So Ji-sub

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This is a Korean name; the family name is So.
So Ji-sub

So in 2009
Born November 4, 1977 (1977-11-04) (age 34)
Seoul, South Korea
Other names So Ji-seob
Soh Ji-sup
Occupation Actor, rapper
Years active 1995–present
Height 1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Korean name
Hangul 소지섭
Hanja 蘇志燮
Revised Romanization So Ji-seob
McCune–Reischauer So Chisŏp
Website
www.51k.co.kr

So Ji-sub (born November 4, 1977 in Seoul) is a South Korean actor.

Contents

[edit] Career

It was 1997 when So Ji-sub modeled for the jeans brand "STORM" and first caught the attention of Korean fans. He debuted as an actor in the sitcom Three Guys and Three Girls and remained active in the entertainment industry through dramas and commercials. Although his roles in dramas in the late 90s, such as Model, were small, his popularity grew, and by 2002, he was cast as the male second lead in Glass Slippers. Playing a gangster who falls in love with the main female character, more and more fans found him attractive and talented.

In 2004, he was cast in two immensely popular dramas - What Happened in Bali and I'm Sorry, I Love You. Cha Moo-hyuk in I'm Sorry, I Love You in particular became his breakout role, garnering positive feedback from critics and fans. Through those two dramas, he began drawing attention from not just Korea, but from all over Asia. To this day he still considers them the best dramas in his filmography.[1]

After completing his mandatory Korean military service as a public relations officer with the Mapo District Office,[2] So returned to the entertainment world in 2007. His comeback was in Jang Hoon's directorial debut Rough Cut, in which he plays a thug who dreams of becoming an actor, while Kang Ji-hwan plays an actor who beats up and hospitalizes his co-stars.[3] The low-budget film was a critical and surprise box office success.[4]

To break into the Chinese market, So starred in the 2009 romantic comedy Sophie's Revenge, with Zhang Ziyi in the titular role[5] (he later signed with a Chinese talent agency[6]). So followed Sophie's Revenge with the drama Cain and Abel, about the intense relationship between two brothers, one a genius doctor and the other outshone by his sibling.[7]

Expectations were high for his big-budget Korean war drama Road No. 1,[8][9][10] but the series tanked in the ratings, averaging 4% to 5% for its entire run.[11]

So published his photo-essay collection, So Ji-sub's Road in 2010. The volume covers stories and photos over the past 13 years since his debut, using unpretentious language and sensitive photography. So had taken trips to the DMZ and Gangwon province while preparing the book, which is divided into the following categories: Rest and Travel; Freedom; Injury and Healing; Youth and Passion; Memory, Things to Leave Behind; Ours, Mine; and Reconciliation, Love. The usually taciturn and stoic actor reveals his inner thoughts throughout the book, with essays on the number 51 (reflected in the name of his company - it represents what happens when you take a 50-50 probability and believe just 1% more; the K, meanwhile, stands for Korea), Romeo and Juliet, why he likes rainy days, and stories about his interactions with other celebrities and artists such as Tiger JK.[12] Within ten days of its release, the book hit the bestseller list, having sold 50,000 copies by pre-order, and entered its third printing.[13] He was subsequently named the goodwill ambassador of Gangwon-do in an effort to boost tourism there, and plans are underway for a 51 km-long trail in the province to be named "So Ji-sub Road", set to finish building in the summer of 2012. He is the first Korean celebrity to have an entire road named after him.[14]

A professed longtime hip-hop lover, So rapped for two original tracks – Lonely Life and Foolish Love – under the artist pseudonym "G" or "G-Sonic" for the Rough Cut and Cain and Abel soundtracks, respectively.[15][16] In 2011 he released another digital single Pick Up Line under his own name. Two teaser videos were released, the first teaser described as a comedic version that features guest stars Jung Joon-ha (who is a close friend of So's) and Kim Byung-man (whom So named as one of his favorite comedians).[17] The three of them reportedly had a ton of fun filming the teaser. The second teaser gave a better taste of the MV.[18] The music video itself, along with the single, were released on February 17th.[19][20]

So then starred in auteur Song Il-gon's romantic melodrama Always (Korean title: Only You). He plays a boxer who falls in love with a girl (Han Hyo-joo) who begins to lose her eyesight.[21] It was the opening film of the 2011 Busan International Film Festival.[22][23] He published a second book of photo-essays titled So Ji-sub's Always featuring photographs, notes and commentary on playing his movie character Jang Chul-min.[24]

So has recently finished filming The Salary Man, about a hitman in a killer-for-hire company who, after he falls in love and decides he wants out of his job, finds himself the target of his former colleagues.[25]

