Koo Kyo-hwan (; born December 14, 1982) is a South Korean actor and filmmaker. He first gained recognition for his performances in the films Jane (2016) and Maggie (2018), before achieving wider recognition with Peninsula (2020), Escape from Mogadishu (2021), and the Netflix original D.P. (2021–2023).
Koo subsequently starred in the films Kill Boksoon (2023), Escape (2024), and Once We Were Us (2025), as well as the Netflix series Parasyte: The Grey (2024). In 2026, he appeared in the film Colony and starred in the television series We Are All Trying Here.
Early life and education Koo Kyo-hwan was born on December 14, 1982, and raised in Isu, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. His father is a photographer who operated a photo studio in Bangbae-dong for three decades. In his school records, Koo was noted for a talent for comedy, which led to early ambitions to become a comedian. He later expanded his interests to acting and broadcasting, eventually pursuing careers as an actor, comedian, and television personality.
While Koo originally planned to major in acting at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, he applied to the film department because he was unaware of the theater department existence. His training in directing, cinematography, producing, and editing subsequently increased his interest in filmmaking, which became a stronger focus than acting.
Career
Career beginnings (2008–2015) Koo made his acting debut in the 2008 short film Boys, directed by his Seoul Institute of the Arts peer Yoon Sung-hyun. In the film, he portrayed a high school student with a specialized interest in kite-making. That same year, he appeared in a minor role as a utility worker in Castaway on the Moon.
He began to garner attention for both his acting and directing after winning the Ting-Geurang Coin Award at the Jeongdongjin Independent Film Festival for his 2011 film Turtles, which he also directed. In 2014, he served as the director, screenwriter, producer, editor, and lead actor for the segment "Dating Documentary" within omnibus film Now Playing, the opening feature of the Seoul Independent Film Festival.
Critical recognition in independent films (2016–2019) In 2016, Koo starred alongside Lee Min-ji in Cho Hyun-hoon's independent film Jane. He portrayed the title character, a transgender woman. To prepare for the role, Koo lost 10 kilograms and developed a distinctive high-pitched vocal delivery. His performance earned him Actor of the Year at the Busan International Film Festival and the Best New Actor Award at the 54th Baeksang Arts Awards. That same year, he won the Grand Prize in the Domestic Competition at the Asiana International Short Film Festival for Fly to the Sky, a project he co-directed and starred in.
Koo continued to establish a unique presence in the industry through his collaborations with director Lee Ok-seop. For the 2018 film Maggie, he served as the producer, screenwriter, editor, and lead actor. The film received significant acclaim, winning the Audience Award at the 44th Seoul Independent Film Festival, the CGV Art House Award at the Busan International Film Festival, and the KBS Independent Film Award.
In the summer of 2019, while planning to attend the Taiwan Film Festival, Koo and director Lee Ok-seop discussed the trip at Gyeongui Line Forest Park in Yeonnam-dong. The experience of falling asleep in the park and waking up at sunset reportedly served as the inspiration for the film Romeo: The Sin of Having Eyes.
Transition to commercial film (2020–Present) Koo's first major role in a commercial production was Captain Seo in Yeon Sang-ho's 2020 film Peninsula. The director initially doubted Koo's suitability for commercial cinema but cast him after a personal meeting. Yeon later noted that Koo's interpretation added complexity to a character that might otherwise have been a conventional villain. His performance in the blockbuster garnered significant public and critical attention.
Personal life Koo has been in a long-term relationship with director Lee Ok-seop since 2013. The two are fellow alums of the Seoul Institute of the Arts and began dating after Koo appeared in one of Lee's film projects. The pair co-manages 2x9HD, their YouTube channel, on which they showcase their creative collaborations. The channel features co-directed short films, experimental works, and vlogs documenting unique or overlooked aspects of daily life. In October 2026, their agency confirmed they married in 2022.
