Biography of Ji Chang-wook
One of the most demanded South Korean actors and the popular singer Ji Chang-wook has been capturing the hearts of millions of audiences across the globe with his powerful performance and beautiful smile. His notable performances include ‘Lovestruck in the City’, ‘Healer’, ‘Suspicious Partner‘, ‘The K2’ and ‘Melting Me Softly’.
Early Life and Education
Ji Chang-wook was born on 5 July 1987 in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. He is 36 years old as of 2023. He is a proud mama’s boy as he lived with his mother after the demise of his father during his childhood.
When he was a student in middle school, he used to play soccer and basketball and also used to swim at his school swimming pool. Whereas in his high school days at Shin Sung High School, he dreamed of becoming an engineer and an architect. He enrolled at Dankook University and majored in Theatre and Film.
Career
Ji Chang-wook began his career in musical theatre after auditioning for the Department of Theatre and Film at Dankook University, where he sang a song from Les Mis. He made his onscreen debut in 2006 with the film, ‘Days’.
In 2008, he appeared in the role of Jin-seo in the South Korean film, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and made his debut in dramas with television series in a minor role in the 2008 television drama ‘You Stole My Heart’.
In 2009, Ji Chang-wook played the role of Sun Gun-man in the film, ‘The Weird Missing Case of Mr. J’. In the same year, he appeared in the role of the youngest brother who raises the 20-year-old daughter of his best friend in the series, ‘My Too Perfect Sons’ and then appeared in a supporting role in the action-comedy series, ‘Hero’.
Although Chang-wook started his acting career in 2008, he rose to popularity after appearing in a lead role in the 159-episode 2010 daily drama, ‘Smile Again’. His role in this drama as a Korean-American short-track speed skater gained him a lot of appreciation.
Next year, he appeared in a titular role in the 2011 historical-action series, ‘Warrior Baek Dong-soo’, which was adapted from Lee Jae-heon’s ‘Manhwa’.
At the end of the same year, Chang-wook was seen in a lead role with Wang Ji-hye, Kim Young-kwang, Park Soo-jin and Hwang Shin-hye in the cable drama, ‘Bachelor’s Vegetable Store’, based on the true story of a young man.
In 2012, Chang-wook was cast in the role of an envied pianist in the melodrama, ‘Five Fingers’, starring Ju Ji-hoon, Chae Shi-ra and Jin Se-yeon. Next year, he returned to musical theatre with ‘The Days’, a jukebox musical using the folk-rock songs of Kim Kwang-seok.
During the very next year, he played one of the lead roles in the South Korean historical drama television series, ‘Empress Ki’, as the last emperor of the Yuan dynasty. His acting range in the king’s role glows through a pack of emotions as he falls for the woman, in connection with his natural kindness that becomes prominent in the romantic scenes.
In 2014, Chang-wook starred in the action-thriller television series, ‘Healer’ with Park Min-young and Yoo Ji-tae. His popularity flourished globally after airing this drama in China and other parts of Asia. Through this drama, he settles as a brave hero, an illegal night courier identified as a healer, by seamlessly managing dangerous stunts, besides being witty, adorable, logical and a dedicated lover.
After two years, he starred in the 2016 action-thriller television series, ‘The K2’ starring Song Yoon-ah and Im Yoon-ah. It became one of the many notable action roles in the career of Chang-wook. To make his character appear real, he even underwent rigorous training and played an atypical hero.
In the same year, he also appeared in the promotional web-drama series, ‘First Seven Kisses’.
In 2017, he starred in the action thriller film, ‘Fabricated City’, co-starring Shim Eun-kyung and Ahn Jae-hong where he played the role of a jobless game addict who is framed for murder. Also, he was cast in the romantic comedy thriller series, ‘Suspicious Partner’, as a prosecutor with Nam Ji-hyun, Choi Tae-joon and Kwon Nara. Through this drama, he percolates pleasure in both his swoon-worthy lover and genius attorney avatars.
After two years, he played the role of a television producer who discovers himself waking up 20 years into the future after an unsuccessful human-freezing project in the romantic comedy series, ‘Melting Me Softly’.
