Kang is a

Korean family name This is a list of Korean surnames, in Hangul alphabetical order. Note: (S) denotes South Korea. (N) denotes North Korea. The most common Korean family name (particularly in South Korea) is Kim, followed by Lee and Park. These three family na ...

. All together, the holders of this name number are 1,176,847 in

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eas ...

, according to the 2015 national census, ranking 6th largest Korean family name.; While the name "Kang" can actually represent any of the 5 different

hanja Hanja (Hangul: ; Hanja: , ), alternatively known as Hancha, are Chinese characters () used in the writing of Korean. Hanja was used as early as the Gojoseon period, the first ever Korean kingdom. (, ) refers to Sino-Korean vocabulary, ...

, or Chinese characters, the great majority (more than 1 million) bear the surname 姜. The Chinese surname Jiāng also shares the same 姜 character.

Clans

Clans whose surname uses the Hanja character 姜 include the clans of Jinju and Geumcheon seat. The majority belong to the Jinju Kang clan ( ko) (Hangul: 진주 강씨; Hanja: 晉州姜氏) is said to be descended from

Goguryeo Goguryeo (37 BC–668 AD) ( ) also called Goryeo (), was a Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula and the southern and central parts of Northeast China. At its peak of power, Goguryeo controlled mos ...

commander Kang Isik. The Gumcheon Kang clan ( ko) (Hangul: 금천 강씨; Hanja: 衿川姜氏) is descended from an ancestors whose ancestral seat was

Geumcheon Geumcheon District (Geumcheon-gu) is one of the 25 ''gu'' (districts) of Seoul, South Korea. It was created from southern parts of ''Guro-gu'' and tiny sections from Gwangmyeong in 1995. Its district office is located in front of Siheung Station, ...

, now part of

Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 of ...

. Clans whose surname uses the Hanja character 康 include Sincheon ( ko) and Youngkang/Yeonggang ( ko). The

Sincheon Kang clan Sincheon Kang clan () is a bon-gwan, Korean clan from Sinchon County, Hwanghae Province. According to a census held in 2015, the clan has 52,945 members and in a census held in 2000, the clan had 13,909 families. The ''daedongbo'' (a compilation ...

is further subdivided into Goksan ( ko) (Hangul: 곡산 강씨; Hanja: 谷山康氏) and Chaeryeong (Hangul: 재령 강씨; Hanja: 載寧康氏).

Notable individuals

Historic

* Kang Yisik, Lord General and Military Official of the Kingdom of

. * Kang Gamchan, Lord General and Military Official of

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificat ...

dynasty. * Kang Jo (died 1010), general who served under Emperor Mokjong and Emperor Hyeonjong of Goryeo * Kang Hongrip, a military official of the

Choson Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

. * Kang Huian (1417?-1464), a prominent and painter of the early Choson period * Kang Sehwang (1713–1791), a mayor of Hansung (now the capital city of Seoul), high government official and the Royal Representative Artist and Calligrapher in the mid-Choson dynasty.

Modern

* Kang Kyung-wha, 38th Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea * Gang Gyeong-hyo, South Korean modern pentathlete * Kang Chan-hee, South Korean singer, member of boy band SF9 * Kang Daesung, South Korean singer, member of boy band Big Bang *

Dawon Kahng Dawon Kahng ( ko, 강대원; May 4, 1931 – May 13, 1992) was a Korean-American electrical engineer and inventor, known for his work in solid-state electronics. He is best known for inventing the MOSFET (metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effe ...

, Korean-American scientist, inventor of MOSFET * Kang Sung-hoon, South Korean singer, member of boy band

Sechs Kies Sechs Kies (pronounced as ; ko, 젝스키스) is a first generation South Korean boy band. Making their debut on April 15, 1997, they are one of the first K-pop idol groups, credited with pioneering the idol scene and fandom culture. The grou ...

Kang Dong-suk Kang Dong-suk (; born May 25, 1969; Donald Kang) is a yachtsman and adventurer from South Korea. On June 8, 1997, he became the first Korean to sail around the world single-handedly, when he completed a circumnavigation on a 30-foot (9.2-meter ...

, South Korean violinist *

, South Korean yachtsman * Gang Dong-won, South Korean actor * Kang Doyoung, South Korean webtoon artist * Kang Han-na, South Korean actress *

Kang Ha-neul Kang Ha-neul (born Kim Ha-neul on February 21, 1990) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in television dramas ''The Heirs'' (2013), '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)'', '' Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo'' (2016), '' When t ...

, South Korean actor * Kang Hee-gun, South Korean rapper, former member of hip hop duo Leessang *

Kang Ho-dong Kang Ho-dong (born June 11, 1970) is a South Korean television host and comedian, who first became known to Koreans as one of the top Korean traditional wrestlers. In 2008, Kang Ho Dong became the first comedian in history to win the Baeksan ...

