# Jang Jin

Jang Jin (born February 24, 1971) is a South Korean film director, theatre director, playwright, screenwriter, film producer, actor and TV personality.

## Career

Jang Jin dreamed of becoming a musician in middle school, but his ambition changed when he saw his first theater play in his freshman year of high school. As a high school student, he acted in more than 40 plays, receiving good reviews and a few awards for his performances. After majoring in theater studies at Seoul Institute of the Arts, he joined the writing team for the SBS variety show Good Friends in the mid 1990s. He created his own portion Hollywood Message, which he wrote and edited by himself, where he would take famous scenes from some of the most popular Hollywood films showing in theaters, and make parodies, add silly popups, mix scenes from different films together to form a bizarre, unique collage of images. Because of his contribution, ratings for the show surged to unexpected heights.
In January 1995, Jang entered newspaper daily The Chosun Ilbo's annual literary contest with Cheonho-dong Crossroad, his first full-fledged script. Using three characters which would feature in most of his theater plays and early films (Hwa-yi, Dal-soo and Deok-bae), his new and creative brand of storytelling won over the judges, who awarded him the top prize. He wrote his first stage play Heotang ("labor in vain") at the age of 21 while serving his military duty, and his followup Clumsy People, not only granted him much praise, but was also a big success, and allowed actress Song Chae-hwan to win the Best Actress Award at the Seoul Theater Festival. At the same time, he was helping adapt Song Jae-hee's original into what became A Hot Roof, a feminist comedy where a group of women from all walks of life protest their position in society from the roof of a building, while their husbands and the rest of the city try to cope with all that in the midst of one of the hottest summers Korea had ever seen.
It would take another few years before Jang could start working full-time in Chungmuro, but during that time, he built a reputation as one of the most brilliant theater directors in the country, with unique scripts and characters who came across as real even in the most surreal of situations. His 1997 play Taxi Driver was a huge success, displaying his wit and talent for snappy dialogue. The original starred Choi Min-sik as Deok-bae, a taxi driver from the countryside who decides to come to the city, buys a private taxi after his mother sold some land, and hopes to finally make a change in his miserable life.
The success of his theater plays raised his profile in the industry. Veteran TV drama director Kim Jong-hak commissioned Jang for a script, but the project was delayed. Jang decided to shop around his script, which led to his debut feature 1998 comedy The Happenings (though only half of what he shot ended up in the final cut).
In 1999 Jang founded the theater troupe Suda, and among his regulars were Jung Gyu-soo, Shin Ha-kyun, Jung Jae-young and Jang Young-nam. After working on the play Magic Time, he then shot his second film The Spy, a comedy starring Yoo Oh-sung as a North Korean spy trying to steal the magic formula of the South's "super pig" to combat the famine.
The rest of Jang's career brought him to the top of Korea's A-list directors, with the same brand of "Jang Jin style" crowd pleasers, such as Guns & Talks, a black comedy about four talkative assassins. In 2000 Jang established his own film production outfit Film It Suda, hiring his "family" of fellow writers, producers and directors. Their first production was the three-part omnibus No Comment in 2002.
With his theater and film successes, Jang was finally able to move on to producing and his real passion, writing. But the huge flop of the 2003 melodrama A Man Who Went to Mars (also known as A Letter from Mars, which Jang wrote) brought the company's future to a serious crossroad: either focus on hot items or risk losing everything. Though the aftermath of the film's failure was felt even in 2004, romantic comedy Someone Special had a decent box office performance despite the film's low budget, as well as glowing reviews for its stars Lee Na-young and Jung Jae-young. Jang then focused on adapting his successful 2000 theater play Leave When They're Applauding into the big screen. The result was 2005's Murder, Take One, about a homicide case being broadcast live for 48 hours, a whodunit with a campy take on the ratings-obsessed media and the viewers' craze for reality TV.
But it would be another of the company's films that became one of the biggest critical and commercial successes of 2005. Adapted by Jang from his same-titled 2002 play, Welcome to Dongmakgol is the story of a remote mountain village where North and South Korean soldiers as well as an American soldier are stranded during the Korean War. The fantasy dramedy was the debut feature of Park Kwang-hyun, one of several of Jang's colleagues from his theater days who joined Film It Suda.
In August 2005 Jang served as theatre director for the first time on a play he didn't write himself. He directed his fellow Seoul Institute of the Arts alumni in a staging of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. The play commemorated the 43rd anniversary for Dongnang Arts Center affiliated to the institute and the 100th birthday of the late Yu Chi-jin, founder of the institute and the nation's first amphitheater.
After his doing his takes on the gangster genre (2006's Righteous Ties) and the melodrama genre (2007's father-centered My Son), Jang wrote the witty script for Ra Hee-chan's Going by the Book, about a mock bank robbery drill that turns embarrassingly real. He also injected an enhanced comic effect into the screenplay of Public Enemy Returns, the third installment in Kang Woo-suk's series on tough detective Kang Cheol-jung (played by Sul Kyung-gu).
His feel-good political satire Good Morning President was the opening film of the 2009 Busan International Film Festival. At the MBC Drama Awards that year, Jang won a Special Award for his 2008 radio show segment Radio Book Club on MBC Standard FM.
His next films, 2010 ensemble comedy The Quiz Show Scandal and 2011 melodrama Romantic Heaven, though well-reviewed, were less successful at the box office.
Besides being the CEO of Film It Suda, he is also co-founder of the film production company KnJ Entertainment Inc. alongside friend Kang Woo-suk.
Jang was a judge on the first and second seasons of Korea's Got Talent. He wrote and directed the first three seasons of sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live Korea and anchored SNL Korea's version of Weekend Update. Jang says he believes satirical comedies can change society for the better.

