Ko Chang-seok (born October 13, 1970) is a South Korean actor known primarily for his supporting roles in film and television, notably, Rough Cut (2008), Secret Reunion (2010), Encounter (2018–19), and Melo Movie (2025).
Career Ko began his career on stage, performing in plays and musicals for many years before moving on to bit parts in films. He once earned his living by working on farms and in iron foundries, then acquired fame through his scene-stealing roles in Jang Hoon's films, notably as the movie director in Rough Cut (2008), and the Vietnamese gang boss in Secret Reunion (2010). He has since become one of the busiest supporting actors in Korean cinema.
Ko's real-life wife and daughter played his character's family in the period film The Showdown (2011).
Filmography Film Year English title Korean title Role 2001 Superman in Early Summer (short film) 이른 여름, 슈퍼맨 Superman 2004 The Last Wolf 마지막 늑대 Narrow Eyes 2005 Sympathy for Lady Vengeance 친절한 금자씨 Woo So-young's husband 2006 Running Wild 야수 Gang member The Host 괴물 Orderly 1 in isolation ward Ice Bar 아이스케키 Cop 1 No Mercy for the Rude 예의없는 것들 Piano 2007 Soo 수 Yakuza 1 Going by the Book 바르게 살자 Woo Jong-dae 2008 Rough Cut 영화는 영화다 Director Bong Outing 소풍 Go Pil-joong Antique 서양골동양과자점 앤티크 Gay club master 2009 Insadong Scandal 인사동 스캔들 Hojinsa, forgery factory president The Case of Itaewon Homicide 이태원 살인사건 Alex's father City of Fathers 부산 – 父.山 Kim Kang-soo 2010 Secret Reunion 의형제 Vietnamese gang boss A Barefoot Dream 맨발의 꿈 Park In-gi Second Half 맛있는 인생 Sushi restaurant owner Mr. Ko – cameo Hello Ghost 헬로우 고스트 Chain-smoking ghost 2011 The Showdown 혈투 Du-soo My Black Mini Dress 마이 블랙 미니드레스 Director – cameo The Front Line 고지전 Yang Hyo-sam Quick 퀵 Detective Seo Mr. Idol Mr. 아이돌 Han Jong-tak 2012 Over My Dead Body 시체가 돌아왔다 Hwang Sung-koo Miss Conspirator 미스 고 Detective So The Suck Up Project: Mr. XXX-Kisser 아부의 왕 Sung-cheol Dangerously Excited 나는 공무원이다 Music judge – cameo The Grand Heist 바람과 함께 사라지다 Hong Seok-chang Almost Che 강철대오: 구국의 철가방 Police officer Kim 2013 Secretly, Greatly 은밀하게 위대하게 Seo Sang-gu The Spy: Undercover Operation 스파이 Department head Jin The Face Reader 관상 His Excellency Choi – cameo 2014 The Huntresses 조선미녀 삼총사 Mu-myeong ("No Name") Tabloid Truth 찌라시: 위험한 소문 Baek Moon Slow Video 슬로우 비디오 Doctor Seok The Con Artists 기술자들 Goo-in 2016Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River봉이 김선달 Bo-won 2017A Taxi Driver 택시운전사 Sang-goo's father - special appearance 2018Be with You 지금 만나러 갑니다 Hong-goo2019 Jesters: The Game Changers Race to Freedom: Um Bok Dong 자전차왕 엄복동 2020 Innocence 결백 Seedsman 2021 Sinkhole싱크홀Rescue caption Miracle: Letters to the President기적Father of Ra-hee (Special appearance) 2022I Want to Know Your Parents 니 부모 얼굴이 보고 싶다Jung Project Wolf Hunting늑대사냥Go Kun-bae Broker 브로커 Go Gwang-soo Life Is Beautiful 인생은 아름다워 2023Count권혁재Principal Dream 드림 Jeon Hyo-bong 2025 Boss 보스
Television series Year English title Korean title Role 2009 Dream 드림 Straw 2013 Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek 광고천재 이태백 Ma Jin-ga Monstar 몬스타 Judo master – cameo, ep. 5 Good Doctor 굿 닥터 Jo Jung-mi 2014 Diary of a Night Watchman 야경꾼일지 Minister Ddoong2015 Kill Me, Heal Me 킬미,힐미 Seok Ho-pil Reply 1988 응답하라 Mi-ok's father 2017 Hit the Top 최고의 한방 Photographer – cameo, ep. 12018 The Miracle We Met 우리가 만난 기적 Song Hyun-chul (B) Encounter 남자친구 Nam Myeong-sik 2020 Memorist 메모리스트 Gu Kyung-tan 2022 Today's Webtoon 오늘의 웹툰 On Gi-bong The Good Detective 2 모범형사 2 Cha Moon-ho – Cameo ep 11 Glitch 글리치 Kim Chan-woo2024The Impossible Heir로얄로더Chae Dong-UkChicken Nugget닭강정Ko Baek-Joong's dad2025 Melo Movie 멜로무비 Ma Sang-wooMy Dearest Nemesis그놈은 흑염룡Baek Won-seop Way Back Love 내가 죽기 일주일 전 Jeong Il-beom 2026 Dead-End Job Special appearance Netflix
Television shows Year Title Role 2022 Take Care of Me This Week Main Cast
Theater Year English title Korean title Role Notes/ 2003 Tale of Ungnyeo 웅녀 이야기 2006 Sachoom 사랑하면 춤을 춰라 2012 The Cherry Orchard 벚꽃동상 The Human Comedy 휴먼코미디 Woyzeck 보이첵 2013 Sachoom 사랑한다면 춤을 춰라 A Midsummer Night's Dream 여름밤의 꿈 Godspell 가스펠 Dulpul 들풀 Jang Bogo, the Sea God 해상왕 장보고 Le Passe-Muraille 벽을 뚫는 남자 Prosecutor 2013, 2015–2016 2014 Kinky Boots 킹키부츠 Don 2022 2023 Dream High드림하이Principal
Accolades Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2008 KMDb초 이워스 Awards Best Supporting Actor Rough Cut 29th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Supporting Actor 7th Korean Film Awards Best Supporting Actor 2010 18th Chunsa Film Art Awards Best Supporting Actor A Barefoot Dream 47th Grand Bell Awards Best Supporting Actor 31st Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Secret Reunion 2011 20th Buil Film Awards Best Supporting Actor The Front Line 48th Grand Bell Awards Best Supporting Actor The Showdown 32nd Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Supporting Actor The Front Line 2013 7th The Musical Awards Best Supporting Actor Le Passe-Muraille KBS Drama Awards Best Supporting Actor Good Doctor, Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek
Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Korean Film Council 2021 Korean Actors 200
Notes
References
External links