Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I.

Infantrymen are land based soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are still the backbone of modern armies. Infantry units have more physically demanding training than other branches of armies, and place a greater emphasis on discipline, physical strength, fitness and spontaneous sustained aggression. The Infantryman himself, with or without his personal weapon is considered a weapon system.

Infantrymen are easily distinguished from soldiers trained to fight on horseback (cavalry), in tanks, or in technical roles such as armourers or signallers. Rudimentary infantry skills such as basic individual movement techniques, shooting positions and field craft are fundamental to the training of every soldier. Infantry can access and maneuver in terrain inaccessible to vehicles and tanks, and employ infantry support weapons that can provide firepower in the absence of artillery.

Since the end of the Second World War, the infantry has become a very small part of the Western world's armies. Typically between 5% and 30% of an army's personnel are trained infantry. Despite this number they may still represent one of the largest individual arms; with the exception of logistics and supply. Infantry numbers are vastly reduced from pre-WWII levels. For instance, in the United States Army of 2009, there were only approximately 49,000 Infantrymen^[1] out of about 565,000 active duty enlisted personnel.^[2][3] The Marine Corps has another 10,000-20,000 Infantrymen. This means that there are fewer than 70,000 Infantrymen in the entire US military. The US Air Force does not have infantry assets. The Russian Navy on the other hand employs a small number of troops, less than 2,000, as Infantrymen. This Naval Infantry functions as Marine Infantry which usually assault land objectives from the sea.

These lower infantry numbers reflect the greatly increased lethality and degree and type of training afforded modern Infantry regiments. This combined with a higher demand for technical and logistical specialists in Western armies. Western armies have increasingly complex technology based weapons systems which drive the demand for and the importance of logistics in modern armies

History[link]

Winfield Scott leading a line of American infantry at the Battle of Chippawa during the War of 1812.

Although the use of the term infantry in English dates from the 16th century, the foot troops of the previous eras in history who fought with a variety of weapons before the introduction of the firearms are also referred to as infantry. During the Ancient and Middle Ages Infantry were categorized by the types of weapons and armor they used, such as heavy, medium, and light infantry. Since the introduction of firearms classifications have changed initially to reflect their formations on the battlefield as line infantry, and later to reflect modes of transport and type of tactics used by specific units as Mechanized infantry or airborne infantry.

Role[link]

The role of the infantry is generally defined as being to locate and engage the enemy at close proximity and kill or injure them utilizing their rifle, bayonette, entrenching tool, or even their bare hands. for example:

• The Canadian Army Infantry role "is to close with and destroy the enemy" ^[4][5]
• The Australian Army defines the role of the infantry thus: "The role of the Infantry is to seek out and close with the enemy, to kill or capture him, to seize or hold ground and repel attack, by day or night, regardless of season, weather or terrain."^[6]
• The United States Army describes the mission of infantry: "The Infantry closes with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver in order to destroy or capture him or to repel his assault by fire, close combat, and counterattack."{FM7-8, Infantry Rifle Platoon And Squad}
• The infantry mission is "to close with and engage the enemy in all operational theatres and environments in order to bring about his defeat"^{[citation needed]}

All things considered these synopsize what the infantry does and has done throughout the ages, regardless of nationality, changes in technology, doctrine, tactics, etc.

Organization[link]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2012)

Australian infantry at Tobruk, Libya in 1941.

Infantry is notable by its reliance on organized formations to be employed in battle. These have been developed over time, but remain a key element to effective infantry development and deployment. Up into the 20th century, infantry units were for the most part employed in closely organized formations up until the actual moment of contact with the enemy. This was necessary to allow commanders to retain control of the unit, especially while maneuvering, as well as allowing officers to retain discipline amongst the ranks.

With the development of weapons with increased firepower, it became necessary to disperse soldiers in infantry units to make them less susceptible to high explosive and rapid fire weapons. From World War I, it was recognized that infantry were most successfully employed when using their ability to maneuver in constricted terrain and evade detection in ways not possible for other weapons such as vehicles. This decentralization of command was made possible by improved communications equipment and greater focus on small unit training.

