Outline
Korean actor Ma Dong-seok is a Korean-American actor and producer who is active in both South Korea and the United States. He was born and raised in Korea before immigrating to the United States and becoming a naturalized citizen.
With a rugged and charismatic appearance, massive 20-21-inch biceps, robust and well-built physique, and a prominent back, he embodies the image of the ultimate tough guy among tough guys. He has primarily taken on roles such as macho men, powerful detectives, gangsters, and former martial arts fighters. However, he doesn't stop there and also effortlessly portrays comedic characters with a hint of vulnerability. Utilizing these character traits, he has appeared in delivery app commercials, game advertisements, and even cosmetics commercials.
In 2021, he officially announced his marriage to model Ye Jung-hwa, with whom he had been in a public relationship, and became a married man
Profile
Name: Ma Dongseok (Don Lee)
Birthdate: March 1, 1971 (age 52)
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Nationality: South Korean (1971-1989), American (since 1989)
Physical Attributes: Height: 178cm, Weight: 100kg, Blood Type: O
Family: Parents, Younger Brother
Spouse: Actress Ye Jung-hwa (Married since 2021 - present)
Education: Columbus State Community College (Bachelor's degree in Sports Management)
Agency: Big Punch Entertainment
Debut: Film "The Legend of Wind" (2004)
Religion: None (Atheist)
Nicknames: Mayomi, Marvely, Mappeun-i (Naughty)
Notable Affiliations: Honorary Police Sergeant, Director of the Korean Arm Wrestling Federation
Pre-debut activities
Ma Dongseok was born in Korea and spent his early childhood there. In 1989, at the age of 18, he immigrated to the United States with his parents and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. In the U.S., he resided in various locations such as San Antonio, Texas; Great Falls, Montana; Columbus, Ohio; and Los Angeles, California. Montana was such a remote and rural place that even Americans recognized it as a "redneck" countryside, with very few Koreans.
Ma Dongseok himself would jokingly refer to himself as "a guy from the American countryside." In the past, while in the United States, he worked as a personal trainer, and during that time, he worked as a personal weight trainer for retired professional fighter Mark Coleman, even sharing a friendly relationship where Mark Coleman jokingly encouraged him to pursue a career in professional sports. Later, in 2002, at the age of 30, Ma Dongseok returned to Korea after successfully auditioning for the Korean film "Heaven's Soldiers," marking the beginning of his acting career in earnest
activity
The work that first drew public attention to him was the 2008 film "Beastie Boys." He played the role of a loan shark in Gangnam, and the scene where he cruelly smashes the protagonist's finger bones with a monkey wrench in front of the protagonist's lover, smoothly digesting it, created rumors that he had actually recruited a real gangster.
Afterwards, he gradually gained recognition through films like "The Unjust" "Nameless Gangster: Rules of Time," and truly began to make a name for himself starting with the 2012 film "The Neighbors" It was a commercial success, and his portrayal of a character who defeats a vicious murderer stood out the most, receiving a lot of enthusiastic responses. He was so good at playing a gangster that there were reactions like "It's the first time a murderer looks pitiful."
Among these films, the one that brought him the most attention was "Train to Busan" Playing the role of Yoon Sanghwa, he perfectly showcased the essence of a tough guy, fearlessly wielding a baseball bat and overpowering zombies without flinching.
However, he didn't know how to change his ringtone and ended up using "Olympic Victory Korea" as his ringtone, and he effectively built an image of being endlessly warm to his wife and the weak. Later, he appeared as the owner of Seoul's Myeongdong Artbox in the OCN drama "Bad Guys" and the film "Veteran," creating a unique character that combines masculine and cute charms.
Despite his rough and intimidating appearance and roles, he occasionally reveals a cute and kind side, earning nicknames like "Marble" and "Marppun." Previously, he was mostly called Marble, but after an interview where his co-star Kim Hye-soo called him Marppun during the 2016 film "Familyhood," he is also often referred to as Marppun
On November 18, 2016, it was revealed that he was in a three-month relationship with TV personality and trainer Ye Junghwa. While he had appeared in many successful supporting roles, he had mostly failed as a lead actor without any clear box office hits.
