:''This is a list of notable Koreans or notable people of Korean descent.'' In Korean names, the

family name In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

is placed first (for example, the family name of "Park Ji-Sung" is "Park"), unless the person has decided to Westernize their name.

Artists

Visual artists

Media artists

Paik Nam-June Nam June Paik (; July 20, 1932 – January 29, 2006) was a Korean American artist. He worked with a variety of media and is considered to be the founder of video art. He is credited with the first use (1974) of the term "electronic super hi ...

Dancers

* Young Soon Moon, prima ballerina *

Sujin Kang Kang Sue-jin (; born 24 April 1967) is a South Korean ballerina. She is a principal dancer at Stuttgart Ballet. Early life Kang Sue-jin was born in Seoul, South Korea. After initial ballet lessons at Sun Hwa Arts Middle School, where she ma ...

Hong 10 Kim Hong-Yul (born 1984), better known by his stage name Hong 10, is a Korean b-boy. He is part of the Korean crew Flow Xl (formally known as Drifterz), 7Commandoz worldwide and represents the Red Bull BC One All Stars. Biography Name The name ...

, professional break dancer *

Halla Pai Huhm Halla Pai Huhm (alternately, Halla Huhm, Pai Halla, or Pae Yŏng-ja; 1922–1994) was a Korean-American dancer and the most well-known teacher of Korean dance in Hawaii. She established the Halla Pai Huhm dance studio, and after her death, the Ha ...

Hee Seo Hee Seo (; born 13 March 1986) is a South Korean ballet dancer who is a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the three leading classical ballet companies in the United States. She became the company's first Korean ba ...

Filmmakers

Ahn Byeong-ki Ahn Byeong-ki (born November 5, 1966 or 1967) is a South Korean film director, film producer, producer, and screenwriter specializing in horror films. His representative horror works are ''Phone (film), Phone'' and ''Bunshinsaba (2004 film), Bun ...

Bong Joon-ho Bong Joon-ho (, ; Hanja: 奉俊昊; born September 14, 1969) is a South Korean film director, producer and screenwriter. The recipient of four Academy Awards, his filmography is characterised by emphasis on social themes, genre-mixing, black h ...

* Hong Sang-soo * Im Kwon-taek * Jang Joon-hwan * Kim Jee-woon *

Kim Ki-duk Kim Ki-duk ( ; 20 December 196011 December 2020) was a South Korean film director and screenwriter, noted for his idiosyncratic art-house cinematic works. His films have received many distinctions in the festival circuit, rendering him one of ...

* Lee Chang-dong * Park Chan-wook * Nelson Shin * Song Hae-sung * Yoon Je-kyoon

Poets and authors

Baek Minseok Baek Minseok (Hangul: 백민석) is a modern South Korean writer. Life Baek Minseok was born in 1971, in Seoul. In 2004, Baek announced that he would no longer write and since then, he has suspended all writing activities. Work Baek Minse ...

Baek Seok Baek Seok (born Paek Ki-haeng; July 1, 1912 - January 7, 1996) was a Korean poet. He was born in Chŏngju in North Pyongan, and started his journalist career at ''Chosun Ilbo'' in 1934. He published his first poem "Chŏngju Fortress" (정주� ...

* Bang Hyun-seok * Chae Ho-ki * Chan Jeong * Cheong Chi-yong, poet * Choi Seung-ho, poet * Cho Sung-ki, novelist * Choi Il-nam, novelist * Choi Soo-cheol * Chun Woon-young *

Do Jong-hwan Do Jong-hwan (도종환) (born 27 September 1955) is a Korean poet and politician. He is a member of the South Korean National Assembly and former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. He was also the interim president of the Democratic Pa ...

, poet *

Gu Hyo-seo Gu Hyoseo is a Korean author. Life Gu Hyo-seo was born in Incheon, South Korea, in 1958. Gu began his literary career in 1987 with the publication of his short story, "Madi" in the JoongAng Ilbo. Since then, Gu has published over twenty novel ...

* Ha Geun-chan, author * Ha Seong-nan, author * Hailji, author * Han Bi-ya, travel writer * Han Chang-hun, author * Han Kang * Han Mahlsook, novelist * Heo Su-gyeong, poet *

Hong Sung-won Hong Sung-won was a Korean author Life Hong Sung-won was born in 1937, in Hapcheon County Hapcheon County (''Hapcheon-gun'') is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Located in northwest ...

, author * Hwang In-suk, poet *

Hwang Ji-u Hwang Ji-u is a Korean poet and art critic. Life Hwang Ji-u was born in Jeollanam-do in 1952. He studied Aesthetics at Seoul National University and Philosophy at Sogang University. Hwang Ji-u is a native of Haenam at the southernmost tip of t ...

, poet * Hyun Kil-un *

Jang Eun-jin Jang Eun-Jin (born 1976) is a female South Korean writer. Life Jang Eun-Jin was born in 1976 in Gwangju City, Jeollanamdo, South Korea. She has a twin sister, Kim Hee-jin. Jang attended Cheonam National University in Gwangju from which she gr ...

Jang Jeong-il Jang Jeongil is a South Korean poet, playwright, and novelist. Life Jang Jeongil was born in Dalseong, Daegu, South Korea in 1962. He embarked on his literary career in 1984 when four of his poems including “Gangjeong ganda” were publish ...

* Jang Seok-nam, poet * Jeon Gyeong-rin *

Jeon Sang-guk Jeon Sang-guk (Hangul: 전상국) is a South Korean writer known for his masculine writing style. Life Jeon Sang-guk was born March 24, 1940, in Gangwon-do, Korea. Jeon graduated from Kyunghee University with a B.A. and M.A. in Korean liter ...

* Jeong Do-sang *

Jung Hansuk Jung Hansuk (; November 3, 1922 – 1997) was a South Korean writer and critic."Jung Hansuk" LTI Korea Datasheet available at LTI Korea Library or online at: http://klti.or.kr/ke_04_03_011.do# Life Jung Hansuk was born on November 3, 1922 in Y ...

Jung Ihyun Jeong Yi-hyeon (born 1972) is a South Korean novelist. Life Jeong Yi-hyeon was born in Seoul in 1972. She graduated from Sungshin Women's University Graduate School, and studied in the Department of Creative Writing at Seoul Institute of the A ...

Jung Mi-kyung Jung Mi-Kyung (; 4 February 1960 – 18 January 2017) was a modern South Korean novelist.”Jung Mi-Kyung" LTI Korea Datasheet available at LTI Korea Library or online at: http://klti.or.kr/ke_04_03_011.do# Life Jung Mi-Kyung was born on Febr ...

* Kang Chol-hwan, author of ''

The Aquariums of Pyongyang ''The Aquariums of Pyongyang: Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag ( ko, 수용소의 노래)'', by Kang Chol-hwan and Pierre Rigoulot, is an account of the imprisonment of Kang Chol-Hwan and his family in the Yodok concentration camp in North ...

'' *

Kang Sok-kyong Kang Sŏk-kyŏng , who was born on 10 January 1951, is a South Korean author with two works translated into English."강석경 " biographical PDF available at: http://www.klti.or.kr/ku_01_02_011.do?method=author_detail&AI_NUM=587&admin_top_lid= ...

Kang Young-sook Kang Young-sook (; born November 10, 1967) is a South Korean novelist."Kang Young-sook" LTI Korea Datasheet available at LTI Korea Library or online at: Life and career Kang Young-sook was born in 1967 in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (South K ...

Ko Un Ko Un (born 1 August 1933) is a South Korean poet whose works have been translated and published in more than fifteen countries. He had been imprisoned many times due to his role in the campaign for Korean democracy and was later mentioned in K ...

