Namkoong was born on March 12, 1978, in Seoul. He has a brother, Namkoong Yoon. His father, Namkoong Hwon, was a principal of Sinneung Middle School (2005–2009). Namkoong was educated at Daeseong High School in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, and Ilsan Seongsa Elementary School. He graduated from the Chung-Ang University with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.[1] After his graduation on August 31, 2006, he worked as a Social Service Agent for 18 months atKorea Army Training Center in Nonsan.[citation needed]
Namkoong Min debuted as an actor in the filmBungee Jumping of Their Own as the protagonist's best friend, and subsequently appeared in the movieBad Guy as the female lead's boyfriend. In 2002, Namkoong featured in the sitcomDae Bak Family and attracted attention with his performance. Since then, he appeared in the television series and single-act dramas such asRose Fence,Pearl Necklace,Mould Flower andAfter Love. Namkoong also became known as "littleBae Yong-joon" due to his resemblance with the actor. In 2004, Namkoong starred in the KBS daily dramaMy Lovely Family, which garnered over 30% in ratings and led to increased recognition for the actor.[6][7][8]
Namkoong in 2017
Namkoong subsequently received acclaim withneo-noir filmA Dirty Carnival (2006),[9][10] and drew widespread notice for his performance in melodramaListen to My Heart (2011).[11][12] Namkoong subsequently returned with a changed mindset and new-found determination.[13] His efforts paid off when he achieved recognition for his villainous role as a serial killer inA Girl Who Sees Smells (2015),[14][15] and he won the Best Villain Award at the annual 2016 DramaFever Awards.[16] Since then, he has received praise for his performances in legal thrillerRemember: War of the Son (2015–2016) and romantic comedyBeautiful Gong Shim (2016).[17][18][19][20]
Namkoong's breakout role was in the hit comedy dramaGood Manager (2017), where he played the central protagonist.[21][22] Namkoong was praised for his "perfect amalgamation of character creation and acting" which contributed to the success of the drama.[23][20] He then starred in SBS's legal thrillerDistorted (2017), playing a trashy tabloid reporter with no work ethics.[24]
From 2019 to 2020, Namkoong starred in the sports television seriesHot Stove League.[28][29] The television series received positive reviews for its high quality script and attained high ratings.[30] He played the role of the new leader of the last-place team, the Dreams.Hot Stove League won56th Baeksang Arts Awards 2020 for best drama. Through that drama, he also received his first daesang/grand prize in his career from2020 SBS Drama Awards.
In September 2021, Namkoong decided to renew his contract with 935 Entertainment. This is the third contract renewal.[31]
Namkoong has been in a relationship with model Jin Ah-reum since late 2015, who he met while filming movieLight My Fire as a director and actress.[32] They married in a private ceremony on October 7, 2022, atHotel Shilla inSeoul.[33][34] The ceremony was attended by the couple's closest family and friends, including actorsJung Moon-sung as host, andTVXQ performed the congratulatory song.[35]
^abHwang Hye-jin (December 30, 2021)."남궁민, 대상에 오열→♥진아름 언급 "아름아 사랑해"[MBC 연기대상]" [Namgoong-min, a fever at Daesang → ♥ Jin Ah-reum mentions "I love you, beautiful" [MBC Acting Awards]] (in Korean). Newsen.Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. RetrievedDecember 30, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Cha, Hye-rin (December 30, 2023).[2023 MBC 연기대상] '연인' 남궁민, 이변 없이 대상 수상… "큐 사인이 가장 행복한 배우" [[2023 MBC Drama Awards] 'My Dearest' Namkoong Min wins the grand prize without any incidents..."Cue sign is the happiest actor"].MBC Entertainment (in Korean).Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. RetrievedDecember 30, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Kim Young-woong (September 15, 2021)."남궁민, 935엔터와 세 번째 계약 [공식]" [Namgoong-min, 3rd contract with 935 Entertainment [Official]].Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean).Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 15, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Jo Ji-young (February 25, 2016)."[단독] 남궁민, 모델 진아름과 7개월째 핑크빛 열애中" [[Exclusive] Namgoong-min and model Jin Ah-reum have been dating pink for 7 months].Sports Chosun (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. RetrievedOctober 2, 2022.
^Moon Ji-yeon (September 28, 2022)."[공식] 남궁민♥진아름 7년 연인→부부된다..10월 7일 신라호텔 결혼식" [[Official] Namgoong-min ♥ Jin Ah-reum 7 years lover → married..Silla Hotel wedding on October 7th].Sports Chosun (in Korean).Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. RetrievedSeptember 28, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Yoon Seong-yeol (October 7, 2022)."'진아름♥' 남궁민, 결혼식 현장 포착..입이 귀에 걸린 새신랑 [스타이슈]" ['Jin Ah-reum ♥' Namgoong-min captured the wedding scene.. New groom with his mouth stuck in his ear [Star Issue]].Star News (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. RetrievedOctober 7, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Jang, Jin-ri (October 7, 2022)."남궁민♥진아름, 결혼식 현장 공개...선남선녀 신랑신부→프러포즈 영상까지" [Namgoong-min ♥ Jin Ah-reum, wedding scene revealed... A good man and a beautiful bride and groom → Proposal video].Spots TV News (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. RetrievedOctober 7, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Seong Jeong-eun."남궁민, 웰메이드 모델 발탁" [Namkoong Min selected as a WELLMADE model] (in Korean). Maeil Economy.Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 6, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Hong Se-young (March 29, 2022)."남궁민 '천원짜리 변호사' 출연확정, 하반기 방영 [공식]" [Namgoong-min confirmed to appear in 'A Thousand Dollar Lawyer', aired in the second half [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga.Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. RetrievedMarch 29, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Yeon Hwi-seon (March 18, 2023)."'모범택시2'에 '천원짜리 변호사'가 왜 나와? 이제훈, 남궁민 만날까 [Oh!쎈 예고]" [Why is the '1,000 won lawyer' appearing in 'Exemplary Taxi 2'? Shall we meet Lee Je-hoon and Namgoong-min [Oh! Strong Notice]] (in Korean). Osen.Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. RetrievedMarch 18, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Yeon Hwi-seon (December 27, 2022)."남궁민, '천변' 한 달 만에 또 열일...차기작 안은진과 '연인' 대본리딩 [Oh!쎈 레터]" [Namgoong-min, 'Cheongbyeon' another 10 days in a month... Next film 'Lovers' script reading with Ahn Eun-jin [Oh!Ssen Letter]] (in Korean). Osen.Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. RetrievedDecember 27, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Yoo, Won-jeong (September 27, 2024).남궁민×전여빈 '우리 영화'로 간절한 멜로 완성 [Namkoong Min x Jeon Yeo Bin Complete a Heartfelt Melodrama with 'Our Movie'] (in Korean).No Cut News. RetrievedDecember 16, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Kang Seon-ae (December 9, 2025)."'천원짜리 변호사' 남궁민X김지은, '키스는 괜히 해서!'에 떴다…특급 카메오 출연" ['One Dollar Lawyer' Namgoong Min X Kim Ji-eun appear in 'Dynamite Kiss'...Special cameo appearance].SBS Entertainment (in Korean). RetrievedDecember 11, 2025.
^Shin Young-seon (December 9, 2025)."남궁민・김지은, 10일 '키스는 괜히 해서!' 특급 카메오 출격…'천변 캐릭터' 그대로" [Namgoong Min・Kim Ji-eun, special cameo in 'Dynamite Kiss' on the 10th...'One Dollar Lawyer characters' as is].Sports Hankook (in Korean). RetrievedDecember 11, 2025.
