Kang is a

Korean family name This is a list of Korean surnames, in Hangul alphabetical order. The most common Korean surname (particularly in South Korea) is Kim (Korean name), Kim (), followed by Lee (Korean name), Lee () and Park (Korean surname), Park (). These three sur ...

. 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. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

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

hanja Hanja (; ), alternatively spelled Hancha, are Chinese characters used to write the Korean language. After characters were introduced to Korea to write Literary Chinese, they were adapted to write Korean as early as the Gojoseon period. () ...

, 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

Clan A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, a clan may claim descent from a founding member or apical ancestor who serves as a symbol of the clan's unity. Many societie ...

s whose surname uses the Hanja character 姜 include the clans of Jinju and Geumcheon seat. The majority belong to the Jinju Kang clan ( ko) () is said to be descended from

Goguryeo Goguryeo (37 BC – 668 AD) (; ; Old Korean: Guryeo) also later known as Goryeo (; ; Middle Korean: 고ᇢ롕〮, ''kwòwlyéy''), was a Korean kingdom which was located on the northern and central parts of the Korea, Korean Peninsula an ...

commander Kang I-sik. The Geumcheon Kang clan ( ko) () is descended from an ancestor whose ancestral seat was Geumcheon, now part of

Seoul Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...

. Clans whose surname uses the Hanja character 康 include Sincheon ( ko) and Yeonggang ( ko). The Sincheon Kang clan is further subdivided into Goksan ( ko) () and Jaeryeong ().

Notable individuals

Historic

* Kang I-sik, Goguryeo commander * Kang Kam-ch'an (948–1031), Goryeo government official and military commander * Kang Cho (964–1011), Goryeo official * Gang Hong-rip (1560–1627), Joseon military official * Kang Hŭian ( 1417-1464), Joseon scholar and painter * Gang Se-hwang (1713–1791), Joseon government official * Kang Yun-sŏng (1302–1358), Goryeo civil official

Modern

* Angela Kang (born 1976), American television writer * Anthony Kang (born 1972), Korean-American professional golfer * BJ Kang, American FBI special agent * Kang Boo-ja (born 1941), South Korean actress * Kang Byul (born 1990), South Korean actress * C.S. Eliot Kang (born 1962), American diplomat * Kang Chan-hee (born 2000), South Korean singer and actor, member of boy band SF9 *

Kang Chang-hee Kang Chang-hee (; 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. Kang was a member of the Saenur ...

(born 1946), South Korean politician * Kang Chang-gi (1927–2007), South Korean footballer * Kang Da-hyun (born 1992), South Korean actress and model * Kang Dae-ho (stage name Gaho, born 1997), South Korean singer-songwriter and producer * Kang Daesung (born 1989), South Korean singer, member of boy band BigBang *

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

(born 1996), South Korean singer-songwriter, former member of boy band Wanna One *

Dawon Kahng Dawon Kahng (; 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-effect transisto ...

(1931–1992), Korean-American electrical engineer and inventor * Kang Dong-ho (stage name Baekho, born 1995), South Korean singer, former member of boy band NU'EST * Dong-Suk Kang (born 1954), South Korean violinist * Kang Dong-suk (adventurer) (born 1969), South Korean yachtsman * Gang Dong-won (born 1981), South Korean actor * Emil Kang (born 1968), Korean-American arts administrator * Kang Full (born 1974), South Korean webtoon artist * Gang Gyeong-hyo (born 1964), South Korean modern pentathlete * Kang Ha-neul (born 1990), South Korean actor * Kang Hae-rin (born 2006), South Korean singer, member of girl group NewJeans * Kang Hae-won (born 1986), South Korean badminton player * Kang Han-byeol (born 2002), South Korean former child actor * Kang Han-na (born 1989), South Korean actress * Kang Hee-gun (stage name Gary, born 1978), South Korean rapper * Kang Ho-dong (born 1970), South Korean entertainer * Kang Hong-seok (born 1986), South Korean actor * Kang Hoon (born 1991), South Korean actor * Kang Hwa-gil (born 1986), South Korean writer * Kang Hye-jung (born 1982), South Korean actress * Kang Hye-mi (born 1974), South Korean volleyball player * Kang Hye-won (born 1999), South Korean singer and actress, former member of girl group Iz*One * Kang Hyeong-cheol, South Korean film director and screenwriter * Hyun Yi Kang (born 1967), Korean-American scholar and writer * Kang Hyung-gu (stage name Kino, born 1998), South Korean singer, member of boy band Pentagon * Kang Hyung-ho (born 1988), South Korean singer * Kang In-soo (born 1988), South Korean singer and actor * Jay Caspian Kang (born 1979), American writer and editor *

Kang Je-gyu Kang Je-gyu (born December 23, 1962) is a South Korean film director. Career After graduating from ChungAng University, Kang received his first prize at the Korea Youth Film Festival and Korea Scenario Awards in 1991. Kang's most notable cont ...

