Ju Ji Hoon
Info
🙂 Native Name: 주지훈
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: May 16, 1982
🏠 Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Taurus
📏 Height: 188 cm (6’2″)
💍 Spouse: Married in March 2020 to a non-celebrity partner; her identity has been kept private to respect their privacy.
👶 Children: One son; further details are not publicly disclosed to protect the family’s privacy.
Biography
Ju Ji-hoon, born on May 16, 1982, in Seoul, South Korea, first rose to prominence as a fashion model before transitioning into acting. Standing at an impressive 188 cm, his unique charisma and strong features quickly made him a favorite in the fashion industry, leading to endorsements for brands like Calvin Klein and Levi’s. His official acting debut came in 2003 with minor television roles, but his career took a dramatic turn in 2006 when he was cast as the male lead in the smash-hit drama “Princess Hours” (Goong). The series’ global success established him as a new-generation Hallyu star.
Following his initial fame, Ju Ji-hoon appeared in several other projects, but his career faced a major challenge in 2009 when he was involved in a drug scandal, leading to a temporary halt in his professional life. He completed his mandatory military service from 2010 to 2011 and made a strong comeback with critically acclaimed roles in movies like “The Naked Kitchen”, “I Am a King,” and “Antique.” His resilience and talent helped him rebuild his reputation in the highly competitive Korean entertainment scene.
In 2018, Ju Ji-hoon experienced a remarkable resurgence through the Netflix historical zombie thriller “Kingdom”, where he played Crown Prince Lee Chang. The show became a global sensation, introducing him to new international audiences and proving his enduring star power. He also starred in the “Along With the Gods” film series, one of the highest-grossing franchises in Korean cinema, further solidifying his position as a box office draw. His performance in “Jirisan” alongside Jun Ji-hyun added yet another highlight to his thriving career.
Ju Ji-hoon is known to be a private person. Although rumors have circulated about his relationships, he has not publicly confirmed any long-term partner, and his personal life remains largely out of the spotlight. With a career spanning modeling, television, and blockbuster cinema, Ju Ji-hoon has proven his versatility and depth as an actor. He continues to take on diverse roles that challenge both his craft and his public image, making him one of Korea’s most respected and enduring performers.
Hobbies
Motorcycling – Ju Ji-hoon is known for his love of motorcycles and often enjoys riding for leisure and relaxation.
Photography – He has an artistic eye and takes photographs during travel or downtime, especially candid and scenic shots.
Reading – He enjoys literature and reads scripts, novels, and philosophical books to expand his emotional depth.
Watching documentaries – Ju Ji-hoon is a fan of deep, real-life stories and often watches nature or cultural documentaries.
Traveling alone – He enjoys solo travel to disconnect and reflect, often exploring nature or quiet locations.
Interests
Script analysis – He’s deeply interested in character breakdown and spends significant time preparing for roles mentally.
Fashion design – Given his modeling background, Ju has a keen interest in style, often helping select his costumes.
Film production – He has expressed curiosity about directing or producing in the future, learning behind-the-scenes techniques.
Psychology and emotion – He is fascinated by how people think and feel, often incorporating these studies into his acting.
Martial arts and physical training – For action-heavy roles, he has trained in combat and is interested in fitness and strength conditioning.
Facts
He debuted as a model in 2003 before transitioning to acting with great success in Princess Hours (2006).
He served in the Korean military from 2010 to 2011, fulfilling his mandatory service after a career setback.
He starred in Netflix’s Kingdom (2019–2021), which gained massive international popularity.
He won Best New Actor at the MBC Drama Awards in 2006 for his breakout role in Goong.
He is 188 cm tall, making him one of the tallest leading actors in South Korea.
Secrets
He almost gave up acting after the 2009 drug scandal, but military service gave him time to reflect and recover.
He rarely watches his own performances because he feels self-critical and prefers to keep moving forward.
He has a strong spiritual side, often meditating or practicing mindfulness to manage pressure.
He keeps his relationships private and avoids discussing romantic life in interviews to protect loved ones.
He once lived anonymously abroad for a short period to escape media attention and reconnect with himself.
Funny Things
He once forgot his award speech at a live ceremony and laughed through it awkwardly on stage.
He does random impersonations of co-stars behind the scenes, causing laughter on set.
