Kang Tae-joo (, born on May 19, 1995) is a South Korean actor and model. His notable role was a Kopino boxer name Marco in Park Hoon-jung noir film The Childe (2023), which led him receiving Best New Actor Award from 2023 Golden Cinematography Awards.
Starting as an advertising model, Kang is known for supporting role television drama series Missing: The Other Side (2020), Hello, Me! (2021), and season 2 of Pachinko (2024).
Career Kang studied in Department of Media and Visual Arts of Kwangwoon University. He debuted as an advertising model in 2018, and in 2019, he made his acting debut in the lead role in the web drama Today's Peaceful Secondhand Country. Around the same time, Kang signed an exclusive contract with his agency, UL Entertainment. However, the drama was not released immediately and was instead released in 2021 as a Naver TV web drama. Today's Peaceful Secondhand Country is a realistic youth romance set on a second-hand trading site, written by screenwriter Choi Soo-young and directed by Kim Jae-hong. Kang played the role of Yoo Eun-ho.
So, in the public eye, Kang's debut was in 2020 when he made his television debut in season one of the OCN drama series Missing: The Other Side. Kang played the role of Kang Dae-sung, a public service worker at the community center where Jong-ah (Ahn So-hee) was working. However, he was also an idol trainee and a part-timer at Jong-ah's pawn shop. His performance as a curious and witty personality sparked growing curiosity about the rookie actor Kang.
In 2021, Kang played Min Kyung-sik in comedy-mystery Hello, Me! Min Kyung-sik serves as the sole manager for Anthony (Eum Moon-seok). Kang's performance has been received positively by viewers due to his excellent rapport with Park Jung-man (Choi Dae-cheol), the agency CEO. Despite Anthony's tyrannical behavior, Min consistently exuded a positive energy and brought levity with his comedic performances.
In the same year, Kang was selected for the main role of Marco in Park Hoon-jung's film The Childe, after facing tough competition with a rate of 1:1980. Kang went through three rounds of auditions and was ultimately chosen due to his impressive performances. He worked tirelessly to perfect his English lines. Despite having a slim physique, Marco is a boxer in illegal boxing matches. Kang underwent intense training with national-level athletes to prepare for the role, focusing on developing lean muscles and undergoing a physical transformation. The process helped create a convincing portrayal of Marco as a boxer. He even performed most of the action scenes himself, without stunt doubles.
Kang appears alongside Kim Seon-ho, Kim Kang-woo, and Go Ara. Principal photography of the film began on December 10, 2021. His debut film The Childe was released in South Korea on June 21, 2023. Role Marco led to him receiving Best New Actor Award from .
In season 2 of Pachinko, Kang appears as Noa, the eldest son of Seon-ja (Kim Min-ha).
Filmography
Film +Feature film appearancesYearTitleRoleEnglishKorean2023The ChildeMarco Han
Television +Television appearancesYearTitleRoleNotesEnglishKorean 2020Missing: The Other Side미씽: 그들이 있었다Kang Dae-sungSupporting role (OCN Drama) 2021Hello, Me!안녕? 나야!Min Kyung-sikSupporting role (KBS Drama)
Web series +Feature film appearancesYearTitleRoleNotesEnglishKorean 2021Today's Peaceful Secondhand Country오늘도 평화로운 중고나라Yoo Eun-hoNaver TV web drama 2023 Pachinko 2 파친코 Noa Baek Apple TV Original Series
Accolades Awards and nominations + Awards and nominations Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Blue Dragon Film Awards2023 Best New Actor The Childe Chung Jung-won Popular Star Award Buil Film Awards 2023 Popular Star Award Golden Cinematography Awards2023 Best New Actor
Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Joy News 24 2023 Rising Star Film Actor of the year 5th
Notes
References
External links Official Website