead, played by Kim Hee-sun. Since the word “stalker” was not commonly used at the time, his frequent appearances around her led to scenes where she felt uneasy and consulted her family and friends out of concern.

After this, Won Bin gradually gained attention as a rising star through KBS2’s “Super Sunday” and took on his first lead role in MBC’s drama “Ready, Go!,” portraying Han Seung-joo, a wealthy and academically gifted young man with a troubled past. He also participated in the drama’s OST, performing a duet with Yoon Son-ha, and even appeared at the 1998 MBC Gayo Daejejeon. That same year, he made a special appearance as a deliveryman in the film “Saturday, 2:00 pm.”

In 1999, he starred alongside Choi Kang-hee, Yang Dong-geun, Lee Dong-gun, and Bae Doo-na in the KBS2 campus drama “Ad Madness,” playing Kang Min, a cynical photography student focused only on money but who gradually changes after gaining friends and a new outlook on life. His “Terius” hairstyle also became a popular trend. On December 31, he won the Best New Actor award at the KBS Drama Awards.

In 2000, Won Bin cut his hair short for a transformation in the weekend drama “Tough Guy’s Love,” where he played Song Myeong-tae, a rough yet righteous young man. Initially criticized for his acting skills not matching his good looks, he gradually improved through various projects. On the set of “Tough Guy’s Love,” veteran actor Park Geun-hyung famously scolded him, pushing him to refine his craft. Won Bin later continued to study acting under professional coaches.

His acting skills significantly improved, and in 2000, he became a top star through the KBS2 Monday-Tuesday drama “Autumn in My Heart,” which surpassed 40% viewership ratings. He played Han Tae-seok, the youngest son of a hotel conglomerate, deeply in love with Yoon Eun-seo (played by Song Hye-kyo). The drama catapulted him to stardom, earning him the Excellence Award at the KBS Drama Awards and the Best New Actor award at the 37th Baeksang Arts Awards.

In 2001, he made his big-screen debut in director Jang Jin’s film “Guns & Talks,” playing Ha-yeon, the youngest member of a professional hitman group alongside Shin Hyun-joon, Shin Ha-kyun, and Jung Jae-young.

In 2002, Won Bin starred in the South Korea-Japan joint production drama “Friends,” opposite Japanese actress Kyoko Fukada. The drama, which aired simultaneously in both countries, depicted a fateful love story between a Korean man and a Japanese woman, receiving positive reviews. After its broadcast, he became one of the most searched celebrities in Japan, cementing his status as a major Hallyu star. Following this, he focused more on films rather than dramas and became known for his selective filmography.

Despite appearing in fewer projects, all of his films were successful. In 2004, he starred in “Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War,” set during the Korean War. The film, released on February 5, surpassed 10 million viewers, making him part of an elite group of actors with blockbuster hits. He played Lee Jin-seok, a younger brother forcibly drafted into the war, showcasing powerful on-screen chemistry with Jang Dong-gun, who played his older brother.

Later that year, he starred in “My Brother,” portraying Kim Jong-hyun, a handsome, tough young man who falls for the same girl as his older brother, played by Shin Ha-kyun.

After a two-year hiatus, he signaled his comeback in mid-2008 by appearing in commercials. He officially returned to acting with director Bong Joon-ho’s “Mother,” which was invited to the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. Won Bin played Yoon Do-joon, a naive young man entirely dependent on his mother (played by Kim Hye-ja), marking a breakthrough in his acting career and a transition from “handsome star” to a serious actor.

In 2010, Won Bin played the lead role in “The Man from Nowhere,” portraying Cha Tae-sik, a former special agent who comes out of isolation to rescue a kidnapped girl (played by Kim Sae-ron) from a criminal organization. The film attracted over 6 million viewers, proving that he could carry a movie as a solo lead. He won multiple Best Actor awards, reaching the peak of his career.

One of the most iconic scenes from the film, where he shaves his long hair with a razor, became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring numerous parodies.

Personal Life

Early Life

Won Bin was born as the youngest of five siblings (two brothers and three sisters) in Yeoryang-ri, Yeoryang-myeon, Jeongseon County, Gangwon Province. He graduated from Yeoryang Elementary School, Yeoryang Middle School, and Chuncheon Mechanical Technical High School before moving to Seoul, where his cousin lived.

As a child, he dreamed of becoming an entertainer and even ran away from home but was caught and brought back. A well-known anecdote recounts his parents scolding him, saying, “Do you think becoming a celebrity is easy? Even in downtown Gangneung, there are people more handsome than you. Not just anyone can be an actor. Stop dreaming and focus on your studies.” Despite their harsh words, they reportedly acknowledged his good looks but wanted to keep him grounded.

At the time, the owner of the auto repair shop where Won Bin worked part-time suggested he try his luck as an actor in Seoul. At the age of 20, he moved to the capital with the dream of becoming an actor. He lived with his sister, worked part-time jobs to support himself, and auditioned whenever he could. His breakthrough came when he applied for a rookie actor recruitment program at a cable TV station, Jeil Broadcasting. He passed the audition and debuted as part of their third talent recruitment class.

In an interview, Won Bin revealed that while other applicants submitted professionally taken portfolio photos, he sent a picture his sister had taken with a film camera against a brick wall. Not long after his debut, renowned designer André Kim noticed him while flipping through TV channels in search of new faces for his fashion show. This marked the beginning of his rise in the entertainment industry.

