Calling all K-drama fans! If you’ve watched The King: Eternal Monarch, you probably know the charming South Korean entertainer Woo Do-hwan. Apart from climbing the ladder of success with shows like Bloodhounds, Tempted and The Divine Fury, Woo has lured thousands of fans with his gorgeous visuals. The actor’s again in the spotlight, this time for his much-awaited rom-com adventure, Mr. Plankton. While you binge-watch the latest Netflix offering starring Woo Do-hwan, let’s take you behind the scenes and familiarise you with a few lesser-known facts about the actor.
Making his showbiz debut in 2011 with minor roles, Woo has given multiple stand-out performances and been part of award-winning shows over the years, making him a household name. If you’re just entering Woo Do-hwan’s fandom, here’s a cheat sheet for an up-close and personal account of the actor.
Facts about Mr. Plankton star Woo Do-hwan every fan should know
1. He’s a performance and film major from Dankook University
Seems like Woo Do-hwan always wanted to be a part of the entertainment business. The actor graduated from Dankook University’s School of Performing Acts. Some other famous alumni from this university include Ji Chang-wook, Jay Park, BIGBANG’s T.O.P and Ha Ji-won. Woo’s parents were extremely supportive of his acting career. The actor once revealed that while he wanted to be a pilot in childhood, it was his parents who nudged him towards pursuing a film course.
2. Woo Do-hwan got his breakthrough role in the dramatic thriller Save Me
Having been in the industry since 2011, Woo changed the trajectory of his career six years later in 2017’s Save Me. He played one of the four main leads in the intense mystery thriller, revolving around a group of friends trying to save a former classmate from a religious cult. The success of this show landed him a string of great offers like Mad Dog, Tempted, My Country and finally, The King: Eternal Monarch.
3. His ideal type is someone easy to talk to and who makes him smile
Woo Do-hwan is an extremely simple and no-nonsense guy when it comes to dating. According to Koreaboo, the actor said he’s not good at “playing hard to get in the beginning.” He further explained that he’s not one to play push and pull in relationships, preferring to say things for what they are.
Explaining what he looks for in a girlfriend, he added,” I like women who I can talk to easily. Someone who makes me laugh just by looking at them.”
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4. The actor got his first lead role in the romantic drama Tempted
After playing minor roles and being a part of ensemble dramas for years, Woo Do-hwan finally landed his first lead role in the 2018 romantic drama, Tempted. Co-starring Park Soo-young, Kim Min-jae, and Moon Ka-young, the drama revolved around the lives of a young man and woman engaged in a dangerous game of love. The show even bagged him an MBC Drama Award for excellence.
5. He collaborated with BLACKPINK on a Sprite commercial
K-Drama x K-pop crossovers are extremely delightful to witness. One such collaboration was between BLACKPINK and Woo Do-hwan, as they shot together the 2018 Sprite commercial. The 30-second advertisement saw him opening a can of Sprite and getting access to an exclusive party featuring a performance by the BLACKPINK members.
with Actor Woo Do Hwan for Sprite #BLACKPINK #LISA #JISOO #JENNIE #ROSÉ #SPRITE pic.twitter.com/553DaCDjiV
— BLACKPINK LISA 리사 (@lalaIalisaa_m) April 26, 2018
6. He underwent intense boxing training and did his own stunts in Bloodhounds
If Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-Yi‘s chiselled physiques in Bloodhounds didn’t set major fitness goals for you, we don’t know what will. Netflix’s action-packed thriller saw the actors as two highly-skilled boxers who are tapped in to take down a corrupt loan shark and his goons. Imperative to their roles was building an impressive body to look believable to the audiences. In a Netflix interview, Woo revealed they underwent intense boxing lessons and had to ace the sport to a level where they could ‘choreograph’ each jab and thrust.
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7. Woo Do-hwan has won many notable awards for his acting
Last, but one of the most important facts about Woo Do-hwan is his award-winning streak. In 2017, he won his first major award for Mad Dog, bagging the Best Actor title at the KBS Drama Awards. He’s also a recipient of the MBC Drama Award, Golden Cinema Film Festival Award and Asia Top Awards.
Which of these facts about Woo Do-hwan intrigued you the most?
(Hero and feature image credit: wdohwan/ Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
He debuted as an actor in 2011 with a cameo in the K-drama 'Come, Come, Absolutely Come'.
Some of Woo Do-hwan's most popular K-dramas include 'The King: Eternal Monarch', 'Bloodhounds' and 'Tempted'.
No, Woo Do-hwan isn't married.