Rare Update Explains Why Korea’s Most Renowned Actor Has Been Absent From Acting For 16 Years

Won Bin hasn’t acted since his huge 2010 hit The Man From Nowhere. Fans have been left wondering why for 16 years.

Now, a new update hints at the reason behind his long absence.

On the upcoming episode of Kim Joo Ha’s Day & Night, veteran actor Park Geun Hyung talks about working with Won Bin on the 2000 drama Kkokji. Park expresses regret over Won Bin’s long break from acting.

“Through many people, I keep telling him that actors like him need to come out and act,”
Park Geun Hyung said,
“But Won Bin hasn’t acted for a long time.”

Host Kim Joo Ha then reveals she personally knows Won Bin. She shared that Won Bin told her he’s stayed away because the strong image from The Man From Nowhere made finding new roles tough.

“He said roles haven’t been coming in,”
Kim Joo Ha explained.

Still, Won Bin isn’t giving up. He’s reportedly preparing for the right role.

Won Bin:

“Won Bin is still growing out his hair, actually. He said he’s preparing because he doesn’t know what kind of role might come.”

Won Bin remains one of Korea’s most missed top actors. His past hits include Autumn in My Heart, Taegukgi, Mother, and The Man From Nowhere. Despite huge public demand, he silently stepped back.

He married actress Lee Na Young in 2015 in a private ceremony in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. The couple had a son the same year. Fans got excited when they were spotted together at a museum in 2025.