However, in 2017, "The Outlaws" surpassed expectations by attracting over 6.88 million viewers, even though it was rated as "Restricted" for viewers under 19, finally giving him a successful leading role. The common feedback from audiences who watched the film was that it was a movie where they didn't have to worry about the safety of the protagonist. Afterwards, he faced criticism for rapidly consuming similar-image lead characters in a short period, leading to the perception of an assembly-line production of Ma Dong-seok films.
Examples of such films include "Champion," "Wonderful Ghost," and "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil." However, he continued to add another box office success to his filmography with "Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days," and in films like "The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos," "The Outlaws: The Movie," he built his distinct image as a leading character. With films like "Start-Up" and "Ashfall," he achieved continuous success with different character roles, showcasing his ticket-selling power in the late 2010s.
In 2019, there were tweets and articles stating that he was under consideration for a role in Marvel Studios' film "Eternals," and it was confirmed at Comic-Con later that year. The Marvel Studios tweet revealed that his role would be Gilgamesh.
In 2022, "City of Crime 2" recorded a box office success in South Korea, surpassing 10 million viewers for the first time in about three years since the outbreak of COVID-19
acting ability
Ma Dong-seok's greatest strength as an actor is his naturalness. The reason he is loved by the public is that, in addition to the plot of the film, he shows a certain level of acting ability in handling heavy themes with a sense of dialogue and ad-libbing that is not burdensome.
The image that the public mostly associates with him is mainly related to crime, such as police or gangster roles, which match his visual appearance. He portrays a tough attitude towards criminals and zombies, showing no hesitation in the use of force. However, he also excels in portraying ordinary citizens, especially characters of children and teenagers, with a slightly quirky yet endearing charm, which is why he gained the nickname "Marble" due to this dualistic portrayal.
However, there are quite a few misunderstandings that people have about him. Due to his unique and striking visual appearance, there is sometimes a misconception that his acting may be one-dimensional. By "one-dimensional," it can be said that his acting is focused on action as an action-dedicated actor, or that it is limited to fitting the visual image of a tough character or, on the opposite spectrum, portraying cute characters that don't seem to match his popularity with the public.
Similar to Ma Dongseok, there have been cases like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Dwayne Johnson, who were primarily involved in sports but transitioned to acting, and they have been criticized for lacking depth and being simplistic in their performances. In a similar context, there are cases where similar evaluations are made.
However, in the case of Ma Dongseok, this is a highly misguided prejudice. His unique physique, strong vocal tone, and distinctive facial expressions may give the impression that his characters are limited to what meets the eye, but this is the inherent uniqueness that can be seen in renowned actors like Choi Min-sik, Han Suk-kyu, and Kim Yoon-seok. Casting actors who align with the acting image from the start naturally leads Ma Dong-seok to primarily portray rough and rugged characters.
The perception of a narrow acting spectrum is inevitable when similar types of characters are consistently cast. Furthermore, someone like Ma Dongseok has the ability to handle a relatively wide spectrum of roles and can bring different atmospheres to gangster or detective roles depending on the film. The assessment that he has limitations in portraying more complex and profound characters with depth is also a prejudice. It is a kind of bias to assume that gangsters or detectives should only display a simplistic and uneducated appearance.
When an actor takes on a role, they should consider the character's growth process and the plausibility of why they possess such a personality, adding depth to their performance. While action films may require less intricate acting compared to films focused on internal struggles, roles that emphasize inner emotions necessitate this meticulous analysis in the acting process. In Ma Dongseok's case, he can be seen as an actor who effectively portrays such plausibility and delivers performances with depth.
Indeed, Ma Dongseok has showcased his acting abilities in various films, including notable examples. In "The Unjust" (2012), although he plays a corrupt detective, he manages to portray a character with a sense of duty and humanity, displaying a more relatable side.
Similarly, in "Nameless Gangster: Rules of Time" (2012), he starts off as a martial artist but is drawn into the world of organized crime by his brother-in-law. However, when faced with real gangsters, he proves to be powerless compared to his self-proclaimed bravado, resulting in him being taken advantage of.
In "The Chronicles of Evil" (2015), he embodies the warmth of a neighborhood brother while maintaining a sense of justice as a detective. These films highlight his ability to convey emotional scenes, proving that he is undoubtedly a skilled actor. In "38 Task Force" (2016), he effectively portrays an ordinary and timid middle-aged civil servant.
