Gong Yoo

Gong Yoo (공유) is one of Korea's most globally recognized actors, a performer whose career spans a defining stretch of Korean cinema and drama. Born Gong Ji-cheol on July 10, 1979 in Busan, he studied at Kyung Hee University's Department of Theater and Film before debuting in 2001. He broke through with Coffee Prince (2007), a landmark romantic comedy that remains one of the most beloved Korean dramas of its era. But it was Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016-2017) -- known as Goblin -- that elevated him to pan-Asian superstardom, and Train to Busan (2016) that proved his range on the big screen. Globally, he's best known as The Salesman in Netflix's Squid Game (2021-2025), one of the most-watched series in Netflix history. A brief but unforgettable presence that introduced him to hundreds of millions of new viewers worldwide. In 2026, he stars opposite Song Hye Kyo in Tantara, a 22-episode Netflix period drama -- their first-ever on-screen pairing, directed by Lee Yoon-jung who helmed Coffee Prince nearly two decades prior.