Gong Yoo is a well known South Korean actor who is famous for his powerful roles in films and television dramas.
He was born on July 10, 1979 and is (46 years old). His birthplace is Busan, South Korea. He gained global fame for his role in the blockbuster film Train to Busan and the popular drama Goblin where he played a lead role that made him a household name.
He has worked with major Korean entertainment companies and appeared in top productions on platforms like tvN and Netflix.
One of his biggest achievements includes winning several acting awards for his performances in both films and dramas. His strong screen presence and emotional acting style make him one of the most respected actors in South Korea.
Quick Facts Gong Yoo
| Full Name | Gong Ji-cheol |
| Profession | Actor |
| Age | 46 years old |
| Date of Birth | July 10, 1979 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Birthplace | Busan, South Korea |
| Current Address | Seoul, South Korea |
| Gender | Male |
Gong Yoo Early life and Education
Gong Yoo was born and raised in Busan, South Korea, where he spent most of his childhood. From a young age, he showed interest in acting and media, which later shaped his career path.
Education
Gong Yoo completed his higher education at Kyung Hee University. He studied Theatre and Film, which helped him build a strong foundation in acting and performance. His academic background played an important role in shaping his successful acting career.
| School | Yet to be updated |
| Alma Mater | Kyung Hee University |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Theatre |
Gong Yoo Personal Life
Gong Yoo is known for keeping his personal life very private. He rarely shares details about his relationships or family in public, which has made fans more curious about his life outside acting.
Family
Details about his parents and siblings are yet to be updated.
Relationship Status
Gong Yoo is currently believed to be single. Over the years, there have been rumors linking him with some co stars, but none of these relationships have been officially confirmed.
Girlfriend and Rumored Relationships
Gong Yoo has been rumored to be close to a few actresses during his career, especially after strong on screen chemistry in dramas like Goblin. However, he has never publicly confirmed any girlfriend.
There were also occasional rumors about him dating within the entertainment industry, but he has always kept his personal relationships away from the spotlight. His agency has not confirmed any dating news.
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Girlfriend | Yet to be updated |
| Parents | Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Yet to be updated |
Read also: Top 15 Most Famous Korean Actors
Gong Yoo Career
Gong Yoo has built a strong and respected career in South Korean entertainment. His journey includes television, films, and global success through streaming platforms.
Early Career and Breakthrough 2001 to 2007
Gong Yoo started his career as a video jockey on Mnet before moving into acting. He made his acting debut in 2001 with small roles in dramas.
His major breakthrough came in 2007 with the drama Coffee Prince, where he starred alongside Yoon Eun hye. The show became very popular and made him a leading actor in Korea.
Military Service and Comeback 2008 to 2012
He completed his mandatory military service from 2008 to 2009. After returning, he slowly rebuilt his career with selective roles.
He gained attention again with films like Silenced in 2011, where he worked with Jung Yu mi. The film was critically praised and even led to real life legal changes in South Korea.
Rise to Global Fame 2016
The year 2016 was a turning point in his career. He starred in the zombie film Train to Busan, which became a worldwide hit.
In the same year, he played the lead role in Goblin on tvN alongside Kim Go eun. The drama became one of the highest rated Korean dramas and made him internationally famous.
Global Expansion and Netflix Success 2017 to 2023
After Goblin, Gong Yoo focused on films and global projects. He appeared in The Age of Shadows and later worked on Netflix series The Silent Sea with Bae Doona.
He also made a memorable appearance in Squid Game, which brought him further global recognition.
Recent Career Growth and Major Projects 2024 to 2026
Gong Yoo continues to stay at the top with strong and selective roles. In 2024, he starred in the Netflix drama The Trunk alongside Seo Hyun jin, playing a complex lead role.
He also returned in Squid Game Season 2 in 2024, reprising his role as the recruiter, which received positive response from viewers.
In films, he appeared in Wonderland in a guest role and made a special appearance in Love Untangled in 2025.
In 2026, he is starring in the highly anticipated Netflix period drama Tantara, written by Noh Hee kyung. He plays Dong gu and stars alongside Song Hye kyo, marking their first collaboration.
In March 2026, he was invited as a special guest at the Florence Korea Film Fest in Italy. He received a special award for his contribution to cinema and also held a public masterclass. The festival also showcased a retrospective of his films.
Apart from acting, Gong Yoo is also a leading brand ambassador for luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Bulgari, showing his strong influence beyond films and television.
Gong Yoo Awards and Achievement
Gong Yoo has received several awards for his performances in films and television. His work is widely respected both in South Korea and internationally.
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2008: Best Actor for Coffee Prince Won
- Korean Film Actors Guild Awards 2017: Best Actor for Train to Busan Won
- Blue Dragon Film Awards 2017: Popular Star Award Won
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2017: Best Actor for Goblin Nominated
- Asian Film Awards 2017: Excellence in Acting Won
- Florence Korea Film Fest 2026: Special Award for Contribution to Cinema Won
Gong Yoo Controversies
False Harassment Allegations Case (2025)
- In July 2025, Gong Yoo was legally cleared of harassment allegations after the Daejeon District Court confirmed that all claims against him were false.
- A woman in her 40s was found guilty of defamation after posting more than 200 false claims online between January 2020 and March 2021.
- The court sentenced her to six months in prison, suspended for two years. Investigations confirmed there was no personal connection between Gong Yoo and the woman.
- His agency also took legal action against malicious rumours to protect his reputation.
Gong Yoo Net worth
Gong Yoo has earned strong financial success through films, dramas, and brand endorsements.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $14 Million approx |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Gong Yoo Height, weight and Physical states
| Height | In centimetres: 184 cm In meters: 1.84 m In feet and inches: 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | In kg: yet to be updated In lbs: yet to be updated |
| Body Measurements | yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Gong Yoo Social media
 @gongyoo_official |
Interesting Facts about Gong Yoo
- Gong Yoo’s real name is Gong Ji cheol, but he uses a stage name for his acting career.
- He gained international fame after Train to Busan became one of the highest grossing Korean films worldwide.
- He is known for being very selective with his roles and often takes long breaks between projects.
- Gong Yoo comes from a family that is reportedly connected to Confucius’ lineage.
- He has worked multiple times with actress Jung Yu mi, and their on screen pairing is widely loved.
- He is considered one of the most influential Korean actors in global entertainment.
- Apart from acting, he is also a top brand ambassador for luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Bulgari.
FAQs
What is Gong Yoo’s real name?
His real name is Gong Ji cheol.
How old is Gong Yoo?
He is 45 years old as of 2025.
Is Gong Yoo married?
No, Gong Yoo is not married.
What is Gong Yoo famous for?
He is famous for Train to Busan, Goblin, and Squid Game.
What is Gong Yoo’s latest project in 2026?
He is starring in the Netflix drama Tantara in 2026.
Where is Gong Yoo from?
He is from Busan, South Korea.
