Jang Hang-jun (Korean장항준; born September 17, 1969) is a South Korean film director and television director, and also screenwriter in both fields. He is also professor at the Department of Theater and Film at Digital Seoul Culture Arts University. He made his debut in the 2002 film Turn on the Lighter. Jang directed films, including Break Out (2002) and Spring Breeze (2003). In 2011, he turned to the small screen, co-wrote and directed Sign, a medical crime investigation drama starring Park Shin-yang and Kim Ah-joong.[2][3][4]

Jang Hang-jun
장항준
Born (1969-09-17) September 17, 1969 (age 55)
Alma materSeoul Institute of the Arts
Occupation(s)Film director,
television director
screenwriter
Years active2002 to present
AgentMedia Lab Seeso[1]
Spouse
(m. 1998)
Children1 (daughter)
Korean name
Hangul
장항준
Hanja
張恆俊
Revised RomanizationJang Hang-jun
McCune–ReischauerChang Hangchun

Early years

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Jang was born in Daegu in 1969. During Jang's childhood, they grew up in a privileged family with a driver and subject-specific tutors. However, Jang didn't prioritize studying and instead spent most of their time playing with friends at school. However, when Jang reached their second year of high school, their father's construction business went bankrupt. As a result, Jang enrolled in the theater department in Seoul. It was during this time that Jang discovered a passion for the arts and pondered the question, "What am I good at?"

Career

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After completing his studies, Jang managed to secure a job as the youngest writer at a broadcasting station. This opportunity came about through a connection with an older brother they knew. However, after just six months, the main writer unexpectedly disappeared. In a surprising twist, a script that Jang had previously written was adopted, leading to a promotion to the role of Field Director.

While working as a writer in the SBS entertainment department and filming Good Friends, Jang was greatly inspired by his friend Jang Jin's victory in the Spring Literary Contest. This served as a catalyst for Jang to make a transition into the film industry as a writer. Jang transitioned from being an entertainment writer to focusing on writing movie scenarios. In 1996, he achieved recognition in the film industry with the script for The Adventure of Mrs. Park, which marked the beginning of his career in film industry.[5]

Philanthropy

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On March 4, 2022, Jang donated 30 million won to the Children's Fund in Ukraine, along with his wife Kim Eun-hee, to help Ukrainian victims in Russian invasion.[6]

Personal life

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Jang married Kim Eun-hee in 1998.[7][8][9][10] They have a daughter named Jang Yeon-soo.[11]

Filmography

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Film

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Feature films credits of Jang Hang-jun
Year Title Credited as Ref.
English Korean Script Editor Scriptwriter Director
1996 The Adventure of Mrs. Park 박봉곤 가출 사건 No Yes No
1999 The Great Chef 북경반점 No Yes Kim Eui-seok
2002 Break Out 라이터를 켜라 No No Yes
2003 Spring Breeze 불어라 봄바람 No Yes Yes
2004 Ghost House 귀신이 산다 Yes No No
2007 Spectacle of Life No No Yes
2008 Manner of Battle No No Yes
2010 Humans Don't Die in the Night No Yes Yes
2014 A Hard Day 끝까지 간다 Yes No No
2017 Forgotten 기억의 밤 No Yes Yes
2020 The Night of the Undead No Yes Yes
2022 Open the Door 오픈 더 도어 No No Yes Premiere at 27th BIFF[12]
2023 Rebound 리바운드 No No Yes

Television series

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Feature films credits of Jang Hang-jun
Year Title Credited as Ref.
English Korean Director Writer Creator
2010 Golden House 위기일발 풍년빌라 No Yes No
2011 Sign 싸인 Yes Yes No
2012-2013 The King of Dramas 드라마의 제왕 No Yes No
2013 Who Are You? 후아유 No No Yes tvN

Actor

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As actor

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Film acting credits of Jang Hang-jun
Year Title Role Ref.
English Korean
1996 The Adventure of Mrs. Park 박봉곤 가출 사건 Cameo
2002 Break Out 라이터를 켜라
2003 Spring Breeze 불어라 봄바람 cameo
2004 Ghost House 귀신이 산다 cameo
2010 Attack the Gas Station 2
Loveholic
2012 The Scent
The Suck Up Project: Mr. XXX-Kisser cameo
Superstar cameo
2014 Venus Talk
2008 Hellcats
Manner of Battle
2015 Trap cameo
2016 My New Sassy Girl cameo

TV

Television acting credits of Jang Hang-jun
Year Title Role Ref.
English Korean
2009–2010 High Kick Through the Roof Cameo
2011 Sign 싸인
The Greatest Love 최고의 사랑
2012 I Need a Fairy
Phantom
2012–2013 The King of Dramas 드라마의 제왕
2013 Who Are You? 후아유
My Love from the Star
2014 Potato Star 2013QR3 cameo
Pinocchio cameo
2022–2023 Unlock My Boss cameo [13]

Variety shows

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Year Title Role Ref.
2007 Access! Movie World!
2010 Nightlife Variety Nightlife Host
2012 Korea's Got Talent 2 Judge
2019 Song Eun-i, Kim Sook's Movie Guarantee Cast
2020 The Story of the Day Biting the Tail S1 Host
2021 The Story of the Day Biting the Tail S2 [14]
Crime Trivia Cast member [15]
2022 The Dictionary of Useless Knowledge Host [16]
2023 Very Private Southeast Asia Cast Member [17]
Listen, See, It's Okay Director [18]