Awards
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Work |
| 2013 | 49th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Supporting Actor | The Neighbors |
| 18th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival | It Star Award | ||
| 2017 | 8th Korean Film Producers Association Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Train to Busan |
| 2018 | Golden Egg Awards | Best Actor | The Outlaws |
| 2nd China-Korea Film Festival | Best Actor | ||
| 2022 | 12th Beautiful Artist Awards | Grand Prize | The Outlaws 2 |
| 9th Korean Film Producers Association Awards | Best Actor |
Please note that some entries may be missing specific award ceremonies or categories.
digression
- I am currently training Mark Coleman, the former UFC champion, in weight training. I used to work as a personal trainer in the past. During that time, he possessed incredible strength, weighing 120kg, with 23-inch (58.4cm) forearms and 25.8-inch (65.5cm) thighs, capable of bench pressing 220kg.
I have also worked as a weight trainer for MMA fighters Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman, and you can tell from the photos I posted on Twitter that their bodies are no joke. Although I may not have the best physique compared to the so-called "bodybuilder" celebrities, as I have a slight belly, it's because my muscles are covered by a layer of body fat, but they are still impressive muscles.
If you actually look for past photos of me, you can see well-defined abs and a friendly face that is no less than that of most fitness actors. Since I decided to focus on acting, I haven't been reducing my muscle mass or doing fat cutting in order to maintain a plump image. However, if I set my mind to it and start managing my body fat, I could achieve a remarkable definition.
In the movie "The Outlaws," I had a bulked-up appearance, much bigger than what you see in the media. There are scenes where I couldn't apply muscle pain lotion to the back of my arms because they were too thick, so I ask my fellow investigators to do it for me, and another scene where the grandson of the Chinese restaurant owner applies ointment to me. - There is a widespread rumor that claims Ma Dongseok was a martial arts coach, but in reality, he was a weight trainer. While it is true that Ma Dong-seok learned wrestling during his time in college, he never professionally trained in mixed martial arts, and the Hammer House, where Mark Coleman was affiliated, trained at a separate gym under contract with other sports facilities, so they rarely had separate martial arts coaches. At that time, there were only four athletes affiliated with the Hammer House. However, in an interview related to the movie "The Outlaws," Ma Dong-seok mentioned that he had practiced boxing for a long time as a hobby.
Furthermore, the rumored incident involving an offer to become a professional athlete was simply a humorous exchange between Ma Dong-seok and Coleman during a drinking session. Coleman jokingly said, "I'll pay you if you become my junior and compete as an athlete." Ma Dong-seok responded, "I earn more as a trainer than as an athlete. Especially becoming your junior, no, no." Then Coleman jokingly said, "Oh, I thought I could bribe you with $5 and make you change your mind." It was a playful back-and-forth conversation like that. - Despite his impressive physique, Ma Dongseok personally performs action scenes, but it has been reported that he uses a stunt double for scenes involving running down stairs due to his knee condition, which is not very good.
- According to his agency, Ma Dongseok, with his 21-inch biceps and large build, typically wears a size 4XL for clothing.
- Due to his love for dogs and cats, Ma Dongseok has earned the nickname "Mayomi," which is a combination of "mayo" (meaning dog in Korean) and "mi" (short for "meo," meaning cat in Korean).
- It has been said that Ma Dongseok is afraid of chicks. He finds them scary because he worries that he might accidentally crush them and they might explode. However, after this episode became widely known, he clarified that his statement about being scared was meant to convey that he is cautious when handling such delicate animals, as they are quite fragile. In the movie "Love 911 (2012)," during the scene with chicks on the roadside, he felt flustered, fearing that he might step on them or cause any harm. These aspects of his personality have unexpectedly endeared him to female audiences as well.
- Ma Dongseok has become the exclusive model for the popular delivery app in Korea called "Baedaltong."
- The photo you provided is from when Ma Dongseok was 16 years old in Korean age, which would be equivalent to high school freshman or sophomore in Korea (grades 10 or 11). Comparing him to other celebrities of the same age, such as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, it's clear that Ma Dongseok has significantly transformed his appearance. He has made remarkable changes that make it difficult to compare his current appearance to his younger self.
- Ma Dongseok is an excellent drummer. No, he's incredibly skilled. He effortlessly handles double pedal techniques, showcasing his talent. It seems he was involved in band activities when he was younger. During the filming of the movie "A Violent Prosecutor," his character was not supposed to be good at playing the drums, but Ma Dong-seok surprised the director with his exceptional drumming skills.
