Last updated on: July 22, 2025
Heo Sung-tae (b. October 20, 1977, Busan) is the South Korean character actor who terrified global audiences as brutal gangster Jang Deok-su (Player 101) in Netflix’s record-shattering series Squid Game (2021). His chilling performance – marked by predatory physicality and sadistic coin-flipping – launched a late-blooming career that defies convention: after years in sales and TV game shows, Heo debuted at 35 and rapidly became Korea’s go-to villain. His transformative work spans Kim Jee-woon’s espionage thriller The Age of Shadows (2016), the Baeksang-nominated crime drama Beyond Evil (2021), and courtroom noir Insider (2022), where his Blue Dragon Award-nominated turn as a jailed CEO showcased unnerving restraint.
Despite typecasting threats, Heo masterfully pivots from mobsters to complex anti-heroes – from The Childe’s (2023) mercenary to A Killer Paradox’s (2024) morally conflicted detective. His method preparation (mastering regional dialects, gaining/losing 20kg for roles) and guttural voice command attention in festival darlings (Typhoon, 2024) and streaming hits alike. Represented by Saram Entertainment, Heo embodies Korea’s new wave of character actors proving stardom needs no expiration date.
As of December 2025, Heo Sung-tae is 48 years and 1 months old. His estimated net worth is $2 million, and he is 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm or 1.8 m) tall.
Bio/Wiki
Full Name
Heo Sung-tae
Nickname
Heo
Profession
Career
Debut
Movie
Dragon Ball: Son Goku Fights, Son Goku Wins (1990)
TV Series
No_Return (2016)
Best Known for
Heo Sung-tae is best known for playing the ruthless gangster Jang Deok-su in Netflix’s global hit series Squid Game (2021), which made him internationally famous.
Awards
Personal Profile and Background Details
Date of Birth
20 October 1977
Age
As of today, Heo Sung-tae is 48 years, 1 months, and 16 days old.
Zodiac sign
Libra
Signature
Nationality
South Korean
Birth Place
Busan, South Korea
Residence
Unknown
School / College / University
Pusan National University
Guemseong Middle School
High school in Busan, South Korea
Religion
Christian
Race / Ethnicity
Korean
Hobbies
Heo Sung-tae isn’t just good at scaring you on screen—he’s handy in the kitchen too. On SBS’s Dungchi Survival–Mukchi Pa, he casually flexed some legit cooking chops, shocking fans who only knew his “tough guy” roles. Off set, he softens up even more: his socials are sprinkled with little life updates and plenty of cat content. Yep, the man’s a pet dad and proud of it.
Tattoo
Heo Sung-tae does not have any known real tattoos; the prominent snake tattoo seen on his character Jang Deok-su in Squid Game is a fake, makeup-applied tattoo for the role and not a personal tattoo of the actor.
Physical Attributes and Measurements
Height
- In feet: 5′ 11″
- In Centimetres: 180 cm
- In meters: 1.8 m
Weight
- In kilograms: 74 kg
- In Pounds: 163 lbs
Body Measurements
- Chest Size: 40″
- Biceps Size: 12″
- Waist Size: 32″
Shoe size
11 US
Eye color
Black
Hair color
Black
Family
Wife
Jeon Gyun (2010—Present)
Father
His father’s name is not known. He passed away on January 17, 2021, due to a chronic illness.
Mother
Hye-gyeong
Siblings
Heo Seong-aa (Elder Sister)
Children
Unknown
Relationship & More
Marital Status
Married to Jeon Gyun
Marriage Date
2010
Girlfriend and Dating History
Jeon Gyun (2000—Present)
Net worth 2025
$2 million
As of December 2025, it’s estimated that Heo Sung-tae has a net worth of about $2 million. He made this fortune from different sources. Let’s break that down:
1. Drama & Streaming Series Fees
How the pay works
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Korean actors are commonly paid per episode. Lead actors in top-tier dramas command ₩200–500M+ per ep; strong supporting/villain actors post-breakout often see ₩50–150M (USD ~$38K–$115K) per ep depending on platform and budget.
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Cable (JTBC/tvN) and streaming originals (Netflix, Disney+) tend to pay more than terrestrial networks.
