List of people of Korean descent
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of famous Koreans or famous people of Korean descent. For easy reference, the Hangul spelling of each person's name is provided alongside his or her romanized name.
Note: In Korean names, the family name is placed first (for example, the family name of "Kim Dae-jung" is "Kim"), unless the person has decided to Westernize his or her name.
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[edit] Artists
[edit] Musical artists
See also: List of Korean musicians
- (For rock and pop, see K-rock and -pop musicians.)
- Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs rock star
- Chung Kyung-wha (정경화), violinist
- Chung Myung-whun (정명훈), pianist and principal conductor of the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France; brother to Chung Kyung-wha and Chung Myung-wha
- Chung Myung-wha (정명화), cellist
- Dae Hyuk Lee thespian musical producer
- Jieun Kim cellist
- Jo Su-mi (조수미), classical soprano
- Yun I-sang (윤이상), classical composer
- Sarah Chang (장영주), classical violinist
- Elliott Yoo (Yoo Ki Tae) (유기태), classical violist
- John Myung, Bass guitarist of Dream Theater
- Viktor Tsoi, leader of the Soviet rock group KINO
- Yiruma(이루마), pianist
[edit] Martial Arts
- Kim He-Young
[edit] K-rock and -pop musicians
- An Tony (An Seung-Ho) (안승호)
- Jang Woo-Hyuk (장우혁)
- Kwon Boa (권보아) BoA (보아)
- Buzz(버즈)
- Clazziquai (클래지콰이)
- Dong Chul Rhue (태잉자넛)
- Harisu (하리수)
- Jun (Jun Hwangbo) (황보준)
- Moon Hee-Jun (문희준)
- Kangta (Ahn Chil Hyun) (안칠현)
- Kim Jong Gook (김종국)
- Kim Kwang Seok (김광석)
- Lee Min Woo(M)
- Rain (singer) 정지훈 and 비
- Se7en (세븐)
- Jeong Hyun-cheol (정현철) aka Seo Tai-ji (서태지)
- Shin Hye Sung (신혜성)
- Lee Soo Young (이수영)
- Shin Jung-hyeon (신중현)
- Ray Ahn, Bassist for Australian bands the Hard Ons and Nunchukka Superfly
- Park Jung-Ah (박정아)
- G.O.D. (band)
- H.O.T.
- SES (band)
- Fin KL (band)
- Jaurim (자우림) (band)
- Baek Ji-Young (백지영)
- Seo Moon-Tak (서문탁)
- Koyote (코요태) (band)
- YB (윤도현밴드)
- Shinhwa(band)
- SS501 (band)
- Super Junior (슈퍼주니어) (band)
- Tei (테이)
- TVXQ (동방신기) (band)
- Cherryfilter (체리필터) (band)
- Crying Nut (크라잉넛) (band)
- Pia (피아) (band)
[edit] Models
[edit] Artisans
- Lee Eun Cheol(이은철) Korea's only master swordsmith
- Jun Hwangbo(황보준) Korea's only master swordmaster
[edit] Visual artists
See also: List of Korean painters
- Nam June Paik (백남준), visual artist
- Choi Jung-hwa (최정화), contemporary visual artist
- Owon (오원), Joseon Dynasty painter
[edit] Actors and actresses
See also:List of South Korean actors
- Ahn Jae-wook (안재욱)
- Ahn Jae-mo (안재모)
- Bae Doona (배두나)
- Bae Yong Joon (배용준)
- Chae Jung-an (채정안)
- Margaret Cho, U.S. Comedian/Actress (Ethnic Korean)
- Choi Ji-woo (최지우)
- Choi Kang-hee (최강희)
- Choi Min-sik (최민식)
- Chu Sang-mi (추상미)
- Gam Wu-seong (감우성)
- Ha Ji-won (하지원)
- Han Chae-young (한채영)
- Han Ga-In (한가인)
- Han Ji-hye (한지혜)
- Han Suk-kyu (한석규)
- Han Hyo Joo (한효주)
- Harisu (하리수)
- Henney, Daniel (다니엘 헤니)
- Hyun Bin (현빈)
- Jang Dong-gun (장동건)
- Jang Hyuk (장혁)
- Jang Na-ra (장나라)
- Jang Woo-Hyuk (장우혁)
- Jo In-song (조인성)
- Jo Yoon-hee (조윤희)
- Jeon Ji-hyun (전지현)
- Jeon Doh-Youn (전도연)
- Ji Sung (지성)
- Jo Shin-ae (조신애) Shin-ae (신애)
- Jun Ji-hyun (전지현)
- Kang Dong Won (강동원)
- Kim Dong Wan (김동완)
- Kim Hee-sun (김희선)
- Kim Hye-su (김혜수)
- Kim Hyo-jin (김효진)
- Kim Hyun-ju (김현주)
- Kim Jae-won (김재원)
- Kim Nam-joo (김남주)
- Kim Sa-rang (김사랑)
- Kim Sun-ah (김선아)
- Kim Tae-Hee (김태희)
- Kim Yoon-jin (김윤진)
- Ko Ah-seong (고아성)
- Koh So-young (고소영)
- Kwon Sang-woo (권상우)
- Lee Byung-hun (이병헌)
- Lee Da Hae (이다해)
- Lee Dong-Wook (이동욱)
