Ji Chang-wook (born 5 July 1987) is a South Korean actor and singer.[2] He rose to fame for playing the lead role of Dong-hae in daily drama series Smile Again (2010–2011), and had notable lead roles in television series such as Warrior Baek Dong-soo (2011), Empress Ki (2013–2014), Healer (2014–2015), The K2 (2016), Suspicious Partner (2017), Melting Me Softly (2019), Backstreet Rookie (2020), Lovestruck in the City (2020-2021), The Sound of Magic (2022), and If You Wish Upon Me (2022).
Ji Chang-wook | |
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![]() Ji in September 2019 | |
Born | (1987-07-05) 5 July 1987 (age 35) Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea |
Alma mater | Dankook University – Department of Performing Arts[1] |
Occupation |
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Years active | 2006–present |
Agent | Glorious Entertainment |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 지창욱 |
Hanja | 池昌旭 |
Revised Romanization | Ji Chang-uk |
McCune–Reischauer | Chi Ch'anguk |
Ji began his career in musical theatre. He made his onscreen debut in the 2006 film Days... and had a minor role in the 2008 television drama You Stole My Heart. He officially debuted in 2008 through the film, Sleeping Beauty.[3]
In 2009, he appeared in My Too Perfect Sons, playing the timid, youngest brother who ends up raising his best friend's daughter at just 20 years old.[4] The weekend family drama received over 40% ratings.[5] He then took on a supporting role in the action-comedy Hero.[6]
In 2010, Ji was cast in his first lead role in the 159-episode daily drama, Smile Again, playing the role of a Korean-American short track speed skater.[7] Smile Again topped the ratings chart for 15 consecutive weeks, and he was awarded "Best Actor in a Daily Drama" at the KBS Drama Awards.[8][9]
He then played the titular character in 2011 historical-action series, Warrior Baek Dong-soo (2011). Adapted from Lee Jae-heon's manhwa, Honorable Baek Dong-soo, it is an origin story about Joseon-era swordsman, Baek Dong-soo, showing his early years until political intrigue creates a rivalry with his childhood best friend-turned-enemy.[10][11] The series topped in its timeslot for 13 weeks, and Ji received a "New Star Award" at the SBS Drama Awards.[12][13] Later that year, he played the lead role in cable drama, Bachelor's Vegetable Store which is based on the true story of Lee Young-seok, a young man who turned a tiny 350-square-feet vegetable store in 1998 into a nationwide franchise with 33 stores.[14]
On his first antagonist role in the melodrama, Five Fingers (2012), Ji played a pianist who envies his older brother's natural gift for music.[15][16]
Ji returned to musical theater in 2013 with The Days, playing a presidential bodyguard who went missing 20 years ago along with a mysterious female companion. The Days was a jukebox musical using the folk rock songs of Kim Kwang-seok.[17]
Ji's breakthrough came through his role as Toghon Temür (also known as Ta Hwan), the 16th emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, in the historical drama Empress Ki.[18] The drama drew solid viewership ratings nationwide throughout its run with an average rating of 35.12%. Ji's portrayal left a strong impression on both the critics and the audience, earning him critical acclaim and recognition.[19][20]
Ji then starred as the titular character in action-thriller television series, Healer (2014-2015).[21][22] After the airing of the drama, Ji became popular in China and other parts of Asia.[23][24] He then took on roles in Mandarin-language dramas such as The Whirlwind Girl 2 and Mr. Right.[25][26]
In 2016, Ji starred as the male lead in tvN's action-thriller The K2, a bodyguard who is betrayed by his fellow countrymen and falls in love with a girl with PTSD and apparent sociophobia.[27] The drama received favorable reviews, topping cable channel viewership ratings throughout its 8-week broadcast.[28] In November 2016, he co-starred in the promotional web-drama series, First Seven Kisses for Lotte Duty Free.[29]
In 2017, Ji starred in the action film, Fabricated City, playing the role of a jobless game addict who becomes a framed murderer.[30] The same year, he was cast in SBS's romantic comedy thriller series, Suspicious Partner, as a prosecutor, which premiered in May.[31]
Following his discharge from military in 2019, Ji was cast in the romantic comedy series Melting Me Softly, where he played the role of a television producer who finds himself waking up 20 years into the future following an unsuccessful human-freezing project.[32]
In 2020, Ji was cast in the romantic comedy series, Backstreet Rookie, based on a webtoon of the same name. He played the role of a former public-relations director of convenience stores franchises, who ends up managing his own convenience store.[33] He also starred in romantic comedy web series Lovestruck in the City which premiered on Kakao TV in December 2020.
