Baek Sung-hyun (; born January 30, 1989) is a South Korean actor.
Career
Baek Sung-hyun made his acting debut in the 1994 film ''I Wish for What Is Forbidden to Me'' when he was five years old. The
child actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in film, movies or television. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associ ...
practically grew up onscreen, playing the roles of an adorable son in several
MBC series including ''See and See Again'' in 1998 and ''Ajumma'' (also known as ''Housewife's Rebellion'') in 2000. As he entered his teenage years, he played the younger versions of male protagonists in
drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has been ...
s such as ''
Damo'' (2003), ''
Emperor of the Sea
''Emperor of the Sea'' (; literally "Sea God") is a South Korean television drama series starring Choi Soo-jong, Chae Shi-ra, Song Il-kook، Soo Ae and Chae Jung-an It aired on KBS2 from November 24, 2004 to May 25, 2005 on Wednesdays and Thur ...
'' (2004) and ''
Stairway to Heaven
"Stairway to Heaven" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in late 1971. It was composed by the band's guitarist Jimmy Page and lead singer Robert Plant for their untitled fourth studio album (often titled ''Led Zeppelin IV'') ...
'' (2003) — the last his breakout role. Critics praised his acting that seemed more mature and romantic for his age.
Director
Lee Joon-ik
Lee Joon-ik (born September 21, 1959) is a South Korean film director and producer. He is best known for directing and producing ''King and the Clown'' (2005), one of the highest grossing Korean films of all time. Other notable films include ' ...
had previously wanted to cast Baek in his films ''
King and the Clown
''The King and the Clown'' (, lit. ''The King's Man'') is a 2005 South Korean historical drama film, starring Kam Woo-sung, Lee Joon-gi, and Jung Jin-young. It was adapted from the 2000 stage play, ''Yi'' ("You") about Yeonsangun of Joseon, a Jose ...
'' and ''
The Happy Life
''The Happy Life'' () is a 2007 South Korean film directed by Lee Joon-ik. The film sold 1,263,835 tickets nationwide .
Synopsis
Sang-woo, the leader of college rock band Active Volcano, dies and sets up a reunion for Gi-yeong and the other m ...
''; he finally got to work with Lee in ''
Blades of Blood
''Blades of Blood'' (; lit. "Like the Moon Escaping from the Clouds") is a 2010 South Korean action drama film directed by Lee Joon-ik. The film is based on Park Heung-yong's graphic novel ''Like the Moon Escaping from the Clouds''.
Plot
In the ...
'' (2010). Lee said he cast Baek as the character Gyun-ja who stands between the two main leads
Hwang Jung-min
Hwang Jung-min (born September 1, 1970) is a South Korean actor. He is one of the highest-grossing actors in South Korea, and has starred in several box office hits such as ''Ode to My Father'' (2014), ''Veteran'' (2015), ''The Himalayas'' (2015 ...
and
Cha Seung-won
Cha Seung-won (born June 7, 1970) is a South Korean actor, who began his career as an in-demand fashion model in the 1990s. Cha achieved stardom through the hit comedy films ''Kick the Moon'' (2001), ''Jail Breakers'' (2002), '' My Teacher, Mr. ...
for he was "the only actor who can act as much as he can at such a young age," attesting to Baek's strong acting fundamentals.
He has since starred in a number of other films and TV series —
sitcom
A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ne ...
''Kokkiri (Elephant)'' (2008), high school comedy ''
Our School's E.T.'' (2008), romantic comedy ''
The Accidental Couple
''The Accidental Couple'' (; lit. ''Just Looking''), shortened to ''That Fool'' (), is a 2009 South Korean television series starring Hwang Jung-min and Kim Ah-joong. The romantic comedy series focuses on the relationship between a post office cle ...
'' (2009), and period drama ''
Insu, The Queen Mother
''Insu, the Queen Mother'' () is a 2011 South Korean historical television series, starring Chae Shi-ra, Hahm Eun-jung, Kim Young-ho, Kim Mi-sook, Baek Sung-hyun and Jeon Hye-bin. Focusing on the fierce power struggle among three women in the ro ...
'' (2011).
Of note is Baek's performance as a young marathoner in the four-episode ''Running, Gu'' (2010), his acting calm and gravitas in the eight-episode
drama special
''KBS Drama Special'' () is a South Korean anthology series created and broadcast by KBS2, with each episode having a different story, cast, director and scriptwriter. The format is based on its predecessor ''Drama City'' and MBC's Best Theater. ...
''
White Christmas'' (2011), and his leading man turn in the youthful romance ''
Melody of Love'' (2013).
On January 5, 2022, it was reported that Baek's contract with
Sidus HQ
iHQ Inc., doing business as SidusHQ () is one of the leading talent management agencies in South Korea. It was founded in January 2001 by Teddy Hoon-tak Jung. The company is involved in talent management (artist content), and TV drama/music prod ...
has expired since December 2021. On January 25, 2022, Baek signed an exclusive contract with Weta Lab.
Personal life
It has been said that Baek is scheduled to enlist on January 2, 2018, as a
Marine Coast Guard to fulfil his
mandatory military duties.
Baek married his non-celebrity girlfriend of 4 years on April 25, 2020. At the end of October 2020, Baek's wife gave birth to a daughter. Baek Sung-hyun and his daughter, Seo-yoon were cast members of the
KBS2
The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters.
KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...
's variety show ''
The Return of Superman''.
In February 2022, Baek announced that his wife was pregnant with their second child through the program ''
The Return of Superman''. Baek's wife gave birth to their second child, a son, at the end of July 2022.
Filmography
Film
Television series
Web series
Variety show
Music video
Theatre/Musical
Awards and nominations
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baek, Sung-hyun
1989 births
Living people
South Korean male child actors
South Korean male television actors
South Korean male film actors
South Korean male stage actors
21st-century South Korean male actors
Chung-Ang University alumni