Yang Dong-geun (Korean: 양동근; born June 1, 1979), also known as YDG, is a South Korean actor and rapper. He started his career as a child actor, drawing attention for his roles in the television shows Seoul Ttukbaegi (1990) and Hyung (1991).[3] He began releasing music as a rapper in 2001, establishing himself as a star of Korean hip-hop.[3] Yang continued acting, gaining popularity for his roles in the television shows New Nonstop (2002) and Ruler of Your Own World (2002).[4] He is best known outside of South Korea for playing Park Yong-sik in the second season of Squid Game (2024).[5]
Career
His comeback project after being discharged from the military was in film Grand Prix with Kim Tae-hee. He was cast as male lead Lee Woo-suk after Lee Joon-gi had to pull out when the Military Manpower Administration declined his application to postpone enlistment for military service.[6][7]
On October 18 to November 23, 2008, he acted in the musical Mine with Kangta. It is about the true life story of Lieutenant Lee Jong-myung, who lost his legs in a land mine explosion near the demilitarized zone, in June 2000, when he saved fellow soldier, Sul Dong-seob from the minefield.[8]
In 2016, he and his daughter Yang Joy joined as a member of KBS variety show The Return of Superman.
Philanthropy
On February 8, 2023, Yang donated 10 million won to help 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, by donating money through the Embassy of Turkey in South Korea.[9]
Personal life
Yang and his wife Park Ga-ram have two sons and a daughter.[10][11]
^양동근. Cinefox (씨네폭스) (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
^"영화 '와일드 카드' 주연 양동근·한채영 명예 경위" [Honorary detectives Yang Dong-geun and Han Chae-young star in the movie 'Wild Card']. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). August 6, 2003. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^ ab"양동근, 아역에서 34년차 배우로…잘 버텨온 진짜 만능 엔터테이너 [★파헤치기]" [Yang Dong-geun, from child actor to 34-year veteran actor… A true all-round entertainer who has endured well]. Xports News (in Korean). September 27, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
^"[인터뷰]양동근 '이젠 기술직 배우…'막장' 드라마 출연도 가능해'" [[Interview] Yang Dong-geun, "Now a technical actor... I can even appear in a 'ridiculous' drama"]. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). September 29, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
^"양동근 "'오겜2'는 병풍이었던 내게 찾아온 거대한 파도"" [Yang Dong-geun, "'Squid Game 2' is a huge wave that picked me up"]. Herald Corporation (in Korean). January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
^Park, Seo-yeon (February 8, 2023). "깊은 위로" 신민아→장성규, 튀르키예 강진에 ★들 기부 행렬 [MD이슈](종합)" [Deep Consolation" Shin Min-ah→Jang Seong-gyu, donated procession to the Turkiye earthquake [MD issue] (comprehensive)] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Hyun-jung (May 2, 2017). "양동근, 셋째 득남 사진 공개…"왕자님입니다"" [Yang Dong-geun reveals photos of third son… “He’s a prince”]. Xports News (in Korean) – via Naver.
^Tae Yu-na (July 12, 2021). "전도연→류준열 '인간실격' 베일 벗었다" [Jeon Do-yeon → Ryu Jun-yeol took off the veil of 'disqualification']. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
^Kang Seon-ae (April 21, 2022). "카이스트' 이후 23년 만의 캠퍼스물 '치얼업', 한지현→배인혁 캐스팅 확정" [Cheer Up’, the first campus film in 23 years since ‘KAIST’, cast Han Ji-hyun → Bae In-hyuk confirmed] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^Baek Sung-hoon (October 12, 2022). "금혼령' 박주현→김영대, 첫 만남부터 완벽 호흡" ['The Forbidden Marriage' Park Joo-hyun → Kim Young-dae, perfect breathing from the first meeting] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Soo-in (October 1, 2021). "양동근→마미손 김희정 '이머전시' 출연, 래퍼들 멘탈 치유한다" [Yang Dong-geun → Mommy Son Kim Hee-jung Appears in 'Emergency' to heal rappers' mental health]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim Na-ra (December 10, 2021). "이제훈X문채원 '층', 27일 바이브 공개 '국내 최초 오디오 무비' [공식]" [Lee Je-hoon X Moon Chae-won 'Floor', Vibe released on the 27th 'Korea's first audio movie' [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim Na-yeon (May 27, 2022). "진구·양동근·장동윤, 'D.P.' 김보통 작가 신작 '사막의 왕' 출연[공식]" [Jin-goo, Yang Dong-geun, Jang Dong-yun, 'D.P.' Writer Kim Bo-tong's new work 'King of the Desert' Appears [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022 – via Naver.