Kim Byeol-ah Kim Byeol-ah (born 1969) is a South Korean writer. Life Kim Byeol-ah hails from the coastal town of Gangneung in Gangweon Province. She began her career as a writer in 1993. During the ten years that followed, she did not emerge as a major fi ...

Kim Eon Kim Eon is a South Korean poet. Life Kim was born in 1973 in Busan, South Korea. He made his debut as a poet in 1998, with the publication of six poems including ''The Sunflower'' in the journal ''Poetry and Thought''. Kim is a poetic fundam ...

Kim Gi-taek Kim Ki-taek (; born 1957) is a modern South Korean poet. Biography Kim Ki-taek was born in 1957 in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. While many artists consider regular work, particularly the life of a white-collar worker, as a hindra ...

Kim Gwangrim Kwang-lim Kim (The romanization preferred by the author according to LTI Korea) is an early-modern South Korean poet. Life Kim Kwang-lim was born on September 21, 1929 in Wonsan, Hamgyeongnam-do, Korea. Kim graduated from Korea University ...

Kim Gyeong-uk Kim Kyung-uk (the romanization preferred by the author according to LTI Korea), is a Korean author. Life Kim Kyung-uk was born in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, South Korea in 1971. He completed his undergraduate degree in English Language a ...

* Kim Haki * Kim Hu-ran * Kim Jae-Young *

Kim Jong-gil Kim Jong-gil (Hangul: 김종길; November 5, 1926 – April 1, 2017) was an early-modern South Korean poet. Life Kim Jong-gil was born on November 5, 1926, in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. and graduated from Korea University with undergrad ...

Kim Ju-yeong Kim Joo-young (born December 7, 1939) is a South Korean writer of historical fiction. Life Kim was born on December 7, 1939 in Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do at the height of the Japanese occupation, and as a child experienced Korean liberati ...

Kim Kwang-kyu Kim Kwang-kyu (born January 7, 1941) is a South Korean poet and translator."김광규 " biographical PDF available at: http://klti.or.kr/ke_04_03_011.do# Life Kim was born in Seoul and studied German language and literature at Seoul Nationa ...

Kim Kyung-ju Kim Kyung Ju (born July 14, 1976) is a South Korean poet and performance artist. Life Kim Kyung Ju was born in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, Korea and studied Philosophy at Sogang University He made his formal debut in 2003 in the Seoul Shinmun Spring ...

Kim Mi-wol Kim Mi-wol is a multiply awarded modern writer of fiction born in Gangneung, South Korea. Life Kim Mi-wol was born in 1977 in Gangneung in the Gangwon province of South Korea. Her father was a public servant and so she moved, along with his ...

Kim Sa-in Kim Sain or Kim Sa-in is a South Korean poet, literary critic, and professor of creative writing at Dongduk Women's University. Kim has been appointed as the 7th President of the LTI Korea (Literature Translation Institute of Korea) in the ...

Kim Sang-ok Kim Sang-ok (; March 15, 1920 – October 31, 2004) was a self-educated South Korean poet."Kim Sang-ok" LTI Korea Datasheet available at LTI Korea Library or online at: http://klti.or.kr/ke_04_03_011.do# Life Kim Sang-ok was born on March 15, ...

Kim Sinyong Kim Sin Yong (The romanization preferred by the author according to LTI Korea or Hangul: 김신용) is a South Korean writer. Life Kim Sin Yong was born on April first, 1945 in Busan, Korea. Kim's early life was difficult as he was exposed to ...

Kim Seon-wu Kim Seonu (, born 1970) is a South Korean feminist poet. Life Kim Seonu was born in 1970 in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, South Korea, and is considered part of the new "feminist" wave of Korean poetry. Kim is also known internationally, havin ...

* Kim Seong-dong *

Kim Seung-hee Kim Seunghui is a South Korean poet, essayist, and novelist. Life Kim was born in Gwangju on March 1, 1952. She graduated from Chon-nam Girls' High School. She majored in English Literature at Sogang University in Seoul, Korea from which she ...

* Kim Sowol *

Kim Tak-hwan Kim Takhwan (born October 27, 1968) is a South Korean novelist and literary critic. He left the security of a tenured professorship to focus on his writing career. Work Almost all of Kim's novels take place in the mid to late Joseon Dynasty ...

* Kim Wonu *

Kim Yeong-hyeon Kim Yeong-hyeon (The romanization preferred by the author according to LTI Korea) is a modern Korean poet, novelist and publisher. Personal life Like many intellectuals of the time, Kim was the target of oppression during the 30 years of di ...

* Kim Yong-man *

Kwak Jae-gu Kwak Jae-gu is a South Korean modern poet. Life Kwak Jaegu was born in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do in 1954. He graduated from Chonnam National University. After his poem (At Sapyeong Station) won a literary contest sponsored by the JoongAng Ilbo i ...

* Kwon Jeong Saeng *

Kwon Yeo-sun Kwon Yeo-sun (born 1965) is a South Korean writer. Life Kwon Yeo-sun was born in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province of South Korea in 1965. Kwon enjoyed a brilliant literary debut in 1996 when her novel ''Niche of Green'' was awarded the Sangsan ...

Kye Yong-mook Kye Yong-mook (September 8, 1904 – August 9, 1961) (Hangul: 계용묵) was a South Korean writer. Life Kye Yong-mook, was born Ha Taeyong on September 8, 1904, in Seoncheon, Pyeonganbuk-do, Korea. Kye was educated at Sambong Public Normal S ...

Lee Eun-sang Lee Eun-sang may refer to: * Lee Eun-sang (poet) * Lee Eun-sang (singer) Lee Eun-sang ( ko, 이은상, born October 26, 2002), also known by the mononym Eunsang, is a South Korean singer and actor. He is currently a member of Younite. He is als ...

, poet *

Lee Ho-cheol Yi Hocheol (; 15 March 1932 – 18 September 2016) was a South Korean writer who won several awards. Life Yi Hocheol was born on 15 March 1932 in Wonsan, Hamgyeongnam-do, North Korea, and lived through the tragedy of the ideological conflict in ...

Lee Hye-gyeong Lee Hye-gyeong (; born 1960) is a South Korean writer who has published three collections of works and received multiple awards. Life In her first year of university, Lee was exposed to national political controversies including pictures from ...

(born 1960) *

Lee Hyeonggi Lee Hyeonggi (Hangul: 이형기; January 6, 1933 – February 2, 2005) was a modern South Korean poet."Lee Hyeonggi" LTI Korea Datasheet available at LTI Korea Library or online at: http://klti.or.kr/ke_04_03_011.do# Life Lee Hyeonggi was born ...

(born 1933) *

Lee In-hwa Yi In-hwa (; born January 5, 1966) is a South Korean writer, literary critic and professor."Yi In-hwa (이인화)" at LTI Korea Library or online at: Life Yi was born Lyou Chul-gyun in Daegu in 1966. When young, he was inspired by his father, a ...

* Lee Jangwook, author and poet *

Lee Kang-baek Lee Kang-Baek (born December 1, 1947) is a South Korean playwright. Life Lee Kang-Baek was born on December 1, 1947 in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea Lee recounts that as a youth he was shocked to discover from French nouveaux ro ...

, playwright * Lee Ki-ho, author *

Lee Mankyo Lee Mankyo (born in 1967; Hangul: 이만교) is a South Korean writer, whose works have been turned into Korean films. Work Lee Mankyo's work features verbal energy which brings to mind a garrulous exchange between gossipers. The various happen ...

* Lee Mun-ku, author *

Lee Oyoung Lee O-young (15 January 1934 – 26 February 2022) was a South Korean critic and novelist."이어령" biogr ...

