Yang Dong-geun

Yang Dong-geun, also known as YDG, is a South Korean actor and rapper born on June 1, 1979. He initially began his career as a child performer before expanding into music and adult dramatic roles. Internationally, he is recognized for his role as Park Yong-sik in the second season of the television series Squid Game in 2024.

Yang studied higher education at Yongin University, where he majored in Theatrical Performance. He gained early notice as a child actor in television projects during the early 1990s, notably appearing in the television series Seoul Ttukbaegi in 1990 and Hyung in 1991.

In 2001, Yang launched a recording career as a rapper, establishing a presence in the Korean hip-hop scene. He maintained an active acting schedule alongside his musical output, securing popular roles in television projects such as New Nonstop and Ruler of Your Own World, both released in 2002.

Yang enlisted for mandatory military service in May 2008, serving 21 months of active duty. During his service, he performed alongside singer Kangta in the musical production Mine from October 18 to November 23, 2008. The musical depicted the real-life account of Lieutenant Lee Jong-myung, who lost his legs in a landmine explosion near the demilitarized zone in June 2000 while saving fellow soldier Sul Dong-seob.

Following his military discharge, Yang returned to feature films by starring opposite Kim Tae-hee in Grand Prix. He took on the male lead role of Lee Woo-suk after actor Lee Joon-gi was forced to exit the production when his request to postpone enlistment was denied by the Military Manpower Administration.

In 2016, Yang joined the cast of the KBS variety television show The Return of Superman alongside his daughter, Yang Joy. In his personal life, Yang is married to Park Ga-ram, and the couple has three children, including two sons and one daughter.

Yang has also engaged in philanthropic efforts. On February 8, 2023, he donated 10 million won through the Embassy of Turkey in South Korea to provide aid for individuals impacted by the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes.