Yang Dong-geun Biography: Songs, Albums, Movies, TV Shows, Net Worth, Age, Instagram, YouTube, Wife, Children, Height, Parents

Yang Dong-geun, popularly known as YDG, is a South Korean actor and hip-hop artist who began his career as a child actor in 1987.

He gained early acclaim with his role in the 1991 KBS2 drama Hyung, earning Best Young Actor honors at both the Baeksang Arts Awards and KBS Drama Awards.

Over the years, he has built a diverse acting portfolio with notable performances in television dramas such as New Nonstop (2001), Ruler of Your Own World (2002), Borg Mom (2017), and more recently as Park Yong-sik in Squid Game Season 2 (2024).

His film work includes acclaimed titles like Address Unknown (2001), which won him Best New Actor at the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, and Wild Card (2003), earning him Most Popular Actor at the Golden Cinematography Awards.

Profile

• Full Name: Yang Dong-geun
• Stage Name: Yang Dong-geun
• Born: 1 June 1979
• Age: 45 years old
• Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
• Nationality: South Korean
• Occupation: South Korean actor and hip-hop artist
• Height: 1.75 m
• Parent: Mr. and Mrs. Geun
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Park Ga-ram
• Children: 3
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million 2 $3 million

Early Life And Education

Yang Dong-geun was born on June 1, 1979, in Seoul, South Korea. While the names of his parents remain undisclosed, they are publicly referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Geun, and details about any siblings are not known.

He pursued his higher education at Yong In University, majoring in theatrical performance, which laid a strong foundation for his acting career. He is of Korean ethnicity and is believed to be Christian, based on the spiritual themes present in his music, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Career

Yang Dong-geun began his entertainment career as a child actor in the late 1980s, gaining early recognition through performances in dramas like Seoul Ttukbaegi (1990) and Hyung (1991). His portrayal in Hyung earned him Best Young Actor honors at both the Baeksang Arts Awards and KBS Drama Awards, marking him as a standout talent from a young age. This early acclaim laid the groundwork for his transition into more mature roles as he grew within the industry.

In the early 2000s, Yang successfully established himself as a leading actor with acclaimed roles in popular television dramas such as New Nonstop (2001) and Ruler of Your Own World (2002). The latter garnered him several accolades, including the Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards and TV Actor of the Year by both journalists and online audiences. His performance was further recognized with a Best New Actor award at the 39th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2003, confirming his evolution from child star to respected adult actor.

Alongside acting, Yang pursued a parallel career in music, debuting as a rapper in 2001 with his album Yangdonggeun AKA Madman. He has since become a respected voice in Korean hip-hop, known for blending traditional rap with introspective and spiritual themes. His collaboration with Dbo on the single “Count Your Blessings” reflects this distinctive style.

Throughout his career, Yang has remained active across film and television, with notable appearances in films like Address Unknown (2001) and Wild Card (2003), as well as recent roles in Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (2022) and Night of the Undead (2020). On television, he earned global attention as Park Yong-sik (No. 007) in Squid Game Season 2 (2024) and continued to impress in series such as Borg Mom (2017), The Forbidden Marriage (2022), and Cheer Up (2022).

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @king_ydg
• YouTube Channel: YDG – Topic

Personal Life

Yang Dong-geun has been married to Park Ga-ram since 2013, after the two met while starring together in a music video and later connected through social media. Their relationship developed over time, leading to marriage and a growing family.

The couple has three children—two sons and one daughter—with their youngest son, Shi Lo, born on April 28, 2017.

Discography

Studio albums:

• Yangdonggeun a.k.a Madman (2001)
• Da Man On The Block!! (2002)
• Travel (2003)
• Mirror (거울) (2006)
• But I Give (But I 드려) (2007)

Singles:

• “Dog (개키워)” (2010 New Version)
• “Bandolier (탄띠)”
• “Perfect Game” (with Skull) (2011)
• “Just The Two Of Us” (feat. Bizzy and Lee Jung) (2012)
• “Father” (2013)
• “Don’t Go” (feat. Hash Swan)
• “Casanova (카사노바)” (feat. Babylon and Carlos) (2017)
• “Then, Single? (그럼..누님?)” (with Esther Kim) (2018)
• “Going Home” (2019)
• “Package of Love (사랑의 택배)”
• “That G (때찌)” (2021)
• “Count Your Blessings” (with Dbo) (2025)

Filmography

Television Series:

• Three Families Under One Roof (1986, MBC)
• Tappuri (1987, KBS)
• Seoul Earthen Bowl (1990, KBS)
• The Full Sun (2001, KBS2)
• Ruler of Your Own World (2002, MBC)
• Dr. Kkang (2006, MBC)
• I Am Sam (2007, KBS2)
• Hero (2012, OCN)
• The Three Musketeers (2014, tvN)
• My Secret Terrius (2018, MBC)
• 365: Repeat the Year (2020, MBC)
• Lost (2021, JTBC)
• Cheer Up (2022, SBS)
• The Forbidden Marriage (2022, MBC)
• Squid Game Season 2 (2024, Netflix)
• Moving (2023, TV Series)

Films:

• Address Unknown (2001)
• Wild Card (2003)
• Fighter in the Wind (2004)
• Rough Play (2013)
• Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (2022)
• Night of the Undead (2020)
• Starlight Is Falling (2022)

Net Worth

Yang Dong-geun’s estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $3 million, earned through his diverse career as an actor, rapper, and television personality.

His income stems from film and drama roles, music projects, and variety show appearances, with recent global exposure from Squid Game (2024) likely boosting his earnings.