, South Korean entertainer *

Kang Hye-jung Kang Hye-jung (born January 4, 1982) is a South Korean actress. Making her film debut in arthouse film '' Nabi'' (2001), she rose to stardom and critical acclaim in Park Chan-wook's 2003 revenge thriller '' Oldboy''. A rising star early in he ...

, South Korean actress * Kang Hye-mi, South Korean volleyball player *

Kang Hye-won Kang Hye-won (; born July 5, 1999), known mononymously as Hyewon, is a South Korean singer, rapper and actress. She is a former member of the South Korean–Japanese girl group Iz*One, formed by CJ E&M through Mnet's 2018 reality competitio ...

, South Korean singer, former member of girl group

Iz*One Iz*One ( ; ko, 아이즈원, Aijeuwon; ja, アイズワン, Aizuwan; stylized as IZ*ONE) was a South Korean–Japanese girl group formed through the Mnet reality competition show '' Produce 48''. The group was composed of twelve members: J ...

Kang Ye-won Kang Ye-won (born Kim Ji-eun; March 15, 1979) is a South Korean actress best known for her roles in '' Tidal Wave'', '' Harmony'' and '' Quick''. Filmography Film Television series Variety show Musicals Awards and nominations Persona ...

, South Korean actress * Kang Hyung-gu, South Korean singer, member of boy group Pentagon * Kang Ji-hwan, South Korean actor * Kang Ji-hyun, South Korean singer, member of girl group

Sistar Sistar (, often stylized as SISTAR) was a South Korean girl group formed in 2010 by Starship Entertainment. The group consisted of Hyolyn, Bora, Soyou and Dasom. They made their official debut with the song " Push Push" on 3 June 2010. Their ...

Kang Ji-young Kang Ji-young (born January 18, 1994), also known as Jiyoung or JY, is a South Korean singer and actress based in Japan. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Kara. Life and career Kang Ji-young was born on January 18, 1994, in Paju ...

, South Korean singer, former member of girl group

Kara Kara or KARA may refer to: Geography Localities * Kara, Chad, a sub-prefecture * Kára, Hungary, a village * Kara, Uttar Pradesh, India, a township * Kara, Iran, a village in Lorestan Province * Kara, Republic of Dagestan, a rural locality in Da ...

* Kang Young-hyun, South Korean singer, member of rock band

Day6 Day6 (; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean pop rock band under the label JYP Entertainment. The group debuted on September 7, 2015, with the EP ''The Day,'' which peaked at No.2 on ''Billboard''s World Album Chart a week following its r ...

Jung-ho Kang Jung-ho Kang ( ko, 강정호; ; born April 5, 1987) is a South Korean professional baseball third baseman for the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League. He previously played in the KBO League for the Hyundai Unicorns and Nexen Heroes. He also playe ...

, baseball player * Katherine Anna Kang, American video game designer and producer, machinima and documentary film maker *

Kang Kyung-ho Kang Kyung-ho ( ko, 강경호, born September 9, 1987), often anglicized Kyung Ho Kang, is a South Korean mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC's bantamweight division. Career Kang started his professional career in 2007. He fought ma ...

, South Korean mixed martial artist *

Kang Min Kang Min (born March 15, 1982), also known as Nal_rA, is a South Korean former professional '' StarCraft'' player and ''League of Legends'' commentator. Since retiring from gaming, he has worked as an instructor at Seoul Institute of the Arts ...

, South Korean '' StarCraft'' player *

Kang Mi-na Kang Mi-na (; born December 4, 1999), known mononymously as Mina, is a South Korean singer, rapper and actress signed under Jellyfish Entertainment. She is best known for finishing ninth in Mnet's K-pop girl group survival show ''Produce 101'' ...

, South Korean singer, former member of girl groups I.O.I and

Gugudan Gugudan (), also stylized as gu9udan or gx9, was a South Korean girl group formed in 2016 by Jellyfish Entertainment and the company's first girl group. The group debuted on June 28, 2016, with their EP '' Act. 1 The Little Mermaid''. The group ...

Kang Min-hyuk Kang Min-hyuk (; born June 28, 1991) is a South Korean musician, singer-songwriter, and actor. He is the drummer of South Korean rock band CNBLUE. Career 2009–present: CNBLUE Kang became a member of CNBLUE in 2009. The group debuted in Jap ...

, South Korean drummer and actor, member of rock band

CNBLUE CNBLUE ( ko, 씨엔블루) is a South Korean pop rock band formed in 2009. The band consists of Jung Yong-hwa (leader, main vocals, guitar, keyboard, rap), Kang Min-hyuk ( drums), and Lee Jung-shin ( bass). First bassist Kwon Kwang-jin left t ...

Kang Min-kyung Kang Min-kyung (born August 3, 1990) is a South Korean singer and actress. She is one half of the duo Davichi, who rose to fame upon the release of their debut album '' Amaranth'' in 2008. Davichi has since released 3 studio albums, 6 EPs and ...

, South Korean singer from Korean duo Davichi *

Kang Ryang-uk Kang Ryang-uk (, 7 December 1903 – 9 January 1983), also spelled Kang Lyanguk, was a North Korean Presbyterian minister and Chairman of the Korean Christian Federation since 1946. Kang was the maternal uncle of North Korean leader K ...

