Bae Hyun-sung
Bae Hyun-sung (Korean: 배현성; born May 3, 1999) is a South Korean actor and model best known for his supporting and leading roles in popular television dramas.[1][2] He rose to prominence with his portrayal of the young doctor Jang Hong-do in the ensemble medical series Hospital Playlist (2020–2021), and has since starred in high-profile projects including the historical horror-thriller Gyeongseong Creature (2023) as Seung-jo, the workplace comedy Gaus Electronics (2022), and the coming-of-age drama Family by Choice (2024) as Kang Hae-jun.[3][2][4] Bae began his acting career in 2018 with a minor role in the romantic comedy What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?, followed by appearances in the web drama anthology Love Playlist Seasons 3 and 4, which marked his entry into the industry as a model-turned-actor.[2][5] He signed with the agency Awesome Entertainment and continued building his portfolio with supporting parts in films like The Divine Fury (2019), where he played Hyun-sung, and Crazy Romance (2019) as a new employee.[2][1] His breakthrough came through television, with versatile performances in ensemble narratives such as Our Blues (2022) and Dear. M (2022) as Park Ha-neul, showcasing his range from youthful innocence to intense drama.[3][6] In recent years, Bae has expanded his presence with roles in series including a cameo in Love Your Enemy (2024) and guest appearances in Resident Playbook (2025), such as his role as a rookie judge in The Boss Shin Project (2025).[2][7][8] His work often highlights themes of youth, relationships, and professional growth, earning him recognition as a rising talent in South Korean entertainment.[4]Early life and education
Childhood and family
Bae Hyun-sung was born on May 3, 1999, in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea. He grew up in a modest family in Jeonju alongside his parents and a younger sister who is two years his junior.[9] Bae's early upbringing was marked by ordinary childhood activities in Jeonju, with no initial interest in acting.[10] At age 18, he moved to Seoul to attend an acting academy, where he lived independently, often preparing and eating meals alone.[11] This period brought feelings of profound loneliness due to his youth and separation from family, though his parents supported him despite initial concerns—his father had opposed the career shift but later became an enthusiastic advocate.[11]Academic background
Bae Hyun-sung attended Jeonju Ongoeul Middle School in his hometown of Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, and graduated from there.[12][13] Following middle school, he enrolled at Jeonju Jeil High School but later transferred to Hanseong High School in Seoul, where he completed his secondary education and graduated. During his high school years, which involved a period of academy life in Jeonju, Bae Hyun-sung faced challenges associated with independent living away from home at a young age, a situation that concerned his parents. After graduating from high school, Bae Hyun-sung opted to pursue a career in acting rather than attending university, beginning formal acting training at age 18 upon the suggestion of his agency. His parents initially expressed worry and opposition to this career path but later became his strongest supporters.[14]Career
2018–2019: Debut and early roles
In 2018, Bae Hyun-sung signed with Awesome Entertainment, embarking on his career as both an actor and model.[15] This marked the beginning of his professional journey in the entertainment industry, where he quickly transitioned from modeling aspirations to on-screen appearances.[16] Bae made his acting debut in the web series Love Playlist Season 3, portraying the main role of Park Ha-neul, a college student navigating the emotional aftermath of a breakup and the complexities of campus life.[2] The series, which aired from September to October 2018, highlighted youthful romances and everyday undergraduate struggles, and his performance garnered initial attention from netizens for its natural charm and relatability.[6] Later that year, he took on a minor cameo as an intern staff member named Bae Yun-seong in the television series What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, appearing in episodes 13 through 16 as part of the office ensemble in this romantic comedy.