Among the various subtypes of infantry is 'Medium infantry.' This refers to infantry which are less heavily armed and armored than heavy infantry, but more so than light infantry. In the early modern period, medium infantry were largely eliminated due to discontinued use of body armour up until the 20th century. In the United States Army, Stryker Infantry is considered Medium Infantry, since they are "heavier" than light infantry but "lighter" than mechanized infantry.

Doctrine[link]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2012)

Infantry doctrine is the concise expression of how infantry forces contribute to campaigns, major operations, battles, and engagements. It is a guide to action, not hard and fast rules.

Doctrine provides a very common frame of reference across the military forces allowing the infantry to function cooperatively in what is now called combined arms operations. Doctrine helps standardize operations, facilitating readiness by establishing common ways of accomplishing infantry tasks. Doctrine links theory, history, experimentation, and practice. Its objective is to foster initiative and creative thinking in the infantry's tactical combat environment.

Doctrine provides the infantry with an authoritative body of statements on how infantry forces conduct operations and provides a common lexicon for use by infantry planners and leaders.

Until development of effective artillery doctrines, and more recently precision guided air delivered ordnance, the most recent important role of the infantry has been as the primary force of inflicting casualties on the enemy through aimed fire. The infantry is also the only combat Arm which can ultimately decide whether any given tactical position is occupied, and it is the presence of infantry that assures control of terrain. While the tactics of employment in battle have changed, the basic missions of the infantry have not.

Retractions to the Infantry Concept: Although it has been argued that infantrymen and infantry tactics are an antiquated and careless use of military manpower and resources, the infantryman has proven quite capable against many units, some much more technological and modern. For instance, light infantry has proven to be extremely effective against tank units by being able to take advantage of a tank's limited field of fire and sight by swarming enemy armor units and utilizing anti-armor rockets at long range or grenades in close quarters. Furthermore, air bombardment that can flatten entire cities has been shown to be completely useless against a dug in infantry force. (see Battle of Stalingrad 1942-1943) Even an occupying enemy police force has been shown to be a poor match against a clandestine infantry that has secreted itself away in a civilian population. (see French Resistance WWII, Iraqi Insurgency, American Revolution) In fact, even during heavy occupation there is almost no offensive military response to a well trained dug in infantry force that results in certain victory. So long as a well trained, disciplined and determined infantry force stands the war is not won for the enemy and the hope for victory lives on for the underdogs.

Operations[link]

Canadian army reserve infantrymen train in urban operations.

Attack operations are the most basic role of the infantry, and along with defense, form the main stances of the infantry on the battlefield. Traditionally, in an open battle, or meeting engagement, two armies would maneuver to contact, at which point they would form up their infantry and other units opposite each other. Then one or both would advance and attempt to defeat the enemy force. The goal of an attack remains the same: to advance into an enemy-held objective and dislodge the enemy, thereby establishing control of the objective.

Attacks are often feared by the infantry conducting them because of the high number of casualties suffered while advancing to close with and destroy the enemy while under enemy fire. In mechanized infantry the armored personnel carrier (APC) is considered the assaulting position. These APCs can deliver infantrymen through the front lines to the battle and contribute heavy firepower to engage the enemy. Successful attacks rely on sufficient force, preparative reconnaissance and battlefield preparation with bomb assets. Retention of discipline and cohesion throughout the attack is paramount to success. A subcategory of attacks is the ambush, where infantrymen lie in wait for enemy forces before attacking at a vulnerable moment. This gives the ambushing infantrymen the combat advantage of surprise and causes confusion. The ambushed unit does not know what is up against or where they are attacking from.

Defense operations are the natural counter to attacks, in which the mission is to hold an objective and defeat enemy forces attempting to dislodge the defender. Defensive posture offers many advantages to the infantry, including the ability to use terrain and constructed fortifications to advantage and the reduced exposure to enemy fire compared with advancing forces. Effective defense relies on minimizing losses to enemy fire, breaking the enemy's cohesion before their advance is completed, and preventing enemy penetration of defensive positions.

