Ji Sung
Info
🙂 Native Name: 지성 (Ji Sung)
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: February 27, 1977
🏠 Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Pisces
📏 Height: 178 cm (5’10”)
💍 Spouse: Lee Bo Young (Married in 2013)
👶 Children: Daughter Kwak Ji Yoo (born June 2015), Son Kwak Bo Ah (born February 2019)
Biography
Ji Sung, born on February 27, 1977, in Seoul, South Korea, is one of the most respected and versatile actors in the Korean entertainment industry. He initially pursued a degree in theater and film at Hanyang University, with dreams of becoming a teacher. However, after being inspired by Dustin Hoffman’s performance in Rain Man, he shifted his focus to acting. Ji Sung made his debut in 1999 with the drama KAIST and quickly garnered attention for his raw talent and emotional depth.
His breakthrough role came in 2003 with the drama All In, where he starred alongside Lee Byung-hun and Song Hye-kyo. This role propelled Ji Sung into stardom and solidified his position as a leading man in the industry. Over the years, he continued to take on challenging and diverse roles, from the revenge-driven prosecutor in Defendant (2017) to the multi-personality disorder patient in Kill Me, Heal Me (2015), a role that earned him widespread acclaim and multiple awards.
In 2013, Ji Sung married actress Lee Bo Young, after they had publicly confirmed their relationship in 2007. The couple is known as one of South Korea’s most beloved celebrity pairs. They have two children together, a daughter named Kwak Ji Yoo (born in 2015) and a son named Kwak Bo Ah (born in 2019). Ji Sung and Lee Bo Young have successfully balanced their demanding acting careers with parenting, often alternating between work and family responsibilities.
Most recently, Ji Sung starred in the 2021 hit drama The Devil Judge, where he played the enigmatic and morally ambiguous judge Kang Yo Han. The series was praised for its unique storytelling and Ji Sung’s commanding performance. As of 2024, he continues to focus on his family life, residing in the United States while also considering future projects. His ability to take on diverse and complex roles has made him one of the most respected actors in Korean television.
Hobbies
- Golf: Ji Sung loves to play golf as a way to relax and recharge after long filming sessions. He frequently enjoys golfing with friends.
- Reading: He is an avid reader, often diving into novels and biographies. Reading helps him escape and find inspiration for his acting roles.
- Traveling: Ji Sung enjoys traveling with his wife and family, exploring new places and cultures, which also serves as a break from his hectic career.
- Watching Movies: As a fan of cinema, Ji Sung often watches films in his free time, finding inspiration and learning from different genres and actors.
- Cooking: He enjoys cooking at home, especially for his family, and finds it a calming activity, allowing him to spend quality time with his loved ones.
Interests
- Parenting: Ji Sung is a dedicated father, constantly seeking ways to balance his career and spend meaningful time with his children.
- Film Production: Beyond acting, he has a growing interest in the behind-the-scenes aspects of film production and hopes to direct in the future.
- Health and Fitness: Staying fit is important to Ji Sung. He follows a disciplined fitness routine to maintain his physical health for both life and work.
- Acting Techniques: Ji Sung is deeply interested in refining his acting craft, often studying various acting methodologies to enhance his performances.
- Korean History: After participating in several historical dramas, Ji Sung developed a strong interest in Korean history, particularly in ancient dynasties.
Facts
- Celebrity Marriage: Ji Sung and actress Lee Bo Young are one of the most beloved celebrity couples in South Korea, having been together since 2007 and married in 2013.
- Award-Winning Actor: Ji Sung has received numerous awards, including a Grand Prize for his performance in Kill Me, Heal Me.
- Family-Oriented: Despite his busy schedule, Ji Sung prioritizes family time and has been known to take breaks from acting to focus on his wife and children.
- Stage Name: His real name is Kwak Tae-geun, but he chose the stage name “Ji Sung” for his acting career.
- Acting Debut: Ji Sung made his acting debut in 1999 in the drama KAIST, which marked the beginning of his long and successful career.