, author and critic * Lee Soon-won * Lee Sungboo, poet and novelist * Lee Yuksa * Lee Yun-gi *

Lee Yuntaek Lee Youn-taek () is a poet, dramatist, and producer."Lee Yountaek" LTI Korea Datasheet available at LTI Korea Library or online at: http://klti.or.kr/ke_04_03_011.do# Life Lee Youn-taek was born July 9, 1952, in South Korea. A poet, dramatist ...

, dramatist and poet *

Ma Jonggi Mah Chonggi is a Korean poet. Life Mah was born in Tokyo, Japan on January 17, 1939. He graduated from medical schools at Yonsei University and Seoul National University. After finishing his graduate research at Seoul National University in 196 ...

(born 1939) *

Moon Chung-hee Mun Jeonghui is a South Korean poet. Life Mun Jeonghui was born in Boseong, Jeollanam-do, Korea on May 25, 1947. She attended Jinmyeong Girls' High School, majored in Korean Literature at Dongguk University, and completed her graduate studies ...

Moon Taejun Mun Tae-jun (, born 1970) is a South Korean poet. Career Mun Tae-jun has published several poetry collections since his prize-winning debut in 1994, and the great artistic potential of his works have gained the attention of many literary artists ...

Nam Jung-hyun Nam Jung-hyun (Hangul: 남정현) is a South Korean writer who often clashed with the Korean government. Life Nam Jung-hyun was born December 13, 1933 in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea.(충청남도 서산) He was the first son in a family ...

Oh Kyu-won Oh Kyu Won (; December 29, 1941 – February 2, 2007) was a South Korean writer."Oh Kyu Won" biographical PDF available at LTI Korea Library or online at: Biography Oh Kyu Won's original name was Oh Gyuok. Born on December 29, 1941 in Mirya ...

(born 1947) *

Oh Sangwon Oh Sangwon (Hangul: 오상원) was a South Korean writer and journalist."Oh Sangwon" LTI Korea Datasheet available at LTI Korea Library or online at: Life Oh Sangwon was born on November 5, 1930, in Seoncheon, Pyeonganbuk-do, Korea. Oh gradu ...

, author * Oh Soo-yeon, novelist * Oh Taeseok * Park Chong-hwa, novelist * Paik Gahuim * Park Hee-jin *

Park Hyoung-su Park Hyoung-su (born August 11, 1972) is a male South Korean writer of fiction born in Chuncheon, Gangwan-do, South Korea.Naver 인물검색박형서 Accessed 29. Aug 2014 (korean). His short story Krabi, named after the Thai district, has been p ...

Park Jaesam Park Jaesam (Hangul: 박재삼) was a Korean poet. Life Park Jaesam was born on April 10, 1933, in Japan. Park attended Korea University, but dropped out. He worked as a reporter for the Daehan-Ilbo and an Editor of the Hyundai Munhak-sa. In ...

(born 1933) *

Park Jeong-dae Park Jeong-dae (born November 9, 1965) (Hangul: 박정대) is a South Korean writer. Life Park Jeong-dae was born in 1965 in Jeongsan Gangwon-do, South Korea. He is a member of the poetic group the "International radical poetry" group. Hwang ...

Park Mok-wol Pak Mok-wol (, 6 January 1916 – 24 March 1978) was an influential Korean poet and academic. Personal life He was born Pak Yeongjong on January 6, 1916, in Moryang Village, Seo-myeon, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in present-day South ...

Park Kyung-ni Pak, Kyongni or Bak, Kyoungli (December 2, 1926 – May 5, 2008) was a prominent South Korean novelist. She was born in Tōei, Keishōnan-dō, Chōsen (today Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea); later she lived in Wonju, Gangwo ...

* Ynhui Park * Park Sang-ryung *

Park Sangsoon Park Sangsoon (born 1962 in Seoul) is a Korean poet. He has published the collections of poetry: ''6 is Tree, 7 is Dolphin''; ''Marana, Heroine of a Porn Comic''; ''Love Adagio''; ''Passing the Cotton Field, a Boy Went Away''. He is the recipi ...

Park Taesun Park Taesun (Hangul: 박태순) (May 8, 1942 – August 30, 2019 ) was a South Korean writer.”Park Taesun" LTI Korea Datasheet available at LTI Korea Library or online at: Life Park Taesun was born May 8, 1942, in Sinchon, Hwanghae-do, Kor ...

Park Taewon Park Taewon (Hangul: 박태원 December 7, 1909July 10, 1986) was a modern South Korean writer who moved to North Korea. Life Park Taewon was born in Seoul, Korea on December 7, 1909. Park Taewon's pennames include Mongbo and Gubo. Park gradua ...

Park Yeonghan ''Park Yeonghan'' (Hangul: 박영한) was a South Korean writer. Life Park Yeonghan was born September 14, 1947, in Busan, Korea. Park graduated with a degree in Korean Literature from Yonsei University in Seoul. Park applied to the Law S ...

Park Yong-rae Park Yong-rae (Hangul: 박용래; Hanja: 朴龍來; August 14, 1925—November 21, 1980) was a South Korean poet. Life Park was born on August 14, 1925 in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do Korea and died November 21, 1980. He graduated from the Ganggy ...

Han Yong-un Han Yong-un ( ko, 한용운; August 29, 1879 – June 29, 1944) was a twentieth century Korean Buddhist reformer and poet. This name was his religious name, given by his meditation instructor in 1905, and Manhae (만해) was his pen name; his ...

Na Huideok Na Huideok (, born 1966) is a South Korean poet. Life Na Huideok was born in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. She was raised in an orphanage in which her parents - Christians who sought to carry out the teachings of their religion through c ...

Seo Jeong-in Seo Jeong-in (; born December 20, 1936) is a South Korean writer."서정인" biographical PDF available at LTI Korea Library or online at: http://klti.or.kr/ke_04_03_011.do# Life Seo Jeong-in was born December 20, 1936, in Suncheon, Jeollanam ...

Seo Hajin Seo Hajin (Hangul: 서하진), born in 1960, is a South Korean writer. Life So Hajin was born in 1960, in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province in Korea. Seo, whose given name is Seo Deoksun, writes under the pen name of Seo Hajin. Her father h ...

Shin Yong-mok Shin Yong-Mok (Hangul: 신용목) is a South Korean poet. Life Shin Yong-Mok was born in Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea in 1974. Shin entered college by which time he was already writing poetry. He was elected student body president and imm ...

(born 1974) *

Sim Yunkyung Sim Yunkung (Hangul: 심윤경) is a South Korean writer. Life Sim Yunkung was born in 1972 in Seoul, Korea. Sim Yungyeong majored in molecular biology at Seoul National University and went on to complete her graduate studies there. Sim also ...

So Young-en Seo Yeong-eun (Korean: 서영은; born May 18, 1943) is a South Korean writer. Life Born in Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Seo graduated from Gangneung Teacher Training School in 1961 and entered Konkuk University in 1963 to study English Language and ...

* Song Gisuk * Song Giwon *

Song Sokze Song Sokze (This is the author's preferred Romanization per LTI Korea, or Hangul: 성석제) is a South Korean writer, poet and painter. Life Song was born on July 5, 1960, in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. He studied law at Yonsei Univers ...

Song Yeong Song Yeong (Hangul: 송영; March 15, 1940 – October 14, 2016) was a South Korean modern writer. Life Seong Young was born on March 15, 1940, in Yeongkwang Jeollanam-do, Korea. Song graduated with a degree in German Literature from Hankuk ...

Sung Chan-gyeong Seong Changyeong (, 1930–2013) was a modern South Korean poet.”Sung Chan-geyong" LTI Korea Datasheet available at LTI Korea Library or online at: http://klti.or.kr/ke_04_03_011.do# Life Seong Changyeong was born on March 1, 1930 in Yesan C ...