He was seen in the role of a former public relations director of a convenience store with Kim Yoo-jung in the romantic comedy series, ‘Backstreet Rookie’ based on a webtoon of the same name in 2020.
In 2021, Ji Chang-wook starred in the thriller film, ‘Hard Hit’ by Kim Chang-ju in which she played the role of a mysterious caller. In 2022, he appeared in the Netflix series, ‘The Sound of Magic’ in the role of a mysterious magician Lee Eul. Through this coming-of-age drama, he worked magic on the screen.
Ji Chang-wook is all set to play a lead role in the upcoming South Korean television series ‘Welcome to Samdal-ri’Â alongside Shin Hye-sun and Kang Young-seok in December 2023.
Achievements
Ji Chang-wook is one of the prominent South Korean actors and a popular singer. He is notable for his leading roles in K-dramas and musicals and has gained a lot of achievements in his career. Here are some of his prominent achievements.
- Ji Chang-wook won the AFA Next Generation Award in 2023.
- Chang-wook won the APAN Star Awards under the category of Global Star Award for his role in ‘The Sound of Magic’ in 2022.
- Ji Chang-wook won the Asia Artist Award under the Best Actor category in 2019.
Military Life
Ji Chang-wook enlisted in the Military Service on 14 August 2017 and underwent basic military training at the 3rd Infantry Division at Cheorwon in Gangwon Province and was discharged on 27 April 2019 with the rank of Sergeant.
Personal Life
During his childhood, Ji Chang-wook lost his father and was raised by his single parent, his mother. Although the stunning actor Chang-wook has dated several actresses, including Ha Ji-won, Kim Joo-ri and Park Min-young, however, he is believed to be single as of 2023.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Ji Chang-wook is one of the few actors who earned a lot from his career. As of 2023, his estimated net worth is around 12.5 million US dollars. His major source of income comes from his acting career, be it a thriller, romance or comedy, he starred in it all. Besides the acting career, Chang-wook is a famous singer with several hits under his name.
Philanthropy
The richest actor, Chang-wook actively contributes a portion of his income to the poor and needy. He donated around 100 million won to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association to help Turkey–Syria earthquake victims in February 2023.
Awards
- APAN Star Awards 2022
Global Star Award – ‘The Sound of Magic’ (2022) - Asia Artist Awards 2019
Asia Celebrity (Actor) (2019) - Asia Artist Awards 2019
Best Actor (2019) - Korea’s Best Dresser Swan Awards 2016
Best Dressed Actor – ‘The K2’ (2016) - China TV Drama Awards 2015
Most Popular Actor (Overseas) – ‘Healer’ (2015)
- KBS Drama Awards 2014
Popularity Award, actor – ‘Healer’ (2014)
- KBS Drama Awards 2014
Best Couple Award – Ji Chang-wook with Park Min-young – ‘Healer’ (2014) - Korea Drama Awards 2014
Top Excellence Award, actor – ‘Empress Ki’ (2014) - MBC Drama Awards 2013
Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama – ‘Empress Ki’ (2013) - The Musical Awards 2013
Best New Actor – ‘The Days'(2013)
- KBS Drama Awards 2011
Excellence Award, Actor in a Daily Drama – ‘Smile Again’ (2011)
- SBS Drama Awards 2011
New Star Award – ‘Warrior Baek Dong-soo’ (2011)
Interesting Facts About Ji Chang-wook
- Ji Chang-wook performed his own stunts in the South Korean drama, ‘The K2’.
- Chang-wook plays the piano.
- Ji Chang-wook speaks Mandarin.
- The name of Chang-wook’s dog is Ggoma.
- Ji Chang-wook loves exercising.
- Chang-wook is a musical theatre performer and has sung several songs in his film and television series soundtracks.
- Chang-wook is a biker.
FAQs
- Who is the crush of Ji Chang-Wook?Â
In an interview, Chang-Wook said that his ideal type is Song Hye-kyo. - What is the Instagram ID of Ji Chang-Wook?
jichangwook - What is the net worth of Ji Chang-Wook?
As of 2023, the estimated net worth of Ji Chang-Wook is 12.5 million US dollars.