Secrets
- Almost a Teacher: Before becoming an actor, Ji Sung originally pursued a career in education and only turned to acting after watching Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man.
- Private Life: Despite being a public figure, Ji Sung keeps his personal life private, avoiding much exposure on social media and in interviews.
- Method Acting: Ji Sung is known to fully immerse himself in his roles, sometimes staying in character even when the cameras aren’t rolling.
- Declined Hollywood Offers: He has reportedly turned down offers from Hollywood, preferring to focus on meaningful projects in Korea.
- Emotional Scenes: Ji Sung has admitted that he sometimes becomes overly emotional while filming intense scenes, showing his deep commitment to his craft.
Funny Things
- Forgets Lines: Despite his serious acting persona, Ji Sung has admitted to frequently forgetting his lines on set, leading to funny moments with co-stars.
- Accidental Prankster: Ji Sung has a playful side, and his co-stars have shared stories of his accidental pranks and clumsiness during rehearsals.
- The Serious Joker: Ji Sung has a knack for delivering jokes in a serious tone, surprising and amusing those around him with his unexpected humor.
- Character Mimicry: On variety shows, Ji Sung humorously mimics his intense characters, providing a contrast to his normally serious roles.
- Dancing Mishaps: Ji Sung has humorously admitted that he struggles with dancing, often joking about his lack of rhythm during public appearances.
Fears
- Public Speaking: Despite his confidence as an actor, Ji Sung has admitted to feeling nervous when speaking at public events and award ceremonies.
- Fear of Heights: Ji Sung has a fear of heights, which has made filming certain action scenes more difficult throughout his career.
- Disappointing Fans: He is deeply concerned about letting his fans down, especially when taking on challenging roles or projects.
- Loss of Privacy: As his fame grows, Ji Sung fears losing the privacy of his family life, which is why he keeps his children out of the public spotlight.
- Career Longevity: Ji Sung is aware of the fast-paced nature of the entertainment industry and often worries about maintaining a long and impactful career.
News
Comeback with Connection (2024): Ji Sung is set to make his highly anticipated return to K-dramas with Connection, a psychological crime thriller where he plays Jang Jae-kyung, a respected narcotics officer. The plot revolves around a mysterious death, leaving fans excited about his portrayal of this complex character.
Critical Acclaim for Adamas (2022): Ji Sung received praise for his dual roles in Adamas, where he played twin brothers Ha Woo Shin and Song Soo Hyun. The show’s gripping plot and Ji Sung’s intense performance garnered widespread acclaim from audiences.
Collaboration with Jeon Mi-do in Connection: In 2024, Ji Sung teams up with Hospital Playlist star Jeon Mi-do for the crime thriller Connection. Fans are eagerly awaiting their on-screen chemistry, as both actors are known for their strong performances.
Successful Run in The Devil Judge (2021): Ji Sung’s portrayal of the enigmatic Kang Yo Han in The Devil Judge was a huge success. The drama was praised for its dark themes and Ji Sung’s complex character, earning him multiple awards.
Family Life with Lee Bo Young: Outside of his professional life, Ji Sung remains a devoted husband to actress Lee Bo Young. They married in 2013 and have two children, balancing their successful acting careers with family life.
TV Drama
Movies
Music / OST
Ji Sung does not have a formal music career, as he is primarily known for his work as an actor. However, he has occasionally shown his musical side through his participation in various variety shows and entertainment events. While Ji Sung has not released any albums or pursued professional singing, he has been known to sing in special appearances, including fan meetings and behind-the-scenes moments on drama sets.
Additionally, in some of his acting roles, Ji Sung has portrayed characters connected to music, although his primary focus has always remained on his acting career. For example, in shows like Entertainer (2016), Ji Sung played a music company CEO, where his role required him to interact with musical themes. Despite his limited involvement in music, Ji Sung’s fans have appreciated the rare occasions when he showcases his singing talent.
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