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 dramaYou 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]
2010–2012: Rising popularity
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]
2013–2022: Breakthrough and overseas ventures
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, 7 First Kisses for Lotte Duty Free.[29]
Ji in February 2017
In 2017, Ji starred in the action film, Fabricated City, playing the role of a jobless game addict who is framed for murder.[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]
2023–present: Establishing an agency
In March 2023, Ji ended his contract with Glorious Entertainment.[37] On 14 March 2023, Ji is in the stage on preparing to establish a one-man agency with his manager who has been working with him for more than ten years.[38] In April 2023, Ji signed with Spring Company.[39]
Personal life
Ji began his mandatory military service on 14 August 2017.[40] He underwent his basic military training at the Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Cheorwon, Gangwon Province.[41] Upon completion, he was awarded a prize for high performance.[42]
Ji was assigned to the Army's 5th Artillery Brigade at Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, to complete the remainder of his military service.[43] He was appointed as a Platoon Leader and promoted to Corporal.[44][unreliable source?] He was further promoted to Sergeant. Ji was discharged on 27 April 2019.[45]
Philanthropy
In February 2023, Ji donated ₩100 million to help 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, by donating money through Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association.[46]
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^Jeon Hyung-hwa (10 May 2021). [단독]진기주 '미드나이트' 티빙 공개-지창욱 '발신제한' 극장 개봉..변화의 시작 [종합] [[Exclusive] Jin Ki-joo'Midnight' Teabing Revealed-Ji Chang-wook's'Restricted Calls' Theater Opened.. Beginning of Change [Comprehensive]]. 스타뉴스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
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^Kim Myung-mi (19 June 2023). 지창욱 신혜선 '웰컴투 삼달리' 캐스팅...JTBC 드라마 첫 출연[공식] [Ji Chang-wook and Shin Hye-sun cast in 'Welcome to Samdalri'... First JTBC drama appearance [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on 19 June 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2022 – via Naver.
^Hong Se-young (12 July 2023). 전종서·김무열·지창욱→박지환 '우씨왕후' 출연확정, 내년 공개 [공식] [Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Moo-yeol, Ji Chang-wook → Park Ji-hwan confirmed to appear in 'Queen Wu', released next year [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023 – via Naver.
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^지창욱·박민영, AAA 아시아 셀러브리티 배우상 수상 [Ji Chang-wook and Park Min-young win AAA Asia Celebrity Actor Awards]. Star News (in Korean). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
^지창욱 '2019 AAA' 베스트 엑터상 수상 "책임감 느껴" [Ji Chang-wook Wins Best Actor Award at '2019 AAA' "Feel A Sense of Responsibility"]. Star News (in Korean). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
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