Ko Kyung-pyo

2010–2014: Beginnings and SNL Korea

In 2010, Ko initially planned to complete his mandatory military service but postponed it after passing an open audition for a drama. He then portrayed Bong Il-tae in the drama Jungle Fish 2 (2010), marking his debut as an actor while at university.^[5][6] He became a cast member of the live sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live Korea for its first three seasons from 2011 to 2012.^{[7][8][9][10]} He then featured in the sitcom Standby (2012).^[11]

His role as the clumsy student teacher Ko Byeong-sin in a segment titled "Escape" of the film Horror Stories 2 (2013) caught the attention of director Kim Byung-wook who gave him a leading role in the sitcom Potato Star 2013QR3 (2013). He gained recognition for his friendly image and resemblance to Olaf, the snowman from the Frozen film franchise.^[6] He then featured in dramas My Cute Guys (2013) and Naeil's Cantabile (2014).^[12][13]

2015–2018: Breakthrough and rising popularity

Ko gained wider recognition with his roles in Reply 1988 (2015) as the dutiful son and friend Sung Sun-woo.^[14][15] In January, Ko and the rest of the casts and crews went to vacation in Phuket, Thailand, which was organized by the Reply 1988 production crew as a reward for the success of the drama. There, Ko and other three other cast members were "kidnapped" by director Na Young-seok. He brought them to Namibia in southern Africa for his travel show over Youth Over Flowers^[16] where the filmed in Africa for 10 days.^[17]

The following year, Ko starred in Don't Dare to Dream (2016).^[18] He received the New Star Award at the 2016 SBS Drama Awards for his performance.^[19] In 2017, Go starred in tvN's fantasy-romance drama Chicago Typewriter.^[20] The same year, he was cast in his first leading role in the KBS drama Strongest Deliveryman alongside Chae Soo-bin.^[21] He then starred in medical thriller drama Cross which premiered in January 2018.^[22][23]

2020–present: Leading roles

After completing his mandatory military service, Ko made his television comeback in the 2020 JTBC drama Private Lives.^[24] In 2021, he made cameo appearances in the tvN drama My Roommate Is a Gumiho^[25] and Netflix series D.P.^[26]

In 2022, Ko appeared in Park Chan-wook's mystery film Decision to Leave as Soo-wan.^[27] The film was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival,^[28] where Park Chan-wook won Best Director.^[29] His portrayal earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 43rd Blue Dragon Film Awards, and won him a Popular Star Award.^[30][31] Also in 2022, he starred in Park Gyu-tae's comedy film 6/45.^[32][33] It was released on August 24, 2022.^[34][35] He also starred in film Seoul Vibe^[36] which was released on Netflix on August 26, 2022.^[37] Ko then had a leading role in the television series Love in Contract. It aired on tvN from September 21 to November 10, 2022.^[38][39] He then appeared in Takashi Miike's streaming series Connect.^[40] It premiered on Disney+ on December 7, 2022.^[41][42]

In 2024, Ko starred in the television series Frankly Speaking. It premiere on JTBC on May 1, 2024^[43] and is also available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions.^[44] The following year, he starred as a cast member in the TvN's variety show Sixth Sense: City Tour.^[45] He next starred in tvN's workplace comedy Undercover Miss Hong.^[46]

Film

Television series

Web series

Television shows

Music videos

Music video appearances

Soundtrack appearances

Singles