## Filmmaking

Considered one of the most distinctive voices to emerge from the 1990s Korean cinema renaissance, Jang's unique filmmaking style mixes unconventional storylines, quirky characters, dry and subversive humor, comic twists, sharp puns, stagy presentation, a keen observation of society, and humanism. Jang's films do not sell millions of tickets but he has nurtured a faithful fan base that appreciates his "Jang Jin-ish" style.
Jang has built up an informal "repertory company" of actors who have appeared in many roles in his films. Most notable of these is Jung Jae-young, who has appeared in ten films directed or written by Jang and whom Jang has described as his "muse" . Other frequent collaborators include Shin Ha-kyun, who has been featured in eleven films. Other actors who have appeared in several films by Jang include Ryu Seung-ryong, Jang Young-nam, Im Won-hee, and Cha Seung-won.
Jang usually has a quick cameo in his films.

## Personal life

Jang was back from his military enlistment in Winter 1993.
In May 2007, he married then-grad student Cha Young-eun. They have two sons, Jang Cha-in and Jang Cha-yoon.

## Filmography
### Short film

Short films work of Jang Jin :
| Year | Title | Title | Credited as | Credited as | Credited as | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Director | Writer | Producer | Ref. |
| 2000 | A Terrible Day | 극단적 하루 | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2002 | No Comment | 묻지마 패밀리 | No | Yes | No | |
| 2002 | Without My Father | 아버지 몰래 | No | No | Yes | |
| 2004 | Has the Shower Ended? | 소나기는 그쳤나요? | No | No | Yes | Short film from 1.3.6 |
| 2005 | Someone Grateful | 고마운 사람 | No | No | Yes | Short film from If You Were Me 2 (다섯 개의 시선) |
| 2008 | U-Turn | 유턴 | No | Yes | Yes | Short film for SsangYong Actyon (OCN) |
| 2016 | If Tomorrow is The Future | 내일도 미래라면 | Yes | Yes | No | Short film for Sister's Slam Dunk |

### Film

Feature films works of Jang Jin :
| Year | Title | Title | Credited as | Credited as | Credited as | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Director | Writer | Producer | Ref. |
| 1995 | A Hot Roof | 개같은 날의 오후 | No | Yes | No | Cameo |
| 1996 | Do You Believe in Jazz | 너희가 재즈를 믿느냐? | No | Yes | No | |
| 1997 | Trio | 삼인조 | No | Yes | No | |
| 1998 | The Happenings | 기막힌 사내들 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 1999 | The Spy | 간첩 리철진 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2000 | Ditto | 동감 | No | Yes | No | |
| 2001 | Guns & Talks | 킬러들의 수다 | Yes | Yes | No | Cameo |
| 2002 | No Comment | 묻지마 패밀리 | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2003 | A Man Who Went to Mars | 화성으로 간 사나이 | No | Yes | No | |
| 2004 | Someone Special | 아는 여자 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cameo |
| 2005 | Murder, Take One | 박수칠 때 떠나라 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2005 | Welcome to Dongmakgol | 웰컴 투 동막골 | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2006 | Righteous Ties | 거룩한 계보 | Yes | Yes | No | Cameo |
| 2007 | My Son | 아들 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2007 | Going by the Book | 바르게 살자 | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2008 | Public Enemy Returns | 강철중: 공공의 적 1-1 | No | Yes | No | |
| 2009 | Good Morning, President | 굿모닝 프레지던트 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2010 | The Quiz Show Scandal | 퀴즈 왕 | Yes | Yes | No | Cameo |
| 2010 | The Recipe | 된장 | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2011 | Romantic Heaven | 로맨틱 헤븐 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2014 | Man on High Heels | 하이힐 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2014 | We Are Brothers | 우리는 형제입니다 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2015 | The Sea I Wished for | 바라던 바다 | Yes | Yes | No | |

