Jang Young-nam

Jang Young-nam is a South Korean actress widely praised as one of the finest character actresses in the country. For more than two decades, she has stolen scenes in films and dramas as mothers, nurses, neighbours and villains. Recent fans know her as Seo Hye-suk in Love Next Door (2024).

Jang Young-nam is 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) tall, according to her published profile.

Early life

Jang Young-nam was born on November 25, 1973, in Seoul, South Korea. She began her career in theatre in the 1990s, working with famous stage companies and building a reputation for fearless acting. The stage taught her to change her voice, face and energy for every new character she played.

Career and breakthrough

Jang Young-nam moved between stage, film and television, taking roles of every size. In films and dramas alike, directors trusted her to make even two-minute scenes unforgettable. Her long list of credits covers comedies, thrillers, family stories and horror, and she has played some of Korean drama's most memorable mothers.

Popular roles

Many global fans met her as head nurse Park Haeng-ja in It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020), a calm and kind character hiding one of the show's biggest shocks. In Love Next Door (2024), she played Seo Hye-suk, the elegant mother of Choi Seung-hyo, mixing pride, humour and quiet sadness. She also appeared as Kim Ok-hee in Lovely Horribly (2018).

Recent work and why fans love them

Jang Young-nam continues to work at the top level, including a role as Moon Hae-seon in Final Table (2026). Fans love her because she never phones it in. Funny, warm or truly frightening, she gives every character a full life, and viewers always remember her scenes long after the episode ends.