- published: 17 Jan 2015
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Shin Sung Rok (Korean: 신성록) is a South Korean actor. He appears in films and television series, but is most famous and active in musical theatre.
Shin Sung Rok had wanted to become an actor since high school, so when an injury cut short his career as an amateur basketball player (his brother is Shin Je Rok of the Anyang KT&G Kites), he decided to major in Theater and Film at Suwon University. He debuted in 2003, but found it difficult to find acting jobs since directors were reluctant to cast the 187 centimeter-tall aspiring actor in supporting or minor roles. Thinking he would have a better chance if he gained more acting experience and honed his craft on the stage, Shin switched gears and joined the theater company Hakchon.
When Shin performed in his first musical Moskito, there were only 20-25 audience members in the 500-seat hall. Despite feeling depressed and frustrated, he said the experience made him strong and helped him become an actor with plenty of guts.
While doing the musical Dracula, Shin was cast in his first substantial onscreen role, in the risqué cable drama Hyena. Supporting roles in dramas and films followed, notably in Thank You and My Life's Golden Years. He also appeared on the MBC dating reality show We Got Married as a couple with female comedian Kim Shin Young.
Kwon Ji Yong (Korean: 권지용, born August 18, 1988), better known by his stage name G-Dragon (Korean: 지드래곤), is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, producer and model.
After 6 years as a trainee under the record label YG Entertainment, G-Dragon officially debuted as the leader and one of two rappers for the Korean group Big Bang. G-Dragon has been involved with writing, composing and producing many of Big Bang's tracks, including "Lies", "Last Farewell", and "Haru Haru".
He released his debut solo album, Heartbreaker (2009), which yielded the number-one single of the same name. The album went on to become one of the most successful albums of the year, garnering sales of over 200,000 copies and winning the Mnet Asian Music Awards for Album of the Year. Heartbreaker also sparked major controversies for the artist, including accusations of plagiarism. After almost a year of hiatus, G-Dragon and bandmate, T.O.P collaborated to record and release the album GD & TOP (2010). The album saw the release of three singles: "High High," "Oh Yeah," and "Knock Out," all of which have charted within the top three positions of the Gaon chart, with "High High" becoming a chart-topper.