| American actor of Korean descent Date of Birth: 08.04.1972 Country: USA |
Born on April 8, 1972, in Gainesville, Georgia, as a first-generation Korean American, Sung Kang was drawn to the performing arts at a young age. Despite his initial aspirations of becoming a mime, his focus shifted toward acting during his high school years. However, the pressure to conform to societal norms of athleticism led him to keep his passion a secret.
After graduating from college, Kang's parents encouraged him to pursue law, but his heart was set on acting. He moved to Los Angeles and diligently attended acting classes while working as a waiter to make ends meet. Despite his lack of martial arts training, which limited his opportunities in certain roles, he persevered for five years before breaking into Hollywood.
Kang's acting debut came in the '90s with a minor role in "HBO: First Look." He continued to land small parts in various television projects before getting his breakthrough in the 1999 film "Mystery Men." Working alongside industry giants like Ben Stiller and Jeffrey Rush motivated him and gave him valuable insights.
In 2002, Kang's luck changed with his role in Justin Lin's independent drama "Better Luck Tomorrow." As Han Hu, he portrayed a charismatic "frat boy" character. The film's success at the Sundance Film Festival brought Lin to the attention of studios, and he soon approached Kang for a role in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift." The character, Han Seoul-Oh, was originally intended for an African American actor, but Lin persuaded the producers to cast an Asian actor. The film's enormous box office success catapulted Kang to stardom.
In 2007, Kang starred in two high-profile action films: "Live Free or Die Hard" with Bruce Willis and "War" with Jason Statham. These projects showcased his versatility and cemented his position as a leading man.
Kang's character, Han Seoul-Oh, met a tragic end in "Tokyo Drift," but the demand from fans brought him back to the "Fast and the Furious" franchise for four more installments: "Fast & Furious," "Fast Five," "Fast & Furious 6," and "Furious 7." He shared the screen with stars like Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Gal Gadot, and Paul Walker.
Kang has collaborated with renowned directors such as Walter Hill in "The Expendables" (2012) and Chris Morgan in the TV series "Gang Related" (2014). In 2015, he ventured into the comedy genre with "Hollywood Adventures." He has also produced several films, including "Talk to Taka" (2000) and "Undoing" (2006).
Kang kept his personal life private for many years, leading to speculation about his sexuality. However, in 2014, he married Miki Yim, a restaurant owner and designer. They do not have any known children. Kang enjoys playing golf and basketball and has a collection of vintage cars, with a Datsun 240Z as his prized possession.
In 2018, Kang starred in the television series "Magnum P.I." as one of the lead characters. He continues to be actively involved in both film and television.