Patrol is the most common infantry mission. Full scale attacks and defensive efforts are occasional, but patrols are constant. Patrols consist of small groups of infantry moving about in areas of possible enemy activity to locate the enemy and destroy them when found. Patrols are used not only on the front-lines, but in rear areas where enemy infiltration or insurgencies are possible.

Pursuit is a role that the infantry often assumes. The objective of pursuit operations is the destruction of enemy forces which are not capable of effectively engaging friendly units before they can build their strength to the point where they are effective. Infantry traditionally have been the main force to overrun these units in the past, and in modern combat are used to pursue enemy forces in constricted terrain (urban areas in particular), where faster forces, such as armored vehicles are incapable of going or would be exposed to ambush.

Escort consists of protecting support units from ambush, particularly from hostile infantry forces. Combat support units (a majority of the military) are not as well trained and have a very different mission than infantry units, they need the protection of the infantry. This is one of the most important roles for the modern infantry, in particular when operating along side armored vehicles. In this capacity, infantry essentially conducts patrol on the move, scouring terrain which may hide enemy infantry waiting to ambush friendly vehicles, and identifying enemy strong points for attack by the heavier units.

Canadian soldiers of the Royal 22e Régiment.

Maneuver operations consume much of an infantry unit's time. Infantry, like all combat arms units, are often maneuvered to meet battlefield needs, and often must do so under enemy attack. The infantry must maintain their cohesion and readiness during the move to ensure their usefulness when they reach their objective. Traditionally, infantry have relied on their own legs for mobility, but mechanised or armoured infantry often uses trucks and armored vehicles for transport, but can easily transition to light infantry, without vehicles, to access terrain which armored vehicles can't access.

Reconnaissance/intelligence gathering Surveillance operations are often carried out with the employment of small recon units or sniper teams which gather information about the enemy, reporting on characteristics such as size, activity, location, unit and equipment. These infantry units typically are known for their stealth and ability to operate for periods of time within close proximity of the enemy without being detected. They may engage high profile targets or be employed to hunt down terrorist cells and insurgents within a given area. These units may also entice the enemy to engage a located recon unit thus disclosing their location to be destroyed by larger combat assault forces.

Reserve assignments for infantry units involve deployment behind the front, although patrol and security operations are usually maintained in case of enemy infiltration. This is usually the best time for infantry units to integrate replacements into units and to maintain equipment. Additionally, soldiers can be rested and general readiness should improve. However, the unit must be ready for deployment at any point.

Construction can be undertaken either in reserve or on the front, but consists of using infantry troops as labor for construction of field positions, roads, bridges, airfields, and all other manner of structures. The infantry is often given this assignment because of the physical quantity of strong men within the unit, although it can lessen a unit's morale and limit the unit's ability to maintain readiness and perform other missions. More often, such jobs are given to specialist engineering corps.

Base defense is where infantry units are tasked to protect certain areas like command posts or airbases. Units assigned to this job usually have a large amount of military police attached to them for control of checkpoints and prisons.

Raid/Hostage Rescue Infantry units are trained to quickly mobilize, infiltrate, enter and neutralize threat forces when appropriate combat intelligence indicates to secure a location, rescue or capture high profile targets.

Urban Combat Urban combat poses unique challenges to the combat forces. It is one of the most complicated type of operations an infantry unit will undertake. With many places for the enemy to hide and ambush from, infantry units must be trained in how to enter a city, and systematically clear the buildings, which most likely will be booby trapped, in order to kill or capture enemy personnel within the city. Care must be taken to differentiate innocent civilians who often hide and support the enemy from the nonuniformed armed enemy forces. Civilian and military casualties both are usually very high. US Infantrymen fared very well in the urban combat, of Iraq, especially in the hand to hand close combat Fallujah, Iraq (2004). This clearly demonstrates the effectiveness and lethal nature of modern infantry training and techniques despite the mass use of civilians as shields and the posing of the enemy as civilians.

Daily life[link]

German Army mechanized infantry (Panzergrenadiers) on an alert post during an exercise in 2006.

