Shin Sung-rok (born November 23, 1982) is a South Korean actor. He frequently appears in films and television series, but is better known an active in
musical theatre.
Early life
Shin had initially aspired to become a basketball player together with his brother Je-rok, who is two years younger. Both brothers attended
Whimoon High School
Whimoon High School () is a private high school in South Korea, located in Daechi-dong, Seoul. It is one of the oldest high schools in South Korea.
History
Whimoon High School traces its beginnings to the opening of ''Kwangsung-Euisuk'' in 19 ...
, known as one of Seoul's top high school basketball programs.
An injury prompted Shin to reconsider another career and he transferred to Anyang Arts High School.
He majored in Theater and Film at the
University of Suwon but subsequently dropped out after being
cast
Cast may refer to:
Music
* Cast (band), an English alternative rock band
* Cast (Mexican band), a progressive Mexican rock band
* The Cast, a Scottish musical duo: Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis
* ''Cast'', a 2012 album by Trespassers William
...
in a play.
["Herald Interview: 'It is heart that embraces character'"]
The Korea Herald
''The Korea Herald'' is a leading English-language daily newspaper founded in 1953 and published in Seoul, South Korea. The editorial staff is composed of Korean and international writers and editors, with additional news coverage drawn from int ...
. June 21, 2007.["Shin Flies High in ''My Scary Girl''"]
The Korea Times
''The Korea Times'' is the oldest of three English-language newspapers published daily in South Korea. It is a sister paper of the '' Hankook Ilbo'', a major Korean language daily; both are owned by Dongwha Enterprise, a wood-based manufacture ...
. March 3, 2009.
Career
Shin made his acting debut in 2003, but found it difficult to find acting jobs since directors were reluctant to cast the 189 centimeter-tall aspiring actor in supporting or minor roles. Thinking he would have a better chance if he gained more acting experience and honed his craft on the stage, Shin switched gears and joined the theater company Hakchon.
["Shin Sung Rok: 'Middle Aged Women Fans Have Increased'"]
. KBS Global. July 28, 2010.
When Shin performed in his first musical ''Moskito'', there were only 20-25 audience members in the 500-seat hall. Despite feeling depressed and frustrated, he said the experience made him strong and helped him become an actor with plenty of guts.
While doing the musical ''
Dracula'', Shin was cast in his first substantial onscreen role, in the risqué cable drama ''Hyena'' (2006).
Supporting roles in dramas and films followed, notably in ''
Thank You
"''Thank you''" (often expanded to ''thank you very much'' or ''thanks a lot'', or informally abbreviated to ''thanks'' or alternately as ''many thanks''Geoffrey Leech, ''The Pragmatics of Politeness'' (2014), p. 200.) is a common expression of ...
'' (2007) and ''My Life's Golden Years'' (also known as ''All About My Family'', 2008). He also appeared on
season 1 Season One may refer to:
Albums
* ''Season One'' (Suburban Legends album), 2004
* ''Season One'' (All Sons & Daughters album), 2012
* ''Season One'' (Saukrates album), 2012
See also
*
*
* Season 2 (disambiguation)
* Season 4 (disambiguati ...
of the
MBC dating reality show ''
We Got Married
''We Got Married'' () was a South Korean reality variety show that aired on MBC from 2008 to 2017. The show paired up celebrities who pretended to be married couples and completed various challenges together. The show ran for four seasons and ...
'' as a "fake couple" with female comedian
Kim Shin-young.
Mainstream breakthrough still eluded Shin, but in theater his star was rising. In 2007, Shin was picked from 400 auditionees for the lead role Solomon in ''Dancing Shadows'', a musical adaptation of the realist play ''Forest Fire'' by celebrated Korean playwright Cha Beom-seok.
He later received a Best New Actor nomination from the Korea Musical Awards.
[''Dancing Shadows'' Sweeps Musical Awards]
The Korea Times
''The Korea Times'' is the oldest of three English-language newspapers published daily in South Korea. It is a sister paper of the '' Hankook Ilbo'', a major Korean language daily; both are owned by Dongwha Enterprise, a wood-based manufacture ...
. October 24, 2007.
As Shin starred in one hit musical after another, he continued to impress critics with his acting performances, his strong and powerful baritone vocals and his delicate and clear alto notes.
[''Romeo et Juliette'' Back in Korean]
The Korea Times
''The Korea Times'' is the oldest of three English-language newspapers published daily in South Korea. It is a sister paper of the '' Hankook Ilbo'', a major Korean language daily; both are owned by Dongwha Enterprise, a wood-based manufacture ...
