bodyType

customContents

entityId

printArticlePageQuery

filter

article

body

urlAlias

articleSectionsContent

articleSeoArticle

articleSourceHeaderArticle

contentSchemaRenderContent

contentSubHeadlineContent

contentHeadlineContent

mainImagePrintArticleArticle

authorBlockPrintArticleArticle

contentSponsorTagContent

articlePianoPaywallContent

scmpYoutubeContent

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

query printArticlePageQuery(
  $entityId: String!
  $customContents: [CustomContentInput]
  $bodyType: BodyFormatTypeEnum
) {
  article(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
      json
    }
    urlAlias
    ...articleSectionsContent
    ...articleSeoArticle_3o8td4
    ...articleSourceHeaderArticle
    ...contentSchemaRenderContent
    ...contentSubHeadlineContent
    ...contentHeadlineContent
    ...mainImagePrintArticleArticle
    ...authorBlockPrintArticleArticle
    ...contentSponsorTagContent
    ...articlePianoPaywallContent
    ...scmpYoutubeContent
    ...hooksTrackPageViewArticle
    id
  }
}

fragment articlePianoPaywallContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksPaywallPromiseContent
}

fragment articleSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment articleSeoArticle_3o8td4 on Article {
  ...hooksArticleSeoArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersGetArticleTypeArticle
  entityId
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
  summary {
    text
  }
  subHeadline {
    text
  }
  body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
    text
  }
  keywords
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  topics {
    name
    entityId
    id
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  images {
    style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  readingTime
}

fragment articleSourceHeaderArticle on Article {
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
}

fragment authorBlockPrintArticleArticle on Article {
  ...defaultArticleDateContent
  ...authorNamesArticle
}

fragment authorNameAuthor on Author {
  ...entityLink
  name
  entityUuid
}

fragment authorNamesArticle on Article {
  authorLocations
  authors {
    entityId
    location
    ...authorNameAuthor
    id
  }
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment defaultArticleDateContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksArticleDateUtilsContent
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle on Article {
  entityId
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  disableOffPlatformContent
  sponsorType
  published
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    paywallTypes {
      entityUuid
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        entityId
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment hooksArticleDateUtilsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  createdDate
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
}

fragment hooksArticleSeoArticle on Article {
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle
  entityId
  headline
  socialHeadline
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
  images {
    generic_og: style(filter: {style: "og_image_scmp_generic"}) {
      url
    }
    styles(filter: {styles: ["og_image_posties_article", "og_postmag", "og_image_style", "og_image_scmp_analysis", "og_image_scmp_explainer", "og_image_scmp_editorial", "og_image_scmp_fact_check", "og_image_scmp_debate", "og_image_scmp_live", "og_image_scmp_obituary", "og_image_scmp_opinion", "og_image_scmp_review", "og_image_scmp_series", "og_image_scmp_generic"]}) {
      url
      style
    }
    type
  }
  urlAlias
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksPaywallPromiseContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment hooksTrackPageViewArticle on Article {
  entityId
  publishedDate
  headline
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  entityUuid
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment mainImagePrintArticleArticle on Article {
  images {
    title
    url
    isSlideshow
    size_652x446: style(filter: {style: "652x446"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}


sections

types

disableOffPlatformContent

sponsorType

published

headline

socialHeadline

authors

images

publishedDate

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

keywords

topics

readingTime

authorLocations

entityUuid

Diem Nguyen Le

Fans of Squid Game will be all too familiar with the Netflix show’s mafia boss Jang Deok-su, a brutal gangster who terrorises other players in the drama. The role was played brilliantly by Heo Sung-tae, giving the actor a whole new level of fame after the show aired – much like his co-stars Lee Jung-jae and Jung Ho-yeon.
Spooktastic! 17 celebrities who won Halloween (and only 2 Squid Game looks)

This November, Heo will appear in Netflix sci-fi thriller The Silent Sea as Kim Jae-seon, leader of the Republic of Korea Space Aviation Administration’s resource team, alongside Bae Doona and Gong Yoo.
But despite his intimidating roles, a closer look at the 44-year-old actor’s real life will quickly make you forget how scary an on-screen villain he is.
Here’s what we know about him …
He quit a good job to become an actor

Heo began his career in showbiz fairly late at the age of 34, and even then it was by accident. Graduating from Pusan National University with a degree in Russian language and culture, he went on to work in LG Electronics’ Russian business marketing team. He was known as the “King of TV Sales” in the country, Today Online reports.
He later worked for one of South Korea’s biggest shipbuilding companies, Daewoo Shipping & Marine Co., where he reportedly earned an annual income of 70 million Korean won (about US$60,000) – much higher than the average salary in Korea today.
He probably would have continued to rule the sales world if not for some shots of soju. One day, while drinking and watching TV, he saw an advertisement for an SBS acting survival reality show called Miracle Audition. He drunkenly applied and eventually came fifth on the programme, according to Dispatch.

