# Ji Chang-wook

Ji Chang-wook (Korean: 지창욱; born 5 July 1987) is a South Korean actor and singer. He rose to fame for playing the lead role of Dong-hae in daily drama series Smile Again (2010–2011), and has 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), The Worst of Evil (2023), and Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023–2024). He has also appeared in the film Fabricated City (2017).

## Career
### 2006–2009: Beginnings

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.
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. The weekend family drama received over 40% ratings. He then took on a supporting role in the action-comedy Hero.

### 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. 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.
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. The series topped in its timeslot for 13 weeks, and Ji received a "New Star Award" at the SBS Drama Awards. 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.
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.
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.

### 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. 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.
Ji then starred as the titular character in action-thriller television series, Healer (2014–2015). After the airing of the drama, Ji became popular in China and other parts of Asia. He then took on roles in Mandarin-language dramas such as The Whirlwind Girl 2 and Mr. Right.
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. The drama received favorable reviews, topping cable channel viewership ratings throughout its 8-week broadcast. In November 2016, he co-starred in the promotional web-drama series, 7 First Kisses for Lotte Duty Free.
In 2017, Ji starred in the action film, Fabricated City, playing the role of a jobless game addict who is framed for murder. The same year, he was cast in SBS's romantic comedy thriller series, Suspicious Partner, as a prosecutor, which premiered in May.
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.
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. 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.
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. 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.

### 2023–present: Establishing an agency

In March 2023, Ji ended his contract with Glorious Entertainment. 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. In April 2023, Ji signed with Spring Company.

## Personal life
### Military service

Ji began his mandatory military service on 14 August 2017. He underwent his basic military training at the Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Cheorwon, Gangwon Province. Upon completion, he was awarded a prize for his exemplary performance.
Ji was assigned to the Army's 5th Artillery Brigade at Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, to complete the remainder of his military service. He was appointed as a Platoon Leader and promoted to Corporal. He was further promoted to Sergeant. Ji was discharged on 27 April 2019.

## Philanthropy

In February 2023, Ji donated ₩100 million to help 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, by donating money through Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2006 | Days... | | |
| 2008 | Sleeping Beauty | Jin-seo | |
| 2009 | The Weird Missing Case of Mr. J | Sun Gun-man | |
| 2010 | Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp | Soo-il | |
| 2011 | Confession | | Short film |
| 2013 | How to Use Guys with Secret Tips | Hong-jun's brother | Cameo |
| 2015 | The Long Way Home | Military police | Cameo |
| 2017 | Fabricated City | Kwon Yoo | |
| 2017 | Your Name | Taki Tachibana (voice) | Korean dub |
| 2017 | The Bros | Young Choon-bae | Cameo |
| 2021 | Hard Hit | Jinwoo | |
| 2024 | Revolver | Andy | |

### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2008 | You Stole My Heart | Lee Phillip | |
| 2009 | My Too Perfect Sons | Song Mi-poong | |
| 2009–2010 | Hero | Park Jun-hyeong | |
| 2010–2011 | Smile Again | Carl Laker / Dong-hae | |
| 2011 | Warrior Baek Dong-soo | Baek Dong-soo | |
| 2011–2012 | Bachelor's Vegetable Store | Han Tae-yang | |
| 2012 | Five Fingers | Yoo In-ha | |
| 2013–2014 | Empress Ki | Toghon Temür / Ta Hwan | |
| 2014–2015 | Healer | Seo Jung-hoo / Park Bong-soo / Healer | |
| 2016 | The Whirlwind Girl 2 | Chang An | Chinese drama |
| 2016 | The K2 | Kim Je-ha / K2 | |
| 2017 | Suspicious Partner | Noh Ji-wook | |
| 2019 | Melting Me Softly | Ma Dong-chan | |
| 2020 | Backstreet Rookie | Choi Dae-hyun | |
| 2022 | If You Wish Upon Me | Yoon Gyeo-rye | |
| 2023–2024 | Welcome to Samdal-ri | Cho Yong-pil | |

### Web series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2014 | Kara: Secret Love | Angel No. 2013, Chun Sa Nam | Ep. 9–10 |
| 2016 | 7 First Kisses | Himself | Ep. 3–4 |
| 2020–2021 | Lovestruck in the City | Park Jae-won | |
| 2022 | The Sound of Magic | Lee Eul | |
| 2023 | The Worst of Evil | Park Joon-mo | |
| 2024 | Queen Woo | Go Nam-mu / Gogukcheon of Goguryeo | |
| 2024 | Gangnam B-Side | Yoon Gil-ho | |

### Web shows

| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
| 2022 | Young Actors' Retreat | Cast member | |

