1. Overview

Ji Chang Wook is a prominent South Korean actor.

2. Acting Career

Breakthrough

His portrayal of Yuan Emperor Ta Hwan in 'Empress Ki' solidified his status as a must-watch actor.

From a powerless puppet emperor to a jealous, mad ruler, Ji Chang Wook captivated audiences with his intense performance, earning the Excellence Award for a Special Project at the 2013 MBC Drama Awards.

Despite the strong association with his earlier role in 'Smile Again', 'Empress Ki' marked a turning point in his career, redefining his image as an actor.

In 'Healer' (aired December 8, 2014 – February 10, 2015), he starred alongside Park Min-young, showcasing his versatile acting skills.

The drama earned him both the Popularity Award and Best Couple Award at the 2014 KBS Drama Awards.

He also maintained a steady presence in musicals, expanding his repertoire.

After a stint in Chinese dramas, Ji returned to Korean TV with 'The K2' in 2016.

In 2017, before his military enlistment, he starred as Noh Ji Wook in 'Suspicious Partner'.

3. Fun Facts

• He attended the same middle and high school as actor Ryu Deok-hwan.
• His grades during his first two years of high school were drastically different from those in his senior year, where he focused on theater and film studies—a testament to his "selection and concentration" strategy.
• Until his second year of high school, his life revolved around a monotonous routine of home, school, and cram school, which he found dull and uninspiring.
• Things changed when he decided on his career path, had his first girlfriend, visited PC rooms, and even ran away from home in his senior year.
• When he expressed his sudden desire to pursue acting in his senior year, his mother strongly opposed the idea, leading to frequent arguments.
• She even mentioned that she had a hard time coping with his decision. Interestingly, she also opposed him playing soccer, but now, he happily engages in both acting and soccer.
• Having lost his father at a young age, he was raised by his single mother, to whom he is incredibly devoted.
• He once said, "As a child, I used to walk through narrow alleys with my mom, thinking, 'What if bad people show up? I have to protect her.'"
• Despite deciding to study theater and film, he initially didn't attend acting classes.
• His friend, Ryu Deok-hwan, who was already attending acting school, encouraged him, saying, "If you're serious about theater, shouldn't you join a class?" That realization set him on his path.
• His career trajectory reflects steady growth, beginning with an independent film, followed by roles in morning dramas, weekend dramas, daily dramas, and leading roles on major networks.
• Although he rarely plays outright villains, he delivered a chilling performance as a gangster in T-ara's music videos for 'Cry Cry' and 'Lovey-Dovey'.
• His portrayal was so convincing that fans speculated he might be a real gangster.
• In the movie 'Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp', he played a villain named Soo-il who commits a heinous crime, but his character meets a grim fate.
• Two of the dramas he starred in achieved a remarkable 40% viewership rating.
• His exceptional singing talent rivals professional singers.
• He has successfully performed two-hour live concerts and starred in 97 performances of a large-scale musical within six months, often doing two shows per day.
• His vocal abilities have also led him to sing OSTs for his dramas and host concert-style fan meetings.
• On November 15, 2023, he made his major Japanese debut with the single 'あなたがいてくれた'.
• In March 2024, he embarked on his first Japanese concert tour.
• He considers the musical 'The Days' a turning point in his acting career, although he admitted feeling immense pressure about the ticket prices.
• He once said, "The only thing I can do is work hard with my team to create a performance that feels worth every penny."
• After starring in action-heavy roles following 'Empress Ki', he became known as an action star.
• However, he revealed that the physically demanding role in 'The K2' made him reluctant to take on more action projects. He then transitioned to his first romantic comedy, 'Suspicious Partner'.
• Despite his reputation as an action star, he is highly skilled in vocal delivery, which shone through in his portrayal of a lawyer in 'Suspicious Partner'.
• During his military service, he appeared in a Pyeongchang Winter Olympics promotional video, showcasing his playful acting in a curling scene with improvised props.
• He is a Buddhist and has cited 'Cinema Paradiso' and 'Good Will Hunting' as his favorite films.
• Although he enjoys most foods (especially rice), he avoids carrots and kombu from ramen.