, North Korean politician and a North Korean Protestant Minister and Chairman of the Christian Federation of Korea, deputy prime minister of North Korea and secretary of the Supreme People's Assembly * Kang Yong-sop, chairman of the Korean Christian Federation and vice-president of the Korean Council of Religionists *

Kang Young-joong Kang Young-joong (; born July 27, 1949), the chairman of Daekyo Group, the largest private tutoring company in Korea, served as the President of the Korea Scout Association from March 7, 2008 to April 16, 2012. Background Kang served as the Ba ...

, chairman of Daekyo Group *

Kang Seul-gi Kang Seul-gi (; born February 10, 1994), known mononymously as Seulgi, is a South Korean singer and dancer. She is a member of girl group Red Velvet, its sub-unit Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, and the supergroup Got the Beat. She released her ...

, South Korean singer, member of girl group Red Velvet *

Kang Seung-yoon Kang Seung-yoon (Korean: 강승윤; born ), also known mononymously as Seungyoon or Yoon, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and leader of boy band Winner. His appearance on the reality television singing contest ''Superstar K2'' (20 ...

, South Korean singer, member of boy band

Winner Winner(s) or The Winner(s) may refer to: * Champion, the victor in a game or contest *The successful social class in winner and loser culture Film * ''The Winner'' (1926 film), an American silent film starring Billy Sullivan * ''The Winner'' ...

Kang So-ra Kang So-ra (born February 18, 1990) is a South Korean actress. Career Kang made her acting debut in the 2009 thriller movie '' 4th Period Mystery'', but rose to fame when she starred in the 2011 blockbuster '' Sunny'', a coming-of-age film ab ...

, South Korean actress *

Sung Kang Sung-Ho Kang (born April 8, 1972) is an American actor. His first major role was as Han Lue in the ''Fast & Furious'' franchise, a character he first portrayed in ''Better Luck Tomorrow'' (2002). Kang also played John Mak in the television serie ...

, Korean-American actor *

Kang Chang-hee Kang Chang-hee ( ko, 강창희; Hanja: 姜昌熙 born 3 August 1946) is a South Korean politician who was the Speaker of the 19th National Assembly of South Korea, succeeding acting Speaker Chung Eui-hwa on 2 July 2012, for a two-year term. K ...

, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea * Kang Chang-gi, South Korean football midfielder * Kang Nung-su, North Korean literary critic and politician *

Kang Daniel Kang Daniel (; commonly stylized as KANGDANIEL; born Kang Eui-geon []; December 10, 1996) is a South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and businessman who rose to fame in early 2017 as the first-place winner of the Produce 101 Season 2, second ...

, South Korean singer, former member of boy group

Wanna One Wanna One () was a South Korean boy band formed by CJ E&M through the second season of ''Produce 101''. The group was composed of eleven members: Kang Daniel, Park Ji-hoon, Lee Dae-hwi, Kim Jae-hwan, Ong Seong-wu, Park Woo-jin, Lai Kuan-lin, Yo ...

Kang Dong-ho Kim Dong-ho (born August 17, 1985) is a South Korean actor. He is mostly active in musicals. In 2005, Kim began his acting career with the musical ''A Secret Garden''. He then made his screen debut in the television series '' Twinkle Twinkle'' ...

, South Korean actor *

, South Korean singer, member of boy band

NU'EST NU'EST (; short for New Establish Style Tempo) was a South Korean boy band formed and managed by Pledis Entertainment. The group consisted of five members: JR, Aron, Baekho, Minhyun and Ren. They debuted on March 15, 2012, with the single ...

* Emil Kang, Korean-American arts leader and Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts *

Kang Min-hyuk (badminton) Kang Min-hyuk () is a South Korean badminton player from Samsung Electro-Mechanics team. Educated at , Kang rose to prominence when he along with Kim Won-ho, defeated seeded players at the 2019 Asian championships and reached the semifinals, ult ...

(born 1999), South Korean badminton player *

Kang Ye-seo Kang Ye-seo (; born August 22, 2005), better known mononymously as Yeseo, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is best known for competing on the Mnet survival competition show '' Girls Planet 999'' and ranking 6th in the final episode, m ...

, South Korean singer and actress, member of girl group

Kep1er Kep1er (; ) is a South Korean girl group formed through the Mnet (TV channel), Mnet Reality show, reality survival competition show ''Girls Planet 999'' in 2021 and managed by Swing Entertainment and Wake One Entertainment. The group is composed ...

* Kang Dae-ho (

Gaho Kang Dae-ho ( ko, 강대호; born September 14, 1997), better known by his stage name Gaho, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and producer under Planetarium Records. Early life Gaho was born on September 14, 1997. Career 2018–present: S ...

), South Korean singer, songwriter and producer * Kang Yu-chan, South Korean singer and actor, member of boy band A.C.E

References

External links