Koichi Iwaki
Biography
Koichi Iwaki, born Lee Gwon-il, is a Japanese actor. Before entering the entertainment industry, Iwaki lived a high-profile life on the streets of Tokyo, serving as the vice-leader of COOLS, a hardcore biker gang based in Harajuku and Omotesando, which he co-led with fellow future Japanese actor Hiroshi Tachi. His street life directly led to his discovery by movie producers after photos of him riding his Harley-Davidson FLH1200 appeared in popular magazines such as Heibon Punch and Weekly Playboy, prompting the film studio Toei to scout him. Iwaki made his acting debut in 1975 with the film Seishun Sanka: Boryoku Gakuen Dai Kakumei and quickly became the face of Toei's biker-themed delinquent genre.
Career overview
Koichi Iwaki, born Lee Gwon-il, is a Japanese actor whose entry into the entertainment industry was preceded by a high-profile life on the streets of Tokyo. Before beginning his acting career, Iwaki served as the vice-leader of COOLS, a legendary hardcore biker gang based in Harajuku and Omotesando, which he co-led with fellow future Japanese actor Hiroshi Tachi. His path to cinema began when photos of him riding his Harley-Davidson FLH1200 were published in popular magazines such as Heibon Punch and Weekly Playboy. These appearances caught the attention of film producers, leading directly to his discovery by the film studio Toei.
Iwaki made his acting debut in 1975 with the film Seishun Sanka: Boryoku Gakuen Dai Kakumei. Following his entry into the industry, he quickly established himself as the face of Toei's biker-themed delinquent films. His background as a prominent figure in Tokyo street culture directly informed his early screen persona, bridging his real-life notoriety with a successful career in Japanese cinema.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Koichi Iwaki.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
80 titles- The Rest of Our Lives (2023) as Kenji
- Anita (2021) as Japanese Record Company President
- The Mole Song: Final (2021) as Shuho Todoroki
- 상처와 의리 (2020)
- Wanted Chef: Watanabe (2019)
- Back Street Girls: Gokudoruzu (2019) as Manjiro Inugane
- Scars and Codes 4 (2019)
- Scars and Codes 3 (2019)
- Scars and Codes 5 (2019)
- Road To Eden (2018) as Tao
- Scars and Codes 2 (2018)
- Scars and Codes (2018)
- HiGH&LOW The Movie 2: End of Sky (2017) as Kimitatsu Kurosaki
- Memoirs of a Murderer (2017) as Daisuke Tachibana
- 巨悪は眠らせない 特捜検事の標的 (2017) as 越村俊策 みやびの夫
- The Mole Song: Hong Kong Capriccio (2016) as Shuho Todoroki
- Cutie Honey: Tears (2016) as Doctor Kisaragi
- The Thorns of Alice (2014) as Shuichi Gendai
- Fukuie Keibuho no Aisatsu (2014) as 菅村
- 碧の海〜LONG SUMMER〜 (2014) as Odate Yuichiro
- Miss Pilot (2013) as Kazutoyo Shinozaki（篠崎 一豊）
- The Mole Song: Undercover Agent Reiji (2013) as Shuho Todoroki
- The Farthest Galaxy (2013)
- Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku Shinshō (2010) as Taizan Amamiya
- Zatoichi: The Last (2010) as Shimaji
- Kekkon shiyou yo (2008)
- Only You Can Hear Me (2007) as Toda
- Drift 3 Hawk (2007)
- Drift Falcon IV (2007)
- Silver Hawk (2004) as Akira Shiraishi
- ペット探偵の事件簿 (2004)
- Good Luck!! (2003) as Mizushima Kosaku
- Yakuza Demon (2003) as Bunta Mutoh
- 北の国から 記憶 前編 (2003)
- Kewaishi (2002)
- 北の国から記憶 (2002)
- ノサップ岬の女 (2002)
- Family (2001) as Hideshi Miwa
- Family 2 (2001)
- The Killers from Paraiso (1999) as Seiji
- What Can I Do for You (1999)
- Naniwa Chūshingura (1997)
- Mitabi no kaikyô (1995)
- Bad Guy Beach (1995)
- Wild Harley (1993)
- Last Run: 100 Million Yen's Worth of Love and Betrayal (1991) as Morita
- Beretta M92F Bombshell (1990)
- アイラブユーからはじめよう Let's Start With I Love You (1989) as Kenji Kazami
- Kita no kuni kara '89 Kikyo (1989)
- Dakishimetai! (1988)
- Kizu (1988)
- Passenger (1987) as Shinji Yagami
- Kita no kuni kara '87 Hatsukoi (1987)
- South to the Horizon (1986) as Ryo Tomijima
- The Second Is a Christian (1985) as Haruhiko
- No More God, No More Love (1985)
- Kita no kuni kara '84 Natsu (1984)
- She Cat (1983) as Shirley
- Kawasaki Vice Squad (1983)
- Kita no kuni kara '83 Fuyu (1983)
- From the Northern Country (1981) as Sota Kitamura (北村草太)
- 西村京太郎トラベルミステリー (1981) as Yusuke Morishita
- The Beast to Die (1980) as Youki
- White Love (1979)
- The Resurrection of the Golden Wolf (1979)
- No Grave for Us (1979) as Mitsuhiko Ishikawa
- Proof of the Man (1977) as Kyohei Kori
- Doberman Cop (1977) as Chōei Mikawa
- I Can Hear the Sound of Festival (1977)
- The Machine Gun Dragon (1976)
- Detonation! Violent Games (1976) as Kazama
- Kawachi Rascal Is Spurred On (1976) as Chōji Tōyama
- Hell Riders (1976)
- The Runaway Season (1976)
- A Kawachi Rascal's Song (1976) as Chōji Tōyama
- Festival Champ (1976)
- The Bullet Train (1975) as Akira Tôgô
- Detonation: Violent Riders (1975)
- A Violent School Revolution (1975)
- パパ・サヴァイバル
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Koichi Iwaki best known for?
Koichi Iwaki is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Bear Ye One Another's Burden... (1988), Worlds Beyond (1986), Yakuza Demon (2003), She Cat (1983).
When and where was Koichi Iwaki born?
Koichi Iwaki was born on March 21, 1951 in Nakano, Tokyo, Japan.
How many credits does Koichi Iwaki have?
Koichi Iwaki has accumulated over 80 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1975 to 2023.
What is Koichi Iwaki's background in cinema and television?
Koichi Iwaki, born Lee Gwon-il, is a Japanese actor. Before entering the entertainment industry, Iwaki lived a high-profile life on the streets of Tokyo, serving as the vice-leader of COOLS, a hardcore biker gang based in Harajuku and Omotesando, which he co-led with fellow future Japanese actor Hiroshi Tachi. His stre...
Koichi Iwaki by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- From the Northern Country (1981) as Sota Kitamura (北村草太) — aged about 30
- Proof of the Man (1977) as Kyohei Kori — aged about 26
- The Bullet Train (1975) as Akira Tôgô — aged about 24
- Yakuza Demon (2003) as Bunta Mutoh — aged about 52
- The Resurrection of the Golden Wolf (1979) — aged about 28
- She Cat (1983) as Shirley — aged about 32
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Koichi Iwaki.