# Kang Tae-joo

Kang Tae-joo (Korean: 강태주, born on May 19, 1995) is a South Korean actor and model. Starting as an advertising model, Kang is known for supporting role television drama series Missing: The Other Side (2020) and Hello, Me! (2021). Kang auditioned for role Kopino Boxer in noir film The Childe (2022), directed by Park Hoon-jung which ultimately led to him receiving Best New Actor Award from Golden Cinema Film Festival [ko].

## Career

Kang studied in Department of Media and Visual Arts of Kwangwoon University. He debuted as an advertising model in 2018, and in 2019, he made his acting debut in the lead role in the web drama Today's Peaceful Secondhand Country. Around the same time, Kang signed an exclusive contract with his agency, UL Entertainment. However, the drama was not released immediately and was instead released in 2021 as a Naver TV web drama. Today's Peaceful Secondhand Country is a realistic youth romance set on a second-hand trading site, written by screenwriter Choi Soo-young and directed by Kim Jae-hong. Kang played the role of Yoo Eun-ho.
So, in the public eye, Kang's debut was in 2020 when he made his television debut in season one of the OCN drama series Missing: The Other Side. Kang played the role of Kang Dae-sung, a public service worker at the community center where Jong-ah (Ahn So-hee) was working. However, he was also an idol trainee and a part-timer at Jong-ah's pawn shop. His performance as a curious and witty personality sparked growing curiosity about the rookie actor Kang.
In 2021, Kang played Min Kyung-sik in comedy-mystery Hello, Me! Min Kyung-sik serves as the sole manager for Anthony (Eum Moon-seok). Kang's performance has been received positively by viewers due to his excellent rapport with Park Jung-man (Choi Dae-cheol), the agency CEO. Despite Anthony's tyrannical behavior, Min consistently exuded a positive energy and brought levity with his comedic performances.
In the same year, Kang was selected for the main role of Marco in Park Hoon-jung's film The Childe, after facing tough competition with a rate of 1:1980. Kang went through three rounds of auditions and was ultimately chosen due to his impressive performances. He worked tirelessly to perfect his English lines. Despite having a slim physique, Marco is a boxer in illegal boxing matches. Kang underwent intense training with national-level athletes to prepare for the role, focusing on developing lean muscles and undergoing a physical transformation. The process helped create a convincing portrayal of Marco as a boxer. He even performed most of the action scenes himself, without stunt doubles.
Kang appears alongside Kim Seon-ho, Kim Kang-woo, and Go Ara. Principal photography of the film began on December 10, 2021. His debut film The Childe was released in South Korea on June 21, 2023. Role Marco led to him receiving Best New Actor Award from Golden Cinema Film Festival [ko].
In season 2 of Pachinko, Kang appeares as Noa, the eldest son of Seon-ja (Kim Min-ha).

## Filmography
### Film

Feature film appearancesFeature film appearances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Ref. |
| 2023 | The Childe | 귀공자 | Marco Han | |

### Television

Television appearances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2020 | Missing: The Other Side | 미씽: 그들이 있었다 | Kang Dae-sung | Supporting role (OCN Drama) | |
| 2021 | Hello, Me! | 안녕? 나야! | Min Kyung-sik | Supporting role (KBS Drama) | |

### Web series

Feature film appearancesFeature film appearances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2021 | Today's Peaceful Secondhand Country | 오늘도 평화로운 중고나라 | Yoo Eun-ho | Naver TV web drama | |
| 2023 | Pachinko 2 | 파친코 | Noa Baek | Apple TV Original Series | |

## Accolades
### Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations :
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best New Actor | The Childe | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Chung Jung-won Popular Star Award | The Childe | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Popular Star Award | The Childe | Nominated |
| Golden Cinema Film Festival [ko] | 2023 | Best New Actor | The Childe | Won |

### Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement :
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
| Joy News 24 | 2023 | Rising Star Film Actor of the year | 5th | |