(1930–2013) *

Yi In-seong Yi In-seong ( Hangul: 이인성, hanja: 李仁星) is a South Korean modern novelist. Life Yi In-seong (this is the author's preferred Romanization, via LTI Korea) was born on December 9, 1953 in Chinhae Kyongsangnam-do, in Korea. His fathe ...

Yi Kyoung-ja Yi Kyoung-ja (Hangul: 이경자) is a South Korean author whose work focuses on the position of women in Korean society. Life 1948년 1월 28일 (강원도 양양) YI Kyoung-ja was born on January 28, 1948, in Yangyang, Gangwan-do, Korea. Yang ...

Yi Sang Kim Hae-Gyeong (hangul: 김해경, hanja: 金海卿, September 23, 1910 – April 17, 1937), also known as his pen name Yi Sang (hangul: 이상, hanja: 李箱) was a writer and poet who lived in Korea under Japanese rule. He is well-known fo ...

* Yun Dong-ju

Fashion designers

* Andre Kim * Richard Chai * Cho Young Wan * Laura Kim (Oscar De La Renta) (Monse)

Businesspeople

Ahn Cheol-Soo Ahn Cheol-soo ( ; born 26 February 1962) is a South Korean politician, medical doctor, businessperson, and software entrepreneur. He currently serves as a member of the National Assembly as part of the conservative People Power Party. Prior ...

* Cho Yang-ho * Choi Tae-won * Chung Ju-yung * Chung Mong-hun *

David Chang David Chang (Korean: ; born August 5, 1977) is an American restaurateur, author, podcaster, and television personality. He is the founder of the Momofuku restaurant group. In 2009, Momofuku Ko was awarded two Michelin stars, which the restaur ...

* Euh Yoon-dae * Lee Byung-chul * Lee Kun-Hee *

Koo In-hwoi Koo In-hwoi (, 26 August 1906 – 31 December 1969) was a South Korean businessman and the founder of LG Group, one of the largest chaebols in South Korea. Life He is the 14th generation descendant of Gu Sa-min (구사민;具思閔) who is the ...

* Shin Kyuk-ho *

Shin Dong-bin Shin Dong-bin (; born February 14, 1956) is a Korean-Japanese businessman. He also has a Japanese name Akio Shigemitsu ( ja, 重光昭夫, translit=Shigemitsu Akio). As of 2012, he was CEO of the South Korean conglomerate Lotte Corporation an ...

Sohn Suk-hee Sohn Suk-hee (born 27 July 1956) is a former South Korean anchor and currently serving as general director and president of JTBC and JTBC Studios. He was also a former professor at Sungshin Women's University, Seoul, South Korea. He is consi ...

* Chung Ju-yung *

Rim Ji-hoon Rim may refer to: *Rim (basketball), the hoop through which the ball must pass **Breakaway rim, a sprung basketball rim *Rim (coin), the raised edge which surrounds the coin design *Rim (crater), extending above the local surface *Rim (firearms), ...

* kim Beom-soo

Entertainers

Actors

* John Cho * Ken Jeong * Awkwafina * Ji Chang-wook *

Kim Nam-gil Kim Nam-gil () is a South Korean actor, producer, director, singer and philanthropist. He is best known from leading roles in disaster blockbuster '' Pandora'' (2016); crime thriller ''Memoir of a Murderer '' (2017); adventure film '' The Pirate ...

* Kim Seon-ho * Baek Sung-hyun * Ryu Soo-young *

Seo Kang-joon Seo Kang-joon (born Lee Seung-hwan on October 12, 1993) is a South Korean actor and singer who is a member of the group 5urprise. He gained recognition with his role in the television series ''Cheese in the Trap'' (2016) and has since starred i ...

* Shin Hyun-joon * Seo Ji-hoon * kim Jung-hyun * Park Seo-joon * Kim Rae-won * Go Jun * Joo Jin-mo * Sung Dong-il * Sandra Oh * Randall Park * Lee Min-ki * Go Yoon *

Jang Hyuk Jeong Yong-jun (born December 20, 1976), better known as Jang Hyuk, is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading roles in the films ''Volcano High'' (2001) and ''Windstruck'' (2004), and the television dramas ''Successful Story of a ...

Jae Suh Park Jae Suh Park (Korean: 박재서, born April 5, 1984) is an American actress who starred in the 2017 Netflix comedy series ''Friends from College''. Personal life Park grew up in Lodi, California. She is married to Randall Park, and they have o ...

Go Soo Go Soo (born October 4, 1978), also known as Ko Soo, is a South Korean actor. He has appeared in television series such as ''Piano'', ''Green Rose'' and ''Will It Snow for Christmas?'', as well as the films '' White Night'' and '' The Front Line' ...

* Gong Yoo *

Jang Keun-suk Jang Keun-suk () is a South Korean actor and singer. He is best known for starring in the Korean television dramas ''Beethoven Virus'' (2008), ''You're Beautiful'' (2009), '' Mary Stayed Out All Night'' (2010), ''Love Rain'' (2012), ''Pretty Ma ...

Jung Il-woo Jung Il-woo (; born 9 September 1987) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the sitcom '' Unstoppable High Kick'' (2006), and the television dramas ''The Return of Iljimae'' (2009), ''49 Days'' (2011), ''Cool Guys, Hot Ram ...

Jung Joon-ho Jung Joon-ho (; born October 1, 1970) is a South Korean actor, who gained fame in the 2000 series, Women Like You, (왕추). His recent hits are '' Last Scandal'' (내 생애 마지막 스캔들) and ''IRIS''. Jung Jun-ho has a passionate interes ...

* Jun Ji-hyun * Daniel Dae Kim * Kang Ha-neul * Kang Ki-young *

Kim Woo Bin Kim Woo-bin (born Kim Hyun-joong on July 16, 1989) is a South Korean actor and model. He began his career as a runway model and made his acting debut in the television drama ''White Christmas (TV series), White Christmas''. He subsequently gaine ...

Ko Seong-il Ko Seong-il ( Hangul: 고성일; born July 18, 1971) is a South Korean voice actor who joined the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's Voice Acting Division in 1999. Roles Broadcast TV * Ojamajo Doremi (''Korea TV EDition, MBC'') * Bikkuriman (B ...

* Lee Jun-ho * Lee Byung-hun * Lee Jin-wook * Lee Dong-wook * Lee Min-ho (born 1987) * Lee Jong-suk * Kim Yong-gun * Kim Ji-seok * Park Bo-gum *

Park Si-hoo Park Si-hoo (born Park Pyeong-ho on April 3, 1978) is a South Korean actor. He began his entertainment career as an underwear model and stage actor, then made his official television debut in 2005. After several years in supporting roles, Park r ...

* Song Joong-ki * Song Hye-kyo * Philip Ahn *

Shin Ha-kyun Shin may refer to: Biology * The front part of the human leg below the knee * Shinbone, the tibia, the larger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates Names * Shin (given name) (Katakana: シン, Hiragana: しん), a Japanese g ...

Ryu Si-won Ryu Si-won (; born 6 October 1972) is a South Korean actor and singer. After he made his debut in the KBS drama ''Feeling'' in 1994, Ryu pursued a singing career. He was convicted of stalking his wife (now ex wife) in 2013. Early life Ryu was ...

* Kim Jung-hyun * Jung Woo-sung * kwon Yul * Seo In-guk * Jang Ki-yong * Wi Ha-joon

Comedians

* Fred Armisen * Bobby Lee * Ryan Bang *

Won Ho Chung Chung Won-hu ( ar, تشونغ وون هو, ko, 정원호) is a South Korean comedian and television personality, born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and raised in Amman, Jordan, to a South Korean father and Vietnamese mother. Although raised in an ...

* Defconn * H-Eugene * Margaret Cho *

Haha Haha or ha ha is an onomatopoeic representation of laughter. Haha and variants may also refer to: People * Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (born 1992), American football player * Haha (entertainer) (born 1979), Entertainer Places * Saint-Louis-du-Ha! ...