- Lee Eun-ju (이은주)
- Lee Hana (이하나)
- Lee Hyo-ri (이효리)
- Lee Jae-Won (이재원)
- Lee Jun Ki(이준기)
- Lee Jung-hyun (이정현)
- Lee Na-young (이나영)
- Lee Sa-bi (이사비)
- Lee Yoo-jin (이유진)
- Lee Young-ae (이영애)
- Lucy Lee
- Minka
- Oh Yoon-Ah (오윤아)
- Pak Chae-rim (박채림) Chae-rim (채림)
- Park Han-byul (박한별)
- Park Ji-yoon (박지윤)
- Park Sang-min (박상민)
- Park Sol-mi (박솔미)
- Park Soo-ae (박수애)
- Park Yong-ha (박용하)
- Park Yoon-Hee (박윤희)
- Ryu Shi-won (류시원)
- Sin Min-ah (신민아)
- Son Ye-jin (손예진)
- Song Gang-ho (송강호)
- Song Hye-kyo (송혜교)
- Song Seung-hun (송승헌)
- Song Yun-ah (송윤아)
- Won Bin (원빈)
- Yoon Chan (윤찬)
- Yoon Son-ha (윤손하)
- Yang Mi Kyung
[edit] Filmmakers
- Im Kwon-taek (임권택)
- Lee Chang-dong (이창동)
- Park Chan-wook (박찬욱)
- Hong Sang-su (홍상수)
- Kim Ki-duk (김기덕)
- Park Kwang-su (박광수)
[edit] Poets and authors
See also: List of Korean language poets
- Jeong Cheol (or Chong Ch'ol) (정철)
- Kang Chol-hwan (강철환), author of The Aquariums of Pyongyang
- Ko Un(고은), poet (born 1933)
- Joo Duk-In, Renown Korean poet based in Australia, author of the meaning of meanings novel published by Bloomsbury.
[edit] Businesspeople
See also: List of South Korean businesspeople
- Chung Ju-yung (정주영)
- Chung Mong-hun (정몽헌)
- Kim Woo-jung (김우중)
- Kim Yong-san (김용산)
- Lee Byung-chul (이병철)
- Lee Kun-Hee (이건희)
- Oh Hyun-Suk (오현석)
[edit] Historical leaders
See also: List of Korean monarchs
- Daegak Guksa (대각국사), priest (1055-1101)
- Gang Hong-rip (강홍립), commander-in-chief
- Gwanghaegun (광해군), the 15th king of the Joseon Dynasty
- Gwanggaeto Taewang (광개토태왕), the 19th ruler of Empire of Goguryeo who brought the empire to its military height.
- Hong Bok-won (홍복원), officer of the Mongol Empire
- King Sejong the Great (세종대왕), inventor of Hangul
- Seong Sam-Mun (성삼문), one of the inventors of the Korean alphabet and Korean martyr
- Öljei Khutugh Khatun (기황후), one of empresses of Toghun Temür and mother of Biligtü Khan
- Eulji Mundeok (을지문덕) 6th century Goguryeo general who repelled a vast Chinese infantry invasion
- Wang Go (왕고) (Öljeitü), King of Shen
- Toghtua Bukha (탈탈부화), King of Shen
- Yang Manchun (양만춘), the Goguryeo general who repelled a massive Tang army at the Siege of Ansi Fortress, leading to Tang Taizong's first defeat ever.
- Yeon Gaesomun (연개소문), the first Dae Magniji ("Great Prime Minister") of Goguryeo, and military dictator.
- Yi Ja-chun (이자춘), father of King Taejo (이성계).
- Yi Sun-sin (이순신), admiral
- Dosan Ahn Chang-ho (도산 안창호), patriot
[edit] Politicians
See also: President of South Korea
- Ban Ki-moon (반기문) 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations
- Chang Myon (장면) Prime Minister, 1960-1961
- Choi Kyu-ha (최규하) President, 1979-1980
- Chun Doo-hwan (전두환) President, 1980-1988
- Chung Mong-jun (정몽준)
- Kim Dae-jung (김대중) President, 1998-2003
- Kim Il-sung (김일성) North Korean Communist dictator, 1948-1993
- Kim Jong-il (김정일) North Korean Communist dictator, 1993-present
- Kim Jong-pil (김종필)
- Kim Gu (김구)(1876-1949)
- Kim Young-sam (김영삼) President, 1993-1998
- Lee Bum Suk (이범석)
- Lee Hoi-chang (이회창)
- Lee Hun Jai (이헌재)
- Lee Hae-chan (이해찬)
- Lyuh Woon-Hyung
- Park Chung-hee (박정희) Military ruler, 1961-1963; President, 1963-1979
- Rhee Syng-man (이승만) President, 1948-1960
- Roh Moo-hyun (노무현) President, 2003-present
- Roh Tae-woo (노태우) President, 1988-1993
- Yun Bo-seon (윤보선) President, 1960-1962
- Tina Park- External Vice President
[edit] Religious leaders
See also: List of Korean Buddhists
- Moon Sun-myung (문선명) - Founder of the Unification Church
- David Yong-gi Cho (조용기) - Founder/Pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, the world's largest church.
