You probably know him as the "Nice Dog" from Netflix. That specific, lethal brand of cold-eyed corporate elegance that made everyone lose their minds during The Glory. Jung Sung-il has this way of standing in a scene—back straight, tailored suit, not saying a word—that feels more threatening than a guy swinging a literal hammer.
But here’s the thing. Most people think he just spawned out of nowhere in 2022. Honestly, the reality of Jung Sung il movies and tv shows is a lot grittier and more interesting than a sudden rise to stardom. It took twenty years. Twenty. He wasn't always drinking expensive whiskey in penthouses; for a long time, he was just a guy trying to make rent in the theater district of Daehakro.
The Role That Changed Everything (And the One That Didn't)
We have to talk about The Glory. It’s the elephant in the room. As Ha Do-yeong, he played the "perfect" husband who discovers his life is a house of cards. Director Ahn Gil-ho once described his performance as "the fluttering of silk that creates a typhoon." It's a great quote. Totally accurate.
But did you know he was working delivery jobs even after the show became a global hit?
It’s true. In a 2025 interview on Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 2, he confessed that even after the settlement for The Glory came in, it wasn't some life-changing windfall. He was still doing part-time shifts at Coupang (basically Korea’s Amazon) because he had a family to support. He’s been a valet, a driver, a cafe worker. He’s done it all. That’s why his acting feels so grounded. There’s no ego there, just a guy who knows what a hard day’s work actually looks like.
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His Early Grind: Before the Suits
Before the Netflix fame, his filmography was a bit of a scavenger hunt:
- H (2002): His actual film debut. Blink and you’ll miss him.
- A Frozen Flower (2008): He played a Royal Guard. Again, he was part of the background, but he was learning.
- Project Wolf Hunting (2022): This was right before the explosion. He played Detective Jung Pil-sung. If you like gore and chaotic action, this is the one to watch.
Breaking the "Polished" Image in 2024 and 2025
If you only watch him for the "Hot Ahjussi" vibes, you’re missing out. Recently, he's been trying to kill that image off.
In the 2024 film Uprising (also known as Jeon, Ran), he played Genshin, a Japanese vanguard commander. It was a massive departure. He went from a modern CEO to a gritty, historical warrior. He actually won Best New Actor at the 2025 Baeksang Arts Awards for this role. It’s wild to call a 45-year-old a "new actor," but that’s the Korean industry for you. Better late than never.
Then there’s Murderer Report (2025). He played a deranged killer. No more nice suits. Just pure, unhinged intensity.
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The Current Buzz: Made in Korea
As we move through 2026, everyone is talking about Made in Korea. This is a massive Disney+ original. It’s set in the 1970s, and he’s playing Cheon Seok-joong, the Chief of the Presidential Security Service.
Think about that power shift. He's acting alongside heavyweights like Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung. It’s a political thriller that basically charts the history of modern Korea. Season 1 dropped in late 2025, and Season 2 is already in the works for the back half of 2026. If you haven't started this yet, you're behind.
What else is on the horizon?
- Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy (2025): He plays Cheon In-ho. This is based on the legendary webnovel.
- Japhil (2026): A heavy drama where he plays a politician dealing with the letters of a death row inmate.
- The Interview: A thriller where he stars opposite Cho Yeo-jeong (the mom from Parasite).
Why He Actually Matters
Jung Sung-il isn't just another handsome face in the Hallyu wave. He represents the "unknown" actor who actually made it. Most people give up after five years of theater. He stayed for twenty.
His personal life has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately, too. In late 2025, news broke about his "amicable divorce" after nine years of marriage. It shocked fans because he had been so vocal about his sweet "cyber-romance" love story on Yoo Quiz on the Block. But he’s handled it with the same quiet dignity he brings to his roles—focusing on co-parenting his son and diving deeper into his work.
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How to Watch Jung Sung il Movies and TV Shows
If you're looking to catch up, don't just stick to Netflix.
- Start with The Glory: Obviously. It’s the gateway drug.
- Move to Uprising: See his range. The sword fighting is top-tier.
- Binge Stranger Season 2: He has a smaller role here as Park Sang-mu, but it’s a masterclass in subtle supporting acting.
- Finish with Made in Korea: This is the current peak of his career.
Honestly, the best way to appreciate him is to watch his eyes. Whether he's a detective, a CEO, or a 1970s security chief, he does more with a stare than most actors do with a five-minute monologue.
Keep an eye on the 2026 release of Japhil. It’s supposed to be his most "actor-y" role yet—very dialogue-heavy and emotionally draining. It might finally net him a Best Actor win, not just "Best New Actor." He's definitely earned the promotion.
To stay updated, you should check the production schedules on the Korean Movie Database (KMDb) or HanCinema. They usually get the casting news months before it hits Western sites. Focus on his upcoming indie projects as well; he often picks smaller, weirous scripts to balance out the big Disney+ and Netflix paychecks.