* Jee Seok-jin * Jeong Hyeong-don * Jeong Jun-ha * Ken Jeong * Ji Sang-ryeol *

Kang Ho-dong Kang Ho-dong (born June 11, 1970) is a South Korean television host and comedian, who first became known to Koreans as one of the top Korean traditional wrestlers. In 2008, Kang Ho Dong became the first comedian in history to win the Baeksan ...

* Kim Byung-man * Kim Jun-ho * Moon Se-yoon * Kim GuRa * Kim Yong-man * Lee Su-geun *

Lee Yong-jin Lee Yong-jin (; born on November 28, 1985) is a South Korean comedian and singer. He is most known for his work on the tvN sketch comedy show Comedy Big League. Lee owns a famous sashimi restaurant, under the name "960", in Sokcho Sokcho ( k ...

Lee Kyung-kyu Lee Kyung-kyu (born August 1, 1960) is a South Korean actor, comedian, MC, film producer, and screenwriter. He was the highest paid entertainer on the KBS network in 2010, with earnings of . Lee patented his instant noodle recipe ''Kkokkomyeo ...

* Park Myeong-su * Noh Hong-chul *

Park Kyung-lim Park Kyung-lim (Korean: 박경림; born March 30, 1979) is a South Korean entertainer, comedian and actress known for her wit and kind behavior. After leaving to go to school in the United States at the New York Film Academy School of Film & Act ...

* Gil Seong-joon * Shim Hyung-rae * Song Sae-byeok * Yoo Jae-suk

Models

Hyoni Kang Kang Seung-hyun (born 22 September 1987), commonly known as Hyoni Kang, is a South Korean model who won Ford's Model of the World title in 2008 at the age of 19. She is the first Asian model to win this award. Career Model Kang officially de ...

* Lee Pa-ni * Sung Hi Lee *

Ju Ji-hoon Ju Ji-hoon (born May 16, 1982) is a South Korean actor and model. His first leading role was in the 2006 hit drama ''Princess Hours''. His other notable works include ''The Devil'', ''Antique'', ''Mask'', '' Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds'' ...

Singers

* ATEEZ *

Anderson .Paak Brandon Paak Anderson (born February 8, 1986), better known by his stage name Anderson .Paak (), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and drummer. He released his debut mixtape, ''O.B.E. Vol. 1,'' in 2012 and went on to rel ...

Future The future is the time after the past and present. Its arrival is considered inevitable due to the existence of time and the laws of physics. Due to the apparent nature of reality and the unavoidability of the future, everything that currently ...

* Red Velvet * Weki Meki *

P1Harmony P1Harmony (; Acronym: P1H) is a South Korean boy band formed and managed by FNC Entertainment. The group consists of six members: Keeho, Theo, Jiung, Intak, Soul, and Jongseob. They debuted on October 28, 2020, with the extended play (EP) ''Dis ...

* BTS *

BoA Kwon Bo-ah (; born November 5, 1986), known professionally as BoA, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer and actress. One of the most successful and influential Korean entertainers, she has been dubbed the " Queen of K- ...

* Bae Joo-hyun * Sandara Park *

Ok Taecyeon Ok Taec-yeon (; born December 27, 1988), known mononymously as Taecyeon, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, actor and entrepreneur. He is the main rapper of the South Korean boy band 2PM. In 2010, Ok debuted as an actor in the Kore ...

* kim Bum-soo *

Yoon Il-sang Yoon Il-sang ( ko, 윤일상; born February 21, 1974) is a South Korean composer, producer, and songwriter. He graduated from Kyung Hee University Post Modern Music Department, and he is also the co-founder of Nega Network Ltd. In January 2012, ...

* Cho Kyuhyun *

Choi Seung-hyun Choi Seung Hyun, also known as Shawn Choi, is a South Korean film score composer. He has composed music for movies such as '' Oldboy'', '' The Classic'', '' Windstruck'', ''My Girlfriend Is an Agent'', and many more. His works are well known to ...

Kevin Moon Kevin John Moon (born 8 June 1987) is a Scottish footballer, who last played as a midfielder for Scottish League Two club Stirling Albion. He began his career with St. Johnstone and was part of the side which gained promotion to the Scottish ...

Choi Siwon Choi Si-won (; born 7 April 1986), known mononymously as Siwon, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, model, and actor known for his work as a member of South Korean boy group Super Junior. Choi committed as special representative of UNICEF K ...

* Choi Soo-young * DJ Koo *

Eunhyuk Lee Hyuk-jae (born April 4, 1986), better known by his stage name Eunhyuk, is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer and television host. He is a member of the South Korean boy group Super Junior and its subgroups Super Junior-T and S ...

* G-Dragon *

* Heo Ga-yoon * Hyolyn (Kim Hyo Jung) *

Hyeri Lee Hye-ri (; born June 9, 1994), better known mononymously as Hyeri, is a South Korean actress, singer, and television personality. She rose to fame as the youngest member of girl group Girl's Day, and was named as the " Nation's Little Siste ...

* Hyuna * IU *

Im Na-yeon Im Na-yeon (; born September 22, 1995), known mononymously as Nayeon, is a South Korean singer. She became a member of the South Korean girl group Twice, under JYP Entertainment, in 2015 as a winning contestant of the reality survival televisi ...

Im Yoona Im Yoon-ah (; born May 30, 1990), known mononymously as Yoona, is a South Korean singer and actress. After training for five years, she debuted as a member of girl group Girls' Generation (and later its subgroup Girls' Generation-Oh!GG) in Augu ...

* J.Fla * Joon Park *

JooE Lee Joo-won (Hangul: 이주원; Hanja: 李珠沅;born August 18, 1999) better known by her stage name JooE (주이), is a South Korean rapper and singer. She is a member of the girl group Momoland under MLD Entertainment. Personal life JooE w ...

* Jeon Jung-kook * Jennie Kim * Jessica Jung *

Jung Dae Hyun Jung Dae-hyun (; born June 28, 1993), also known mononymously as Daehyun, is a South Korean singer and actor. He debuted as an idol in the six-member group B.A.P under TS Entertainment, where he served as the main vocalist from 2012 to its di ...

Jung Eun-ji Jung Eun-ji (born Jeong Hye-rim, on August 18, 1993), better known mononymously as Eunji, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actress, radio DJ, musical actress, and voice actress. She is best known as a member of the South Korean girl group ...

* Jung Ho-seok * Jung Wheein *

Hwasa Ahn Hye-jin (, born July 23, 1995), known professionally by her stage name Hwasa (), is a South Korean singer, rapper, and television personality currently signed to RBW. She debuted as a member of the girl group Mamamoo in 2014. She made her ...

* Insooni * Kang Dae-sung *

Kang Seul-gi Kang Seul-gi (; born February 10, 1994), known mononymously as Seulgi, is a South Korean singer and dancer. She is a member of girl group Red Velvet, its sub-unit Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, and the supergroup Got the Beat. She released her ...

* Karen O *

Kim Heechul Kim Hee-chul (; born July 10, 1983), better known mononymously as Heechul, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, presenter and actor. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Super Junior and has further participated in its subgroup Sup ...

* Kim Taeyeon * Kim Hyo-yeon *

Kim Jaejoong Kim Jae-joong (; born January 26, 1986), also known mononymously as Jaejoong in South Korea and in Japan, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor and director. He is a member of the Korean pop group JYJ and was one of the original members ...

* Kim Jisoo * Kim Ji-woo *

Kim Jong-Dae Kim Jong-dae (born September 21 is a male freestyle wrestler from South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land bor ...

* Kim Jun-myeon * Kim Ye-rim *

Kim Junsu Kim Jun-su (; born December 15, 1986) or simply Junsu, also known by the stage name Xia (stylized as XIA; ; ko, 시아) is a South Korean singer, model, dancer and stage actor. He is a member of the Korean pop group and later duo JYJ, and was ...

* Kim Nam-joo * Kim Nam-joon * Kim Ryeowook * Kim Seok-jin * Kim Tae-hyung *

Kim Yong-sun Kim Yong-sun (1934 – 26 October 2003) was a North Korean politician. At the time of his death, he was vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland. He was reported to have been killed in a car accident. He a ...

* Kwon Yuri *

Lee Donghae Lee Dong-hae (born October 15, 1986), referred to as Donghae, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, composer and actor. He became a trainee under SM Entertainment after winning a prize at SM's ''Youth Best Contest'' in 2001. After four years of ...

* Lee Hi * Lee Moon-se * Lee Seung-hyun * Lee Sungmin * Leeteuk * Luna * Min Yoon-gi *

Miyeon Mi-yeon, also spelled Mi-youn or Mi-yeun, is a Korean feminine given name. The meaning differs based on the hanja used to write each syllable of the name. Hanja , regulations of the Supreme Court of Korea permit the following 44 hanja with the r ...

* Moon Byul-yi * Oh Ha-young * Park Bom *

Park Chan-yeol Park Chan-yeol (; born November 27, 1992), better known mononymously as Chanyeol, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, actor and model. He is a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy group Exo, its sub-group Exo-K and sub-u ...

Park Cho-rong Park Cho-rong (born March 3, 1991), better known mononymously as Chorong, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and actress. She is best known as the leader of the South Korean girl group Apink. Early life Park Cho-rong was born in Cheongju, ...

* Park Soo-young * Park Ji-min * Park Jimin * Patti Kim * Psy * Rain * Rosé (singer) * Sandeul * Alexandra Christine Schneiderman * Seo Joo-hyun * Seo Taiji * Shindong * Son Na-eun *

Shon Seung-wan Shon Seung-wan (; born February 21, 1994), known professionally as Wendy, is a South Korean singer, voice actress, and radio host. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Red Velvet. She made her solo debut in 2021 with the EP '' Like W ...

Song Jieun Song Ji-eun, (born May 5, 1990), better known mononymously as Jieun, is a South Korean singer and actress best known as a member of the South Korean girl group Secret. Aside from her group's activities, she has released several solo songs and ...

* Song So-hee * Stray Kids * Sunny * Taeyang *

Tiffany Tiffany may refer to: People * Tiffany (given name), list of people with this name * Tiffany (surname), list of people with this surname Known mononymously as "Tiffany": * Tiffany Darwish, (born 1971), an American singer, songwriter, actress kn ...

* TXT * Yesung * Yoon Bo-mi * Yoon Doo-joon

Classical musicians

* Chang Han-na * Chang, Sarah * Chung Myung-whun *

Chung Kyung-wha Kyung Wha Chung (born 26 March 1948) is a South Korean violinist. Early years and education Kyung Wha Chung was born in Seoul as the middle of the seven children in her family. Her father was an exporter, and her mother ran a restaurant. She b ...

* Caroline Fischer *

Stefan Jackiw Stefan Jackiw (; born 1985) is an American classical violinist. Biography Stefan Jackiw was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents are both prominent physics professors, now retired with emeritus status. His mother, So-Young Pi, was the daugh ...

* Jo Su Mi * Hong Hei-kyung * Paik Kun-Woo *

Seong-Jin Cho Seong-Jin Cho ( ko, 조성진; born May 28, 1994) is a South Korean pianist. He rose to fame within South Korea and the international classical music world in 2015 after winning the XVII International Chopin Piano Competition, becoming the first ...

* John Myung

Historical Leaders

Lawyers

* Song Sang-Hyun, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Politicians

Ban Ki-moon Ban Ki-moon (; ; born 13 June 1944) is a South Korean politician and diplomat who served as the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations between 2007 and 2016. Prior to his appointment as secretary-general, Ban was his country's Minister ...

, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations * Park Jung-Hee, President, 1963–1979 * Chun Doo-hwan, President, 1980–1988 * Roh Tae-woo, President, 1988–1993 * Kim Young-sam, President, 1993–1998 * Kim Dae-jung, President, 1998–2003 * Roh Moo-hyun, President, 2003–2008 *

Lee Myung-bak Lee Myung-bak (; ; ; born 19 December 1941) is a South Korean businessman and politician who served as the 10th president of South Korea from 2008 to 2013. Before his presidency, he was the CEO of Hyundai Engineering and Construction, and the ma ...

, President, 2008–2012 *

Park Geun Hye Park Geun-hye (; ; often in English ; born 2 February 1952) is a South Korean politician who served as the 11th president of South Korea from 2013 to 2017, until she was Impeachment of Park Geun-hye, impeached and convicted on 2016 South Korean ...

, President, 2013–2017 * Moon Jae-in, President, 2017–2022 *

kim Boo-kyum Kim Boo-kyum (; born 21 January 1958) is a South Korean activist and politician, who has served as the Prime Minister of South Korea from 2021 to 2022. He was the former Minister of Interior and Safety from 2017 to 2019. A member of the Democ ...

Cho Tae-yong Cho Tae-yong (born 1956) is a South Korean career diplomat with over three decades of experience who has served as South Korea's Deputy National Security Advisor since October 2015. Cho has extensive experience in a range of high-level diplomati ...

, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations. *

Lee Hoi-chang Lee Hoi-chang (; born June 2, 1935) is a South Korean politician and lawyer who served as the 26th Prime Minister of South Korea from 1993 to 1994. He was a presidential candidate in the 15th, 16th and 17th presidential elections of South K ...

Lee Hun Jai Lee Hun Jai (born April 17, 1944) is a South Korean politician who served as the acting Prime Minister of South Korea twice, from May 19, 2000, to May 22, 2000, and from July 25, 2004, to July 30, 2004. Both times others were nominated to offici ...

Lee Hae-chan Lee Hae-chan (born 10 July 1952) is a South Korean politician who served as Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea from 2018 to 2020. He also served as Prime Minister of South Korea from 2004 to 2006. He served as Member of the National Ass ...

Hwang Kyo-ahn Hwang Kyo-ahn (; born 15 April 1957) is a South Korean politician and prosecutor who served as acting president of South Korea from 9 December 2016 to 10 May 2017 and the 40th prime minister of South Korea from 18 June 2015 to 11 May 2017. Hwa ...

Kim Moo-sung Kim Moo-sung (born 20 September 1951) is a South Korean politician as a member of the Liberty Korea Party. He was previously the Saenuri Party leader from 2014 to 2016. Education Kim graduated from Joongdong High School in Seoul in 1970. He g ...

* Kim Il-Sung, Leader of The

Democratic People's Republic of Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korean Peninsula and shares borders with China and Russia to the north, at the Yalu (Amnok) and ...

, 1948–1994 *

Kim Jong-Il Kim Jong-il (; ; ; born Yuri Irsenovich Kim;, 16 February 1941 – 17 December 2011) was a North Korean politician who was the second supreme leader of North Korea from 1994 to 2011. He led North Korea from the 1994 death of his father Kim ...

, Supreme Leader of The

, 1994–2011 *

Kim Jong-Un Kim Jong-un (; , ; born 8 January 1982) is a North Korean politician who has been Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2011 and the leader of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) since 2012. He is a son of Kim Jong-il, who was North Korea's sec ...

, Supreme Leader of The

, 2011–present

Religious leaders

Angela Warnick Buchdahl Angela Warnick Buchdahl ( ko, 앤절라 워닉 북달; born July 8, 1972) is an American rabbi. She was the first Asian-American to be ordained as a rabbi, and the first Asian-American to be ordained as a ''hazzan'' (cantor). In 2011 she was name ...