In 2021, he starred in the Kim Chang-ju's thriller film Hard Hit, playing a mysterious caller who blackmails the protagonist and his family with a bomb planted inside the car they are driving.[34]
In 2022, Ji appeared in the Netflix series The Sound of Magic, based on a webtoon of the same name, in the role of mysterious magician Lee Eul.[35] That same year, he starred in the KBS2 drama If You Wish Upon Me in the role of an ex-convict who volunteers at a hospice.[36] Later, Ji held "Reach You" fan meeting on October 23, 2022.[37]
Ji began his mandatory military service on 14 August 2017.[38] He underwent his basic military training at the Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Cheorwon, Gangwon Province.[39] Upon completion, he was awarded a prize for high performance.[40]
Ji was assigned to the Army's 5th Artillery Brigade at Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, to complete the remainder of his military service.[41] He was appointed as a Platoon Leader and promoted to Corporal.[42] He was further promoted to Sergeant. Ji was discharged on 27 April 2019.[43]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | Days... | |||
2008 | Sleeping Beauty | Jin-seo | ||
2009 | The Weird Missing Case of Mr. J | Sun Gun-man | [44] | |
2010 | Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp | Soo-il | [45] | |
2011 | Confession | Short film | [46] | |
2013 | How to Use Guys with Secret Tips | Hong-jun's brother | Cameo | |
2015 | The Long Way Home | Nation's armed forces conscription military police | [47] | |
2017 | Fabricated City | Kwon Yoo | [48] | |
Your Name | Taki Tachibana | Voice only, Korean dub | [49] | |
The Bros | Young Choon-bae | Cameo | [50] | |
2021 | Hard Hit | Jinwoo | [51] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | You Stole My Heart | Lee Phillip | ||
2009 | My Too Perfect Sons | Song Mi-poong | [4] | |
2009–2010 | Hero | Park Jun-hyeong | [6] | |
2010–2011 | Smile Again | Carl Laker / Dong-hae | [7] | |
2011 | Warrior Baek Dong-soo | Baek Dong-soo | [52] | |
2011–2012 | Bachelor's Vegetable Store | Han Tae-yang | [53] | |
2012 | Five Fingers | Yoo In-ha | [15] | |
2013–2014 | Empress Ki | Toghon Temür / Ta Hwan | [18] | |
2014–2015 | Healer | Seo Jung-hoo / Park Bong-soo / Healer | [54] | |
2016 | The Whirlwind Girl 2 | Chang An | Chinese drama | [25] |
The K2 | Kim Je-ha / K2 | [55] | ||
2017 | Suspicious Partner | Noh Ji-wook | [56] | |
2019 | Melting Me Softly | Ma Dong-chan | [57] | |
2020 | Backstreet Rookie | Choi Dae-hyun | [33] | |
2022 | If You Wish Upon Me | Yoon Gyeo-rye | [58] | |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Kara: Secret Love | Angel No. 2013, Chun Sa Nam | Ep. 9–10 | [59] |
2016 | First Seven Kisses | Himself | Ep. 3–4 | [29] |
2020–2021 | Lovestruck in the City | Park Jae-won | [60][61] | |
2022 | The Sound of Magic | Lee Eul | [62] | |
2023 | The Worst Evil | Park Joon-mo | [63] |
Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | Young Actors' Retreat | Cast member | [64] |
Year | Song title | Artist | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | "Are You Ready" | Lena Park feat. Dynamic Duo | |
2009 | "We Broke Up Today" | Younha | [65] |
2010 | "I Have to Let You Go" | Young Gun | [66] |
2011 | "Cry Cry" | T-ara | |
2012 | "Lovey-Dovey" | [67] | |
"I Need You" | K.Will | [68] | |
2013 | "That's My Fault" | Speed | [69] |
"It's Over" | [70] | ||
Runaway | Kara |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Fire and Ice |
|
||
2011 | Thrill Me | Richard Loeb | [71] | |
2013 | The Days | Mu-young |
|
[17] |
Jack the Ripper | Daniel | [72] | ||
Brothers Were Brave | Lee Joo-bong | [73] | ||
2014 | The Days | Mu-young |
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2016 |