- Ham Seok-heon (함석헌) - Quaker leader and human rights activist.
- Chung Hyun-kyung (정현경) - Feminist theologian and peace activist.
- St. Andrew Tae-geon Kim (김대건) - First Korean Roman Catholic priest and martyr.
- Hae Jong Kim - Bishop of the United Methodist Church
- Stephen Cardinal Sou-hwan Kim (김수환) - Former Roman Catholic Archbishop of Seoul (1968-1998)
- Nicholas Jin-suk Cheong (정진석) - Roman Catholic Archbishop of Seoul (1998-present).
- Young Shik Rhee (이영식) - theologian, peace activist and educator; founder of Daegu University.
- Myung Seok Jung (정명석) - Founder of Providence Church, currently wanted for rape and other crimes.
- Jun Gon Kim (김준곤) - Founder of Korea Campus Crusade for Christ.
- Yoo Jin So (유진소) - Founder of All Nations's Church in Los Angelos.
[edit] Scholars
- Kim Yong-ok (김용옥), philosopher
- Ju Si-gyeong (주시경), linguist
- Yi I (이이), philosopher
- Yi Hwang (이황) Confucian philosopher
- Ichadon (이차돈) Buddhist monk buddhist monk/advisor to Silla king
- Ji Ho, linguist, diplomat
[edit] Scientists and engineers
- Lee Whi-so (이휘소) aka Benjamin Lee, theoretical physicist (1935-1977)
- Hwang Woo-suk (황우석), controversial biomedical scientist
- Lee Jong-wook (이종욱), Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO)
- Jang Young Sil (장영실), engineer and scientist during the Choson Dynasty
- Kim Soon-kwon (김순권), 3 times nominated to Nobel Prize due to his investigations and projects regarding corn.
- Kwang-Yul Cha(차광렬), controversial biomedical scientist[1]
[edit] Athletes
See also: List of South Korean footballers, List of Korean boxers
- Dong Keun Park 태권도 Legendary Taekwondo Champion of the 1960's
- Jong Song-Ok (정성옥), North Korean; championship of Marathon in 1999
- Ahn Jung-hwan (안정환), footballer in Bundesliga MSV Duisburg
- Cha Bum-keun (차범근), footballer in Bundesliga
- Choi Hee-seop (최희섭), MLB player-plays for the Boston Red Sox
- Hong Myung-bo (홍명보), footballer
- Ha Seung-Jin, NBA center, recently cut by the Miluakee Bucks
- Kim Byung-hyun (김병현), MLB player-plays for the Colorado Rockies
- Kim Mi-hyun (김미현), LPGA Player
- Sunny Kim (김선우), MLB player-plays for the Colorado Rockies
- Lee Chun-soo (이천수), footballer
- Lee Hyung-Taik (이형택), tennis player
- Nam Sung-yong (남승룡), marathoner
- Park Chan-ho (박찬호), MLB player-plays for the New York Mets
- Park Ji-sung (박지성), footballer in English club Manchester United
- Pak Se-ri (박세리), LPGA Player
- Seol Ki-hyeon (설기현), footballer in English club Reading F.C.
- Sohn Kee-chung (손기정), Olympic Marathon gold medallist
- Birdie Kim (born Kim Ju-yun), LPGA player and 2005 Women's Open champion
- Hines Ward (하인스 워드), NFL All-Pro Bowl wide receiver
- Jeannie Kim, aka "Lotus" WOW wrestler
- Steve Small, aka "Stevo" WOW wrestler
- Peter Bell, Australian rules football player
- Michelle Wie (Korean name Wi Seong-mi (위성미)), LPGA player
- Jeanette Lee, WPBA professional pool player
- Joo Se Hyuk(주세혁), Table tennis, defensive chopper
- Jim Paek (백지선), Pro ice hockey player
- Richard Park (박용수) Pro ice hockey player
- Myung Jae Nam (명재남) Hapkido master, founder of Hankido (1938-1999)
- Chi In-Jin(지인진) Professtonal boxer, a current WBC world champion
- Mingi Kim (김민지) Lacrosse Player, Swimmer, and korean american extraordinaire
