Where Is He Now? Korea’s “Prince Of Asia,” Jang Geun Suk

As the Hallyu wave continued to rise in the late 2000s and early 2010s, one Korean celebrity seemed to dominate the K-Drama scene, starring in multiple international hit shows and sweeping year-end awards.

Jang Geun Suk (also stylized as Jang Keun Suk) had successfully captivated the world with his talents, securing MC positions, representing top brands, and navigating schedules and projects across East Asia, all while earning praise for his philanthropy.

Jang Geun Suk at a fan meeting in Japan, 2011 | Naver

From 2008 to 2013 alone, Jang Geun Suk starred in six K-Dramas and six films, appearing alongside famous co-stars such as Girls’ Generation‘s Yoona, IU, CNBLUE‘s Jung Yonghwa, FTISLAND‘s Lee Hongki, popular actresses Park Shin Hye and Moon Geun Young, and many more.

His global popularity, with notable prominence in Korea, Japan, and China, earned Jang Geun Suk the nickname: “Prince of Asia.”

Promotional poster for “You’re Beautiful” | SBS

Jang Geun Suk continued to take on new projects until late 2015, when he took a brief hiatus in Korea after his company was embroiled in a tax controversy, of which Jang Geun Suk himself was found innocent.

Jang Geun Suk took the time to focus on promotions overseas, embarking on an Asia tour and releasing Japanese solo albums, along with an album as the hip-hop duo Team H with fellow member DJ Big Brother.

Team H’s Jang Geun Suk (left) and Big Brother (right)

Jang Geun Suk made his return to Korean broadcast in 2016, appearing as the host of the popular idol survival program Produce 101. During the show, he also acted as a mentor to the competing contestants.

That same year, he made his K-Drama comeback with the historical drama The Royal Gambler and directed the short film The Great Legacy.

“The Royal Gambler” promotional poster | SBS

Jang Geun Suk continued acting in new projects while releasing music until he enlisted in the military in 2018. The famous actor and singer returned from his military service in 2020 and continued to push himself creatively.

In January 2023, he made his on-screen comeback after five years, portraying a lawyer-turned-detective in the K-Drama thriller The Bait. This role marked a departure from the rom-com characters he had typically played, and he received praise for his compelling performance.

“The Bait” promotional poster | Coupang Play

Earlier this year, Jang Geun Suk also launched his personal YouTube channel, where he regularly uploads vlogs, posts videos with famous friends, and answers fans’ questions.

This summer, he filmed a fun reunion with his longtime friend, Super Junior‘s Heechul, for his YouTube channel. Check out more on that in the article below!

Super Junior’s Heechul And Actor Jang Geun Suk Expose Each Other’s Dating Lives