Filmography
As actor Film Year Title Role Notes 2008 Boys Gyo-hwan Short film 2009 Just Before They Died Do-young Short film Castaway on the Moon Utilities man 1 Bit part Don't Step Out Of The House Ra-oh Short film 2012 Winter Sleep Gu-byeong Short film A Werewolf Boy Drunk man Bit part 2013 Where is My DVD? Gi-hwan Short film Welcome to My Home Gyo-hwan Short film 2014 A Dangerous Woman Duk-woo Short film (First collaboration with Lee Ok-seop) Dempsey Roll: A Confession Gyo-hwan Short film We Called Him Heeya Gi-tae Short film 2015 Now PlayingEpisode 3: Love Docu Goo Gyo-hwan Omnibus Film Robot Revival Jong-pil Short film Episode 3. Fly to the Sky Gi-cheol / Gyo-hwan Omnibus Film 2016 Dishonor Jeong-hoon Short film Beaten Black and Blue Gyo-hwan 2017 Jane Jane 2018 Leave a Message After Beep Animal Communicator Short film Lee Sung-won 2019 Romeo: The Sin of Having Eyes Romeo Short film 2020 Peninsula Captain Seo 2021 Escape from Mogadishu Tae Joon-gi 2022 Super Star Lee Hyo-ri eldest brother Short film Love Villain Gyo-hwan Short film 2023 Kill Boksoon Han Hee-seong 2024 Escape Ri Hyeon-sang 2025 Once We Were Us Lee Eun-ho 2026 Colony Seo Young-cheol Reawaken Man: The Red Seok Hwan White Blast Hyun-taek scope="row" rowspan="2" Seeking the King Kim Do-jin
Television Year Title Role Notes 2016 Dance From Afar Sin Pa-rang Drama Special 2021 Kingdom: Ashin of the North Ai Da Gan Special episode 2021–2023 D.P. Han Ho-yul Season 1–2 2022 Monstrous Jeong Ki-hoon Extraordinary Attorney Woo Bang Gu-ppong Cameo (episode 9) 2023 One Day Off Lee Chang-jin Cameo (episode 3) 2024 Parasyte: The Grey Seol Kang-woo 2026 We Are All Trying Here Hwang Dong-man
As filmmaker YearTitleCredited asNotes Director Writer Editor Producer 2011Turtles Short film; Acting2013Play Tag Short filmWelcome to My Home Acting Boy's Night 2014Where is My DVD? Costumes, Art Direction, Acting A Dangerous Woman ActingWe Called Him Heeya Acting2014Now Playing Ep. 3. Love Docu Cinematography, Acting2015Ep. Fly to the Sky Omnibus film; also credited as director of the trailer, CG, and actingAfter School 2016Beaten Black and Blue (Great Patrioteers) Acting2017Girls on Top Costumes 2018Leave a Message After Beep (Three) Acting 2019Maggie Acting Romeo: The Sin of Having Eyes Short film, Acting 2021Film Director Koo Kyo-hwan's Vlog Short film, Acting 2022Replacement Driver Vlog Acting Super Star Lee Hyo-ri Acting 2024Jinx Montage 50th Seoul Independent Film Festival opening video; acting Your Country Acting
Music videos Year Title Artist(s) 2024 "UP!" Balming Tiger 2025 "Rich Man" Aespa
Theater YearTitleRoleTheaterDate English Korean 2018 Doosan Humanities Theater 2018 Altruism - Nassim 두산인문극장 2018 이타주의자 - 낫심 Actor Doosan Art Center Space111 April 10–29
Accolades
Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2022 Excellence Award, Actor in an OTT Drama D.P. Asiana International Short Film Festival2016 Grand Prize (Domestic competition) Fly to the Sky Annual Plus2021 Annual Awards Stars Who Shined in 2021 — Trending Actor Chungmuro Koo Kyo-hwan Baeksang Arts Awards 2018 Best New Actor – Film Jane 2021 Best Supporting Actor – Film Peninsula 2022 Escape from Mogadishu Best New Actor – Television D.P. 2025 Best Supporting Actor – Film Escape 2026 Best Actor – Film Once We Were Us Blue Dragon Film Awards 2017 Best New Actor Jane 2021 Best Supporting Actor Escape from Mogadishu Popular Star Award 2024 Escape Blue Dragon Series Awards 2022 Best New Actor D.P. Brands of the Year 2024 Male actor (OTT) D.P. Buil Film Awards 2017 Best New Actor Jane 2020 Best Supporting Actor Peninsula 2021 Escape from Mogadishu Busan Film Critics Awards 2017 Best New Actor Jane Busan International Film Festival 2016 Actor of the Year Busan International Short Film Festival2014 Busan Cinephile Awards Where is My DVD? Chunsa Film Art Awards 2017 Best New Actor Beaten Black and Blue 2018 Best Supporting Actor Jane 2021 Peninsula 2022 Escape from Mogadishu Cine21 Film Awards 2016 New Actor of the Year Beaten Black and Blue 2021 Series actor of the Year D.P.Kingdom: Ashin of the North Director's Cut Awards 2019 Best New Actor Maggie 2022 Best Actor in series D.P. Best New Actor in series Best New Actor in film Peninsula Dong-A.com's Pick 2017 Acknowledged? Yeah, Acknowledged! Jane Great Short Film Festival 2015 Great Audience Award - Best Poster After School Tea Time Returns Kino Lights Awards 2021 Actor of The Year (Domestic) Escape from MogadishuKingdom: Ashin of the North Jeongdongjin Independent Film Festival 2011 Ding-Dong Coin Award Turtle Korea First Brand Awards 2025 Male actor (film) Escape Mise-en-scène Film Festival2014 Best Work Award in the King of Comedy (Comedy) category Where is My DVD? Seoul International Drama Awards2026 International Competition — Best Actor We Are All Trying Here Outstanding Korean Actor Wildflower Film Awards 2017 Best New Actor Beaten Black and Blue
Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Cine21 2010 Chungmuro Palpal Generation 50 2020 Actors to watch out for in 2021 2021 Actors to watch out for in 2022 2023 Actors to watch out for in 2023 2024 Actors to watch out for in 2024 2024 Next Korean Movie Actor 2026 Actors to watch out for in 2026 2021Best Actor of the Year Korean Film Council 2021 Korean Actors 200 Sisa Journal 2021 Next Generation Leaders - Culture & Arts
Notes
References
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