The man of the moment: What's next for Koo Kyo-hwan?

The first half of 2026 saw Koo Kyo-hwan everywhere.

Previously a fixture of South Korea's independent cinema, the actor transitioned this year into a highly bankable mainstream lead, headlining a trio of tentpole projects that showcased his chameleon-like range.

The 43-year-old actor's box office momentum began in late 2025 with "Once We Were Us." It pulled off a major market upset by unseating James Cameron's sci-fi epic "Avatar: Fire and Ash" at the Korean box office, subsequently holding the ...