Sung Dong-il (성동일; 成東鎰) is a South Korean actor born on April 27, 1967, in Incheon. After making his debut on stage in 1987, he joined the SBS network following open auditions in 1991. He rose to fame in the late 1990s thanks to the drama Eun-shil, where his character—with a strong Jeolla accent—made him very popular. Eager to avoid being typecast in comedic roles, he quickly expanded his range.
In film, his career gained new momentum with the success of 200-Pound Beauty (2006). He went on to become one of Korea’s most sought-after supporting actors, making a string of memorable appearances in Take Off, Children…, The Client, Miss Granny, The Accidental Detective and the rest of it, Midnight Runners, The Great Battle, Pawn, Project Wolf Hunting, Hijack 1971, Forbidden Fairy Tale and Pretty Crazy.
On television, Sung Dong-il is particularly beloved for his portrayals of gruff but deeply endearing fathers. He leaves a lasting impression in the trilogy Reply (Reply 1997, Reply 1994 and Reply 1988), but also in The Slave Hunters, It’s Okay, That’s Love, The Legend of the Blue Sea, Prison Playbook, Ghost Doctor, If You Wish Upon Me, Curtain Call, Han River Police and The Tale of Lady Ok. At the same time, her appearance with her children on the reality TV show Dad! Where Are We Going? helps make him one of the most beloved figures among the general public.
In 2025, he joined the series The Art of Negotiation, Butterfly and Twelve, before making a cameo appearance in Typhoon Company. The following year, he is expected in Bloody Flower, makes an appearance in To the best of our ability and also participates in A Bona Fide Killer.
Thanks to his comedic talent, his humanity, and his remarkable versatility, Sung Dong-il has become one of the most iconic and respected character actors in South Korean film and television.
