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Yang Dong-geun Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1 June 1979

Age44 Years

BirthplaceSeoul, South Korea

ProfessionActor, Music Artist, Breakdancer

NationalitySouth Korean

Marital statusMarried

SpousePark Ga-ram

FamilyTwo children (one son, one daughter)

Yang Dong-geun Biography

Yang Dong-geun (also known as YDG) is a South Korean actor, music artist and breakdancer from Seoul. Active since childhood, he has worked in television, fi

Early life and background

Yang Dong-geun was born on 1 June 1979 in Seoul, South Korea. He grew up in his hometown and later studied theatrical performance at Yong-In University. Physical details often noted in profiles list him at about 173 cm (5'8"), with black hair and black eyes.

Career

Yang began performing at an early age. His first television appearance came as a child actor in the MBC series Three Families Under One Roof (1986). He moved between mediums in the years that followed, taking film roles such as Dol-yi in Super Hong Gil-dong 5 (1991) and appearing in many television dramas across his career.

As an actor he has worked steadily in both leading and supporting parts. Notable television appearances include a young Dong-hoon in the 1991 KBS2 series Hyung (My Older Brother), Heo Seung-po in tvN’s The Three Musketeers (2014), and roles in series such as The Bride of Habaek (2017), 365: Repeat the Year (2020), Cheer Up (2022) and the web series Emergency (2021) where he was credited as Doctor Yang. His screen work also extends to films including White Valentine (1999), Fighter in the Wind (2004), Days of Wrath (2013) and Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (2022).

Alongside acting, Yang pursues music under the name YDG. He has released several hip-hop and rap records, including the 2001 album Yangdonggeun a.k.a Madman and later releases such as Travel (2003), 1945 (2005) and Mirror (28 Look at Youth) (2006). He also performed on stage, appearing in theatre productions including Offending the Audience (2005) and Mine (2008).

Yang’s career has been recognized with multiple awards. Early in his career he received best young actor honors for his work in Hyung, and later received awards and nominations across film and television—from film critics’ recognition for Address Unknown to acting awards for Ruler of Your Own World and popularity and ensemble awards for later projects. He has also been named to honorary public roles, such as an honorary police lieutenant in 2003 and an ambassadorial role tied to charitable activity.

Public profile

Yang is known publicly as an entertainer who crosses between acting, music and dance; he is also identified by the moniker YDG. He has appeared on variety and music programs, including hosting duties on Unpretty Rapstar 3 and appearances on shows such as The Radio Star, Show Me the Money 3, The Return of Superman and Law of the Jungle in Komodo. In 2016 he served as a host on a music competition show and in subsequent years continued to appear on both scripted and unscripted television.

He has been involved in philanthropy and public service work. In 2001 he accepted an honorary ambassador role for the Hope 2002 Project, and in 2022 he was named a public relations ambassador for the medical volunteer group Green Doctors. In February 2023 Yang made a public donation to support relief efforts for the Turkey–Syria earthquake.

Personal life

Yang is married to singer and actress Park Ga-ram. The couple married in 2014 and have two children, a son and a daughter. Public accounts of their relationship indicate they first met through a music-video casting and later reconnected before marrying.

Controversy

In April 2019 South Korean media reported the arrest of an actor with the family name Yang on suspicion of drug use after behavior observed near a hotel in Seoul led to police detention and testing. Reports at the time indicated a positive test result and an investigation by Gangnam Police Station. Yang Dong-geun’s agency issued a statement noting he was currently working on a drama during that period.

Latest updates

Profiles published in 2023 noted Yang’s continued activity in screen projects and reported that he would appear in the second season of the Netflix series Squid Game. In recent years he has continued to act in television, film and web series productions and to participate in public and charitable activities.
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Recent Work

Emergency

Web series role credited as 'Doctor Yang' (2021)

2021
Yaksha: Ruthless Operations

Film appearance (2022)

2022
Cheer Up

TV series — part of ensemble awarded Best Supporting Team at SBS Drama Awards (2022)

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Began as a child actor in Three Families Under One Roof (1986)
  2. Released hip-hop albums including Yangdonggeun a.k.a Madman (2001) and Travel (2003)
  3. Won acting awards across television and film, including Baeksang and critics' awards
  4. Appointed honorary police lieutenant and served as an ambassador for charitable causes
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Yang Dong-geun born?

1 June 1979

What is Yang Dong-geun known for?

Actor, Music Artist, Breakdancer

What is Yang Dong-geun’s marital status?

Married

Who is Yang Dong-geun married to?

Park Ga-ram