(born 1972), American rabbi * Andrew Kim Taegon (1821–1846), first Korean-born Catholic priest, canonized in 1984 * David Yonggi Cho, founder/pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church *

Hae Jong Kim Hae Jong Kim (; 1935 – 2020) was a Korean-American bishop of the United Methodist Church, elected in 1992, who resigned as a bishop in 2005. Early life Kim was born in Seoul, Korea in 1935. During the Korean War he became a Christian. Then ...

, Bishop of the United Methodist Church *

Nicolas Cheong Jin-Suk Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk (; 7 December 1931 – 27 April 2021) was a South Korean Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Seoul from 1998 until he retired in 2012. He was previously Bishop of Cheongju from 1970 to ...

, Roman Catholic

Archbishop of Seoul The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Seoul (Latin: ''Archidioecesis Metropolitae Seulensis'', ko, 서울대교구) is a Metropolitan archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church comprising the metropolitan area of Seoul, So ...

(1998–present) *

Paul Kim (Anglican bishop) Paul Geun-Sang Kim (also Keun-Sang and similar; born 1952) is an Anglican bishop of the Diocese of Seoul and the former Primate (bishop), Primate of the Province of Korea. He was ordained in 1980 and was elected bishop in January 2008, to take ...

, Anglican Primate of Korea and Archbishop of Seoul (2009–present) *

Sun Myung Moon Sun Myung Moon (; born Yong Myung Moon; 6 January 1920 – 3 September 2012) was a Korean religious leader, also known for his business ventures and support for conservative political causes. A messiah claimant, he was the founder of the Unif ...

, founder of the Unification Church *

Dora Kim Moon Dora Kim Moon (; or 문또라; August 8, 1876 – February 6, 1971) was a Korean-American community organizer and Korean independence activist The Korean independence movement was a military and diplomatic campaign to achieve the independence of ...

, community organizer in Hawaii

Scholars, Philosopher and Social Activists

* Kim Yong-ok, philosopher * Ham Seok-heon *

* Lee Yuksa *

Moon Ik-hwan Moon Ik-hwan (June 2, 1918 – January 18, 1994) was a South Korean pastor, theologian, poet, and activist engaged in various social movements. He was also the father of Moon Sung-keun, a noted actor in South Korea. Early life and educatio ...

Hwang Sok-yong Hwang Sok-yong (born January 4, 1943) is a South Korean novelist. Life Hwang was born in Hsinking (today Changchun), Manchukuo, during the period of Japanese rule. His family returned to Korea after liberation in 1945. He later obtained ...

Jang Jun-ha Chang Chun-ha (장준하, 張俊河, August 27, 1918 in Uiju County – August 17, 1975 in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province) was a Korean independence and democracy activist who later became a journalist in South Korea. Military career When Korea ...

* Kwon Young-ghil *

Roh Hoe-chan Roh Hoe-chan ( ko, 노회찬, 31 August 1956 – 23 July 2018) was a South Korean politician. He was a member of the 17th, 19th, and 20th National Assemblies. Roh was involved with multiple progressive-leaning parties, lately with the Justice ...

* Jeon Tae-il *

Ha Soo Whang Ha Soo Whang (; 1892–1984), was a Korean American social worker. She was the first Korean social worker in Hawaii, and acted as a bilingual interpreter for the families under her care. A graduate of Athens College, she was affiliated with the YWC ...

, Korean social worker in Hawaii *

Maria Whang Maria Whang (1865-1937) was a Korean-American educator and community organizer. In 1913, she became the first leader of the Korean Women's Association in the Territory of Hawaii. Whang was born in Pyongan Province, Korea. In 1905, she emigrated t ...

, educator and community organizer in Hawaii

Scientists and Engineers

* Lee Sang-mook, geologist and oceanographer *

Kim Soon-kwon Kim Soon-kwon (born May 1, 1945) is a South Korean maize specialist employed by Handong Global University. Early life Kim, better known in Korea as "Dr. Corn" or in Africa as "Green Revolutionary", was born to a poor family in Ulsan, on the sou ...

, corn biologist * Hwang Jun-muk, mathematician of

algebraic geometry Algebraic geometry is a branch of mathematics, classically studying zeros of multivariate polynomials. Modern algebraic geometry is based on the use of abstract algebraic techniques, mainly from commutative algebra, for solving geometrical ...

and

differential geometry Differential geometry is a mathematical discipline that studies the geometry of smooth shapes and smooth spaces, otherwise known as smooth manifolds. It uses the techniques of differential calculus, integral calculus, linear algebra and multili ...

* Kim Jeong-han, mathematician *

Benjamin W. Lee Benjamin Whisoh Lee (; January 1, 1935 – June 16, 1977), or Ben Lee, was a Korean-born American theoretical physicist. His work in theoretical particle physics exerted great influence on the development of the standard model in the late 20th ce ...

, theoretical physicist *

Woo Jang-choon Woo Jang-choon (April 8, 1898 – August 10, 1959) was a Koreans in Japan, Korean-Japanese agricultural scientist and botanist, famous for his discoveries in the genetics and plant breeding, breeding of plants. Woo was born and raised in Japan, ...

, agricultural scientist and botanist *

Philip Kim Philip Kim is a South Korean physicist. He is a condensed matter physicist known for study of quantum transport in carbon nanotubes and graphene, including observations of quantum Hall effects in graphene. Academic career Kim studied physics a ...

, physicist * Kim Bit-nae-ri, biologist *

Hongkun Park Hongkun Park (born 1967 in Seoul) is Mark Hyman Jr. Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Physics at Harvard University. He received his BS in chemistry at Seoul National University in 1990, and his PhD in physical chemistry at Stanford Univ ...

, chemist *

Donhee Ham Donhee Ham (Hangul: 함돈희; Hanja: 咸燉憙) is Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering at Harvard University and Fellow of Samsung Electronics Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (, sometimes shortened to S ...

, electrical engineer *

Joon Yun Anthony Joonkyoo "Joon" Yun (born 1967) is a Koreans, Korean-Americans, American physician, hedge fund, hedge-fund manager and investor. Early life, education and early career Yun was born in Seoul, South Korea. He attended St. Albans School ( ...

, radiologist * Stanley Sukjin Kim, world-renowned ophthalmologist * Incheol Shin, cancer researcher *

Unha Ban The Unha or Eunha ( ko, 은하, 銀河, "Galaxy") is a North Korean expendable carrier rocket, which partially utilizes the same delivery system as the Taepodong-2 orbital launch system. History North Korea's first orbital space launch at ...

, mathematician *

Chan-Jin Chung Chan-Jin Chung (정찬진) or popularly known as "CJ" Chung is a full professor of Computer Science at Lawrence Technological University(LTU) in Michigan, USA. He founded an international autonomous robotics competition called Robofest in the 1999 ...

, Computer Scientist *

June Huh June Huh (full name: June E Huh, ; born 1983) is an Korean-American mathematician who is currently a professor at Princeton University. Previously, he was a professor at Stanford University. He was awarded the Fields Medal in 2022 and a MacAr ...

, world-renowned mathematician

Athletes

* Ahn Jung-Hwan, footballer *

Hwang Jun-ho Hwang Jun-ho may refer to: * Hwang Jun-ho (skier) * Hwang Jun-ho (footballer) * Hwang Jun-ho (character), a Squid Game character {{hndis, Hwang, Jun-ho ...

, ice skiing *

Birdie Kim Birdie Kim (Korean 김주연) (born Ju-Yun Kim 26 August 1981, in Iksan) is a South Korean professional golfer. Her career highlight is winning the 2005 U.S. Women's Open at Cherry Hills Country Club. In the last round, she was tied for the lead ...