Because of the very nature of the work, with firearms, explosives, physical-emotional stress, and genuine physical violence, casualties and or deaths are not uncommon in both war and in peacetime training or operations. It is a highly dangerous and demanding occupation.

The physical and mental demands on the Infantryman are extreme. All of the combat necessities such as ammunition, weapon systems, food, water, clothing and any shelter are literally carried on the backs of the infantrymen. Combat loads of over 36 kg (80 lbs) are standard and greater loads in excess of 45 kg (100 lbs) are very common. [2], [3] These heavy loads, combined with long forced foot marches and patrols of over 25 miles a day, in any climate from 43 degrees (110 Fahrenheit) heat to -29 degrees (-20 Fahrenheit) cold, demand the infantryman to be in extraordinary physical and mental shape. There is no escape from the climate. Infantrymen live and fight outside in all types of extreme brutal climates. This adds additional misery to an already very demanding job. Frost bite, heat stroke, trench foot, insect and wild animal bites are common. Due to these shared hardships experiences, infantrymen develop strong bonds and mutual respect with each other, in and out of the armed services. [4]

Despite these extreme physical demands, an infantryman is exceptionally disciplined; expected and highly trained to continue on with the combat mission despite personal loss of friends, fear, despair, fatigue and bodily injury. This is exemplified in the United States Army by an excerpt from the infantryman's creed:

In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous; Armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country's trust. Always I fight on: through the foe, to the objective, to triumph over all. If necessary, I fight to my death.^[7]

United States Army Rangers, a form of special operations light infantry, have their own Ranger Creed that demands faithful service from the infantryman even "...though I be the lone survivor."

Though the lethal combat skills attained by Infantryman have no real direct civilian correlation, valuable life skills that cannot be taught in any classroom, such as mental and physical toughness, discipline, courage, team work, initiative, loyalty, trustworthiness, empathy, stress management, "lead by example" leadership, as well as many others contribute to their success in the civilian job world; regardless of occupation. [5]

Foreign and domestic militaries typically have a slang term for their Infantrymen. In the U.S. military, the slang term among both Marine and Army Infantrymen for themselves is "grunt." Among themselves, a small close-knit community, it is a term or endearment which conveys shared experience and a life-long comraderie. Being called a "Grunt" by someone who has not been through the training, common experience and suffering of an Infantryman is considered disrespectful and insulting.

Working with individual and crew served weapon systems, hand to hand combatives, sensitive military information, physical and emotional rigors and devotion to the ideals of the country, make infantrymen good recruitment candidates for both government and private sector police, intelligence and spy agencies; especially if the individual has attained other important skills in language, computers, foreign policy and culture. Some Infantry units are considered Special Forces. The earliest Special Forces commando units were specially trained infantrymen with special equipment and missions. Special Forces Units, including Delta Force recruit heavily from Infantry units to fill their elite secretive ranks.

Equipment and Training[link]

Infantrymen are trained to march longer, think clearer, communicate better, shoot straighter, move faster, grieve shorter, and kill easier in sustained or intermittant combat than their trained enemy. This simply mean an Infantrymans training is unique and demands that they are led by a much higher standard. [6]

The Average cost of the initial training to become a US Infantryman costs well over $250,000. This excludes the meager pay and benefits. To train as an infantry specialist, such as an Infantry Sniper, will cost a considerable amount more. [7]

Although the capability of the American military to train and graduate infatrymen is considered sensitive information, the cost, time constraints and emphasis on combat competency ensures that they can not be mass produced without suffering from severely decreased physical/mental fitness, discipline and overall combat effectiveness.

The equipment of infantry forces has evolved along with the development of military technology and tactics in general, but certain constants remain regarding the design and selection of this equipment. Primary types of equipment are weaponry, protective gear, survival gear, and special, mission specific equipment.

