If you’ve been scrolling through K-drama news lately, you’ve probably come across Jang Ki-yong — the tall model-turned-actor who keeps popping up in your feed for more reasons than one. Born on August 7, 1992, he’s been a household name since his breakout in Come and Hug Me. And if you’ve ever thought he looks oddly familiar, you’re not alone: a viral side-by-side with a Filipino comedian has fans doing a double take. Here’s everything you need to know about his career, his age-gap co-star, and the lookalike that broke the internet.

Born: August 7, 1992 ·
Height: 187 cm ·
Instagram Followers: 6 million ·
Debut: Modeling (2013) ·
Breakthrough Drama: Come and Hug Me (2018)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Marital status — no public confirmation
  • Whether he has a daughter — rumor not verified
  • Exact relationship with Song Hye Kyo (only professional)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Starred in The Atypical Family (2024) as Bok Gwi-Ju (AsianWiki (K-drama database))
  • Continues to build his filmography post-military service (AsianWiki (K-drama database))
The upshot

Jang Ki-yong isn’t just a pretty face — his modeling roots gave him a natural on-screen presence that helped him land lead roles quickly. But his most viral moment came from an unexpected face comparison, proving that even in K-drama, a little humor goes a long way.

Here is a quick reference table of key facts.

Jang Ki-yong key facts
Category Value
Born August 7, 1992
Height 187 cm
Instagram Followers 6 million
Debut Modeling (2013)
Breakthrough Drama Come and Hug Me (2018)

How did Jang Ki-yong become famous?

Modeling beginnings

  • Jang Ki-yong started his career as a model in 2013, appearing in fashion shows and commercials (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
  • He gained initial public attention through his tall stature (187 cm) and sharp features, which led to more prominent modeling gigs.

Breakthrough in acting

  • His first acting role was a guest appearance on It’s Okay, That’s Love in 2014 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
  • He earned wider recognition with a supporting role in Go Back Couple (2017) (NextShark (Asian pop culture news)).
  • His first lead role came in Come and Hug Me (2018), which earned him the Best New Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
  • He further solidified his fame with Search: WWW (2019) and My Roommate Is a Gumiho (2021) (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

The pattern: Jang Ki-yong’s transition from runway to screen happened faster than most, thanks to a combination of photogenic looks and a willingness to take on diverse roles early in his career.

What is the age gap between Jang Ki-yong and Song Hye Kyo?

Ages of Jang Ki-yong and Song Hye Kyo

  • Jang Ki-yong was born on August 7, 1992, making him 32 years old (as of 2024).
  • Song Hye Kyo was born on November 22, 1981, making her 43 years old (as of 2024).
  • The age difference is 11 years, with Song Hye Kyo being the older co-star (AsianWiki (K-drama database)).

Public reaction to their on-screen pairing

  • They starred together in Now, We Are Breaking Up (2021–2022), a romance drama that relied on their chemistry (AsianWiki (K-drama database)).
  • Many viewers praised their dynamic despite the age gap, though some critics felt the script didn’t do justice to their talent.

What this means: The 11-year gap is notable but not unusual in K-drama casting. The real takeaway is that both actors committed to the story without letting the age difference overshadow the narrative.

Why this matters

Age-gap pairings in Korean dramas often spark debate. Here, the professional respect between Jang Ki-yong and Song Hye Kyo allowed the show to focus on its themes of breakups and healing rather than age.

Who is Jang Ki-yong Filipino lookalike?

The viral comparison

  • In 2019, Filipino fans noticed a strong resemblance between Jang Ki-yong and local comedian John Lapus, born 1976 (NextShark (Asian pop culture news)).
  • A fan page called Saranghe Oppa posted a side-by-side image that quickly went viral on Facebook and Twitter.
  • John Lapus himself acknowledged the comparison on Instagram, writing: “Yes we are like siblings I’m prettier in person.” (NextShark (Asian pop culture news))

Similarities and differences

  • Both have similar eye shapes, jawlines, and height proportions — though Jang Ki-yong is taller at 187 cm.
  • John Lapus is a comedian and actor in the Philippines, while Jang Ki-yong is a model and dramatic actor in South Korea. Their career paths are very different, but the visual overlap is undeniable.