^"'천변' 남궁민X김지은, '키스는 괜히 해서!' 카메오 출격…유쾌한 티키타카 폭발" ['One Dollar Lawyer' Namgoong Min X Kim Ji-eun cameo in 'Dynamite Kiss'...Pleasant chemistry explosion].News1 (in Korean). December 8, 2025. RetrievedDecember 11, 2025.
^Yoo, Ji-hee (May 13, 2025).[단독] '흥행 보증수표' 남궁민, 납치된 아내 구한다...결혼 스릴러 로맨스 도전 [[Exclusive] 'Box Office King' Namkoong Min to Save Kidnapped Wife...Taking on a Married-Life Thriller Romance].Ilgan Sports (in Korean). RetrievedJanuary 22, 2026.
^Kim Jae-won (August 31, 2022)."2022 에이판 스타 어워즈, 각 부문 후보자(작) 공개" [2022 APAN Star Awards, nominees (works) in each category revealed] (in Korean). Sports World.Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. RetrievedAugust 31, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (May 7, 2024).'무빙'→'서울의 봄' 대상..'파묘'는 4관왕 [제60회 백상예술대상][종합] ['Moving' → 'Seoul Spring' Grand Prize..'Buried Grave' wins 4 awards [60th Baeksang Arts Awards] [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News.Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. RetrievedMay 7, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Kim Ji-woo (December 21, 2022)."뜨거웠다' 박해일, 박은빈 그리고 손석구" ['It Was Hot' Park Hae-il, Park Eun-bin and Son Seok-gu] (in Korean).Sports Kyunghyang.Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Park Soo-seon (April 14, 2021)."제33회 한국PD대상, '너를 만났다'‧'스토브리그' 등 15편 수상" [The 33rd Korean PD target, 'I met you, "awarded 15 of the" Stove League].pdjournal (in Korean).Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. RetrievedJune 11, 2021.
^Yoo Da-yeon (December 30, 2023)."'연인' 남궁민, 이변없는 대상 수상..."김성용 PD님, 지긋지긋해도 계속 함께하면 영광"[2023 MBC 연기대상]" ['Lovers' Namgoong Min wins the grand prize without any surprise... "Producer Kim Seong-yong, it's an honor to continue to be with you even if you're sick of it" [2023 MBC Drama Awards]].Sports Seoul (in Korean).Naver.Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. RetrievedDecember 30, 2023.
^Yoo Da-yeon (December 30, 2023)."'연인' 남궁민·안은진, 베스트 커플상 수상..."가장 받고 싶었던 상" [2023 MBC 연기대상]" ['Lovers' Namgoong Min and Ahn Eunjin win Best Couple Award... "The award I most wanted to receive" [2023 MBC Drama Awards]].Sports Seoul (in Korean).Naver.Archived from the original on December 31, 2023. RetrievedDecember 30, 2023.
^Oh Yoon-joo (December 30, 2022)."SBS 연기대상' 대상 후보 5人...영광의 주인공 누구?" [5 candidates for the 'SBS Drama Awards'... Who is the hero of glory?].My Daily (in Korean).Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. RetrievedDecember 30, 2022 – viaNaver.
^'사내맞선' 안효섭, 미니시리즈 코미디/로맨스 부문 최우수 연기상 수상! #2022SBS연기대상 #SBSdrama [Ahn Hyo-seop from 'Company Match' won the best acting award in the mini-series comedy/romance category! #2022 SBS Drama Awards #SBSdrama] (in Korean). SBS Drama. December 31, 2022. Event occurs at 0:01.Archived from the original on December 31, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 1, 2023 – via YouTube.
^Park, Jung-seon (December 31, 2022)."남궁민, 'SBS 연기대상' 디렉터즈어워드 수상" [Namgoong Min, 'SBS Drama Awards' Director's Award Winner] (in Korean).JTBC.Archived from the original on December 31, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 1, 2023 – viaNaver.
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^"2024 파워 셀러브리티 40 | 종합순위" [2024 Power Celebrity 40 | Overall Rank].Central City Centre. April 23, 2024. RetrievedApril 29, 2024.
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