Following this opportunity, he signed with Star J Entertainment and adopted the stage name “Won Bin” at the suggestion of his agency’s CEO. Since childhood, he had aspired to act after watching dramas and movies. In a later interview related to his film “The Man from Nowhere,” he mentioned that watching Choi Min-soo’s “Terrorist” inspired his dream of becoming an action star, a genre in which he later proved his talent.

Military Life

After enlisting on November 29, 2005, Won Bin was assigned to the GOP outpost of the 7th Infantry Division in Gangwon Province, a physically demanding post. Unlike some celebrities who sought easier service, he volunteered for frontline duty.

However, due to a pre-existing knee condition, his injury worsened from intense marches, leading to a torn ACL. He was hospitalized for rehabilitation but was medically discharged after six months on June 7, 2006. His request to be reassigned from GOP duty was denied, further aggravating his condition.

His recovery took nearly three years before he returned to acting in the film “Mother.” Given the severity of his injury and the proper discharge procedures, he is rarely criticized for his shortened military service.

15-Year Hiatus

Since starring in “The Man from Nowhere,” Won Bin has focused solely on commercials, earning a reputation for his elusive persona. As of 2025, it has been 15 years since his last film, with no new acting projects. Even actors with long hiatuses, like Ko Hyun-jung and Lee Young-ae, returned sooner than he has.

Despite numerous casting offers, including “The King 2 Hearts” (2012), “That Winter, the Wind Blows” (2013), “Train to Busan” (2015), and “Descendants of the Sun” (2015), he declined them all due to creative differences or concerns over his past knee injury. His selective approach stems from a preference for deep, emotionally resonant roles, as seen in “Tough Guy’s Love” and “My Brother.” However, his prolonged absence has led to increasing public skepticism, especially compared to peers like Ha Jung-woo and Kang Dong-won, who continue building their filmographies.

His wife, Lee Na-young, resumed acting in 2018, yet Won Bin remains inactive, citing a lack of suitable scripts. While “The Man from Nowhere” cemented his legacy, its overwhelming success may have made choosing a follow-up daunting. His extreme caution has only extended his hiatus, making a comeback increasingly difficult.

Most recently, he was seen attending Kim Sae-ron’s funeral in February 2025, marking a rare public appearance.

Marriage

In July 2013, rumors surfaced that actor Lee Na-young was dating Won Bin, which the couple later confirmed. Their relationship reportedly began after Lee Na-young joined the same agency. Both known for their private lifestyles, they only met at each other’s homes, and the only paparazzi photos available were taken in their home parking lot.

On May 30, 2015, the couple held a small wedding near Won Bin’s hometown in Deokuri, Jeongseon County, Gangwon Province. The intimate ceremony was attended by only about 50 family members, and they celebrated with a modest reception, cooking noodles in a traditional cauldron.

Shortly after the wedding, news broke that Lee Na-young was pregnant, and in December of that year, the couple welcomed their son. In a 2018 interview, Lee Na-young addressed Won Bin’s prolonged hiatus, saying, “He wants to tell a story he can confidently stand behind. There haven’t been many such scripts until now, and his break ended up being longer than expected. But at times like this, he believes it’s important to choose the right project. He’ll probably be back soon.”

UNICEF Contributions

Since his debut and even after rising to stardom, Won Bin consistently participated in André Kim’s UNICEF fundraising fashion shows. In March 2002, he was appointed as a Peace Ambassador for the World Peace Children’s Festival. He continued his charitable efforts by holding a charity fan meeting, 28DAY’N YEAR WONBIN, in February 2005 at Yokohama Pacifico Hall in Japan, where he met with around 5,000 fans and donated all ticket proceeds to UNICEF. Thanks to a strong recommendation from designer André Kim, with whom he had a long-standing relationship, Won Bin was appointed as a Special Representative of the Korean Committee for UNICEF in September 2007. Since then, he has actively participated in numerous charity events, photo exhibitions, and fundraising efforts to support children in need.

In April 2009, he visited a UNICEF relief site in The Gambia, Africa, and upon his return, held a photo exhibition titled Gambia: Children of the Smiling Coast at Gallery IS in Insadong, Seoul, in collaboration with photographer Kwon Young-ho and UNICEF. The following year, he traveled to East Timor to observe UNICEF-supported vaccination and education programs and took part in a public awareness campaign with local children. This experience led to another exhibition, Won Bin’s Story of East Timor, held at the UNICEF Hall on Nami Island from December 2010 to February 2011. In addition to his on-site humanitarian efforts, he also supported UNICEF’s promotional campaigns, appearing in a sponsorship advertisement in October 2012 and participating in a campaign celebrating UNICEF’s 70th anniversary in 2016.

Net Worth

Won Bin’s net worth is estimated to be around $18 million, largely accumulated through his acting career and endorsement deals. He has featured in various commercials, generating significant earnings. His careful selection of roles and brand partnerships has enabled him to sustain a comfortable lifestyle.

Filmograpy

Film

• Saturday, 2:00 PM (1998)
• Guns & Talks (2001)
• Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)
• My Brother (2004)
• Mother (2009)
• The Man from Nowhere (2010)

Television Series

• Propose (1997)
• Ready, Go! (1998)
• Jump (1999)
• Kwangki (1999)
• Small Station (2000)
• Tough Guy’s Love (2000)
• Autumn in My Heart (2000)
• Friends (2002)