[17] In 2019, Bae continued building his resume with a supporting role in Love Playlist Season 4, reprising his character Park Ha-neul in a storyline exploring further romantic entanglements among young adults. He also secured his first film role as Hyun-sung in The Divine Fury, a supernatural action thriller directed by Kim Jae-hoon, where he played a young ally to the protagonist amid exorcism-themed conflicts; filming took place in late 2018, contributing to his exposure in the big-screen arena. Additionally, he made a brief appearance as a new employee in the romantic comedy film Crazy Romance, adding to his portfolio of small but noticeable parts in ensemble casts.2020–2022: Breakthrough and supporting parts
In 2020, Bae Hyun-sung appeared in a supporting role as Jang Hong-do, a quirky third-year medical student and later intern, in the first season of the hit tvN medical drama Hospital Playlist, which significantly boosted his visibility among audiences due to the series' widespread popularity and ensemble cast dynamics.[6] He reprised the role in the second season in 2021, further solidifying his presence in the show's beloved narrative of lifelong friendships among doctors. In 2021, he made a guest appearance in episodes 6 and 7 of the variety show Three Meals a Day: Doctors, a countryside cooking spin-off featuring the Hospital Playlist cast, where he joined fellow actors in lighthearted farm activities and meals, adding to his growing familiarity with fans of the medical drama universe.[18] Bae Hyun-sung took on a supporting role as Park Ha-neul, a devoted third-year computer engineering student and part of the "magnet couple," in the 2022 MBC college romance series Dear. M, reprising his character from the web drama Love Playlist and emphasizing natural on-screen chemistry with co-star Noh Jung-ui.[19] His performance as Jung Hyun, an 18-year-old Jeju-born high school student navigating an unexpected teen pregnancy and family tensions, in the 2022 tvN ensemble drama Our Blues marked a breakthrough, earning praise for adding youthful authenticity to the series' interconnected stories of island life.[14] Bae reflected on the role's personal growth, noting how portraying the character's decisions mirrored his own temperament and deepened his empathy through discussions with co-star Park Ji-hwan, making the Jeju filming process emotionally rewarding.[14] Later in 2022, Bae portrayed Baek Ma-tan, a stoic chaebol heir turned office worker at a struggling electronics company, in the comedic Olleh TV/Seezn series Gaus Electronics, where his deadpan delivery and subtle humor as the naive rich son appealed to viewers amid the show's chaotic workplace antics.[20] The role highlighted his versatility in comedy, contributing to the drama's charm through ensemble interactions without overt melodrama.[21]2023–present: Lead roles and rising stardom
In 2023, Bae Hyun-sung took on his first lead role as Lee Kang-san in the JTBC supernatural thriller Miraculous Brothers, portraying a young novelist with the ability to connect with the deceased through his writing, exploring themes of brotherhood and fate alongside veteran actor Jung Woo.[22] The series, which aired from June to July 2023, received praise for Hyun-sung's nuanced performance, particularly in scenes depicting emotional vulnerability and supernatural trance states, earning acclaim for elevating the bromance dynamic central to the narrative.[23] Critics noted the show's decent entertainment value despite its blend of mystery and fantasy elements, marking a pivotal shift for Hyun-sung from supporting roles to leading a 16-episode run.[24] Building on this momentum, Hyun-sung secured a prominent supporting role as Seung-jo in the Netflix historical fantasy series Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 (2024), playing a secretive elite agent in a narrative spanning 1945 Gyeongseong and modern Seoul, involving monster-hunting and political intrigue.[25] His portrayal of the antagonist, requiring intense action sequences and a transformation from previous characters, was highlighted for adding depth to the thriller's international appeal, with the series' global streaming on Netflix amplifying its reach to over 50 countries.[26] The two-part production, directed by Jung Ji-hyun, showcased Hyun-sung's versatility in high-stakes fantasy, contributing to the show's status as a Netflix original hit with millions of viewing hours.