He has a unique walk that co-stars have imitated in variety shows, calling it “the Ju Ji-hoon strut.”
He’s afraid of bugs despite playing fearless characters, and has been caught screaming during outdoor shoots.
He once wore mismatched shoes to rehearsal and didn’t notice until halfway through practice.
Fears
Public misunderstanding – He fears being misjudged due to his past controversies and wants to be understood through his work.
Letting fans down – Ju Ji-hoon is aware of his second chance in the industry and works hard not to disappoint his supporters.
Losing artistic passion – He constantly looks for new challenges because he fears becoming stagnant as an actor.
Close personal loss – He values deep connections and has expressed emotional vulnerability around losing people he loves.
Overexposure – He worries about fame affecting his private life and prefers to stay out of unnecessary spotlight.
News
1. Best Actor Win at the 2025 Baeksang Arts Awards
On May 5, 2025, Ju Ji-hoon won the Best Actor award at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards for his role as Baek Gang-hyeok in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call. While many praised his performance, the win sparked mixed reactions online.
2. Starring Role in Netflix’s The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
In January 2025, Ju Ji-hoon returned to the small screen with the Netflix medical series The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, portraying a maverick trauma surgeon. The series, adapted from a popular web novel, received attention for its intense drama and commentary on societal issues.
3. Lead Role in Disney+’s Sci-Fi Thriller Blood Free
In April 2024, Ju Ji-hoon starred in the Disney+ sci-fi thriller Blood Free, playing Woo Chae-woon, a former soldier turned bodyguard. The series, set in a future where lab-grown meat dominates, showcased his versatility and earned him the nickname “genius in action” for his performance.
4. Return to Romance with Love Your Enemy
After 18 years since his breakout role in Princess Hours, Ju Ji-hoon returned to the romance genre with the 2024 tvN series Love Your Enemy. The drama, which aired from November 23 to December 29, 2024, featured him as Seok Ji-won, reuniting with a former lover after years apart.
5. In Talks for Lead Role in The Remarried Empress
As of January 2025, Ju Ji-hoon is in discussions to star in the upcoming drama The Remarried Empress, alongside Shin Min-a and Lee Jong-suk. The series, adapted from a popular web novel, is highly anticipated by fans.
Movies
Music / OST
🎵 Ju Ji-hoon – His Connection to Music and the Arts
Ju Ji-hoon, best known as a top-tier South Korean actor and former model, is not formally part of the music industry. He has never released a solo album or participated as a vocalist in commercial music projects. However, music has occasionally intersected with his career in meaningful ways — particularly through musicals, fan events, and collaborations within the entertainment industry.
🎭 Musical Theater Roots and Vocal Training
Before becoming a household name through dramas like Princess Hours and Kingdom, Ju Ji-hoon trained in various forms of performance art, including stage acting and musical theater. During his time studying at Kyonggi University (Department of Acting), he was exposed to basic vocal training and stage presence — crucial skills for actors engaging in theater that involves singing. While he did not pursue musical theater extensively, the early training helped shape his vocal confidence and on-stage charisma.
🎤 Singing at Fan Meetings and Variety Appearances
Ju Ji-hoon has occasionally performed songs at fan meetings or entertainment variety shows, much to the delight of fans. These moments usually feature him singing Korean ballads or OSTs from dramas he starred in, showcasing a soft and mellow vocal tone. While not a trained singer, he is known to carry a tune well and has a calming, emotionally resonant voice when performing live.
For example, at a fan event celebrating Princess Hours, Ju Ji-hoon once sang a snippet from the show’s soundtrack as a gesture of appreciation. These performances are not commercially released but are shared widely by fans online and highlight his musical sensibility.
🎧 Relationship with Music as an Actor
In interviews, Ju Ji-hoon has shared that he listens to film scores, Korean ballads, and soft jazz to help him get into character for emotionally demanding roles. Music plays a supportive role in his acting process, especially when preparing for deep or introspective scenes. He often builds a “character playlist” to mentally immerse himself in the world of the script.
✅ Summary
To clarify: Ju Ji-hoon does not have a professional music career and is not considered a singer in the Korean entertainment industry. However, his occasional vocal performances, musical theater background, and integration of music into his acting workflow demonstrate that he maintains a creative and meaningful relationship with music.
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