Kwak Min-kyu (; born on October 1, 1987) is a South Korean actor and director known for his work in independent cinema. He gained critical recognition for his performance in Teardrop, winning Best Actor at the Jeonbuk Independent Film Festival. Kwak further established himself with the film Move the Grave, which earned him the Best New Actor award at the 40th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards and a nomination in the same category at the 26th Chunsa Film Art Awards. His role in The Boy from Nowhere resulted in Best Actor Awards at both the Jeonju International Film Festival and the Wildflower Film Awards. In addition to his acting career, Kwak received the Encouragement Award at the 4th Bacchus 29-Second Film Festival in 2016 for his short film as a director.
Career Kwak graduated from Konkuk University with a degree from the Department of Film. He made his professional debut in the 2013 short film Young Artists. Since then, he has developed a diverse filmography through roles in various independent films, including Do You Like Stephen Chow, Too?, The Boy from Nowhere, and Move the Grave.
In the film When Winter Comes, Kwak stars as the protagonist Seok-woo. The story follows Seok-woo as he copes with a difficult breakup by leaving his career as a film director in Seoul to work as a bus driver in his hometown of Jinhae. His subsequent projects include a role in the drama series Summer Strike. On November 22, 2022, it was announced that Kwak had signed an exclusive management contract with the agency Prain TPC.
Personal life Kwak married his non-celebrity wife on November 16, 2025 in Seoul.
Filmography
Film + Year Title Role Note(s) 2013Young Artists Young-tae Bit part 2014 Bucheon High School gang 3 Foot Volleyball King Marine Patrol Mountain Senior Hyun 2015 The Phone Cheonggyecheon Police 3 A Black Pig Min-chul 2016 Match Manipulation DOPS #07 Her Way of Saying Goodbye Bboongbang Bboongppong Doll Theater Tiger 2017 Rake Ki-cheol Min-gyu Reporter 22018Hongkong Melo Min-gyuTeardrop Hong-min Min-gyu 2020 Baek Seung-rak 2020 Kim Soo 2021When Winter Comes Gong Seok-woo 2022 Jong-gu 2023 Concrete Utopia Exam takers Bit part Pil-jae Lead role 2024 Jong-sae Regardless of Us Jeong-seon supporting role 2025 Journeys in Math and Genetics Min-gyu Lead role 2025 Summer's Camera Maru
Television series +YearTitleRoleNote(s)2021 Kingdom: Ashin of the North D.P. Taxi Driver Jeon Jin-won2022 MonstrousWhy Her Soyoung's lawyer Special appearanceSummer Strike Bae Seong-min Supporting role 2023Taxi Driver 2 Assistant Advertising Director Cameo appearance 2025 You and Everything Else Joo Do-hyang Supporting role 2026 Can This Love Be Translated? Park In-su
Music video + Year Title Artist(s) 2015 "Gondry" (공드리) Oh Hyuk
Accolades Awards and nominations +Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nominationAward ceremonyYearCategoryNominee / WorkResult 4th Bacchus 29-Second Film Festival 2016 General Encouragement Award (Director) Bacchus Me 26th Chunsa Film Art Awards 2021 Best New Actor Move the Grave18th Jeonbuk Independent Film Festival2018Best ActorTeardrop20th Jeonju International Film Festival2019Best ActorThe Boy from Nowhere40th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards2020Best New ActorMove the Grave8th Wildflower Film Awards 2021 Best Actor Award The Boy from Nowhere
References
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