Infantry weapons have included all types of personal weapons, i.e., anything that can be handled by individual soldiers, as well as some small crew-served weapons that can be carried. During operations, especially in modern times, the infantry often scavenge and employ whatever weapons and equipment they can acquire in addition to those given them by their available supply chain. Infantrymen may be trained to use equipment in addition to their personal rifle such as hand guns, shotguns, machine guns, anti-tank missiles, anti-personnel mines, other incendiary and explosive equipments, bayonets, GPS, map and compass, encrypted communications equipment, booby traps, surveillance equipment, night vision equipment, sensitive intelligence documents, classified weapon systems and other sensitive equipment.

Infantry of ancient times up until just before the modern age have wielded a wide array of weaponry. Infantry formations used all sorts of melee weapons, such as various types of swords, axes, and maces, as well as ranged weapons such as javelins, bows, and slings. Infantry of these premodern periods also employed a variety of personal body armor, including chain mail and cuirasses.

Many of the premodern infantry weapons evolved over time to counter these advances in body armor, such as the falchion, whose heavy blade was designed to break chain mail armor and engage the underlying individual.

Protective equipment and survival gear[link]

Infantry protective gear includes all equipment designed to protect the soldier against enemy attack. Most protective gear comprises personal armor of some type. Classical and medieval infantry employed leather and metal alloys for armor as defense against both ranged and melee attacks, but with the advent of firearms, such armor was no longer effective and was abandoned. The return to use of the helmet was prompted by the need to defend against high explosive fragmentation, and further developments in materials led to effective bullet-defeating armor within the weight acceptable for infantry use.

The use of personal body armor such as Kevlar is again becoming widespread amongst infantry units. Infantrymen must also often carry protective measures against chemical and biological attack, including gas masks, counter-agents, and protective suits. All of these protective measures add to the weight an Infantryman must carry and may decrease combat efficiency. Modern militaries are struggling to weigh personal body protection versus the weight burden and ability to move under such weight.

Infantry survival gear includes all of the items soldiers require for day-to-day survival in the combat environment. These include basic environmental protections, medical supplies, food, and sundries. As the amount of equipment a soldier can carry is very limited, efforts have been made to make equipment light and compact. Equipment is carried in tactical gear (such as ALICE), which should be comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, hamper movement as little as possible and be compatible with other things a soldier can be expected to carry, such as field radios and spare magazines. Infantry have suffered large casualty rates from disease, exposure, and privation—often in excess of those suffered from enemy attacks. Better equipment of troops in this area greatly reduce this rate of loss. One of the most valuable pieces of gear is the entrenching tool - basically a collapsible spade — which can be employed not only to dig important defenses, but also in a variety of other daily tasks and even as a weapon.

Specialized equipment consists of a variety of gear which may or may not be carried depending on the mission and the level of equipment of an army. Communications gear has become a necessity, as it allows effective command of infantry units over greater distances. In some units, individual communications are being used to allow the greatest level of flexibility. Engineering equipment, including demolitions, mines, and other gear, is also commonly carried by the infantry or attached specialists. A variety of other gear, often relating to a specific mission, or to the particular terrain in which the unit is employed, can be carried by infantry units.

Famous Historical Descriptions[link]

• "Let us be clear about three facts: First, all battles and all wars are won in the end by the infantryman. Secondly, the infantryman always bears the brunt. His casualties are heavier, he suffers greater extremes of discomfort and fatigue than the other arms. Thirdly, the art of the infantryman is less stereotyped and far harder to acquire in modern war than that of any other arm."^[8] Field Marshal Earl Wavell
• "I love the infantry because they are the underdogs. They are the mud-rain-frost-and-wind boys. They have no comforts, and they even learn to live without the necessities. And in the end they are the guys that wars can't be won without."^[9]Ernie Pyle
• "I'm convinced that the infantry is the group in the army which gives more and gets less than anybody else."^[10] Bill Mauldin, Up Front (1945)
• "Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime. Ask the infantry and ask the dead."^[11] Ernest Hemingway^[12]
• "The infantry doesn't change. We're the only arm [of the military] where the weapon is the man himself."^[13] C.T. Shortis
• "Ah, yes, mere infantry — poor beggars…"^[14] Plautus
• "The army's infantry is its most essential component. Even today, no army can take and hold any ground without the use of infantry."^[15] George Nafziger
• "The infantry is there so that when some die the generals know where to direct the artillery fire" (anonymous Japanese soldier, Iwo Jima)^{[verification needed]}
• "Aerial bombardment can obliterate, but only infantry can occupy" - a Finnish Army observation of the Operation Allied Force in the 1990s
• “I don’t know what effect these men will have upon the enemy, but, by God, they terrify me.” - the Duke of Wellington
• "Victory is still measured by foot" - The Indian Army
• “I don’t know why we have the Air Force and Navy. It's always up to the bloody infantry to get the job done." - Australian Soldier At Tobruk^{[citation needed]}

