Heo Sung-tae (, , born October 20, 1977) is a South Korean actor. He gained domestic prominence in the 2016 period thriller film The Age of Shadows and became recognized internationally for his role in the first season of Squid Game (2021). He has since starred in the television series Crash (2024) and Good Boy (2025).
Early life and education Heo was born in Busan, South Korea. He graduated from Pusan National University, where he majored in Russian. Prior to acting, he sold televisions in the Russian market for LG Corporation. He later joined the planning and coordination department of a shipbuilding company.
Career Heo began his acting career in 2011, when he entered SBS's talent show Miraculous Audition (기적의 오디션). According to Heo, he drunkenly signed up to audition after seeing a commercial for the show. He gained national prominence as Ha Il-soo in the 2016 period thriller film The Age of Shadows. For his role in The Fortress (2017), Heo had to learn the Manchu language. In the 2021 Netflix original series Squid Game, Heo starred as the gangster Jang Deok-su. In 2025, he starred in the action-comedy JTBC series Good Boy, alongside Park Bo-gum.
Filmography
Film
+ Year Title Role Notes 2012Masquerade 2014Man on High HeelsHaemooThe Royal TailorOfficer Jong 2016The Age of ShadowsHa Il-soo 2017The FortressYong Gol-dae The OutlawsViperThe BrosMonk / Hyeong-bae The SwindlersJang Du-chil 2018A Man's True ColorsTae-hoon FengshuiLee Si-youngRampantLee Jung-rang 2019Mal-Mo-E: The Secret MissionUeda The 12th SuspectNo Seok-hyun The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful"Busan Weeds" Black MoneyProsecutor Choi 2020Hitman: Agent JunHyung-do CollectorsViper gang leader 2022StellarSeo Sa-jang HuntJang Cheol-seong The BoysDetective ParkPremiere at BIFF
Television
+ Year Title Role Notes 2014Jeong Do-jeonNam Won-seong Bride of the CenturyYi-hun's secretaryCameo (episode 9) 2017Saimdang, Light's DiaryWang Jung-chulCameo (episode 14) TunnelJung Ho-young Queen for Seven DaysShaman Live Up to Your NameGangsterCameo Witch at CourtBaek Sang-ho 2018CrossKim Hyung-beom Your HonorHong Jung-soo Big ForestGil KangCameo 2019Liver or DieCondolerCameo (episode 1) Different DreamsMatsuura Voice 3Drug dealerCameo (episodes 2, 6)WatcherJang Hae-ryong Psychopath DiaryJang Chil-sung 2020King Maker: The Change of DestinyAstrologerCameo (episode 2) 2021Beyond EvilLee Chang-jin Racket BoysCoach CheonCameo (episodes 10–12) Squid GameJang Deok-su The Silent SeaKim Jae-sun 2022 Bloody Heart Jo Won-pyo Insider Yoon Byung-wook Adamas Choi Tae-seong / Chief Choi A Model Family Ma Sa-jang Special appearanceBehind Every StarGoo Hae-joon Cameo Big Bet Seo Tae-seok 2023 Bait Noh Sang-cheon 2024 Crash Jeong Chae-man 2025 Good Boy Ko Man-sik 2026 Fifties Professionals Kang Bum-ryong Phantom Lawyer Lee Kang-pung Cameo Our Sticky Love Baek Sang-gil
Web shows + Year Title Role Notes 2022 Saturday Night Live Korea Host Season 2 – episode 6
Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2022 Best Supporting ActorSquid Game & Insider Asia Artist Awards 2021Best Actor AwardSquid Game Asia Model Awards Asia Special Award Baeksang Arts Awards2018Best New Actor – FilmThe Outlaws 2022 Best Supporting Actor – Television Squid Game Buil Film Awards 2022 Best Supporting Actor Hunt Director's Cut Awards2022 Best New Actor in series Squid Game KBS Drama Awards 2022 Best Supporting Actor Bloody Heart Korea Culture Entertainment Awards2021Excellence Award for Male Squid Game SBS Drama Awards2018Best Supporting ActorYour Honor 2021 Scene Stealer Award Racket Boys
References
External links
Heo Sung-tae profile at Hanahreum Company