- It has been reported that Ma Dongseok is currently undergoing consistent rehabilitation due to past injuries.
- Thanks to his characters in movies like "Train to Busan" and other works, as well as his physical presence, Ma Dong-seok is becoming increasingly recognized as the "Chuck Norris" of South Korea within the subculture community.
- During the world premiere of his first Marvel film, "Eternals," actor Ma Dongseok attended the event alongside his girlfriend, broadcast personality Ye Junghwa, with whom he has been publicly dating for five years. Ma Dongseok had a friendly exchange with Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, who also stars in "Eternals," before introducing Ye Jung-hwa. Angelina Jolie approached Ye Jung-hwa and embraced her warmly
- It has been reported that Ma Dongseok usually loses over 10kg before filming movies or dramas due to his large build. However, in the movie "The Outlaws," he chose to film without losing weight in order to showcase better action scenes with his original body. During the filming of "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil," he was estimated to weigh around 95kg.
- It is true that Ma Dongseok has slightly crossed eyes. When watching edited videos, it can be observed that his eyes don't align perfectly. Moreover, his astigmatism accentuates the appearance of crossed eyes. The issue is that this characteristic can make his already intense appearance even more intimidating. However, considering the characters Ma Dongseok typically portrays, some people argue that it adds to his overall appeal. In the movie "Start-Up" (2019), this unique characteristic was reflected, giving birth to a hilarious comedic character.
- On January 15, 2018, Ma Dongseok became a director of the Korean Arm Wrestling Federation (KAF)
- Dwayne Johnson's arm wrestling challenge was accepted. Fans on both sides are eagerly anticipating it.
- Ma Dong-seok's voice is said to be strikingly similar to sports commentator Seo Yong-bin, who works as a commentator for SPOTV KBO League. If someone who is unfamiliar with Seo Yong-bin is told, "Today, Ma Dong-seok is doing special commentary," they would believe it.
- Netizens jokingly mentioned, "It would be great if he gets cast in a Marvel film," and now there is a possibility that he might join The Eternals. He appeared at the 2019 Comic-Con and confirmed his role as Gilgamesh in The Eternals.
- Having lived in the United States for over 10 years and holding American citizenship, Ma Dong-seok is expected to be fluent in English. Although his pronunciation may not be considered completely native as he immigrated during high school rather than at a very young age, he has no problem with communication. This can be observed in interviews regarding his Marvel casting and his interviews with Dave. People who were unaware that Ma Dong-seok is an American citizen are sometimes surprised to find out that he speaks English well, contrary to their initial impressions.
- It is said that if you set Ma Dongseok's picture as your profile photo on messenger platforms like Taobao, sellers who are slow to respond will pay more attention to your messages. Changing his name to his original name 'Don Lee' can also have a positive effect. However, it should be noted that this phenomenon is not solely based on people not recognizing Ma Dong-seok, as his popularity is quite high in Asia. It is more of a joke or meme to make people laugh.
- He bears a resemblance to Brazilian football player Héber Araujo dos Santos, who played for Bucheon FC 1995.
- His Japanese dubbing voice is mainly provided by Rikiya Koyama, although Kiyohiro Kikuchi voiced his character in The Outlaws.
- He closely resembles WWE professional wrestler Samoa Joe. From his stocky physique to his well-groomed beard and fierce eyes, they share similar features. In online forums, people often jokingly refer to Ma Dong-seok as "Jo Dongseok" by digitally editing his face onto Samoa Joe's.
- He is a fan of Kim Haon. It is said that during their encounter at Last, Ma Dong-seok revealed that he is a fan of Kim Haon and asked for his phone number. They reportedly maintain regular contact.
- Coincidentally or not, there are frequently other actors who frequently appear in the same productions as Ma Dong-seok. Examples include Kim Gwang-san, Lee Gyuho, and Jin Mo.
- Recently, there are people referring to the films Ma Dongseok has appeared in as the "Ma Dongseok Cinematic Universe," or MCU for short. It is a humorous reference to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- He bears an incredible resemblance to Mongolian singer Batzorig Vaanchig.
- There is excitement surrounding Ma Dongseok's upcoming collaboration with heavyweight producer Chuck Roven, known for producing films like American Hustle and The Dark Knight series.
Today, we learned about the Korean actor Ma Dongseok. I will continue to introduce many more Korean stars in the future. Thank you.
댓글