Ready for Gong Yoo in Manila? Here Are 10 Things You Might Not Have Known About Him

This November 21, South Korean superstar Gong Yoo will make his way to Manila for the Philippine leg of his 2026 GONG YOO ASIA FANMEETING TOUR at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Whether you’re a longtime K-drama fan or simply familiar with some of the biggest names in Korean entertainment, chances are you already know Gong Yoo. Over the years, the actor has become one of South Korea’s most recognizable stars, with a dedicated following in the Philippines.

From his memorable roles in hit dramas and films to his growing presence on the global entertainment scene, Gong Yoo has continued to captivate audiences around the world. His Manila fan meet is a chance for Filipino fans to see the beloved actor up close and celebrate his remarkable career.

Ahead of his Manila fan meeting, here are 10 things you should know about Gong Yoo.

Born and raised in Busan, South Korea, Gong Ji-cheol, professionally known as Gong Yoo, was born on July 10, 1979, making him 47 years old this year.

The award-winning actor also gives fans a glimpse into his personal life through his official Instagram account, where he occasionally shares behind-the-scenes moments from his acting projects and other updates. Fans can follow him at @gongyoo_official.

Growing up in Busan, Gong Yoo was raised alongside his older sister by their parents, Gong Won and Yoo Myung-joo.

His father, Gong Won, attended Busan Sango, a baseball academy, before serving as manager of the Lotte Giants from 1983 to 1985.

Gong Yoo completed his middle and high school education in Busan, attending Naesung Middle School before moving on to Dongin High School.

For college, he moved to Seoul to attend Kyung Hee University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater.

Everything for Gong Yoo started in the 2000s. After earning his college degree, Gong Yoo started his show business career in 2000 as a video jockey on Mnet and debuted as an actor in the 2001 TV series School 4.

Thereafter, Gong Yoo did several supporting roles in dramas and movies and also hosted the music program Music Camp in 2004.

When it comes to Gong Yoo’s breakout role, few projects are as memorable as the MBC romantic comedy drama Coffee Prince. The 2007 series became a major turning point in his career, establishing him as one of South Korea’s leading actors.

Gong Yoo starred as Choi Han-gyeol, the intelligent and fiercely independent grandson of the chairwoman of Dongin Foods, a company with a thriving coffee business. Despite coming from a wealthy family, Han-gyeol dislikes being tied down to a single career and values his independence.

Beyond South Korea, Coffee Prince became a global hit, reaching audiences in countries including the Philippines and inspiring several remakes and adaptations. The drama was remade in Thailand and the Philippines in 2012, followed by a Malaysian version in 2017. In 2018, China also produced its own remake, Prince Coffee Lab, directed by Kang Shin-hyo, known for The Heirs.

Following the success of Coffee Prince, Gong Yoo saw a surge in opportunities, taking on various projects beyond acting. One of these was the radio program 20 O’Clock, When Gong Yoo Is Waiting, where he took on the role of DJ.

Gong Yoo hosted the radio show from 2008 to 2009, with the program airing a total of 371 episodes.

Although Gong Yoo had already established himself as a popular actor through Coffee Prince, his career reached new heights in 2016 when he headlined two of South Korea’s biggest screen hits of the year.

He starred in the zombie thriller Train to Busan, which became a major box-office success after drawing more than 11 million moviegoers in South Korea. The film also performed strongly overseas, eventually earning more than $98 million worldwide.

Later that year, Gong Yoo returned to television with the fantasy-romance drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, also known as Goblin. The series became a cultural phenomenon, while his portrayal of the titular goblin earned him the Best Actor award at the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards.

Gong Yoo has made the prestigious Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list three times, which recognizes 40 of the most influential figures in South Korea’s entertainment and sports industries.

The annual ranking considers several factors, including achievements in their respective fields, media exposure, social media presence, public appearances, and earnings from the previous year.

Gong Yoo first entered the list at No. 27 in 2017, followed by No. 24 in 2018. He returned to the ranking in 2025, rising to No. 15.

Gong Yoo has built an acclaimed career in South Korea, earning numerous accolades for his performances across television and film, including at least 14 major acting awards.

Among his notable wins is the Best Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for his performance in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. He has also received acting honors at the MBC Drama Awards, including the Special Award for One Fine Day in 2006 and the Excellence Award for Coffee Prince in 2007.

On the big screen, Gong Yoo received the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the Korea Film Actors Association Awards in 2016 for his performance in A Man and a Woman.

Gong Yoo, as known by his fans, is a devoted fur dad to two cats: Kongkong, a white Scottish Fold, and Mao, an Egyptian Mau.

However, sad news was announced in August 2026, as Kongkong—Gong Yoo’s first pet cat and companion of 15 years—passed away. Kongkong was beloved by fans and famously appeared in commercials and Gong Yoo’s social media updates.

“Because you were my first, I worried about you more. I liked that you resembled me… but I don’t know how you felt. Thank you for staying by my side for so long. Let’s definitely meet again. I miss you!” he wrote.

Lead photos from @management_soop