[4] In 2024, Hyun-sung starred as Kang Hae-jun in the JTBC family drama Family by Choice, embodying a dialect-speaking, basketball-enthusiast youth who forms unbreakable bonds with non-biological siblings Kim San-ha and Yoon Ju-won amid themes of loss and chosen family.[27] Airing from October to November 2024, the 20-episode series praised his youthful energy and emotional authenticity, particularly in dialect-heavy scenes that contrasted his prior roles, resonating with audiences through its healing portrayal of adolescent resilience.[28] Co-starring Hwang In-youp and Jung Chae-yeon, the drama's focus on interpersonal dynamics solidified Hyun-sung's lead presence in heartfelt narratives.[29] Hyun-sung made a special guest appearance as Jang Hong-do in episode 6 of the tvN medical drama Resident Playbook in April 2025, reuniting with Hospital Playlist connections in a storyline exploring hospital hierarchies and personal growth at Jongno Yulje Medical Center.[30] This brief role, airing as part of the 12-episode series from April to May 2025, highlighted his familiarity with ensemble medical settings while bridging his earlier career milestones.[2] Later in 2025, Hyun-sung returned to a lead role as Philip Cho, a recent law graduate navigating ethical dilemmas at a rural fried chicken restaurant turned negotiation hub, in the tvN legal comedy Shin's Project.[31] Airing from September to October 2025 for 12 episodes, the series paired him with Han Suk-kyu as the enigmatic CEO Shin Jay and Lee Re as aide Lee Si-on, blending humor, mystery, and social commentary on justice. Reviewers commended his charming and convincing depiction of the rookie judge's awkward yet earnest arc, contributing to the show's high ratings and buzz as a fresh take on legal dramas.[32] In November 2025, Bae presented at the Korea Grand Music Awards.[33] Looking ahead, Hyun-sung is set to lead as Nam Jae-yeop, a high-achieving low-income student entangled in a blackmail scheme involving proxy college entrance exams, in the upcoming TVING crime thriller Substitute College Entrance Exam slated for 2026.[34] Directed by Park So-yeon of Pyramid Game fame, the 14-episode production, co-produced by Studio&New and Artist Company, features co-stars Cha Kang-yoon and Park Yoon-ho, focusing on survival tactics and betrayal without revealing plot specifics.[35] By late 2025, Hyun-sung's transition to lead roles across genres—from supernatural thrillers to family dramas and legal comedies—has established him under Awesome Entertainment as a versatile rising star, with consistent critical recognition and expanding international visibility through platforms like Netflix and TVING.[4] His agency stability, coupled with high-profile collaborations, positions him as one of South Korea's promising young actors, evidenced by top ratings for projects like Shin's Project and growing fan support.[7]Filmography
Films
Bae Hyun-sung made his film debut in 2019 with a supporting role in the supernatural action thriller The Divine Fury, directed by Kim Jae-hoon, where he portrayed Hyun-sung, a friend of the protagonist involved in the story's exorcism elements.[36] Later that year, he appeared in a minor capacity as a new recruit employee in the romantic comedy Crazy Romance, directed by Lee Eun-hee, which follows an unexpected office romance between a middle-aged manager and his younger subordinate.[37] In 2022, Bae took on the supporting role of Kim Cheon-son, a Joseon navy officer, in the historical epic Hansan: Rising Dragon, directed by Kim Han-min, a prequel to The Admiral: Roaring Currents depicting Admiral Yi Sun-sin's strategic victory in the Battle of Hansan Island during the Imjin War.[38] As of 2025, Bae Hyun-sung has not starred in any additional feature films beyond these early supporting appearances.[3]Television series
Bae Hyun-sung began his television career with a guest appearance in the tvN romantic comedy What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018), where he portrayed intern Bae Yun-sung in episodes 9 and 13–16.[39] In 2020, he gained recognition for his supporting role as Jang Hong-do, a quirky medical intern and twin brother to Jang Yun-bok, in the tvN medical drama Hospital Playlist season 1, appearing across multiple episodes of the 12-episode series.[40] He reprised the role in season 2 (2021), continuing his involvement in the ensemble cast over another 12 episodes.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Extraordinary You | Baek Jun-hyeon | Supporting role in 32-episode MBC fantasy romance drama.[41] |