See also[link]

• Airborne infantry
• Light infantry
• Line Infantry
• Mounted infantry
• School of Infantry
• Naval Infantry

Citations and notes[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Infantry

References[link]

• English, John A., Gudmundsson, Bruce I., On Infantry, (Revised edition), The Military Profession series, Praeger Publishers, London, 1994 ISBN 0-275-94972-9
• The Times, Earl Wavell, Thursday, 19 April 1945 In Praise of Infantry
• Tobin, James, Ernie Pyle's War: America's Eyewitness to World War II, Free Press, 1997
• Mauldin, Bill, Ambrose, Stephen E., Up Front, W. W. Norton, 2000
• Trogdon, Robert W., Ernest Hemingway: A Literary Reference, Da Capo Press, 2002
• The New York Times, Maj Gen C T Shortis, British Director of Infantry, 4 February 1985
• Heinl, Robert Debs, Dictionary of Military and Naval Quotations, Plautus in The Braggart Captain (3rd century CE), Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1978
• Nafziger, George, Napoleon's Invasion of Russia, Presidio Press, 1998

External links[link]

• In Praise of Infantry, by Field-Marshal Earl Wavell; First published in "The Times," Thursday, 19 April 1945
• Web Version of U.S. Army Field Manual 3-21.8 – The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad
• The Lagunari “Serenissima” Regiment KFOR: KFOR Chronicle

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (July 2008)

John Wort Hannam is a Canadian folk musician, from Fort Macleod, Alberta. He was born on the Isle of Jersey of the British Channel Islands.^[1] John Wort Hannam is known for his story telling through music. Themes which are central to his music include life in Western Canada, and the human experience as seen through the eyes of simple working folk.^[2] John was a full-time public school teacher until 2000.^[3] He has performed at festivals in Canada, the United States, Great Britain and Australia and he appeared at the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C.. In addition to singing, John plays guitar, tenor guitar and harmonica.

Awards[link]

• 2007 New Folk Winner Kerrville Folk Festival
• 2007 Songwriting Competition Calgary Folk Music Festival
• 2006 Best Performance Calgary Folk Music Festival
• 2005 CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award Edmonton Folk Music Festival
• 2005 NCRA 2005 Dig Your Roots Songwriting Competition.^[4]
• 2004 Songwriting Competition Calgary Folk Music Festival

Discography[link]

• Queen's Hotel Sept. 15, 2009. Released on independent label Black Hen Music
• Two Bit Suit April 10, 2007. Released on independent label Black Hen Music
• Dynamite and ‘dozers. June 16, 2004
• Pocket full of holes. July 17, 2002

References[link]

External links[link]

• John Wort Hannam's web site
• John Wort Hannam's MySpace

Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin at his fan signing event on January 22, 2011.
Born	Kim Tae-pyung (1982-09-25) September 25, 1982 (age 29) Seoul, South Korea
Alma mater	Chung-Ang University[1]
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2003–present
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)[1]
Korean name
Hangul	현빈
Hanja	玄彬
Revised Romanization	Hyeonbin
McCune–Reischauer	Hyŏnbin
Birth name
Hangul	김태평
Hanja	金太平
Revised Romanization	Gim Tae-pyeong
McCune–Reischauer	Kim T'aep'yŏng
Website
hyun-bin.co.kr

Hyun Bin (Korean: 현빈) (born Kim Tae-pyung on September 25, 1982) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his lead roles in the TV dramas My Name is Kim Sam-soon in 2005, and Secret Garden in 2010.