^Ahn Eun-jae (November 28, 2022). '커넥트' 김뢰하·양동근, '믿보배' 배우진 몰입감 더한다. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
^Kim, Hyeon-jeong (September 9, 2023). "(title is in Korean)". Gukje News. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
^Kim Joon-seok (June 18, 2023). "'오징어 게임2' 이정재·이병헌·공유→임시완·강하늘·양동근 캐스팅 확정[공식]" ['Squid Game 2' Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo → Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Yang Dong-geun cast confirmed [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Naver.
^Jung Yu-jin (August 13, 2021). "설경구·박해수 '야차', 넷플릭스 공개 확정" [Seol Kyung-gu and Park Hae-soo's 'Yacha' to be released on Netflix]. News1 (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
^Jung Yu-jin (March 4, 2022). "설경구·박해수 '야차', 4월8일 넷플릭스 공개 확정" [Seol Kyung-gu and Park Hae-soo's 'Yacha' to be released on Netflix on April 8] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^Yeon Hwi-seon (February 18, 2022). "이솜X옹성우X심은경X양동근, '별빛이 내린다' 출연...4월 크랭크인 [공식]" [Esom X Ong Seong-wu X Shim Eun-kyung X Yang Dong-geun to appear in 'Starlight Falls'... April crank-in [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Seung-gil (October 6, 2021). "양동근, '생활의 달인' 내레이터 합류…황인용, 7년만에 하차" [Yang Dong-geun joins 'Master of Life' narrator... Hwang In-yong to leave after 7 years]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021 – via Naver.
^"양동근 연극무대 데뷔". Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
^Recording Industry Association of Korea monthly chart positions:
Yangdonggeun a.k.a Madman: "2001년 7월 가요음반판매량" [July 2001 K-pop Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
Da Man On The Block!!: "2002.06월 - 가요 음반 판매량" [June 2002 K-Pop Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 21, 2006. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
Travel: "2003.11월 - 가요 음반 판매량" [November 2003 K-Pop Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 26, 2004. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
But I Give: "2007. 10 월 - 가요음반 판매량" [October 2007 K-Pop Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 23, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^"2001년 가요 음반 판매 집계 현황" [2001 Total K-pop Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2002. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^"2002.06월 - 가요 음반 판매량" [June 2002 K-Pop Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 21, 2006. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^"2003.12월 - 가요 음반 판매량" [December 2003 K-Pop Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 26, 2005. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^"2007.총결산 판매량" [2007 Total Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^"2010년 47주차 Album Chart" [2010 Week 47 Album Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
"Dog": "2010년 32주차 Digital Chart" [2010 Week 32 Digital Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
"Bandolier": "2010년 47주차 Digital Chart" [2010 Week 47 Digital Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
"Perfect Game": "2011년 52주차 Digital Chart" [2011 Week 52 Digital Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
"Just The Two Of Us": "2012년 11주차 Digital Chart" [2012 Week 11 Digital Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
"Father": "2013년 05주차 Digital Chart" [2013 Week 05 Digital Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
"Jajaja": "2014년 10주차 Digital Chart" [2014 Week 10 Digital Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^Kim Bo-ra (April 14, 2022). "양동근, 의료봉사단체 '그린 닥터스' 홍보대사 발탁[공식]" [Yang Dong-geun selected as an ambassador for medical volunteer group 'Green Doctors' [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-yeon (December 31, 2022). "천변' 박진우·공민정, 남녀 조연상 '싹쓸이'.."생각도 못해" 울컥[2022 SBS 연기대상]" ['Cheongbyeon' Park Jin-woo and Gong Min-jung, male and female supporting actors 'sweeping' .. "I can't even think of it" crying [2022 SBS Drama Awards]]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ji-hye (January 1, 2023). "[2022 SBS 연기대상]'악마음' 김남길, 두번째 대상 영예..남궁민 디렉터즈 어워드(종합)" [[2022 SBS Drama Awards] 'Evil Mind' Kim Nam-gil, second grand prize .. Namgoong-min Director's Award (comprehensive)] (in Korean). Herald POP. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi, Hee-jae (December 30, 2022). "예수정·이창훈, 조연상 수상…우현주, 감격의 눈물 [MBC 연기대상]" [Ye Soo-jeong and Lee Chang-hoon won the Best Supporting Actor Award... Woo Hyeon-joo, tears of emotion [MBC Drama Awards]] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023 – via Naver.