Web shows

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Year Title Role Ref.
2021 King of Quotes Host [19]

Radio

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2018 16th KBS Entertainment Awards Entertainment DJ of the Year Award Jang Hang-jun, Kim Jin-soo's Mister Radio [ko] Won [21]

References

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  1. ^ Jung Yu-jin (December 15, 2021). "장항준, 미디어랩시소와 전속계약 체결…송은이‧신봉선‧안영미 한솥밥" [Jang Hang-jun signed an exclusive contract with Media Lab Seesaw... Song Eun-i, Shin Bong-seon, Ahn Young-mi, One Pot Rice] (in Korean). SPOTV News. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 – via Naver.
  2. ^ "ZHANG Hang-jun". Korean Film Biz Zone. Archived from the original on 2016-08-03. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  3. ^ Ko, Jae-wan; Choi, Ji-eun (November 8, 2010). "Park Shin-yang, Kim Ah-joong starrer drama title set as Sign". Asiae. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  4. ^ "Director Jang Hang Jun recounts the time he ignored Kim Soo Hyun because of the actor's rookie status". Allkpop. 21 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2016-08-04. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  5. ^ "장르물의 여왕 김은희에 관한 서사". 여성동아 (in Korean). 30 August 2021. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  6. ^ Park Seo-yeon (March 4, 2022). "장항준♥김은희, 우크라이나 어린이 위해 3천만원 기부.."하루 빨리 평화 찾아오길"(공식)" [Hang-Jun Jang ♥ Eun-Hee Kim, donated 30 million won to Ukrainian children.. "May peace come to you soon" (official)] (in Korean). Herald POP. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2022 – via Naver.
  7. ^ "장항준 - Daum 백과사전". 100.daum.net (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  8. ^ "장항준 : 네이버 영화". Movie.naver.com (in Korean). February 29, 2016. Archived from the original on April 13, 2005. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  9. ^ "장항준 : 네이버 통합검색". Search.naver.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2001. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  10. ^ "장항준: 네이버 인물검색". People.search.naver.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  11. ^ "장항준, '김은희 판박이' 딸 자랑 "청소년문학상서 수상"(전참시)[TV캡처]". stoo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-07-29. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  12. ^ Kim Yu-jin (October 8, 2022). "장항준·송은이, 제작자·감독으로 뭉친 절친 "영화제 올 줄 몰랐다" (종합)[BIFF 2022]" [Hang-Jun Jang and Eun-Yi Song, best friends who were united as producers and directors "I didn't know that the film festival would come" (Comprehensive) [BIFF 2022]] (in Korean). X-port News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Jeong Seo-hee (December 21, 2022). "장항준, '사장님을 잠금해제' 특별출연…"유쾌한 웃음·뜻밖의 진실 전한다" [Jang Hang-jun, special appearance in 'Unlock the boss'... "Delightful laughter and unexpected truth] (in Korean). SpoTV News. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022 – via Naver.
  14. ^ Lee Min-ji (March 3, 2021). "'꼬꼬무2' 장도연, 이경규 러브콜 이유 "반발 콘셉트"" ['Kokkomu 2'Jang Do-yeon, Lee Gyeong-gyu Love Call Reason "Rebound Concept"]. v.daum (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  15. ^ tenasia.hankyung.com, Digital (2021-03-20). "'알쓸범잡' 윤종신 "알아두면 진짜 쓸데있는 이야기"". 텐아시아 연예뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  16. ^ Lee, Yoo-na (October 25, 2022). "방탄소년단 RM, 장항준과 tvN '알쓸인잡' MC 맡는다 (공식)" [BTS' RM, Jang Hang-jun and tvN's 'Useless Job' MCs (official)]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Hong, Se-young (February 27, 2023). "이선균·장항준·김도현·김남희 '아주 사적인 동남아' 3월 27일 첫방 [공식]" [Lee Seon-kyun, Jang Hang-joon, Kim Do-hyun, Kim Nam-hee 'Very Private Southeast Asia' premieres on March 27th [Official]] (in Korean). Sports DongA. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Kim, Chae-yeon (February 27, 2023). "장항준→문상훈, '듣고, 보니, 그럴싸' 합류..TV 최초 보이는 라디오 극장 [공식]" [Jang Hang-Jun → Moon Sang-Hoon joins ‘Listen, See, It’s Okay’ .. The first radio theater is seen on TV [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023 – via Naver.
  19. ^ Lee Mi-ji (September 16, 2021). "'네고왕' 후속 '견적왕' 제작 확정..장항준 감독 MC 캐스팅(공식)" [King of Nego' follow-up 'King of Quote' production confirmed... Director Jang Hang-joon MC Casting (official)]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021 – via Naver.
  20. ^ ฺBaek Seung-hoon (August 8, 2022). "음악캠프' 배철수, 3년 만의 여름휴가…김윤아→이상순 스페셜 DJ 출격" [Music Camp' Bae Chul-soo, first summer vacation in 3 years... Yuna Kim → Lee Sang-soon Special DJ Sortie] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  21. ^ "2018 KBS 연예대상 이영자, 유리천장 깨고 당당히 대상 수상 (종합)". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). 2018-12-23. Archived from the original on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
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