Hyun Bin's first film was Shower in 2002. However, filming was stopped and was not released due to lack of proper funding.[5][6][unreliable source?] He eventually made his debut as an actor in the 2003 television series Bodyguard.[7] He then starred in the sitcom Nonstop 4 and quirky romance drama Ireland,[8] and made his film debut the same year in the youth sports film Spin Kick.[9]
Hyun shot to stardom with the 2005 romantic comedy My Lovely Sam Soon with Kim Sun-a,[10] for which Hyun won the Top Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards. My Lovely Sam Soon was a massive hit with average viewership ratings of over 37% and recorded 50.5% for the finale, making it one of the highest-rated Korean drama of all time.[11] The high level popularity of the drama and his portrayal as Sam-sik established Hyun Bin as a top star in South Korea and a Hallyu star as his popularity expanded beyond South Korea to Japan and other countries in Asia.[12][13]
In 2010, Hyun starred in Secret Garden, a romantic fantasy drama written by Kim Eun-sook.[29][30] The drama recorded a high viewership rating of 35%, and gained enormous popularity both domestically and internationally for its fashion, catchphrases and music.[31] His portrayal as Kim Joo-won created a "Hyun Bin Syndrome" as his name and face were plastered everywhere, from newspapers to television and the internet.[32] Hyun was recognized at the 2010 SBS Drama Awards and the 47thBaeksang Arts Awards for his stellar performance.[33][34] He also contributed to the soundtrack of the drama with "That Man", which peaked at number one in eight Korean music portals.[35][36][37]
Hyun Bin in February 2011
In 2011, Hyun appeared in two films that were released back to back; Come Rain, Come Shine, a minimalist breakup indie directed by Lee Yoon-ki, and Late Autumn directed by Kim Tae-yong. Shot in Seattle city, Late Autumn is an English-languageremake of the 1966 Lee Man-hee classic, in which Hyun played a man on the run who falls in love with a woman who is on special leave from prison.[38][39][40][41] It was the highest-grossing Korean film released in China to date, taking in more than US$9.5 million over two weeks, which was unprecedented for a melodrama.[42] He received a good review from The Hollywood Reporter which stated, "it is Hyun who impresses more for not underplaying the dandy, narcissistic side of his personality."[43] Hyun walked the red carpet at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival, where the two films were both selected to be screened.[44][45][46] He described the honor as his "most happiest achievement".[47][48]
2011–2012: Military enlistment and discharge
On March 7, 2011, Hyun began his 21-month mandatory military service as a soldier in the Marine Corps.[49] He volunteered to serve in the Marine Corps, said to be the toughest branch of the Korean military,[50][51] as he had a good impression of the Marines.[52][53][54][55] Competition rate to enter the Marines at that time was high at 4:1[56] with Hyun placing in the top 5% of applicants.[57][58][59][60] Hyun applied to be a combat soldier.[60][57] The decision to join the Marines while at the peak of his career generated much interest in Korea and overseas.[51][61] Seven broadcasting companies, including Japan's NHK, requested access to the training camp.[51] Hyun was named a top marksman during training, one of 16 out of about 720 rookie Marines.[62] Hyun hit the target 19 times out of 20 in day shooting training, and all of his 10 shots hit the target during night training. To qualify as a top marksman, rookies must hit the target more than 18 times out of 20 in day training and nine out of 10 at night.[62][63]
After joining the Marines and completing his six months in the service, Hyun participated in the "Seoul Reclamation Anniversary Marine Marathon Competition". He ran a 6.25 km long course with 400 exemplary senior marines. This event was held in remembrance of the historically significant event when the Marines won back the capital Seoul that had been taken during the 6.25 Korean War.[66]
He was discharged on December 6, 2012, and was awarded the Secretary of Defense Award and the Marine Corps Commandant Commendation for being an exemplary soldier.[67][68][69][70][71][unreliable source?] After the merger of their former agency AM Entertainment with SM Entertainment,[72] Hyun's reps announced in November 2012 that the actor and Shin Min-ah had decided to go independent and set up their own management agency O& Entertainment.[73]
2013–2016: Comeback to entertainment industry
Hyun spent most of 2013 shooting ad commercials as an in-demand product endorser,[74][75][76][77] and holding fan meetings all over Asia.[78] For his acting comeback after military service, Hyun chose The Fatal Encounter, his first period film, in which he played the lead role of King Jeongjo who faced fierce party strife and assassination attempts during his reign.[79][80][81][82] It was released in April 2014 and drew more than three million admissions.[83] However, Hyun was criticized for his flat tonation and lack of emotions in the film, which received mostly negative reviews.[84][85]
In 2015, Hyun made a comeback in the Korean drama scene after four years, via romantic comedy Hyde Jekyll, Me. In the drama inspired by the literary character, he played a man with split personality disorder whose two personas both fall for the same woman.[86] In January 2016, he set up his own agency, VAST Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kakao M.[87][88]