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2018 | Shinheung Military Academy Musical | Dong-gyu |
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Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
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2016 | Be With You | Mandarin | [74] |
Year | Title | Album | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | "Meet-Again Meet Again" (다시 만나면) | Warrior Baek Dong-soo OST | [75] |
"Oh-Sing-Sing-Men Oh Sing Sing Men" (오싱싱맨) (with Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Young-kwang, Shin Won-ho, Sung-je, and Ji-hyuk) | Bachelor's Vegetable Store OST Japanese release |
[76] | |
"Your Warmth" (너의온기) | |||
2012 | "Fill Up" (채운다) | Five Fingers OST | [77] |
2014 | "To the Butterfly" (나비에게) | Empress Ki OST | [78] |
2015 | "I Will Protect You" (지켜줄게) | Healer OST | [79] |
2016 | "Kissing You" | First Seven Kisses OST | [80] |
2017 | "101 Reasons Why I Like You" (네가 좋은 백 한가지 이유) | Suspicious Partner OST | [81] |
2019 | "When Love Passes By" (사랑이 지나가면) | Melting Me Softly OST | |
2022 | "Magic In You" (with Sondia, Ye.Z and Lee Yeseul) |
The Sound of Magic OST | [82][83] |
"Do You Believe In Magic?" (당신 마술을 믿습니까?) | |||
"Don't Make Me Dream" (나를 꿈꾸게 하지 마세요) (with Choi Sung-eun) | |||
"Merry-Go-Round" (회전목마) (with Choi Sung-eun) | |||
"A Curse of Asphalt" (아스팔트의 저주) | |||
"Annarasumanara" (아저씨. 마술을 믿으세요?) (with Choi Sung-eun) |
Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
APAN Star Awards | 2014 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Empress Ki | Nominated | |
2015 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Healer | Nominated | ||
2021 | Backstreet Rookie | Nominated | [84] | ||
Popular Star Award, Actor | Nominated | [85] | |||
2022 | Global Star Award | The Sound of Magic | Won | [86] | |
Asia Artist Awards | 2019 | Asia Celebrity (Actor) | Ji Chang-wook | Won | [87] |
Best Actor | Won | ||||
Baeksang Arts Awards | 2017 | Best New Actor – Film | Fabricated City | Nominated | |
China TV Drama Awards | 2015 | Most Popular Actor (Overseas) | Healer | Won | [88] |
KBS Drama Awards | 2010 | Best New Actor | Smile Again | Nominated | |
2011 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Daily Drama | Won | [9] | ||
2014 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-length Drama | Healer | Nominated | ||
Popularity Award, actor | Won | [89] | |||
Best Couple Award | Ji Chang-wook with Park Min-young Healer |
Won | [90] | ||
Korea's Best Dresser Swan Awards | 2016 | Best Dressed Actor | The K2 | Won | [91] |
Korea Drama Awards | 2011 | Best New Actor | Smile Again | Nominated | |
2014 | Top Excellence Award, actor | Empress Ki | Nominated | ||
MBC Drama Awards | 2013 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama | Won | [92] | |
SBS Drama Awards | 2011 | New Star Award | Warrior Baek Dong-soo | Won | [12] |
2012 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Weekend/Daily Drama | Five Fingers | Nominated | ||
2017 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama | Suspicious Partner | Nominated | [93] | |
Best Couple Award | Ji Chang-wook with Nam Ji-hyun Suspicious Partner |
Nominated | [94] | ||
2020 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Fantasy/Romance Drama | Backstreet Rookie | Nominated | [95] | |
Best Couple Award | Ji Chang-wook with Kim Yoo-jung Backstreet Rookie |
Nominated | [96] | ||
Seoul International Drama Awards | 2014 | Outstanding Korean Actor | Empress Ki | Nominated | |
The Musical Awards | 2013 | Best New Actor | The Days | Won | [97] |
General | |
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National libraries | |
Other |
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