### Music video appearances

| Year | Title | Artist |
| 2007 | "Are You Ready" | Lena Park feat. Dynamic Duo |
| 2009 | "We Broke Up Today" | Younha |
| 2010 | "I Have to Let You Go" | Young Gun |
| 2011 | "Cry Cry" | T-ara |
| 2012 | "Lovey-Dovey" | T-ara |
| 2012 | "I Need You" | K.Will |
| 2013 | "That's My Fault" | Speed |
| 2013 | "It's Over" | Speed |
| 2013 | "Runaway" | Kara |

## Stage
### Musical

Musical play performances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Ref. |
| 2007 | Fire and Ice | 불과 얼음 | | |
| 2010 | Thrill Me | 쓰릴미 | Richard Loeb | |
| 2013–2017; 2023 | The Days | 그날들 | Mu-young | |
| 2013 | Jack the Ripper | 살인마 잭 | Daniel | |
| 2013 | Brothers Were Brave | 형제는 용감했다 | Lee Joo-bong | |
| 2018–2019 | Sinheung Military Academy | 신흥무관학교 | Dong-gyu | |

## Discography
### Extended plays

| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
| 2016 | Be With You | Mandarin | |

### Singles

| Year | Title | Album |
| 2011 | "Meet-Again Meet Again" (다시 만나면) | Warrior Baek Dong-soo OST |
| 2011 | "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 |
| 2011 | "Your Warmth" (너의온기) | Bachelor's Vegetable Store OST Japanese release |
| 2012 | "Fill Up" (채운다) | Five Fingers OST |
| 2014 | "To the Butterfly" (나비에게) | Empress Ki OST |
| 2015 | "I Will Protect You" (지켜줄게) | Healer OST |
| 2016 | "Kissing You" | 7 First Kisses OST |
| 2017 | "101 Reasons Why I Like You" (네가 좋은 백 한가지 이유) | Suspicious Partner OST |
| 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 |
| 2022 | "Do You Believe In Magic?" (당신 마술을 믿습니까?) | The Sound of Magic OST |
| 2022 | "Don't Make Me Dream" (나를 꿈꾸게 하지 마세요) (with Choi Sung-eun) | The Sound of Magic OST |
| 2022 | "Merry-Go-Round" (회전목마) (with Choi Sung-eun) | The Sound of Magic OST |
| 2022 | "A Curse of Asphalt" (아스팔트의 저주) | The Sound of Magic OST |
| 2022 | "Annarasumanara" (아저씨. 마술을 믿으세요?) (with Choi Sung-eun) | The Sound of Magic OST |

## Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination :
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result |
| APAN Star Awards | 2014 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Empress Ki | Nominated |
| APAN Star Awards | 2015 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Healer | Nominated |
| APAN Star Awards | 2021 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Backstreet Rookie | Nominated |
| APAN Star Awards | 2021 | Popular Star Award, Actor | Backstreet Rookie | Nominated |
| APAN Star Awards | 2022 | Global Star Award | The Sound of Magic | Won |
| APAN Star Awards | 2024 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Welcome to Samdal-ri | Won |
| Asia Artist Awards | 2019 | Asia Celebrity (Actor) | Ji Chang-wook | Won |
| Asia Artist Awards | 2019 | Best Actor | Ji Chang-wook | Won |
| Korean Film Producers Association Awards | 2024 | Best Supporting Actor | Revolver | Won |
| Asian Film Awards | 2023 | AFA Next Generation Award | Ji Chang-wook | Honoured |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2017 | Best New Actor – Film | Fabricated City | Nominated |
| China TV Drama Awards | 2015 | Most Popular Actor (Overseas) | Healer | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2010 | Best New Actor | Smile Again | Nominated |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2011 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Daily Drama | Smile Again | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2014 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-length Drama | Healer | Nominated |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2014 | Popularity Award, actor | Healer | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2014 | Best Couple Award | Ji Chang-wook with Park Min-young Healer | Won |
| Korea's Best Dresser Swan Awards | 2016 | Best Dressed Actor | The K2 | Won |
| Korea Drama Awards | 2011 | Best New Actor | Smile Again | Nominated |
| Korea Drama Awards | 2014 | Top Excellence Award, actor | Empress Ki | Nominated |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2013 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama | Empress Ki | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2011 | New Star Award | Warrior Baek Dong-soo | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2012 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Weekend/Daily Drama | Five Fingers | Nominated |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2017 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama | Suspicious Partner | Nominated |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2017 | Best Couple Award | Ji Chang-wook with Nam Ji-hyun Suspicious Partner | Nominated |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2020 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Fantasy/Romance Drama | Backstreet Rookie | Nominated |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2020 | Best Couple Award | Ji Chang-wook with Kim Yoo-jung Backstreet Rookie | Nominated |
| Seoul International Drama Awards | 2014 | Outstanding Korean Actor | Empress Ki | Nominated |
| The Musical Awards | 2013 | Best New Actor | The Days | Won |