2017–present: Career resurgence
Hyun returned to big screen with action-thriller film Confidential Assignment (2017), where he played the role of a North Korean detective who was secretly sent to South Korea to apprehend a crime ring made up of North Korean traitors.[89] The film was a success, and Hyun received positive reviews from critics for his action scenes and comedic performance.[90] He then starred in a blockbuster crime action film The Swindlers, along with Yoo Ji-tae, about a prosecutor who plans to catch a con man who has swindled a large sum of money.[91][92][93][94]
On October 29, 2013, Hyun received the President's award at the 50th Savings Day held by the Financial Services Committee, for saving 35 billion won (approximately US$33 million) within 17 years.[107] In February 2016, he was involved in an awareness campaign against animal cruelty. As part of the project, Hyun's agency VAST Entertainment released pictures of him posing with a retired search and rescue dog named "Vision".[108]
In March 2020, Hyun made a secret donation of 200 million won to the non-profit organization, Community Chest of Korea, to help fight against the COVID-19 outbreak on February 21, 2020.[109] Hyun was also included as a member in the "Honor Society", a group of major private donors, for his many donations to different causes. He has continually supported projects by organizations such as Save the Children, Community Chest of Korea and international relief NGOs.[110]
On March 8, 2022, Hyun made a donation ₩200 million to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association, together with Son Ye-jin, to help those who have been damaged by the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has continued to spread Samcheok, Gangwon.[111]
Personal life
Hyun was born and raised in Seoul and has one elder brother. He graduated from Youngdong High School[112][unreliable source?] and studied at Chung-Ang University, where he majored in Theater Studies in 2004. In 2009, he enrolled at the same university and obtained a Master's degree.[113]
On February 10, 2022, Hyun and Son announced their engagement in letters posted on their social media accounts.[115] They married in a private ceremony on March 31, 2022, attended by their families and close friends.[116] On June 27, 2022, Son announced that she was pregnant with the couple's first child,[117] and she gave birth to a son on November 27, 2022.[118][119]
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^Kang Hyo-jin (March 8, 2022). 현빈♥손예진, 결혼 앞두고 산불 성금 2억 기부...선행 펼치는 예비부부 [Hyun Bin ♥ Son Ye-jin, donated 200 million won for forest fire before marriage... Pre-married couple] (in Korean). SPOTV News. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Woo-joo (February 10, 2022). 현빈♥손예진, 결혼 발표 "남은 인생을 함께 할 사람" [전문] [Hyun Bin ♥ Son Ye-jin, Marriage Announcement "The person I will spend the rest of my life with" [Professional]]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-hyun (March 31, 2022). 현빈♥손예진, 세기의 커플 부부 됐다..영화 같은 순간[웨딩화보] [Hyun Bin ♥ Son Ye-jin, married couple of the century..A moment like a movie [Wedding pictorial]] (in Korean). Herald POP. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang So-young (November 27, 2022). 현빈·손예진, 오늘(27일) 득남 "산모 아기 모두 건강" [Hyun Bin · Son Ye-jin, today (27th), "Both mother and baby are healthy] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Ji-hye (August 1, 2022). 공조2', 현빈X유해진에 다니엘 헤니도 가세...9월 개봉 확정 [Cooperation 2', Hyun Bin X Yoo Hae-jin joins Daniel Henney... September release confirmed] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Ji-hye (December 7, 2022). 최악의 피랍 사건"...황정민x현빈 '교섭', 내년 1월18일 개봉 [The Worst Kidnapping Case"... Hwang Jung-min x Hyun Bin's 'Negotiation' will be released on January 18 next year] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Seung-mi (November 16, 2021). [공식]현빈, 첩보 액션 대작 '하얼빈' 출연 확정...'내부자들' 우민호 감독 메가폰 [[Official] Hyun Bin confirmed to appear in spy action masterpiece 'Harbin'... 'Inside Men' directed by Woo Min-ho] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Naver.
^Choi, Yun-na (August 29, 2024). 현빈X정우성→조여정X정성일…'메이드 인 코리아' 캐스팅 확정 [공식] [Hyun Bin X Jung Woo Sung → Jo Yeo Jeong X Jung Sung Il… 'Made in Korea' Casting Confirmed [Official]] (in Korean). Donga Sports. Retrieved August 29, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lim, Chae-yeon; Kim, Young-gyeong (February 23, 2015). 2015 KOREA POWER CELEBRITY 40 - '미생' 두 주인공 떴다 [2015 KOREA POWER CELEBRITY 40 - Two main characters of 'Misaeng' appeared]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 12, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2021 – via Joins.
^Kim, Min-soo; Shin, Yoon-ae (April 23, 2020). 2020 포브스코리아 선정 파워 셀럽 40 [40 Power Celebrities selected by Forbes Korea 2020]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Joins.
^Park, Ji-hyun; Kim, Min-soo; Shin, Yoon-ae (April 23, 2021). 2021 포브스코리아 선정 파워 셀럽 40 [2021 Power Celebrity Selected by Forbes Korea 40]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Joins.
^한국영화 배우 흥행 파워 TOP 배우 하정우 그러나 TOP 10위 안에 여성 배우는 실종...여성 주연 영화 부재가 원인 [Korean movie actor box office power TOP actor Ha Jung-woo but the female actor in the top 10 is missing... Due to the absence of female-starred films]. RNX (in Korean). January 2, 2020. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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