It was at that point he decided to give up his promising career to pursue acting. “I became an actor because the judges complimented me. If even one judge said I wasn’t good then I wouldn’t have become an actor,” he revealed, according to AllKPop.
How Lee Young-ae became one of Korea’s highest-paid actresses
He has also said his career change was the most difficult decision of his life because losing his previously comfortable salary hit him hard. “The only drive I had to overcome my hardships was my family,” he told Korea JoongAng Daily. “I was able to pull through so that I could show my mother more variety in my acting in a short time. Nowadays, my mother spends her time being showered with praise that her son is doing so well.”
He learned how to act from watching comedies

Though he didn’t receive formal acting training, Heo’s secret to success was imitating the actors he saw in films, AllKPop reports. He would emulate actors in films and comedy sitcoms such as KBS’ comedy TV show Gag Concert.
He often plays the role of villain

Heo has appeared in about 60 films and TV shows over the course of his acting career. Most of his roles are villains – from an organ trafficker and the leader of a crime ring, to a dealer on the black market, Heo has done it all. His most prominent productions are The Age of Shadows, The Outlaws, Beyond Evil, Psychopath Diary and Netflix’s Racket Boys and The Fortress.
He won the award for excellence in acting (movie) for his role of Viper in The Outlaws at the 2018 Korea Cultural Entertainment Awards, according to Today Online.

On his Squid Game performance, the actor said to Korea JoongAng Daily: “He [Jang Deok-soo] may be diabolical, but he also turns out to be a coward, afraid of death. I was attracted to this character because he wasn’t infinitely strong, and I tried to bring out a variety of emotions related to the most basic of human desires.
40 is the new 20: K-drama queens who became better with age
“He was the best villain that I could have played. I don’t know if I will ever get the chance to play such a ‘global’ villain again, but he is very precious to me.”
He is a sweet and funny cat lover off-screen

After Squid Game’s success, Heo saw his followers on social media increase rapidly, similar to other stars on the show. His online presence reveals a starkly different personality to his on-screen character, of course. The actor frequently posts photos of his cat too.
When Heo’s Instagram reached one million, he wittily posted, “Thank you for making me a millionaire.” His photo and accompanying caption swiftly went viral online.




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by 허성태 (@heosungtae)



Heo also often posts photos with cute stickers like evil horns and hearts, showing his mischievous side.

As a big cat lover, he frequently shares photos of himself posing with his furry friends. A post of him with a face mask together with one of his cats has over 90,000 likes.
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Meet Heo Sung-tae, the Squid Game villain starring in Netflix thriller The Silent Sea … who loves cats and makes meme-worthy Instagram posts IRL

After Squid Game, Heo Sung-tae is set to star in Netflix sci-fi thriller The Silent Sea. Photo: @heosungtae/Instagram

Heo Sung-tae as terrifying gangster Jang Deok-su in Netflix’s Squid Game. Photo: Netflix.

Heo Sung-tae was a successful salesman before becoming an actor. Photo: @heosungtae/Instagram

After Heo Sung-tae drunkenly applied to be on a reality TV show, he got compliments from the judges and decided to give acting a try. Photo: @heosungtae/Instagram

Heo Sung-tae learned how to act by watching comedies. Photo: @heosungtae/Instagram

Heo Sung-tae has played many villainous roles. Photo: @heosungtae/Instagram

Heo Sung-tae in Squid Game. Photo: @heosungtae/Instagram

Heo Sung-tae shows his comedic side off-screen. Photo: @heosungtae/Instagram

Heo Sung-tae from Squid Game posts frequently about his cats on Instagram. Photo: @heosungtae/Instagram

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The K-drama actor has appeared in The Outlaws, The Age of Shadows, Beyond Evil and Netflix’s Racket Boys and The Fortress
He became an actor by accident – after drunkenly applying to be on KBS survival reality TV show Miracle Audition, he learned the craft from watching comedy shows



The Korean star has already appeared in 60 films and shows during his 10-year acting career – but he became an actor by accident, after drunkenly applying to a reality TV show


Meet Heo Sung-tae, the Squid Game villain starring in Netflix thriller The Silent Sea … who loves cats and makes meme-worthy Instagram posts IRL

The K-drama actor has appeared in The Outlaws, The Age of Shadows, Beyond Evil and Netflix’s Racket Boys and The Fortress He became an actor by accident – after drunkenly applying to be on KBS survival reality TV show Miracle Audition, he learned the craft from watching comedy shows

The K-drama actor has appeared in The Outlaws, The Age of Shadows, Beyond Evil and Netflix’s Racket Boys and The Fortress

He became an actor by accident – after drunkenly applying to be on KBS survival reality TV show Miracle Audition, he learned the craft from watching comedy shows