Joo Ji Hoon
Encyclopedia
Joo Ji Hoon is a popular model and actor from South Korea
. He is well known for portraying Crown Prince Lee Shin in Princess Hours
(Goong), which was his acting debut.
Before entering the entertainment industry, he studied at Tongwon College
, majoring in e-Business.
, Levi's and Reebok
. He has won many awards for modeling.
that made him notable throughout Asia. In Princess Hours, also known as Goong, he portrayed Prince Shin, a cold-hearted prince who was forced to marry a regular town girl. He starred alongside former Baby V.O.X.
member Yoon Eun Hye
and UN member Kim Jeong Hoon
. Fans of the manhwa
initially protested the casting of Joo into the lead role, but the drama was successful. He won the MBC
Drama Award for "Best New Actor." The success led to a spinoff, Goong S
.
In 2007, Joo starred in the 2007 KBS drama The Devil, alongside popular actress Shin Min-a
. In The Devil, he portrays a lawyer. He also cut his hair, which use to be rather shaggy, into a neat trim that framed his long face. He also lost 5 kg by eating only chicken and exercising three times a day. In March, The Devil was one of the three most highly anticipated dramas, along with The Thank You and Witch Amusement.
The actor was selected in 2007 to be the New Asian Star of 2007 at the 1st Astar TV Drama Awards which was held on March 30, 2007 at the COEX in Seoul. New Asian Stars have been chosen from Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. Astar TV said the six were chosen for their high recognition in their respective countries, their celebrity status, and potential to emerge as top Asian stars. Singer/Actor Kamenashi Kazuya was chosen among Japanese stars, while Fan Bing Bing represented China. Actor Wilson Chen was chosen among Taiwanese stars, actor Daniel Wu
among Hong Kong stars and model/actress Patcharapa Chaichua among Thai stars.
On the morning of June 23, Joo Ji-hoon appeared in court to receive his sentencing after pleading guilty to drug use of ecstasy and ketamine. His punishment is six months of jail with one year of probation (a suspended sentence) and 120 hours of community service, plus a penalty of 360,000 won (which is only approx US $280). That’s lighter than the one year and 440,000 won fine he had sought earlier this month. What this means is, he gets to suspend his six months of hard time while he is on probation for a year; if he remains clean (of any crime, not just drugs), the offense is essentially cleared and he does not have to serve his initial sentence.
Joo will not be imprisoned, yet, provided he remains clean of crimes during his probation period.
The decision was explained, “The nature of the crime is by no means light. However, he has reflected deeply on the crime and has not taken any drugs since the time a year and two months ago. Also, many fans from within the country and from overseas have appealed for an appropriate handling of the matter and sent petitions.” Joo’s lawyer explained, “Of course he must accept the price of his crime, but wrong information kept coming out and exaggerated him as a habitual user, and some of it was unfair.” As for his partners in crime, actress and trafficker Yoon Seol-hee was given three years in jail, while model and financer Yeh Hak-young and the unidentified Mr./Ms. Jeon were both given two and a half years of jail, but with four years of suspended-sentence probation, plus two years of regular probation and 200 hours of community service.
Joo Ji Hoon expressed:
In August, Ji Hoon will star a military musical, Voyage of Life. It has been gaining a lot of attention ever since it was announced Joo and fellow actor Lee Junki, both currently serving in the army, would be playing lead roles in it. The musical, which is co-produced by the Ministry of National Defense and Korea Musical Theatre Association to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, revealed its promotional poster and generated more hype. The musical ran from August 21 – 29th at the National Theater of Korea.
A representative of Key East Entertainment said:
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. He is well known for portraying Crown Prince Lee Shin in Princess Hours
Princess Hours
Princess Hours is a 2006 Korean drama starring Yoon Eun Hye, Joo Ji Hoon, Kim Jeong Hoon and Song Ji-hyo. It was based on manhwa Goong by Park So-Hee. It was broadcast from 11 January to 30 March 2006 on MBC.Princess Hours was one of MBC's most popular dramas of 2006, second only to Jumong...
(Goong), which was his acting debut.