### Television

Television works of Jang Jin :
| Year | Title | Title | Credited as | Credited as | Credited as | Credited as | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Script Editor | Writer | Director | Producer | Ref. |
| 1994 | Good Friends — Hollywood Message | 좋은 친구들 — 헐리웃통신 | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| 2011–2012 | Saturday Night Live Korea | SNL코리아 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | tvN Sketch comedy show (season 1-3) |
Television appearances of Jang Jin :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Ref. |
| 1998 | Soonpoong Clinic | 순풍산부인과 | Actor | SBS Sitcom |
| 2003 | Nursery Story | 한뼘드라마 | Actor | MBC One-episode drama |
| 2006 | The Golden Fishery Kneeling Guru | 황금어장무릎팍도사 63회 | Featured | MBC Variety Show (Episode 63) |
| 2011–2012 | Korea's Got Talent | 코리아 갓 탤런트 | Judge | tvNReality talent show (season 1-2) |
| 2015–2017 | Crime Scene | 크라임씬 | Cast member | JTBC Crime investigation show (season 2-3) |
| 2016 | Dream player | 드림 플레이어 | Cast member | |
| 2017 | Maltul club | 말술클럽 | Cast member | |
| 2021 | While You're Having a Hard Time | 당신이 혹하는 사이 | Storyteller | SBS Crime Thriller Crime Documentary |
| 2022–2023 | Black | 블랙 | Cast member | Channel A Crime Thriller Crime Documentary (Season 1–2) |

## Stage
### Theater

Theater works of Jang Jin :
| Year | Title | Title | Credited as | Credited as | Restage | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Director | Playwright | Restage | Ref. |
| 1995 | Heotang | 허탕 | Yes | Yes | 1999, 2012 | |
| 1995 | Clumsy People | 서툰 사람들 | Yes | Yes | 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 2022–2023 | |
| 1997 | Taxi Driver | 택시드리벌 | Yes | Yes | 2000, 2004, 2015 | |
| 1999 | Magic Time | 매직타임 | Yes | Yes | 2007 | |
| 2000 | Leave When They're Applauding | 박수칠 때 떠나라 | Yes | Yes | Adapted into 2005 film Murder, Take One | |
| 2002 | Welcome to Dongmakgol | 웰컴 투 동막골 | Yes | Yes | Adapted into 2005 film Welcome to Dongmakgol | |
| 2004 | Return to Hamlet | 리턴 투 햄릿 | Yes | Yes | 2011, 2012 | |
| 2005 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Yes | No | 2012 | |
| 2011 | Romeo Landing on Earth | 로미오 지구 착륙기 | Yes | Yes | | |
| 2016 | Flower of Secret | 꽃의 비밀 | Yes | Yes | 2019 | |
| 2016 | Ice | 얼음 | Yes | Yes | 2021 | |

### Musical

Musical play(s) credits :
| Year | Title | Title | Credited as | Credited as | Restage | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Director | Playwright | Restage | Ref. |
| 1999 | Beautiful autographs - delightful chatter of women who committed suicide! | 아름다운 사인(死因) - 자살한 여인들의 유쾌한 수다! | Yes | Yes | | |
| 2013 | December: Unfinished Song | 디셈버: 끝나지 않은 노래 | Yes | Yes | 2014 | |

## Scriptbook

Published scriptbook :
| Year | Title | Title | Author | Publisher | Published Date | ISBN |
| Year | English | Korean | Author | Publisher | Published Date | ISBN |
| 2008 | Jangjin's collection of plays | 장진 희곡집 | Jang Jin | Yeoeumsa | 2008.01.15 | 978-8-9742-7231-9 |
| 2008 | Jangjin Scenario Book | 장진 시나리오집 | Jang Jin | Yeoeumsa | 2008.07.10 | 978-8-9742-7232-6 |
| 2012 | Welcome to Dongmakgol | 웰컴 투 동막골 | Jang Jin | Communication Books | 2012.12.21 | 978-8-9668-0115-2 |
| 2012 | Knowledgable Woman | 아는 여자 | Jang Jin | Communication Books | 2012.12.31 | 978-8-9668-0130-5 |