(born Kim Ju-yun),

LPGA The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is an American organization for female golfers. The organization is headquartered at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida, and is best known for running the LPGA Tour, a series of weekl ...

player and 2005 Women's Open champion * Im Dong-hyun, archery * Byung-hyun Kim, former MLB player *

Chan Sung Jung Jung Chan-sung ( ko, 정찬성; born March 17, 1987), anglicized as Chan Sung Jung and better known by his ring name The Korean Zombie, is a South Korean professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He currently competes in the Featherweig ...

, mixed martial arts * Cha Bum-Kun, footballer in Bundesliga *

Chan-ho Park Chan Ho Park (; ; born June 30, 1973) is a South Korean former professional baseball pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with ...

, MLB player *

Choo Shin-Soo Shin-Soo Choo (; ; born July 13, 1982) is a South Korean professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter for the SSG Landers of the KBO League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Ci ...

, MLB player, plays for the Texas Rangers *

Dong Keun Park __NOTOC__ Park Dong-keun ( 박동근; born ''c.'' 1941), also known as D. K. Park, is a South Korean Grandmaster of taekwondo. He holds the title "Grandmaster,"

, legendary Taekwondo Champion of the 1960s * Ha Seung-Jin, professional basketball player currently playing in the Korean Basketball League * Hee Seop Choi, former MLB player, currently plays in South Korea's Professional Baseball League * Hines Ward, American football player for the

Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in , the Steel ...

* Hong Myung-Bo, footballer *

Hong-Man Choi Choi Hong-man (Korean: 최홍만, Hanja: 崔洪萬; born October 30, 1980), often anglicised to Hongman Choi, is a South Korean kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and former ssireum wrestler. In Asia, he is called "Che Man", "Techno Goliath", " ...

K-1 K-1 is a professional kickboxing promotion established in 1993, well known worldwide mainly for its heavyweight division fights and Grand Prix tournaments. In January 2012, K-1 Global Holdings Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong, acquired ...

professional kick boxer *

In Jin Chi Chi In-jin (, born July 18, 1973, in Seoul) is a South Korean former professional boxer who competed from 1991 to 1996. He has held the WBC featherweight title twice between 2004 and 2007. Career Boxing Chi made his debut as a professional bo ...

, professional boxer, former WBC world champion * Jay Dee "B.J." Penn, professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner; first American gold medalist of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship and former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion * Jim Paek, pro ice hockey player * Jong Song-Ok, North Korean; championship of Marathon in 1999 * Joo Se Hyuk, Table tennis, defensive chopper * Jung Kil Kim, taekwondo champion *

Ki Soo Kim Kim Ki-soo (; September 17, 1939 – June 10, 1997) was a South Korean former professional boxer who competed from 1961 to 1969. He was South Korea's first world boxing champion, having held the undisputed WBA and WBC super-welterweight titles ...

, professional boxer, first Korean world champion (WBA, WBC) * Kim Yuna, figure skater; 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist * Lee Chun-Soo, footballer * Lee Hyung-Taik, tennis player * Lee Sung-hyun, kickboxer * Lee Seung-Yeop,

NPB or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning ''Professional Baseball''. Outside Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formation ...

baseball player *

Lee Yong-Kyu Lee Yong-kyu (, Hanja: 李容圭, born August 26, 1985) is an outfielder who plays for the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League. He bats and throws left-handed Amateur career Lee attended Duksoo High School in Seoul, South Korea. In , he was selecte ...

, baseball player * Lydia Ko,

player *

Michelle Wie Michelle Sung Wie West (; born October 11, 1989) is an American professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour. At age 10, she became the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur championship. Wie also became the youngest winner of the U.S ...

, Korean-American

player *

Mi Hyun Kim Mi-Hyun Kim ( ko, 김미현, born 13 January 1977) is a professional golfer from South Korea. She turned professional in 1996 and won 11 events on the LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA) between 1996 and 2000. In 1999, she joined the LPGA Tour and was na ...

player * Moon Dae-Sung, 2004

Olympic Olympic or Olympics may refer to Sports Competitions * Olympic Games, international multi-sport event held since 1896 ** Summer Olympic Games ** Winter Olympic Games * Ancient Olympic Games, ancient multi-sport event held in Olympia, Greece b ...

Taekwon-Do ''Taekwondo'', ''Tae Kwon Do'' or ''Taekwon-Do'' (; ko, 태권도/跆拳道 ) is a Korean martial arts, Korean form of martial arts involving punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks, and fast k ...

Gold medalist * Myung Jae Nam, Hapkido master, founder of Hankido (1938–1999) *

Nam Sung-yong Nam Sung-yong (November 23, 1912 – February 20, 2001) was a Korean Olympian who won a bronze medal in the marathon at the 1936 Summer Olympics, completing the run in 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 42 seconds. He was born in Junten (Suncheon), Jap ...

, marathon Runner; 1936 Olympic Bronze Medalist * Park Ji-Sung, footballer, first ever Korean to win the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League with

Manchester United Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of City of Salford, Salford to ...

. * Park Sung-hyun, Olympic medal winner Archery * Park Tae-hwan, swimmer * Ryu Hyun-Jin, professional baseball player, currently playing in Toronto Bluejays, MLB * Se Ri Pak,

player * Seol Ki-hyeon, footballer * Sohn Kee-Chung, marathon Runner; 1936 Olympic gold medalist *

Son Heung-min Son Heung-min ( ko, 손흥민; ; born 8 July 1992) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and captains the South Korea national team. Considered one of the best forwards in ...

, footballer at Tottenham Hotspur, captain and gold medalist at the

2018 Asian Games The 2018 Asian Games ( id, Pesta Olahraga Asia 2018 or ''Asian Games 2018''), officially known as the 18th Asian Games and also known as Jakarta-Palembang 2018 or Indonesia 2018, was a Asia, continental multi-sport event that was held from 18 A ...

. *

Sun-Woo Kim Sun-woo "Sunny" Kim (Korean: 김선우, Hanja: 金善宇, ; born September 4, 1977) is a retired South Korean professional baseball pitcher of the Korea Baseball Organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Boston Re ...

, baseball player *

Lee Sang-hyeok Lee Sang-hyeok ( ko, 이상혁; born May 7, 1996), better known as Faker ( ko, 페이커, rr=Peikeo, links=no), is a South Korean professional '' League of Legends'' player for T1. Formerly known as GoJeonPa ( ko, 고전파, links=no) on th ...

, (Faker) professional e-sports player; mid laner on SKT T1 *

Yoo Hyeong-jong Yoo Hyeong-Jong (born December 6, 1985; ) is a South Korean football forward. He is currently a free agent. Career In 2007 Yoo Hyeong-Jong played for Yangju FC in the South Korean amateur K3 League The K3 League is the third tier of Sout ...

, footballer

Korean people from other countries

* Korean people *

List of Goguryeo people This is a partial list of people who lived in Goguryeo from 37 BCE-668 CE and those of Goguryeo descent. Rulers Goguryeo (37 BC - 668 CE) was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Goguryeo rulers may have used the title of ''Taewang'' (太王, "Grea ...

* List of Baekje people *

List of Silla people A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to: People * List (surname) Organizations * List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America * SC Germania List, German rugby union ...

* List of Goryeo people * List of Joseon Dynasty people * List of Korean Americans *

List of Korean Canadians This is a list of notable Korean Canadians, including both Canadian citizens and residents. By profession Academics *Dr Jong Soo Park – Dalhousie biologist who found world's oldest known DNA * Im-hak Ree – mathematician who developed Ree ...

List of people by nationality This is a list of notable persons by nationality. By nationality Delineating notable nationals of nation-states, and their significant dependent territories. * Afghans * Albanians * Algerians *Americans * Andorrans * Angolans * Antiguans and Bar ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of People Of Korean Descent Korea * *