Shin Hyun-Joon’s Profile
Shin Hyun-Joon’s Personal Life
In 2009, Shin Hyun-Joon’s then-manager of five years filed a complaint against the actor, alleging that Shin Hyun-Joon had assaulted him after a heated argument at a bar in Sangsu-dong, Mapo District on September 22nd. At a press conference held on September 25th, Shin Hyun-Joon admitted to hitting Jang “lightly” and made a public apology. After the medical report showed no serious injuries, Jang declined to press charges, and the lawsuit was dropped on September 27th. Shin Hyun-Joon married Kim Kyung-mi (Linda Kim), a Korean-American woman 12 years his junior at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, on May 26th, 2013. His wife is studying for a doctorate in music in the United States, and in his show, Entertainment Weekly, Shin revealed that he bumped into her in the doorway of a building and fell in love at first sight.
Shin Hyun-Joon’s Career
Shin Hyun-Joon was an athletics major at Yonsei University before starting a career in modeling and acting in 1989. His made his film debut with director Im Kwon-Taek’s Son of a General series, set under the Japanese occupation in the 1920s. For the first half of the 1990s, he continued working with Im Kwon-Taek and also acted in Hwa-Om-Kyung, Jang Sun-woo’s award-winning film based on the Avatamsaka Sutra. In recent years Shin Hyun-joon has turned more towards popular cinema, finding his greatest success in fantasy/sci-fi works such as The Gingko Bed, The Soul Guardians, and the Korean-Chinese co-production Bichunmoo, as well as gangster comedies Marrying the Mafia II and Guns & Talks. In one of his most iconic roles, Shin Hyun-Joon played a 40-year-old marathon runner with the mental faculties of an 8-year-old boy in Barefoot Ki-bong. A devout Christian, he published a photo-essay book Shin Hyun-Joon’s Confessions in 2008, which documented his insights about life and faith. The first print sold out in two days, and the book was also released in China and Japan. Confessions contained a foreword by international star Jackie Chan as well as religious testimonies by other Korean celebrities such as Choi Ji-woo, Kim Won-hee, and Nam Hee-Seok. He is also known for his missionary work, charitable endeavors, and volunteerism. Aside from his job as an actor, Shin Hyun-Joon currently hosts the entertainment news program Entertainment Weekly on KBS2, the KBS Nine O’Clock News segment KBS Entertainment 925 on KBS1, and the Channel A talk show Show King. He has written two children’s books: Aladdin and the Magic Lamp (2012) and Clown with Smiles and Tears (2013). He is also an acting professor at Induk University since March 2010. Shin Hyun-Joon established the production company HJ Film and is the CEO of 3J Cosmetics.
Shin Hyun-Joon’s Filmography
Films
George and Bong-Shik (TBA) Bad Guys Always Die (2015) Marrying the Mafia IV (2011) Sin of a Family (2011) Kiss Me, Kill Me (2009) His Last Gift (2008) The Worst Guy Ever (2007) Master Kims (2007) Hot for Teacher (2006) Marrying the Mafia III (2006) Barefoot Ki-bong (2006) Shadowless Sword (2005) Marrying the Mafia II (2005) Hi! Dharma 2: Showdown in Seoul (2004) Face (2004) Blue (2003) Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield (2003) Guns & Talks (2001) Siren (2000) Bichunmoo (2000) The Soul Guardians (1998) The Story of a Man (1998) KK Family List (1997) Maria and the Inn (1997) Lament (1997) The Gingko Bed (1996) Channel 69 (1996) Hong Gil-dong (animated, 1995) The Taebaek Mountains (1994) Love is Oh Yeah! (1993) Hwa-Om-Kyung (1993) General’s Son III (1992) General’s Son II (1991) Portrait of the Days of Youth (1991) General’s Son (1990)
Television series
Moorim School: Saga of the Brave (KBS2, 2016) Ohlala Couple (KBS2, 2012) Bridal Mask (KBS2, 2012) Dummy Mommy (SBS, 2012) Road No. 1 (MBC, 2010) – cameo Cain and Abel (SBS, 2009) Star’s Lover (SBS, 2008) – cameo Rondo (TBS, 2006) Stairway to Heaven (SBS, 2003) I Love You! I Love You! (SBS, 1998) White Nights 3.98 (SBS, 1998) Wedding Dress (KBS2, 1997) The Brothers’ River (SBS, 1996) 1.5 (MBC, 1996) Sons of the Wind (KBS2, 1995)
Variety shows
KBS Entertainment 925 (KBS1, 2013–present) – Anchor Show King (Channel A, 2011–present) – MC Entertainment Weekly (KBS2, 2010–present) – MC Enjoy Today (MBC, 2010-2011) – MC The Dreaming Sea (KBS2, 2013) – Member Family Outing My Daughter’s Men
Music video appearances
Zi-A – “Choked With Grief” (2008) Zi-A – “I’m Happy” (2008) Zi-A – “I Love You, I’m Sorry” (2008) Zi-A – “Guardian Angel” (2007) Zi-A – “Together with a Star in My Heart” (2007) Zi-A – “Absentmindedly” (2007) KISS – “Because I’m a Girl” (2001) Lee Soo-young – “Never Again” (2001) Jo Sung-mo – “For Your Soul” (1999) Lee Seung-Chul – 말리꽃 (1999) Bobby Kim – “Remember Last Christmas” (1998)
Books
Clown with Smiles and Tears (2013) Aladdin and the Magic Lamp (2012) 배우 연기를 훔쳐라 (2012) Shin Hyun-Joon’s Confessions (2008)
Recognitions
2010: Goodwill Ambassador for Korea National Red Cross 2010: Goodwill Ambassador for Grain Welfare Foundation 2010: Goodwill Ambassador for World No Tobacco Day 2010: Goodwill Ambassador for the 1004 Marathon Relay for Disabled People 2010: Goodwill Ambassador for the 2010 Bible EXPO 2008: Goodwill Ambassador for South Korea’s World Refugee Day 2007: Goodwill Ambassador for the 7th World Paralympic Games
Awards
2012 KBS Drama Awards– Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries (Ohlala Couple) 2012 KBS Entertainment Awards – Top Entertainer Award (Entertainment Weekly) 2011 12th Korea Visual Arts Festival – Photogenic Award, Movie Actor category 2011 18th Han Il Culture Awards – Grand Prize, Cultural Diplomacy category 2010 MBC Entertainment Awards – Special Award in Show/Variety (Enjoy Today) 2008 16th Chunsa Film Art Awards – Hallyu Cultural Award 2006 26th Hawaii International Film Festival – Asian Star Award 2006 27th Blue Dragon Film Awards – Popular Star Award (Barefoot Ki-bong) 2006 4th Korea Fashion World Awards – Best Dressed Award 2001 Best Dresser Swan Awards – Best Dressed, Movie Actor category 1999 Golden Disk Awards: Popular Music Video Award (Jo Sung-mo’s For Your Soul) 1992 30th Grand Bell Awards – Best New Actor