(born 1962), South Korean film director * Kang Ji-hwan (born 1977), South Korean retired actor * Kang Ji-hyun (stage name Soyou, born 1992), South Korean singer, former member of girl group Sistar * Kang Ji-yong (1989–2025), South Korean footballer * Kang Ji-young (born 1994), South Korean singer, member of girl group Kara * Kang Jin-a (born 1981), South Korean film director and screenwriter * Kang Ju-hyeok (born 2006), South Korean footballer * Kang Jung-ai (born 1957), South Korean professor and politician * Kang Jung-ho (born 1987), South Korean former baseball player * Katherine Anna Kang (born 1970), American video game designer * Kang Ki-doong (born 1987), South Korean actor * Kang Ki-young born 1983), South Korean actor * Kang Kyŏng-ae (1906–1944), Korean feminist writer * Kang Kyun-sung (born 1981), South Korean singer and television personality, member of boy band Noel * Kang Kyung-ho (born 1987), South Korean mixed martial artist * Kang Kyung-hun (born 1975), South Korean actress * Kang Kyung-jin (born 1973), South Korean former badminton player and coach * Kang Kyung-joon (born 1983), South Korean actor * Kang Kyung-min (born 1996), South Korean handball player * Kang Kyung-ok (born 1965), South Korean manhwa artist * Kang Kyung-wha (born 1955), South Korean diplomat and politician * Kang Mal-geum (born 1979), South Korean actress * Michael Kang (director) (born 1970), Korean-American film director and screenwriter * Michael Kang (musician) (born 1971), Korean-American multi-instrumentalist, member of jam band The String Cheese Incident * Michele Kang (born 1959), South Korea-born American businesswoman * Kang Mi-na (born 1999), South Korean singer and actress, former member of girl groups I.O.I and Gugudan * Kang Min (better known as Nal_rA, born 1982), South Korean former professional StarCraft player * Kang Min-ah (born 1997), South Korean actress * Kang Min-hee (born 1991), South Korean singer * Kang Min-hyuk (born 1991), South Korean musician and actor, member of pop rock band CNBLUE * Kang Min-hyuk (badminton) (born 1999), South Korean badminton player * Kang Min-kyung (born 1990), South Korean singer, member of pop duo Davichi * Minsoo Kang (born 1967), South Korean historian and writer * Kang Min-soo (born 1986), South Korean footballer * Kang Na-eon (born 2001), South Korean actress * Kang Nak-youn (born 1967), South Korean alpine skier * Kang Nam-gil (born 1958), South Korean actor * Kang Nung-su (1930–2015), North Korean literary critic and politician * Kang Oe-jeong (born 1966), South Korean para table tennis player, Paralympic bronze medallist * Kang Ok-sun (born 1946), North Korean former volleyball player * Kang Rae-yeon (born 1981), South Korean actress and model * Kang Ryang-uk (1903–1983), former Vice President of North Korea * Kang Ryong-woon (born 1942), North Korean professional footballer * Kang San-eh (born 1963), South Korean folk rock singer-songwriter * Kang Sang-hee (born 1998), South Korean footballer * Kang Sang-jae (born 1994), South Korean professional basketball player * Kang Sang-jung (born 1950), Japanese-born South Korean academic * Kang Sang-woo (born 1993), South Korean professional footballer * Kang Sang-yoon (born 2004), South Korean footballer * Kang Se-jung (born 1982), South Korean actress *

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 the South Korean girl group Red Velvet (group), Red Velvet, its sub-unit Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, and the super ...

(born 1994), South Korean singer, member of girl group Red Velvet *

Kang Seung-yoon Kang Seung-yoon (; born ), also known mononymously as Seungyoon or Yoon, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and leader of boy band Winner (band), Winner. His appearance on the reality television singing contest Superstar K (season 2), ...

(born 1994), South Korean singer, member of boy band Winner * Kang Shin-hyo (born 1989), South Korean actor * Kang Shin-il (born 1960), South Korean actor * Kang Si-ra (born 1991), South Korean singer * Kang So-ra (born 1990), South Korean actress * Kang Sok-kyong (born 1951), South Korean author * Kang Soo-yeon (1966–2022), South Korean actress * Kang Soo-yun (born 1976), South Korean professional golfer * Sukhee Kang (born 1952), American politician * Suki Seokyeong Kang (1977–2025), South Korean visual artist *

Sung Kang Sung-Ho Kang (; born April 8, 1972) is an Americans, 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 tel ...

(born 1972), American actor * Kang Sung-hoon (singer) (born 1980), South Korean singer, former member of boy band Sechs Kies * Kang Sung-hoon (golfer) (born 1987), South Korean professional golfer * Sung-Mo Kang, American electrical engineering scientist * Kang Tae-joo (born 1995), South Korean actor and model * Tim Kang (born 1973), American actor * Kang We-suck (born 1986), South Korean civil rights activist * Kang Woo-suk (born 1960), South Korean film producer and director * Kang Ye-seo (born 2005), South Korean singer and actress, member of girl group Kep1er * Kang Ye-won (born 1979), South Korean actress * Kang Yi-seok (born 1998), South Korean actor * Kang Yong-sop (1931–2012), North Korean politician * Younghill Kang (1898–1972), Korean-American writer * Kang Young-hoon (1922–2016), South Korean politician * Kang Young-hyun (stage name

Young K Kang Young-hyun (; born December 19, 1993), known professionally as Young K, is a South Korean musician, singer, songwriter, and rapper. He is best known as the bassist and vocalist of South Korean pop rock band Day6. Early life Kang Younghyu ...

, born 1993), South Korean singer, member of pop rock band Day6 * Kang Young-joong (born 1949), South Korean businessman * Young Woo Kang (1944–2012), Korean-American disability rights advocate and author * Kang Yu-chan (born 1997), South Korean singer and actor, member of boy band A.C.E * Kang Yu-jeong (born 1996), South Korean judoka * Kang Yu-mi (comedian) (born 1983), South Korean comedian and actress * Kang Yu-mi (footballer) (born 1991), South Korean footballer * Kang Yun-gu (born 2002), South Korean footballer * Kang Yun-mi (speed skater) (born 1988), South Korean short track speed skater, Olympic gold medallist * Kang Yun-mi (gymnast) (born 1988), North Korean artistic gymnast * Kang Yun-seong (director) (born 1971), South Korean film director and scriptwriter * Kang Ae-shim (born 1963), South Korean actress

References

External links