The trade-off: The viral moment gave Jang Ki-yong unexpected exposure in the Philippines, introducing him to audiences who might not have watched his dramas otherwise.

Who is the most handsome Korean actor?

Fan polls and rankings

  • Several fan-run polls frequently place Jang Ki-yong among the top handsome Korean actors, often citing his tall stature and model-like proportions.
  • Online communities on platforms like Reddit and Twitter regularly discuss his “visuals” as a key selling point.

Jang Ki-yong’s place in the conversation

  • While “most handsome” is subjective, Jang Ki-yong’s consistent appearance on “most handsome” lists is driven by his 187 cm height, symmetrical face, and dual appeal as both a model and actor.
  • His Instagram following of over 6 million (AsianWiki (K-drama database)) indicates strong visual charisma.

The pattern: In K-drama fandom, being named “most handsome” often correlates with having a memorable breakout role — and Jang Ki-yong’s Come and Hug Me gave him exactly that.

What happened between Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki?

Their marriage

  • Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki married in October 2017 after starring together in the mega-hit Descendants of the Sun.
  • The wedding was a highly publicized event in South Korea.

Divorce reasons

  • In June 2019, the couple announced their divorce, citing “personality differences” and “career conflicts” (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
  • Neither side has provided further details publicly.

The implication: For fans, the split underscored the immense pressure on high-profile couples in the Korean entertainment industry, where schedules and public scrutiny often strain relationships.

Clarity check: Confirmed vs. Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date: August 7, 1992 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Height: 187 cm (AsianWiki (K-drama database))
  • Instagram handle: @juanxkui (AsianWiki (K-drama database))
  • Started career as model in 2013 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Acted in Come and Hug Me, Go Back Couple, Now, We Are Breaking Up (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))

What’s unclear

  • Marital status – no public confirmation
  • Whether he has a daughter – rumor not verified
  • Exact relationship with Song Hye Kyo (only professional confirmed)
  • Military service from August 2021 to February 2023 – dates are verified but some details remain unconfirmed
  • Future projects post-The Atypical Family

Quotes worth noting

Yes we are like siblings I’m prettier in person.

— John Lapus, Filipino comedian, on his resemblance to Jang Ki-yong (NextShark (Asian pop culture news))

Jang Ki-yong and John Lapus are twins! Can’t unsee it.

— Saranghe Oppa (Filipino fan page), Facebook post cited by NextShark (Asian pop culture news)

He began his career in the modelling industry.

— Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)

Jang Ki-yong’s journey from a runway model to a celebrated actor is a masterclass in pivoting without losing your original appeal. For fans of K-drama heartthrobs, the takeaway is clear: his blend of model looks and acting chops makes him a rare find, but his most memorable role might just be as the internet’s favorite lookalike. For Jang Ki-yong, that viral humor opened doors that even top acting awards couldn’t.

Additional sources

youtube.com

Frequently asked questions

Is Jang Ki-yong married?
No public confirmation exists. He has never announced a marriage.
Does Jang Ki-yong have a daughter?
Rumors about a daughter have circulated online but lack any verified source.
What is Jang Ki-yong’s Instagram?
His handle is @juanxkui (AsianWiki (K-drama database)).
What is Jang Ki-yong’s height?
He stands at 187 cm (6 ft 1.5 in) (AsianWiki (K-drama database)).
What is Jang Ki-yong’s age?
Born August 7, 1992, he is 32 years old as of 2024 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
Has Jang Ki-yong served in the military?
Yes, he enlisted on August 23, 2021, and was discharged on February 22, 2023 (AsianWiki (K-drama database)).
What was Jang Ki-yong’s first drama?
His first acting role was a guest spot on It’s Okay, That’s Love in 2014 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
Does Jang Ki-yong have any siblings?
No public information about siblings is available.