Before entering the entertainment industry, he studied at Tongwon College
Tongwon College
Tongwon College is a South Korean higher institution located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi. It has 17 departments and over 3600 students. It was founded in 1993 by Dr. Tong-Won Lee.- History :Founder: Dr...
, majoring in e-Business.
Career
Joo started out as a model. In 2003, he went into modeling and advertised for brand names like Calvin KleinCalvin Klein
Calvin Richard Klein is an American fashion designer who launched the company that would later become Calvin Klein Inc. in 1968. In addition to clothing, Klein has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewelry....
, Levi's and Reebok
Reebok
Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of Athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...
. He has won many awards for modeling.
2006 – 2007: Breakthrough success
Joo's debut drama was "Old Love," but it was Princess HoursPrincess Hours
Princess Hours is a 2006 Korean drama starring Yoon Eun Hye, Joo Ji Hoon, Kim Jeong Hoon and Song Ji-hyo. It was based on manhwa Goong by Park So-Hee. It was broadcast from 11 January to 30 March 2006 on MBC.Princess Hours was one of MBC's most popular dramas of 2006, second only to Jumong...
that made him notable throughout Asia. In Princess Hours, also known as Goong, he portrayed Prince Shin, a cold-hearted prince who was forced to marry a regular town girl. He starred alongside former Baby V.O.X.
Baby V.O.X.
Baby V.O.X. was one of South Korea's girl groups, associated with record company DR Music. Although it initially had much internal turmoil, Baby V.O.X. eventually became a cohesive group from 1999 to 2005, releasing hit albums.However, after the failure of their last album Ride West, it began to...
member Yoon Eun Hye
Yoon Eun Hye
Yoon Eun-hye is a South Korean actress, singer, entertainer and model. She debuted as a member of girl group Baby V.O.X, staying with the group from 1999 to 2005...
and UN member Kim Jeong Hoon
Kim Jeong Hoon
Kim Jeong Hoon , also known in Japan as "John Hoon", is a South Korean singer and actor. He initially rose to fame as a member of Korean duo UN debuting with the single Voice Mail in 2000...
. Fans of the manhwa
Manhwa
Manhwa is the general Korean term for comics and print cartoons . Outside of Korea, the term usually refers specifically to South Korean comics. The term, along with manga, is a cognate of the Chinese manhua...
initially protested the casting of Joo into the lead role, but the drama was successful. He won the MBC
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television...
Drama Award for "Best New Actor." The success led to a spinoff, Goong S
Goong S
Goong S is a spinoff of Goong. It is produced by PD Hwang with the production company Group Eight. The main cast includes Se7en , Heo Yi Jae, Park Shin-hye, and Kang Doo. The series began its season on January 10, 2007, on MBC, and airs consecutive episodes on Wednesdays and Thursdays...
.
In 2007, Joo starred in the 2007 KBS drama The Devil, alongside popular actress Shin Min-a
Shin Min-a
Shin Min-a may refer to:* Shin Min-a , South Korean actress* Shim Mina, South Korean singer...
. In The Devil, he portrays a lawyer. He also cut his hair, which use to be rather shaggy, into a neat trim that framed his long face. He also lost 5 kg by eating only chicken and exercising three times a day. In March, The Devil was one of the three most highly anticipated dramas, along with The Thank You and Witch Amusement.
The actor was selected in 2007 to be the New Asian Star of 2007 at the 1st Astar TV Drama Awards which was held on March 30, 2007 at the COEX in Seoul. New Asian Stars have been chosen from Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. Astar TV said the six were chosen for their high recognition in their respective countries, their celebrity status, and potential to emerge as top Asian stars. Singer/Actor Kamenashi Kazuya was chosen among Japanese stars, while Fan Bing Bing represented China. Actor Wilson Chen was chosen among Taiwanese stars, actor Daniel Wu
Daniel Wu
Daniel Yin-Cho Wu is a Hong Kong actor, director and producer. Since his film debut in 1998, he has been featured in over 40 films. Wu has been called "the young Andy Lau," and is known as a "flexible and distinctive" leading actor in the Chinese-language film industry.-Early life:Wu was born in...
among Hong Kong stars and model/actress Patcharapa Chaichua among Thai stars.
