If you’ve watched more than two K-dramas in the last decade, you’ve seen him. You might not have known his name at first, but you definitely remember the guy who made you laugh so hard you had to pause the video. Kang Ki Young is that rare actor who started as the "funny best friend" and somehow turned himself into one of the most respected leading men in Seoul.
Honestly, calling him a supporting actor feels like an insult these days. He’s more like a scene-stealer who eventually just decided to take over the whole stage. From his early days as a bumbling sous-chef to his legendary turn as the "Spring Sunshine" mentor in Extraordinary Attorney Woo, his filmography is basically a map of the biggest hits in Korean media.
The Roles That Everyone Remembers
Most people first got hooked on him during the 2018 craze of What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim. He played Park Yoo-sik, the divorced, perpetually stressed-out best friend of Park Seo-joon’s character. His comedic timing wasn't just good; it was surgical. He took what could have been a flat, one-dimensional sidekick and made him feel like a real person who just happened to be failing at life in a hilarious way.
But then 2022 happened. Extraordinary Attorney Woo changed everything.
As Jung Myeong-seok, he wasn't just the comic relief anymore. He was the mentor we all wish we had. Smart, fair, and surprisingly cool under pressure. It was the role that proved to the industry—and to us—that he could carry the emotional weight of a massive global hit. Seeing him go from the "funny guy" to the "hot lawyer" was a pivot nobody saw coming, but everyone embraced.
📖 Related: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
A Quick Look at the Essential Watchlist
If you're trying to binge the best of Kang Ki Young movies and tv shows, you sort of have to look at how he balances the big screen with the small one. He doesn't just stick to dramas.
- Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022): You’ve probably seen clips of this on TikTok. He plays the senior attorney who initially doubts Woo Young-woo but becomes her biggest advocate.
- The Point Men (2023): This is a movie where he stars alongside heavyweights like Hyun Bin and Hwang Jung-min. He plays Qasim, a translator who provides much-needed levity in a very tense hostage situation.
- Exit (2019): A massive disaster-comedy film. He plays Manager Goo, and if you haven't seen the "cloud of gas" escape scenes, you’re missing out on some of the best physical comedy in modern cinema.
- Queen of Divorce (2024): His big transition into a proper romantic lead. He plays Dong Ki-joon, a prosecutor-turned-lawyer. It’s a bit grittier than his usual stuff but still has that classic Kang Ki Young charm.
The "Sub-Male Lead" Curse (and How He Broke It)
For a long time, there was this unspoken rule that guys like Kang Ki Young stayed in the background. They were the "human" characters who made the god-like male leads look better. You’ve seen it in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo where he played the aspiring actor uncle, or Oh My Ghost where he was the arrogant but lovable sous-chef.
He was the king of the "Bromance Award" (he actually won one with So Ji-sub for My Secret Terrius).
But something shifted around 2023. Directors realized that the audience actually liked him more than the perfectly chiseled leads sometimes. He’s relatable. When he’s on screen, you feel like you’re hanging out with a friend who happens to be really good at his job. By the time Queen of Divorce rolled around, the industry stopped trying to fit him into a box. He’s a lead now. Period.
👉 See also: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
Why Directors Keep Hiring Him
It’s not just about being funny. It’s about the "ad-lib" energy. In many interviews, his co-stars mention how he brings life to the script. In What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, half of his iconic lines felt like they were made up on the spot because they were so natural. He has this way of reacting to other actors that makes the whole scene feel less like a TV show and more like a captured moment.
Breaking Into the Villain Era
If you really want to see his range, you have to watch The Uncanny Counter 2. Honestly, it was a shock. For years, he was the guy you wanted to grab a beer with. Suddenly, he’s Hwang Pil-kwang, a psychokinetic evil spirit with long hair and a terrifyingly cold stare.
He lost weight for the role, sharpened his features, and completely erased the "nice guy" image. It was a risky move. Usually, when a comedic actor tries to go dark, it feels forced. Not with him. He was genuinely unsettling. It proved that his "secret weapon" status isn't just about comedy; it's about a total lack of ego when it comes to disappearing into a character.
What’s Coming Next in 2026?
As of right now, the buzz around his 2026 projects is centered on him moving further into the action-thriller space. He has Resurrected Man (also known as New Generation War: Reawakened Man) on the horizon, where he’s expected to take on a more intense, gritty role.
✨ Don't miss: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
The industry shifted. We're in an era where "character actors" are the new stars. People are tired of the same three faces in every drama. They want someone who can actually act their way out of a paper bag. That’s why his name keeps popping up in casting calls for high-budget Netflix originals and blockbuster films.
Where to start if you're a new fan?
Don't just jump into the newest stuff. Go back. Watch At Eighteen to see him play a supportive teacher. Then watch The Book of Fish if you want to see him in a high-brow, black-and-white historical film. The sheer variety is wild.
Most actors find a niche and stay there. Kang Ki Young found a niche, mastered it, and then set the whole thing on fire to try something else. That’s why he’s still relevant after nearly 15 years in the business.
If you want to keep up with his career, the best move is to track his filmography through the 2026 award season. He’s no longer just a nominee for "Best Supporting Actor." He’s finally playing in the big leagues.
Your Next Steps:
- Watch Exit (2019): It’s the perfect bridge between his comedic roots and his blockbuster potential.
- Binge Extraordinary Attorney Woo: If you missed the hype train in 2022, now is the time to see why everyone fell in love with Attorney Jung.
- Check out The Uncanny Counter 2: Do this specifically to see the "Villain Kang" transformation—it will make you respect his range ten times more.