## Recurring cast members

Jang frequently re-casts actors whom he has worked with on previous films.
Recurring cast members in Jang Jin's works :
| ActorWork | Cha Seung-won | Im Ha-ryong | Im Won-hee | Jang Young-nam | Joo Jin-mo | Jung Jae-young | Kim Byeong-ok | Kim Won-hae | Lee Soon-jae | Lee Yong-yi | Shin Goo | Shin Ha-kyun | Ryu Deok-hwan | Ryu Seung-ryong |
| Theater |||||||||||||||
| Taxi Driver | | | | Y | | Y | | | | Y | | Y | | |
| Welcome to Dongmakgol | | | | Y | | Y | | | | Y | | Y | | |
| Clumsy People | | | | Y | | | | | | | | Y | | Y |
| Leave When They're Applauding | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Y |
| Short film |||||||||||||||
| No Comment | | | Y | | | Y | | | | Y | | Y | Y | |
| Film |||||||||||||||
| The Happening | | | Y | | | Y | | | | | | Y | | |
| The Spy | | | | | | | | | | | | Y | | |
| Guns & Talks | | | Y | | | Y | | | | | | Y | | |
| A Man Who Went to Mars | | | | | | | | | | | | Y | | |
| Someone Special | | Y | | Y | | Y | | | | | | | | Y |
| Murder, Take One | Y | | | | | Y | | | | Y | | Y | | Y |
| Welcome to Dongmakgol | | Y | | | | Y | | | | Y | | Y | Y | |
| Righteous Ties | | | | Y | Y | Y | | | | | Y | | | Y |
| My Son | Y | | | Y | | | | | | | | Y | Y | |
| Going by the Book | | | | | Y | Y | | | | | Y | | | |
| Public Enemy Returns | | | | | | Y | | | | | | | | |
| Good Morning, President | | Y | | Y | Y | | | Y | Y | Y | | | | Y |
| The Quiz Show Scandal | | | Y | Y | | | Y | Y | | | | Y | Y | Y |
| The Recipe | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Y |
| Romantic Heaven | | | Y | | | | Y | Y | Y | | Y | | | |
| Man on High Heels | Y | | | | | | Y | Y | | | | | | |

## Other

* 2012 17th Incheon Asian Games Opening Ceremony General Director
* 2013 Incheon Indoor Martial Arts Asian Games General Director
* 2012 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee Advisor
* 2010 Public Relations Ambassador for the 29th International Contemporary Dance Festival
* CEO of Digital Suda (Film Has Suda)

## Accolades
### Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations of Jang Jin :
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 1995 | Chosun Ilbo New Year's Literary Contest | Best Screenplay Theater | Cheonho-dong Gusa Street | Won |
| 2000 | 36th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Screenplay | The Spy | Won |
| 2004 | 5th Busan Film Critics Awards | Best Screenplay | Someone Special | Won |
| 2005 | 26th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Film | Welcome to Dongmakgol | Nominated |
| 2005 | 26th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Audience Choice Award for Most Popular Film | Welcome to Dongmakgol | Won |
| 2005 | 26th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Screenplay | Welcome to Dongmakgol | Nominated |
| 2005 | 4th Korean Film Awards | Best Film | Welcome to Dongmakgol | Won |
| 2005 | 4th Korean Film Awards | Best Screenplay | Welcome to Dongmakgol | Won |
| 2006 | 43rd Grand Bell Awards | Best Film | Welcome to Dongmakgol | Nominated |
| 2006 | 43rd Grand Bell Awards | Best Screenplay | Welcome to Dongmakgol | Nominated |
| 2006 | 43rd Grand Bell Awards | Best Planning | Welcome to Dongmakgol | Nominated |
| 2006 | 3rd Max Movie Awards | Best Film | Welcome to Dongmakgol | Won |
| 2009 | Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Screenplay | Public Enemy Returns | Nominated |
| 2009 | 2009 MBC Drama Awards | Special Award for Radio Show Segment | Standard FM Radio Book Club | Won |
| 2009 | 5th Korea Green Foundation's People Who Brightened Our World | Person of the Year | Jang Jin | Won |
| 2012 | 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Film | Good Morning President | Nominated |
| 2012 | 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Director | Good Morning President | Nominated |
| 2012 | 30th Fajr International Film Festival International Cinema Competition (Eastern Vista, Asian Cinema) | Crystal Simorgh for Best Screenplay | Romantic Heaven | Won |
| 2014 | Seoul Institute of the Arts Alumni Association | Light of Life Award | Jang Jin | Won |
| 2016 | 8th Festival International Du Film Policier Du Beaune | Grand Prix | Man on High Heels | Won |
| 2016 | 8th Festival International Du Film Policier Du Beaune | Critics' Award | Man on High Heels | Won |

### Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement :
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
| Cine21 | 2006 | Chungmuro 50 Power Filmmaker | 25th | |
| Cine21 | 2007 | Chungmuro 50 Power Filmmaker | 50th | |