[edit] Filmography

[edit] TV Dramas

  • Road No. 1 (MBC, 2010)
  • I am Ghost (BeeTV Japan, 2009) (mobile drama)
  • Cain and Abel (SBS, 2009)
  • U-Turn (OCN, 2008)
  • I'm Sorry, I Love You (KBS, 2004)
  • What Happened in Bali (SBS, 2004)
  • Thousand Years of Love (SBS, 2003)
  • Glass Slippers (SBS, 2002)
  • We Are Dating Now (SBS, 2002)
  • Law Firm (SBS, 2001)
  • Delicious Proposal (MBC, 2001)
  • Long Way (SBS New Year's Day Drama, 2001)
  • Cheers for the Women (SBS, 2000)
  • Have You Ever Said 'I Love You'? (MBC Best Theater, 2000)
  • Wang Rung's Land (SBS, 2000)
  • Because of You (MBC, 2000)
  • Joa, Joa (SBS, 2000)
  • Love Story: "Miss Hip-hop and Mister Rock" (SBS, 2000)
  • I Hate You, But It's Fine (SBS, 1998)
  • What You Cherish Can Never Be Forgotten (MBC Best Theater, 1998)
  • Model (SBS, 1997)
  • Three Guys and Three Girls (MBC, 1996) (sitcom)

[edit] Films

[edit] Music videos

  • Take (Seo In Guk, 2010)
  • Smiling Goodbye (Soya n Sun, 2010)
  • Lonely Life (G-Sonic, 2008)
  • Love Seat (Wheesung, 2008)
  • Only You (Go Yu Jin, 2008)
  • Tears Are Forming (Jo Sung Mo, 2005)
  • 못다한 한마디... (Jo Sung Mo, 2005)
  • Mr. Flower (Jo Sung Mo, 2004)
  • Beautiful Days (Jang Hye Jin, 2001)
  • The End (Lee Hyun Woo, 2001)
  • For You (Ryu Chan, 1999)
  • Good-Bye Yesterday (Turbo, 1997)

[edit] Variety shows

  • Crossing the Korea Strait (SBS Beautiful Sunday, 2000)
  • Music Camp (MBC, 1999–2000) (MC, co-hosted by Chae Rim)
  • 결정 Inkigayo 43 (KMTV, 1999) (MC)
  • 자유선언 (KBS) (MC)
  • 토요대행진 "Faust" (KBS, 1998)
  • Saturday Power Start: "Oh Happy Day" (KBS, 1997) (sitcom)

[edit] Discography

[edit] Digital singles

  • Pick Up Line (2011)
  • Foolish Love (2008)
  • Lonely Life (2008)

[edit] Books

[edit] Awards

Years Awards Film/Series Ref.
2011
  • 19th Korean Culture & Entertainment Awards: Grand Prize (Film)
  • Korean Tourism Organization: Ministry of Culture Special Achievement Award
2010
  • Korea Lifestyle Awards: Best Dressed Male of the Year
  • 3rd Style Icon Awards: International Style Icon
  • 47th Daejong Film Festival: Cultural Achievement
2009
2008
  • 29th Blue Dragon Film Awards: Best New Actor
  • 28th Korean Critics' Choice Awards: Best Actor
  • 25th Best Jeanist Awards: Recipient, International Category
2005
2004
2003
  • SBS Drama Awards: Best Actor (Excellence Award, Special Project)
  • SBS Drama Awards: Top 10 Stars
  • Thousand Years of Love
  • Thousand Years of Love
2001
  • Fashion Model Awards: Ms. & Mr. Davidoff Award
2000
  • SBS Drama Awards: Best New Actor
  • Joa, Joa / Cheers for the Women