| 2020 | Ending Again | Guy in church | Guest role in episode 2 of the 12-episode JTBC family drama.[42] |
| 2022 | Gaus Electronics | Baek Ma-tan | Main role in 12-episode ENA workplace comedy.[43] |
| 2022 | Our Blues | Jung Hyun | Ensemble supporting role in 20-episode tvN anthology series.[44] |
| 2023 | Miraculous Brothers | Lee Gang-san | Lead role in 16-episode ENA fantasy drama.[45] |
| 2024 | Family by Choice | Kang Hae-jun | Lead role in 16-episode JTBC youth romance drama.[46] |
| 2024 | Love Your Enemy | Yoon Jae-ho (young) | Guest role in episode 1 of the 12-episode tvN romantic drama.[47] |
| 2025 | Shin's Project | Philip Cho | Lead role in 12-episode tvN comedy series.[48] |
| 2025 | Resident Playbook | Jang Hong-do | Special appearance in episode 6 of the 12-episode tvN medical spin-off.[49] |
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Love Playlist Season 3 | Park Ha-neul (Main) | 12 | Web drama on Naver TV Cast.[50] |
| 2019 | Love Playlist Season 4 | Park Ha-neul (Main) | 16 | Reprising his role from Season 3.[51] |
| 2022 | Dear. M | Park Ha-neul (Main) | 12 | Spin-off web series from Love Playlist.[52] |
| 2024 | Hellbound Season 2 | Eun-yul (Guest) | 6 | Netflix original series, appearance in episode 6.[53] |
| 2023–2024 | Gyeongseong Creature (Parts 1 & 2) | Seung-jo (Lead) | 14 | Netflix original series.[2] |
| 2026 | Substitute College Entrance Exam | Nam Jae-yeop (Lead) | 14 | Upcoming TVING series.[34] |
Other appearances
Bae Hyun-sung made his first notable appearance on a variety show in 2021, guesting on the tvN program Three Meals a Day: Doctors in episodes 6 and 7. This spin-off featured the "99z" cast members from Hospital Playlist—Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, and Jeon Mi-do—living in a rural Gangwon Province house, where they foraged, fished, and cooked their own meals. As guests, Bae Hyun-sung and fellow Hospital Playlist actor Cho Yi-hyun (portraying the young medical interns Yun-bok and Hong-do) joined for a surprise visit, participating in breakfast preparations, playful interactions, and heartfelt moments with the seniors, marking their initial foray into unscripted television. In September 2024, Bae Hyun-sung returned to variety programming as part of the Family by Choice ensemble on JTBC's Knowing Bros (episode 452). The episode highlighted comedic skits, games, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the drama, with Bae engaging in the show's signature "transfer student" segment alongside co-stars Hwang In-youp, Jung Chae-yeon, Choi Moo-sung, and Choi Won-young. His appearances on such shows remain infrequent, reflecting a career emphasis on dramatic roles amid rising stardom. Beyond television, Bae Hyun-sung has worked as a model under Awesome Entertainment since 2018, contributing to fashion editorials and promotional campaigns that complement his acting profile without overlapping his on-screen narratives.[2]Awards and nominations
Wins
Bae Hyun-sung has received several accolades recognizing his rising prominence in the South Korean entertainment industry, particularly for his breakthrough performances in television dramas. The following table lists his award wins, including the year, awarding body, category, and associated work:| Year | Awarding Body | Category | Work | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Brand of the Year Awards | Best New Actor | Overall debut work | [54] |
| 2023 | Korea Drama Awards | Global Star Award | Miraculous Brothers | [55] [56] |
| 2025 | Korea First Brand Awards | Rising Star | Cumulative rising career | [57] [56] |
Nominations
Bae Hyun-sung earned recognition for his performance as a supporting antagonist in the second part of the Netflix series Gyeongseong Creature, receiving a nomination in the Best New Actor category at the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards held on July 18, 2025.[58] This accolade built on his prior award wins, underscoring his growing influence in the industry.)| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Blue Dragon Series Awards | Best New Actor | Gyeongseong Creature Part 2 | Nominated |