2008–2009: Acting and scandal
Antique is the debut movie of Ji Hoon. Joo plays the part of a bakery owner. Kim Jae Wook plays the part of a genius pâtissier. Young actor Yoo Ah In plays the role of a boxing champion turned apprentice. Choi Ji Ho portrays a trouble making bodyguard. And they all come together to run the cake shop, ‘Antique.’ The movie opened in theaters on November 13, 2008.On the morning of June 23, Joo Ji-hoon appeared in court to receive his sentencing after pleading guilty to drug use of ecstasy and ketamine. His punishment is six months of jail with one year of probation (a suspended sentence) and 120 hours of community service, plus a penalty of 360,000 won (which is only approx US $280). That’s lighter than the one year and 440,000 won fine he had sought earlier this month. What this means is, he gets to suspend his six months of hard time while he is on probation for a year; if he remains clean (of any crime, not just drugs), the offense is essentially cleared and he does not have to serve his initial sentence.
Joo will not be imprisoned, yet, provided he remains clean of crimes during his probation period.
The decision was explained, “The nature of the crime is by no means light. However, he has reflected deeply on the crime and has not taken any drugs since the time a year and two months ago. Also, many fans from within the country and from overseas have appealed for an appropriate handling of the matter and sent petitions.” Joo’s lawyer explained, “Of course he must accept the price of his crime, but wrong information kept coming out and exaggerated him as a habitual user, and some of it was unfair.” As for his partners in crime, actress and trafficker Yoon Seol-hee was given three years in jail, while model and financer Yeh Hak-young and the unidentified Mr./Ms. Jeon were both given two and a half years of jail, but with four years of suspended-sentence probation, plus two years of regular probation and 200 hours of community service.
2010: Military career
It is reported that starting Feb 2, 2010 actor Joo Ji Hoon will bid his fans goodbye as he will be leaving for army. A source close to Joo JiHoon says on Jan 13, “Yesterday, MMA (Military Manpower Administration) has confirmed that Joo Ji Hoon can join the army as of Feb 2, 2010. First he’ll be off to an Academy in Gyeonggi Province to receive 5 weeks basic military training before serving full-time”, he said.Joo Ji Hoon expressed:
In August, Ji Hoon will star a military musical, Voyage of Life. It has been gaining a lot of attention ever since it was announced Joo and fellow actor Lee Junki, both currently serving in the army, would be playing lead roles in it. The musical, which is co-produced by the Ministry of National Defense and Korea Musical Theatre Association to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, revealed its promotional poster and generated more hype. The musical ran from August 21 – 29th at the National Theater of Korea.
2011 – present: comeback, Key East Entertainment
Ji-hoon has signed with top Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon-owned entertainment firm KEYEAST, according to the agency on Wednesday. According to a press release by KEYEAST, Joo, who is currently serving in the army to fulfill Korea's two-year mandatory military duties, finalized a contract with the firm early this month ahead of resuming his acting career in November when he is set to be discharged. KEYEAST said it plans to support Joo in his future activities both at home and overseas by cooperating with its Japanese subsidiary Digital Adventure (DA) as well as air various promotional events on Asian entertainment cable channel DATV. KEYEAST manages the career of numerous famous actors and actresses including Kim Hyun-joong, Lee Na-young, Choi Kang-hee, Lee Bo-young, E Ji-ah, Hong Soo-hyun, Wang Ji-hye and So E-hyun.A representative of Key East Entertainment said:
Endorsements
- Crown Butter Waffle
- Clride
- Bon
- Hi Harriet Shopping Mall
- Calvin Klein
- CF- SKT
- Cass Beer
- IBM
- LEVI’s
- POLO
- Reebok
- Cyworld
- KTF
- Sshil On-line game
- OB Lageo Deung
Awards
- 2005 Most Stylish Male Model- Style Magazine
- 2005 Best Male Model- The Photographers' Association (2005)
- Best Dresser Model Award- (2004)
- Best Dresser Model Award- (2005)
- 21st Best Outfit(Swan Award)- Best Male model
- 2006 MBCMunhwa Broadcasting CorporationMunhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television...
Drama Awards: Best New Actor - 2008 07' Asia Model festival award Star Prize
- 2009 Paeksang Awards – Prize for Popularity