[edit] References

  1. ^ "So Ji Sub On Marriage, Hollywood and Dating". Star News/Dahee's Plastic Castle. 08/13/2009. http://daheefanel.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/so-ji-sub-on-marriage-hollywood-and-dating/. 
  2. ^ "Actor Donates 10 Mil.Won". Korea Times. 04/24/2007. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/04/201_1680.html. 
  3. ^ "Buddies Play Enemies in New Action Flick". Korea Times. 08/12/2008. http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2011/04/141_29203.html. 
  4. ^ "NYAFF 09 Interview: ROUGH CUT's So Ji-Sub". Twitchfilm. 07/02/2009. http://twitchfilm.com/interviews/2009/07/nyaff-09-interview-rough-cuts-so-ji-sub.php. 
  5. ^ "Korean Actor So Ji-sub to Court Zhang Ziyi Onscreen". Korea Times. 08/14/2009. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/09/135_50111.html. 
  6. ^ "So Ji-sub signs with talent agency in China". 10Asia. 12/19/2011. http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2011121916135784760. 
  7. ^ "So Ji Sub: A Bittersweet Life". Elle Korea/Dahee's Plastic Castle. 07/30/2009. http://daheefanel.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/so-ji-sub-a-bittersweet-life/. 
  8. ^ "'Road No. 1' to feature war, love, comradeship". Korea Times. 06/21/2010. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/06/201_67988.html. 
  9. ^ "So Ji-sub transforms in "Road No. 1" , says producer (1)". 10Asia. 05/13/2010. http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010051316290321793. 
  10. ^ "So Ji-sub transforms in "Road No. 1" , says producer (2)". 10Asia. 05/13/2010. http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010051316485653449. 
  11. ^ "A quiet finale for Road No. 1". Dramabeans. 08/26/2010. http://www.dramabeans.com/2010/08/a-quiet-finale-for-road-no-1/. 
  12. ^ So Ji-sub publishes photoessay collection. Dramabeans. 08/23/2010.
  13. ^ So Ji-sub's book becomes bestseller. Dramabeans. 09/15/2010.
  14. ^ "So Ji Sub Gets His Own Road". 09/28/2010. http://daheefanel.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/so-ji-sub-gets-his-own-road/. 
  15. ^ "Actor So Ji-Sub Will Expand His Horizons and Become a Rapper". Bump This. 02/10/2011. http://bumpthis.asia/2011/02/10/news-actor-so-ji-sub-will-expand-his-horizons-an-become-a-rapper/. 
  16. ^ "So Ji-sub to make debut as hip-hop artist". 10Asia. 02/10/2011. http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?sec=ent5&idxno=2011021013024046181. 
  17. ^ "So Ji Sub releases "Pick Up Line" MV teaser". Allkpop. 02/10/2011. http://www.allkpop.com/2011/02/so-ji-sub-releases-pick-up-line-mv-teaser/. 
  18. ^ "So Ji Sub releases second teaser for "Pick Up Line"". Allkpop. 02/13/2011. http://www.allkpop.com/2011/02/so-ji-sub-releases-second-teaser-for-pick-up-line. 
  19. ^ "So Ji Sub unveils debut music video for "Pick Up Line"". Allkpop. 02/16/2011. http://www.allkpop.com/2011/02/so-ji-sub-unveils-debut-music-video-for-pick-up-line. 
  20. ^ "So Ji Sub’s Hip Hop Transformation". Dahee's Plastic Castle. 02/09/2011. http://daheefanel.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/so-ji-subs-hip-hop-transformation/. 
  21. ^ "So Ji-sub to return to big screen in new romantic drama". 10Asia. 01/04/2011. http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent3&a_id=2011010417220301231. 
  22. ^ "Song Il-gon hopes "Always" will be a reminder of true value of love". 10Asia. 10/06/2011. http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2011100619300224826. 
  23. ^ "Interview: Actor So Ji-sub". 10Asia. 10/17/2011. http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2011101722203057212. 
  24. ^ "So Ji Seob Publishes Second Photo Essay". KBS Global. 10/21/2011. http://english.kbs.co.kr/Entertain/EntertainmentNews/view.html?&No=7951. 
  25. ^ "So Ji-sub, Lee Mi-youn finish shooting new film". 10Asia. 12/12/2011. http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2011121213415172838. 
  26. ^ "So Ji-sub, Park Hae-il, Lee Tae-gon win top prize at culture and entertainment ceremony". 10Asia. 12/16/2011. http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2011121611162497991. 
  27. ^ "So Ji-sub & Kim Yu-na to receive award from KTO". AsiaPop. 07/14/2011. http://asiapop.info/news-so-ji-sub-kim-yu-na-to-receive-award-from-kto.html. 
  28. ^ "Winners at the '2010 Korea Lifestyle Awards'". Allkpop. 12/13/2010. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/12/winners-at-the-2010-korea-lifestyle-awards. 
  29. ^ "Winners at the 2010 Style Icon Awards". Allkpop. 11/17/2010. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/11/winners-at-the-2010-style-icon-awards. 
  30. ^ "So Ji-sub to receive honor at Daejong Film Awards". 10Asia. 09/17/2010. http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010091714131922913. 
  31. ^ a b "2009 SBS Drama Awards". Dramabeans. 12/31/2009. http://www.dramabeans.com/2009/12/2009-sbs-drama-awards/. 
  32. ^ "So Ji Sub and Lee Yo Won at the 2009 Grime Awards". Twenty2. 12/13/2009. http://twenty2.onsugar.com/So-Ji-Sub-Lee-Yo-Won-2009-Grime-Awards-6624954. 
  33. ^ http://member.busan.com/site.post5.view.ui?siteId=buil&pageId=511&boardId=304&postId=15663
  34. ^ "So Ji-sub, Kong Hyo-jin Receive 'Rising Star' Award". HanCinema. 06/29/2009. http://www.hancinema.net/so-ji-sub-kong-hyo-jin-receive-rising-star-award-20002.html. 
  35. ^ "45th Baeksang Arts Awards". Dramabeans. 02/27/2009. http://www.dramabeans.com/2009/02/45th-baeksang-arts-awards/. 
  36. ^ "Blue Dragon Awards 2008". Dramabeans. 11/20/2008. http://www.dramabeans.com/2008/11/blue-dragon-awards-2008/. 
  37. ^ "28th Critics Choice Awards names its top honors". Dramabeans. 11/05/2008. http://www.dramabeans.com/2008/11/28th-critics-choice-awards-names-its-top-honors/. 
  38. ^ "Actor So Ji-sup Receives Best 'Jeanist' Award in Tokyo". KBS Global. 09/04/2008. http://english.kbs.co.kr/Entertain/EntertainmentNews/view.html?No=1692. 
  39. ^ a b c d "Winners at the 2004 KBS DRAMA AWARDS". Korea Tourism Org. 01/06/2005. http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/HA/content/cms_view_320454.jsp. 

[edit] External links

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