. May 18, 2009. He is now considered a top musical star, even drawing fans from outside Korea to his shows.
''
Definitely Neighbors
''Definitely Neighbors'' (; also known as ''Neighbor Enemies'') is a 2010 South Korean television drama starring Son Hyun-joo, Yoo Ho-jeong, Kim Sung-ryung and Shin Sung-rok. It aired on SBS from March 13 to October 31, 2010 on Saturdays and Su ...
'' (2010) further boosted his TV profile; for his role as a difficult chef who falls in love with an older divorcee, Shin won Best Supporting Actor in a Weekend/Daily Drama at the
2010 SBS Drama Awards.
His most popular drama yet was the romantic comedy ''
My Love from the Star
''My Love from the Star'' () is a South Korean fantasy romantic comedy television series written by Park Ji-eun and directed by Jang Tae-yoo. Produced by Choi Moon-suk and Moon Bo-mi, it stars Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun, Park Hae-jin, Yoo In- ...
'' (2013), in which he appeared as a villainous businessman. This was followed by supporting roles in the 2014 series ''
Trot Lovers
''Lovers of Music'' (; lit. ''Trot Lovers'') is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Jung Eun-ji, Ji Hyun-woo, Shin Sung-rok and Lee Se-young. It aired on KBS2 from June 23 to August 12, 2014 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 16 ep ...
'' (as a talent agency CEO), ''
Liar Game
''Liar Game'' (stylized as ''LIAR GAME'') is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shinobu Kaitani. It was serialized in Shueisha's ''seinen'' manga magazine ''Weekly Young Jump'' from February 2005 to January 2015. It was adap ...
'' (as the host of a reality show), and ''
The King's Face
''The King's Face'' (; Hanja: 王의 얼굴) is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Seo In-guk, Jo Yoon-hee, Lee Sung-jae, Kim Gyu-ri and Shin Sung-rok. It aired on KBS2 from November 19, 2014 to February 5, 2015 on Wednesdays and Thur ...
'' (as a
face reader).
Despite branching out to film and television, Shin has maintained that his heart will always belong to the stage, and has stated, "I feel more affection toward the stage
ather than TV I think it is the stage where actors learn life and understand the meaning of acting. It is where I learned how to act and where I gained confidence. I think the core of my life will remain on the stage" (''
The Korea Herald
''The Korea Herald'' is a leading English-language daily newspaper founded in 1953 and published in Seoul, South Korea. The editorial staff is composed of Korean and international writers and editors, with additional news coverage drawn from int ...
'', 2007).
"The musical is like my old home and it made me what I am now, so I can't stop performing the musicals however busy I get" (''
The Korea Times
''The Korea Times'' is the oldest of three English-language newspapers published daily in South Korea. It is a sister paper of the '' Hankook Ilbo'', a major Korean language daily; both are owned by Dongwha Enterprise, a wood-based manufacture ...
'', 2009)
In September 2021, Shin decided not to renew his contract with HB Entertainment. Later on September 27, 2021, Shin signed a contract with Screening ENT.
Personal life
Shin has a younger brother. Shin Jae-rok is a former professional basketball player who had short stints with
Anyang KT&G Kites and
Changwon LG Sakers
Changwon LG Sakers are a basketball team located in the city of Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. They play in the Korean Basketball League, and their home arena is Changwon Gymnasium which has a capacity for approximately 6,000 ...
before retiring. He became a chef and has since opened his own restaurant. Both of them appeared on July 30, 2015
KBS talk show ''
Happy Together''.
Shin began dating ballerina
Kim Joo-won in 2011; Kim was a
principal dancer
A principal dancer (often shortened to principal) is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company.
A principal may be male or female. The position is similar to that of '' soloist''; however, p ...
with the
Korea National Ballet for 15 years from 1988 to 2003, and currently teaches at
Sungshin Women's University. The pair broke up after four years of dating in August 2015.
In June 2016 Shin married a non-celebrity office worker in
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state ...
. In November the same year, Shin became a father to a daughter.
Filmography
Television series
Film
Television show
Theater
Awards and nominations
References
External links
Shin Seong-rokat HB Entertainment
Shin Sung-rok Fan Cafeat
Daum
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shin, Sung-rok
South Korean male film actors
South Korean male television actors
South Korean male musical theatre actors
South Korean male stage actors
1982 births
Living people
People from Seoul
Male actors from Seoul
21st-century South Korean male actors
South Korean baritones