Kang Tae-joo

Kang studied in Department of Media and Visual Arts of Kwangwoon University. He debuted as an advertising model in 2018, and in 2019, he made his acting debut in the lead role in the web drama Today's Peaceful Secondhand Country. Around the same time, Kang signed an exclusive contract with his agency, UL Entertainment.^[1][2] However, the drama was not released immediately and was instead released in 2021 as a Naver TV web drama.^[3][4] Today's Peaceful Secondhand Country is a realistic youth romance set on a second-hand trading site, written by screenwriter Choi Soo-young and directed by Kim Jae-hong. Kang played the role of Yoo Eun-ho.^[1][2]

So, in the public eye, Kang's debut was in 2020 when he made his television debut in season one of the OCN drama series Missing: The Other Side.^[5][6] Kang played the role of Kang Dae-sung, a public service worker at the community center where Jong-ah (Ahn So-hee) was working. However, he was also an idol trainee and a part-timer at Jong-ah's pawn shop. His performance as a curious and witty personality sparked growing curiosity about the rookie actor Kang.^[7][8]

In 2021, Kang played Min Kyung-sik in comedy-mystery Hello, Me! Min Kyung-sik serves as the sole manager for Anthony (Eum Moon-seok). Kang's performance has been received positively by viewers due to his excellent rapport with Park Jung-man (Choi Dae-cheol), the agency CEO. Despite Anthony's tyrannical behavior, Min consistently exuded a positive energy and brought levity with his comedic performances.^[9][10]

In the same year, Kang was selected for the main role of Marco in Park Hoon-jung's film The Childe, after facing tough competition with a rate of 1:1980. Kang went through three rounds of auditions and was ultimately chosen due to his impressive performances. He worked tirelessly to perfect his English lines. Despite having a slim physique, Marco is a boxer in illegal boxing matches. Kang underwent intense training with national-level athletes to prepare for the role, focusing on developing lean muscles and undergoing a physical transformation. The process helped create a convincing portrayal of Marco as a boxer.^[11] He even performed most of the action scenes himself, without stunt doubles.^[12][13]

Kang appears alongside Kim Seon-ho, Kim Kang-woo, and Go Ara. Principal photography of the film began on December 10, 2021.^[14] His debut film The Childe was released in South Korea on June 21, 2023.^[15] Role Marco led to him receiving Best New Actor Award from Golden Cinema Film Festival [ko].^[16]

In season 2 of Pachinko, Kang appears as Noa, the eldest son of Seon-ja (Kim Min-ha).^[17]