Hangeng

Hangeng

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Hangeng
Birthname	Han Geng (韩庚)
Birthplace	Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang, China
Birthdate	February 9, 1984
Height	181 cm
Nationality	Chinese
Blood Type	B
Job
Occupation	Singer, Dancer, Actor, Model
Agency	S.M. Entertainment (2005-2009) Yuehua Entertainment (2010-present)
Active	2005-present

Hangeng is a Chinese singer, dancer, and actor under Yuehua Entertainment. He was a member of the group Super Junior and it's subunit Super Junior-M.

He pursued a solo career in China after leaving SM Entertainment and SUPER JUNIOR in 2010.

Early life

Han Geng was born on February 9, 1984, in Mudanjiang, a city in Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China. Han is of Nanai (Hezhe) ethnic descent.

Career

Lawsuit and Leaving SM

On December 21, 2009, Hangeng took a bold step by filing for the termination of his contract with his former company, SM. Entertainment. He argued passionately that the lengthy duration of 13 years, along with the restrictive nature of their exclusive agreements, placed unfair burdens on the artists. Furthermore, he highlighted the unfair terms of profit distribution, which he believed were disproportionately skewed in favour of the company. Hangeng sought to have these contracts declared invalid, advocating for a more just and balanced approach to artist representation in the entertainment industry.

Along with this, it was disclosed that because of SM. Entertainment's refusal to give him a day off in over two years, he had developed gastritis and kidney disease. (In Korean)

On December 21, 2010, the Seoul Central District Court delivered a ruling in favour of Hangeng, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legal dispute. (In Korean) In response to this decision, a spokesperson from SM. Entertainment announced their intention to promptly file an appeal, seeking to overturn the court's ruling and restore their previous standing in the matter.

As of September 27, 2011, a significant development unfolded as Hangeng and SM. Entertainment reached a mutual agreement concerning the terms of Hangeng's contract. This resolution effectively brought an end to the ongoing legal discussions surrounding the matter. Han has decided not to extend his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment. Consequently, he no longer maintains any legally binding ties with SM This announcement was officially communicated by Yue Hua Entertainment, Han's new management company, signaling a fresh chapter in the artist's professional journey. (In Mandarin) (In Korean)

Reforms Inspired after Lawsuit

His legal challenge centered around several controversial contract terms that he deemed unfair and oppressive. Among these was an astonishing 13-year exclusivity period that bound him to the agency, coupled with a staggering profit-sharing arrangement that favored SM Entertainment with an 80-20 split. Moreover, the contract imposed restrictive clauses that prohibited him from pursuing individual projects without prior approval from the agency, effectively stifling his creative freedom. To add to the burden, the demands placed on him included a grueling work schedule that required up to 22.5 hours of labor each day, highlighting the intense pressures faced by artists within the rigorous confines of the entertainment world.

This case, alongside the concurrent TVXQ subgroup JYJ's dispute, amplified public and regulatory scrutiny of "slave contracts" in South Korea's entertainment sector, characterised by long terms, opaque revenue shares, and control over artists' schedules and side activities

In response, the Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) in late 2009 introduced a model standard contract capping exclusivity at seven years, after which artists could renegotiate or terminate without penalty, aiming to balance agency investments with performer autonomy

By 2010, SM Entertainment publicly committed to revising its standard contracts to a seven-year term and enhancing transparency in profit distribution, explicitly citing pressures from the Han Geng and JYJ rulings to foster a "healthier" industry environment Other agencies followed suit, with the KFTC enforcing guidelines that prohibited excessive non-compete clauses, mandated clear revenue breakdowns, and limited work hour impositions to prevent exploitation. These changes affected over 200 artists across major labels by addressing 46 unfair terms across ten categories, as identified in subsequent reviews.

While later judicial reviews, such as in the JYJ appeals, found insufficient evidence of systemic "slavery," the Hangeng precedent accelerated a shift toward shorter, fairer agreements, reducing average contract lengths industry-wide and enabling more frequent artist-agency renegotiations.

Personal life

In 2013, Han launched his own customized phone brand, known as the "Geng Phone."

Hangeng and Celia first met at an award show in 2016, but first went public with their relationship in February 2018. Han Geng married actress Celina Jade on December 31, 2019, in New Zealand with a private ceremony attended by family and close friends. On Dec. 31, the two stars announced their marriage on Weibo with the caption, "Hello, my love" tagging each other and sharing a pic dressed in traditional orange wedding outfits.

In September 2022, they had their first child, a daughter. In October 2025 they welcomed their second child a son.

Philanthropy

Hangeng has participated in numerous charitable efforts, primarily centred on disaster relief, education support, and aid for vulnerable populations in China. His contributions often involve direct monetary donations and endorsements for campaigns, reflecting a pattern of responding to natural disasters and social needs.

In February 2008, he directed 20,000 RMB (3.000 USD) through friend He Jiong for southern China ice storm recovery. In May 2008, during the devastating Wenchuan earthquake, Han Geng took a personal stand to help those affected by the disaster. He not only rolled up his sleeves to donate blood to help the wounded but also teamed up with a well-known brand to contribute an impressive 6.8 million RMB (975.000 USD ) for relief efforts. To further amplify his impact, he organized an auction featuring collectible albums alongside fellow performers, raising additional funds to support the victims of this tragic event. (In Mandarin) His commitment to humanitarian aid was a testament to his compassion and dedication in the face of adversity.

In December 2009, to aid those affected by the devastating floods and landslides in Yunnan province, as a generous donation of 100,000 RMB (14.000 USD) was made to support relief efforts. This contribution aimed to provide essential assistance to the communities struggling to recover from the aftermath of the natural disaster.

In 2010, he generously contributed an additional 100,000 RMB (14.000 USD) to tackle the severe drought that was devastating Yunnan, as well as to provide aid for a catastrophic mudslide in Zhouqu.

For the 2013 Ya'an earthquake, Hangeng donated 200,000 RMB to the One Foundation charity via a publicised transfer, emphasising collective aid.

In August 2015, while abroad, he contributed 1 million RMB (145.000 USD) through his studio to support victims of the Tianjin port explosions.