This is a list of famous Koreans or famous people of Korean descent. For easy reference, the hangul spelling of each person's name is provided alongside his or her romanized name. Note: In Korean names, the family name is placed first (for example, the family name of "Kim Dae-jung" is "Kim"), unless the person has decided to Westernize his or her name. [edit] Artists [edit] Models [edit] Visual artists [edit] Actors, actresses and entertainers [edit] Filmmakers [edit] Poets and authors [edit] Musicians [edit] Fashion Designers [edit] Businesspeople [edit] Historical leaders - Dangun Wanggeom, Founder of first Korean kingdom Gojoseon.
- King Gwanggaeto the Great, 19th ruler of King of Goguryeo who brought the empire to its military height.
- Eulji Mundeok, 6th century Goguryeo general who repelled a vast Chinese infantry invasion.
- Yang Manchun, Goguryeo general who repelled a massive Tang army at the Siege of Ansi Fortress, leading to Tang Taizong's first defeat.
- Yeon Gaesomun, the first Dae Mangniji ("Great Prime Minister") of Goguryeo, and military dictator.
- King Munmu, 30th king of the Silla dynasty, unifier of the three Kingdoms.
- King Go, founder of Balhae, a state in ancient Manchuria and Northern Korean Peninsula.
- Emperor Taejo, founder of the Goryeo Dynasty.
- Gang Gam-chan, military commander during the early Goryeo Dynasty.
- King Gongmin, king of Goryeo Dynasty who expelled Mongolians from Korea.
- King Taejo, the founder and first king of the Joseon Dynasty.
- King Sejong the Great, invented the native Korean alphabet hangul.
- Yi Sun-sin, respected as one of the greatest admirals and military leaders in world history.
- King Jeongjo, 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty, called the reformation ruler in Korea.
- Empress Myeongseong, one of the prominent queens of Korea, the first official wife of Emperor Gojong.
- An Jung-geun, Korean independence activist, and assassinated Japanese Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi.
- Ahn Chang-ho, Korean independence activist.
- Kim Gu, Korean independence activist and the sixth and last president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.
[edit] Politicians - Ban Ki-moon 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations
- Chang Myon Prime Minister, 1960-1961
- Choi Kyu-ha President, 1979-1980
- Chun Doo-hwan President, 1980-1988
- Chung Mong-jun
- Kim Dae-jung President, 1998-2003
- Kim Il-sung North Korean Communist , 1948-1993
- Kim Jong-il North Korean Communist , 1993-present
- Kim Jong-pil
- Kim Gu (1876-1949), patriot and the sixth and last president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.
- Kim Young-sam President, 1993-1998
- Lee Myung-bak President, 2008-Present
- Lee Beom-seok
- Lee Hoi-chang
- Lee Hun Jai
- Lee Hae-chan
- Lyuh Woon-Hyung
- Park Chung-hee Military ruler, 1961-1963; President, 1963-1979
- Rhee Syng-man President, 1948-1960
- Roh Moo-hyun President, 2003-2008
- Roh Tae-woo President, 1988-1993
- Yun Bo-seon President, 1960-1962
[edit] Religious leaders [edit] Scholars [edit] Scientists and engineers [edit] Athletes - Dong Keun Park, Legendary Taekwondo Champion of the 1960s[1]
- Ahn Jung-Hwan, footballer in Bundesliga MSV Duisburg
- Choo Shin-Soo, MLB player, plays for the Cleveland Indians
- Cha Bum-Kun, footballer in Bundesliga
- Hong-Man Choi, K-1 Professional KickBoxer
- Hee Seop Choi, former MLB player, currently plays in South Korea's Professional Baseball League.
- Hong Myung-Bo, footballer
- Ha Seung-Jin, Professional basketball player currently playing in the development league.
- Byung-Hyun Kim, MLB player-plays for the Florida Marlins
- Mi Hyun Kim, LPGA Player
- Sun-Woo Kim, baseball player.
- Lee Chun-Soo, footballer
- Lee Seung-Yeop, NPB baseball player
- Lee Hyung-Taik, tennis player
- Lee Yong-Kyu, baseball player
- Moon Dae-Sung, 2004 Olympic Taekwon-Do Gold medalist
- Nam Sung-yong, marathoner
- Angela Park, Brazilian golfer on the LPGA tour
- Chan-ho Park, MLB player who pitches for the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies
- Park Ji-Sung, footballer in English club Manchester United. First ever Korean to win the Barclays Premier League.
- Se Ri Pak, LPGA Player
- Seol Ki-hyeon, footballer in English club Fulham F.C.
- Sohn Kee-chung, Olympic Marathon gold medallist
- Birdie Kim (born Kim Ju-yun), LPGA player and 2005 Women's Open champion
- Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver; Super Bowl XL MVP
- Toby Dawson, 2006 Olympic Mogul skiing Bronze medalist
- Jeannie Kim, aka "Lotus" WOW wrestler
- Steve Small, aka "Stevo" WOW wrestler
- Peter F. Bell, Australian rules football player
- Michelle Wie, LPGA player
- Jeanette Lee, WPBA professional pool player
- Joo Se Hyuk, Table tennis, defensive chopper
- Jim Paek, Pro ice hockey player
- Richard Park, Pro ice hockey player
- Myung Jae Nam Hapkido master, founder of Hankido (1938-1999)
- In Jin Chi Professional boxer, a former WBC world champion
- Ki Soo Kim Professional boxer, the first Korean world champion (WBA, WBC)
- Eugene Chung former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League
- John Lee All-American placekicker for the UCLA Bruins football team from 1982-1985. He was the 32nd pick selected in the 1986 NFL draft and later played 1 year for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was inducted to the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
- Denis Kang MMA middle-weight fighter
- Park Tae-hwan Swimmer
- Jong Song-Ok, North Korean; championship of Marathon in 1999
- Park Sung-Hyun Olympic medal winner Archery
- Eric Bigornia Karate master, Escrima black belt, mixed-martial artist
- Kim Yu-Na figure skater
[edit] See also [edit] References
[edit] External links |
