Biography of Jung Il-woo
Jung Il-woo is a South Korean actor with amazing acting skills. He became worldwide popular through his roles in the South Korean situation comedy, ‘High Kick’ and television dramas, ‘The Return of Iljimae’, ’49 Days’, ‘Cool Guys, Hot Ramen’, ‘Moon Embracing the Sun’ and ‘Cinderella and the Four Knights’.
Early Life and Education
Jung Il-woo was born on 9 September 1987 in Seoul South Korea. He was born into a wealthy family where his father Jung Hae-Hoon was the director of a Kendo Academy and a television news anchor and Shim Youn-Ok, his mother was a professor at the Korean National University of Cultural Heritage. His grandfather was the chief director of a hospital in Korea. Il-woo spent his childhood with his sister.
Although he went to study broadcasting at Seoul Institute of the Arts, he suddenly realised his love and passion for acting, which led him to move to Hanyag University and graduate in Theatre and Film.
Career
Jung Il-woo made his debut in acting with the movie, ‘The World of Science’ in 2006. He became a teen heartthrob after being debuted on television screen with the family sitcom ‘High Kick’. In this series, he played the role of an unruly teenager who was obsessed with motorcycles. This role made him famous overnight in South Korea. Next year, he was cast in a romantic comedy film, ‘My Love’.
In 2009, Il-woo appeared in a lead role in ‘The Return of Iljimae’, in the role of an adamant historical warrior who brings justice to the world. In the same year, he was seen in music videos, including ‘This is Me’ and ‘Goodbye Sadness’ by Goo Jung-hyun. Also, he appeared in a romantic comedy series, ‘My Fair Lady’ in the role of a high-class lawyer alongside Yoon Eun-hye, Yoon Sang-hyun and Moon Chae-won.
In the South Korean crime drama film, ‘Beautiful Sunday’, Il-woo appeared in the most challenging role of an HIV-positive gay man.
Although he appeared in several series and films since his debut, his breakthrough came in 2011, when he was cast as a Grim Reaper in the TV series, ’49 Days’. With this role, he became popular outside South Korea.
In the same year in 2011, he was cast in the role of an arrogant man in the romantic comedy television series, ‘Cool Guys, Hot Ramen’ starring Lee Chung-ah, Lee Ki-woo, Park Min-woo, and Cho Yoon-woo.
In 2012, he was portrayed as a crazy love prince who turns against his brother in the historical drama, ‘Moon Embracing the Sun’. This role added another feather to his career.
He played a role in the South Korean drama, ‘Queen of the Office’ and was cast in the lead role in MBC’s ‘Golden Rainbow’ in 2013 and 2014.
Il-woo played the lead role of a prince who could turn into a ghost in a period drama, ‘The Night Watchman’s Journal’.
Global Fame
Jung Il-woo got an opportunity to perform in the Chinese-Korean web series, ‘High-End Crush’ with Jin Se-yeon. He portrayed the character of a CEO who assists a girl in developing a love app in the Chinese comedy ‘Rise of a Tomboy’, which led him to gain popularity among international audiences.
In 2016, he made a comeback in television series with the South Korean drama, ‘Cinderella and Four Knights’, alongside Park So-dam. His role as a wild orphan who became a member of a rich family rapidly proved his power as a mega TV star again.
Il-woo starred in a Thai drama, ‘Gon Rak Game Ma Ya’ aka ‘Love and Lies’ in 2017, which took his career to another level eventually in South Korea, Thailand and other countries.
Achievements
South Korean actor Jung Il-woo, who became popular worldwide with his extraordinary acting skills has achieved a lot of appreciation and awards in his career. Here are some of his notable achievements:
- Jung Il-woo won the 9th Mnet KM Music Festival award under Best Actor in a Music Video for ‘Goodbye Sadness’ in 2007.
- Il-woo won 1st Mnet 20’s Choice Awards under the New Star and Drama Star category for his role in ‘High Kick’.
- Under the category Best Newcomer, Jung Il-woo won the MBC Entertainment Awards.
- For the film, ‘My Love’, Il-woo was nominated as the Best New Actor at the 44th Baeksang Arts Awards.
- Il-woo became an honorary ambassador for the 12th Jeonju International Film Festival as well as at The Canadian Tourism Commission in 2011.
- In 2012, Il-woo became the Korean Representative at the 4th Japan-Korea Friendship Festival and received a second Ministry of Health and Welfare Share Happiness Award.
- At the iQiyi Awards in 2013, Jung Il-woo won the Male Actor award.
- Jung Il-woo won ‘Forever Young Icon Male Star’ at the ‘Cosmo Beauty Awards’ in 2014.
- Il-woo was awarded ‘The Most Celebrated Award’ at the Asian Influence Eastern Awards in 2015.
Military Life
Jung Il-woo enlisted himself to serve military service in December 2016. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with a serious medical condition, a cerebral aneurysm. However, he did not leave the military training. He completed his mandatory military service training after two years in December 2018.
Personal Life
Although there were a lot of speculations regarding the relationship of South Korean actor Jung Il-woo with actresses Kim Jin, Park Shin-hye, Lee Chang uh and Kim Yoo-mi, he is single as of 2023.
Yet, Il-woo revealed in an interview that his one and only girlfriend is Sandara Park and they have been in a relationship for 6 years.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
The estimated net worth of South Korean actor Jung Il-woo is roughly around 1.5 million US dollars. He is one of the richest television actors in the South Korean entertainment industry.
Awards
- KBS Entertainment Awards 2019
Rookie Award in Show & Entertainment – Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-staurant (2019)
- Asia Model Awards 2016
Asia Special Award, Actor (2016)
- Asia Influence Eastern Awards 2015
Most Celebrated Actor (2015)
- Cosmo Beauty Awards 2014
Forever Young Icon Male Star (2014)
- MBC Drama Awards 2014
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama – ‘Diary of a Night Watchman’ (2014) - Asia Model Awards 2012
Fashionista Award – ’49 Days, Cool Guys, Hot Ramen’ ( 2012)
- Huading Awards 2012
Asia Male Actor Award (2012)
- Ministry of Health and Welfare Share Happiness Awards 2012
Recipient (2012)
- Korea Junior Star Awards 2009
Daesang (Grand Prize), TV category
Interesting Facts about Jung Il-woo
- Actor Lee Min-ho and Il-woo were childhood friends and in 2006, they both met with an accident that led Min-ho to be bedridden for several months because of his leg injuries.
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Il-woo’s father Jung Hae-Hoon was the director of Kendo Academy and was a television news anchor.
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Shim Youn-Ok is the mother of Il-woo.
- In 2012, Jung Il-woo became the first non-Chinese actor to be named Asia’s Actor of the Year at the Huading Awards.
FAQs
- What is the Instagram ID of Jung Il-woo?
@jilwww - How old is Jung Il-woo?
Jung Il-woo is 36 years old as of 2023. - What is the latest television show of Il-woo?
TV program ‘GolfstarK’ is the latest show of Il-woo, as of 2023.