Career[link]

Hyun Bin's acting career began when an official at an entertainment agency saw Hyun passing by on a motorcycle in high school and approached him. After his 2002 film Shower could not be released due to lack of funding, Hyun eventually made his debut in 2003 with the television series Bodyguard, followed by roles in the sitcom Nonstop 4 and quirky drama Ireland.^[2] He shot to stardom in the 2005 romantic comedy My Name is Kim Sam-soon with Kim Sun-ah. Sam-soon was a massive hit with average ratings of over 37% and 50.5% for the finale,^[3] for which Hyun won the Top Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards.

Mainstream success eluded Hyun in the next few years. His first film as a lead actor A Millionaire's First Love (written by Internet novelist Guiyeoni) flopped, as did TV melodrama The Snow Queen, a love story between a math genius-turned-boxer and a sheltered, pampered girl (Sung Yu-ri). Despite low ratings, 2008's The World That They Live In was well-received for its writing; he and Song Hye-kyo played TV producers struggling to create the perfect drama while still maintaining their relationship. He then portrayed a sociopath in the critically acclaimed gangster saga Friend, Our Legend, reportedly watching the original film 20 to 30 times.^[4][5][6][7]

In 2010 he saw a surge of fame with Secret Garden, a romantic fantasy about a fussy and arrogant department store owner and a penniless stunt woman (Ha Ji-won) who switch souls every time it rains.^[8][9] The show brought in 30% ratings and garnered much interest regarding its fashion, catchphrases and music, and Hyun was recognized at the SBS Drama Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards for his role.^[10] He also contributed to the soundtrack with "That Man", which peaked at number one in eight Korean music portals.^[11][12][13]

In February 2011 he walked the red carpet at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival where two of his films Come Rain, Come Shine and Late Autumn screened.^[14][15] He described the honor as his "happiest achievement."^[16][17]

In Late Autumn, an English-language remake shot in Seattle of the 1966 Lee Man-hee classic, Hyun played a man on the run who falls in love with a woman who is on special leave from prison (Chinese actress Tang Wei).^{[18][19][20][21]} It became the highest grossing Korean film released in China to date, taking in more than $9.5 million over two weeks, which is unprecedented for a melodrama.^[22] He received a good review from The Hollywood Reporter which stated, "it is Hyun who impresses more for not underplaying the dandy, narcissistic side of his personality."^[23]

On March 7, 2011, Hyun volunteered to serve his 21 months of compulsory military service in the Marine Corps, considered the toughest service branch.^{[24][25][26][27][28][29]} He is due to be discharged on December 16, 2012.^{[30][31][32][33][34]}

Personal life[link]

Hyun was born and raised in Seoul. He has an older brother. He graduated from Chung-Ang University in 2004 where he majored in Theater Studies. Since 2009 he has been enrolled at the same university for a master's degree.^[1]

In February 2006 Hyun began dating actress Hwang Ji-hyun, but they separated in March 2007.^[35]

In August 2009 Hyun confirmed that he was dating Song Hye-kyo, his co-star in The World That They Live In.^[36][37][38] In March 2011, hours after Hyun's military enlistment, his and Song's agencies confirmed speculation that the couple had broken up. According to the joint press release, "Both have been very busy shooting films and dramas both in and out of Korea, which inevitably caused them to grow apart. Excessive media scrutiny of their relationship put extra strain on them, and rumors of their split were a source of great stress. They did not have enough time to overcome these obstacles and the distance between them grew." With rumors of their separation circulating since the end of 2010, the agencies said the two split up in early 2011 but wanted to keep it secret for the time being "because neither of them wanted the public attention to be directed on their split instead of their professional work. Hyun also did not want a personal issue to interfere with his last days with his fans before starting his military service."^[39][40][41]

Filmography[link]

TV series[link]

Film[link]

Music video[link]

Discography[link]

Awards[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Hyun Bin Official Fan Club (Korean)
• Hyun Bin DC Gallery (Korean)
• Hyun Bin Daum Cafe (Korean)
• With Hyun Bin (English)