Heo Sung-tae’s tier
Post-Squid Game (2021), Heo became a recognizable global face, but he’s still cast mostly as a key supporting or antagonist role, not an A-list lead. So a reasonable band is:
₩60M–100M per episode (≈ $45K–$75K) after 2021
₩10M–30M per episode (≈ $7.5K–$23K) pre-2021
Example math
-
Insider (JTBC, 16 eps, 2022): If he earned ~₩70M/ep → ₩1.12B (~$850K)
-
A shorter Netflix/K-drama cameo arc (say 6 eps at ₩80M): ₩480M (~$365K)
Cumulative drama income (2016–2024):
Low: ~₩2.5B ($1.9M) | High: ~₩4.5B ($3.4M)
2. Film Fees
How the pay works
-
Mid-tier supporting actors typically receive a flat fee that can range wildly: ₩100M–500M ($75K–$380K) for commercial films; less for indie/festival projects.
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Bonus clauses can exist if the film crushes the box office, but that’s rarer for non-headliners.
Heo’s likely band
He’s been in notable films like The Age of Shadows, The Outlaws, Hunt, etc., usually as a memorable heavy.
Typical fee per film role: ₩150M–300M ($115K–$230K)
Assuming 8–10 such roles since 2016:
Cumulative film income:
Low: ~₩1.2B ($0.9M) | High: ~₩2.5B ($1.9M)
3. Netflix / Global Streamer Buyout & Residual Logic
The Squid Game factor
-
Netflix reportedly pays Korean production companies a lump sum; actors are paid under Korean industry rates, not US-style residuals. Many Squid Game actors publicly noted they didn’t get huge backend residuals from Season 1’s monster success.
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However, season 2 renegotiations and subsequent Netflix projects often come with step-up fees, appearance bonuses, and global promotional stipends.
For Heo Sung-tae:
-
Season 1 pay: Estimated similar to his pre-breakout drama rates (let’s say ₩20M–30M/episode for 9 eps → ₩180M–270M; $135K–$205K).
-
Season 2 (if/when applicable): Could jump to ₩80M–120M per ep or a flat package.
Other Netflix titles (if any) would align with his post-2021 tier.
Cumulative global streamer lump sums (2021–2024):
Low: ₩300M ($230K) | High: ₩800M ($615K)
4. Commercial Endorsements (CFs) & Brand Work
How the pay works
-
CF fees in Korea for a bankable supporting actor can run ₩100M–400M per 6–12 month contract, depending on brand size and usage (TV, digital, print).
-
Many brands love a recognizable “villain” for comedic twists or edgy campaigns.
Heo isn’t a top idol-tier face, but post-Squid Game visibility likely landed him a few mid-tier endorsements (local food, F&B, e-commerce, fintech apps, security brands, etc.) and promotional videos.
Assume 1–2 CFs/year in 2022–2024 at ₩150M average:
Total CF income (3 years): ~₩450M–900M ($345K–$690K)
Add short-term promo gigs, photo shoots, corporate videos, VO spots: another ₩100M–200M.
5. Variety, Reality, and Guest Appearance Fees
How the pay works
-
Guest slots on talk shows/variety shows pay modestly (₩1–3M per appearance). A fixed cast member can earn more.
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Heo’s known variety highlight: SBS’s Dungchi Survival–Mukchi Pa (cooking skills reveal). One-off or limited series payments seldom exceed ₩50M total unless you’re a main MC.
Estimate across years: ₩50M–120M ($38K–$92K)
6. Fan Meetings, Festivals, Conventions
How the pay works
-
Korean and international fan meetings can pay ₩30M–100M for a single event, plus travel/hotel.
-
Con appearances (e.g., K-drama cons, Netflix fan events) can stack smaller fees.
Heo is popular but not yet an idol-level FM machine. Assume 2–3 paid events/year 2022–2024:
Total: ₩180M–300M ($140K–$230K)
7. Digital / Social Revenue & Other Ventures
-
Heo shares cat pics and life snippets; he’s not running a monetized YouTube channel or selling merch aggressively (as of public info).
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Possible micro-earnings from sponsored posts or platform payouts (if he participates) would be minor compared to other streams.
Estimate: ₩0–30M (<$23K)
Car collection
Pets
