Kang Yun-seong (; born September 6, 1971) is a South Korean film director and scriptwriter. His first feature-length directorial film, The Outlaws (2017), starring Ma Dong-seok and Yoon Kye-sang, received rave reviews. Kang is also known for directing the Disney+ television series Big Bet (2022–2023) and Low Life (2025).
Early years and education When Kang was young, he developed a fondness for movies because his mother had a strong passion for them. They would often watch Weekend Movies together. As a high school senior, Kang's interest in filmmaking grew when he saw actor Yoon Seok-hwa on a TV talk show, fueling his dream of becoming a director. Despite majoring in physics at Kyung Hee University, Kang found himself more engrossed in film club activities than his studies. It was during a vacation after his military enlistment that he watched Quentin Tarantino's film Reservoir Dogs which solidified his decision to pursue a career in film directing.
After completing his military service, Kang made his first short film called Charlie Brown in 1996. Shot on 16mm film and edited using the Premier video editing program, the film was invited and screened at a university short film festival. Drawing from his filmmaking experience, Kang wrote a book titled "Computer Image Work." Using his work during this period as a portfolio, he decided to further his studies at the American Academy of Arts in San Francisco, after graduating from college.
During his time at the American Academy of Arts, Kang directed a short thriller called "Negative Image," which showcased a story of a man stalking a woman. The film was screened at the Indie Forum and the Busan International Short Film Festival in Korea. Following this, Kang worked on his first feature-length screenplay, "Foucault's Short Film," but unfortunately, the project failed to secure investment.
Career Kang then returned to Korea and attempted to develop his novel, "Moebius," but faced another setback when his investment company went bankrupt. These failures led Kang to temporarily step away from filmmaking and start his own production company, focusing on producing music videos and other visual works.
In 2003, Kang made a comeback to the film industry by joining the directing department in director Kim Seong-su's film Please Teach Me English. However, he faced yet another downturn and had to take on other jobs to support himself. In 2006, he directed the documentary "Shin Jung-hyun's Last Concert," which revolved around retired singer Shin Jung-hyun. The film was invited to the 3rd Jecheon International Film Festival.
Through a mutual acquaintance, Kang Yun-seong established a close relationship with actor Ma Dong-seok, who had just finished working on Army of Heaven. In 2012, the two collaborated on the feature film The Outlaws, which was based on real events. The Outlaws was released in 2017 and received tremendous success. By December 1, the film had garnered 6.87 million admissions and grossed US$51.8 million, making it the 3rd highest-grossing domestic film of the year in South Korea and the third best-selling R-rated Korean film of all time.
Kang then ventured to OTT dramas with series Big Bet. It is highly anticipated because it marks Choi Min-shik first drama series appearance in 26 years since Love and Separation in 1997. The series was released on Disney+ as an original series with two seasons comprising eight episodes each. First season was released on December 21, 2022. Second season was released in February 2023. Seventy percent of the filming was conducted in the Philippines.
Filmography
Filmmaking credits
Feature film YearTitleCredited asEnglishKorean Director Writer Creator 2007 Shin Joong-hyeon's Last Concert신중현의 라스트 콘서트 2017The Outlaws범죄도시 2019 Long Live The King롱 리브 더 킹: 목포 영웅 2022 The Roundup 범죄도시 2 Men of Plastic 압꾸정 2023 The Roundup: No Way Out 범죄도시 3 2024 The Roundup: Punishment 범죄도시 4 rowspan=2 The Roundup 5범죄도시 5 TBD TBD
Short film YearTitleCredited asEnglishKorean Director Writer Producer1998 Negative Image 네가티브 이미지 2019100X100 2023 Hongkong, within Me 내 안에 홍콩이 있다
Television series YearTitleCredited asEnglishKorean Director Writer 2022Big Bet카지노 2025Low Life파인: 촌뜨기들
Acting roles YearTitleRoleEnglishKorean2002Baby Alone유아독존 Police2003Please Teach Me English영어완전정복Bar Host2017The Night View of the Ocean in Yeosu여수 밤바다 Ji-seok's friend2020Land of Holy Grace성혜의 나라InterviewerDouble Patty더블패티Instructor
Accolades Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result 37th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards2017 Top 10 Films The Outlaws Best New Director 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards 2017 Best New Director Best Technical Achievement-Stunts Best Film Editing 54th Baeksang Arts Awards2018 Best New Director Best Screenplay 23rd Chunsa Film Art Awards 2017 Best New Director27th Buil Film Awards 2017 Best New Director 55th Grand Bell Awards2017 Best New Director Best Planning18th Director's Cut Awards 2017Best New DirectorBlue Dragon Series Awards2023 Best Drama Big Bet Director's Cut Awards 2023 Best Director in Television Seoul International Drama Awards 2023 Golden Bird Prize for Program
State honors +Name of country, year given, and name of honorCountryAward CeremonyYearHonorSouth Korea Korean Content Awards 2021 Prime Minister's Commendation
Listicle + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year List Placement Cine21 2022 Series Director of the Year
Notes
References
External links