Ju Ji-hoon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ju Ji-hoon
Ju in October 2018
Born	Joo Young-hoon (1982-05-16) May 16, 1982 (age 42) Gangdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Other names	Joo Ji-hoon
Alma mater	Kyonggi University
Occupation	Actor Model
Years active	2003–present
Agent	Blitzway Studios
Korean name
Hangul	주지훈
Revised Romanization	Ju Ji-hun
McCune–Reischauer	Chu Chihun
Signature

Ju Ji-hoon (Hangul: 주지훈; born May 16, 1982) is a South Korean actor and model. His first leading role was in the television series Princess Hours (2006). His other notable works include Lucifer (2007), Five Fingers (2012), Mask (2015), Kingdom (2019–2020), and Hyena (2020). Ju is also known for starring in the films Asura: The City of Madness (2016), Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) and its 2018 sequel, The Spy Gone North (2018), and Dark Figure of Crime (2018).

Early life

In 2003, Ju debuted as a model, in advertisements for clothing brands such as Calvin Klein, Levi's and Reebok. He won many awards for modeling. Before entering the entertainment industry, he studied at Tongwon College, majoring in e-Business.

Career

2006–2008: Acting debut and recognition

Ju had various bit parts in television dramas, but it was in 2006's romantic comedy Princess Hours, based on the manhwa Goong, that he achieved breakthrough. The drama was a hit domestically with a peak rating of 28.3%, and internationally across Asia, catapulting Ju into Korean Wave stardom. He won the Best New Actor award at the MBC Drama Awards along with his co-star Yoon Eun-hye.

In March 2007, Ju starred in KBS2's revenge drama The Devil, opposite Uhm Tae-woong and Shin Min-a. The same month, he received the New Asian Star award at the 1st Astar TV Drama Awards for his performance in Princess Hours and The Devil.

Ju's film debut was in Antique (2008), based on the manga Antique Bakery. The film was invited to the 59th Berlin International Film Festival.

2011–2016: Comeback

In January 2011, ahead of Ju's discharge in November, he signed with entertainment agency KeyEast, owned by actor Bae Yong-joon.

In August 2012, Ju made his comeback in the period comedy film I Am the King. Inspired by the popular novel The Prince and the Pauper, Ju played the dual role of Grand Prince Choong-nyung and the slave Deok-chil, in a fictional period before the prince becomes King Sejong the Great. This was followed by his starring role as a pianist in the melodrama Five Fingers, broadcast from August to November 2012. Joo also starred in medical drama Medical Top Team, and romantic comedy film Marriage Blue.

Ju made his film debut in China with Love Suspicion, a romantic thriller. In 2014, Ju was paired up with Ji Sung and Lee Kwang-soo in Confession, a neo-noir film that brutally explores the aftermath of three men's friendship after the death of one's mother.

In 2015, Ju starred in the period film The Treacherous, reuniting him with the director of Antique. He then made his small screen comeback with SBS' melodrama Mask alongside Soo Ae.

In 2016, Ju starred in the noir crime thriller Asura: The City of Madness, which premiered globally at the 41st Toronto Film Festival. He received the Popular Film Star award at the Korea Top Star Awards.

2017–present: Career resurgence

From 2017 to 2018, Ju starred in the two-part fantasy epic Along With the Gods. The film was the second highest grossing film in South Korea, and Ju became known for his role as Haewonmaek.

In 2018, Ju starred in the thriller films The Spy Gone North, and Dark Figure of Crime. Ju's performance in both films earned acclaim, and he won several Best Supporting Actor awards at film ceremonies for his performance in The Spy Gone North, and was nominated for Best Actor at the Blue Dragon Awards for Dark Figure of Crime.

In 2019, Ju made a comeback to the small screen with two television series; Netflix's zombie period drama Kingdom, and MBC's fantasy legal drama Item.

In 2020, Ju reprised his role in the second season of Kingdom, and starred in the legal drama Hyena.

In January 2021, Ju signed with new agency H& Entertainment.

Personal life

Military service

On February 2, 2010, Ju enlisted in the Republic of Korea Army to serve his mandatory military service for five weeks of basic training at 306th draft in Uijeongbu of Gyeonggi Province, followed by active duty with the reserve forces.

Later in August, Ju co-starred with fellow actor Lee Joon-gi in the military musical Voyage of Life. The musical, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, was co-produced by the Ministry of National Defense and Korea Musical Theatre Association. It ran from August 21 to 29 at the National Theater of Korea. Ju was discharged on November 21, 2011.

Selected filmography

Film

Television series

Television show

Web shows

Music video appearances

Awards and nominations

Listicles