Ju Ji-hoon

Joo Ji Hoon
Born	Joo Young Hoon
Years active	2003-Present
Height	187 cm (6 ft 2 in) (6'2)

Ju Ji-hoon
Hangul	주지훈
Hanja	朱智勳
Revised Romanization	Ju Ji-hun
McCune–Reischauer	Chu Chi-hun

Joo Ji Hoon (Ju Ji Hoon / 주지훈, born on May 16, 1982) is a popular model and actor from South Korea. He is well known for portraying Crown Prince Lee Shin in Princess Hours (Goong), which was his acting debut.

Before entering the entertainment industry, he studied at Tongwon College, majoring in e-Business.

Early life

Joo started out as a model. In 2003, he went into modeling and advertised for brand names like Calvin Klein, Levi's and Reebok. He has won many awards for modeling.

2006 - 2007: Breakthrough Success

Joo's debut drama was "Old Love," but it was Princess Hours that made him notable throughout Asia. In Princess Hours, also known as Goong, he portrayed Prince Shin, a cold-hearted prince who was forced to marry a regular town girl. He starred alongside former Baby V.O.X. member Yoon Eun Hye and UN member Kim Jeong Hoon. Fans of the manhwa initially protested the casting of Joo into the lead role, but the drama was successful. He won the MBC Drama Award for "Best New Actor." The success led to a spinoff, Goong S.

In 2007, Joo starred in the 2007 KBS drama The Devil, alongside popular actress Shin Min-a. In The Devil, he portrays a lawyer. He also cut his hair, which use to be rather shaggy, into a neat trim that framed his long face. He also lost 5 kg by eating only chicken and exercising three times a day. In March, The Devil was one of the three most highly anticipated dramas, along with The Thank You and Witch Amusement.

The actor was selected in 2007 to be the New Asian Star of 2007 at the 1st Astar TV Drama Awards which was held on March 30, 2007 at the COEX in Seoul. New Asian Stars have been chosen from Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. Astar TV said the six were chosen for their high recognition in their respective countries, their celebrity status, and potential to emerge as top Asian stars. Singer/Actor Kamenashi Kazuya was chosen among Japanese stars, while Fan Bing Bing represented China. Actor Wilson Chen was chosen among Taiwanese stars, actor Daniel Wu among Hong Kong stars and model/actress Patcharapa Chaichua among Thai stars.

2008-2009: Transitioning to films and scandal

Antique is the debut movie of Ji Hoon. Joo will play the part of the bakery owner, Kim Jae Wook will play the part of a genius pâtissier, young actor Yoo Ah In will play a boxing champion turned apprentice, Choi Ji Ho will portray a trouble making bodyguard, and they all come together to run the cake shop, ‘Antique.’ The movie opened in theaters on November 13, 2008.

On April 26, 2009 Joo was charged but was not arrested on charges of illegal drug use, particularly Ecstasy and Ketamine.

On the morning of June 23, Joo Ji-hoon appeared in court to receive his sentencing after pleading guilty to drug use of ecstasy and ketamine. His punishment is six months of jail with one year of probation (a suspended sentence) and 120 hours of community service, plus a penalty of 360,000 won (which is only approx US $280). That’s lighter than the one year and 440,000 won fine he had sought earlier this month. What this means is, he gets to suspend his six months of hard time while he is on probation for a year; if he remains clean (of any crime, not just drugs), the offense is essentially cleared and he doesn’t have to serve his initial sentence. Joo will not be imprisoned, yet, provided he remains clean of crimes during his probation period.

The decision was explained, “The nature of the crime is by no means light. However, he has reflected deeply on the crime and has not taken any drugs since the time a year and two months ago. Also, many fans from within the country and from overseas have appealed for an appropriate handling of the matter and sent petitions.” Joo’s lawyer explained, “Of course he must accept the price of his crime, but wrong information kept coming out and exaggerated him as a habitual user, and some of it was unfair.” As for his partners in crime, actress and trafficker Yoon Seol-hee was given three years in jail, while model and financer Yeh Hak-young and the unidentified Mr./Ms. Jeon were both given two and a half years of jail, but with four years of suspended-sentence probation, plus two years of regular probation and 200 hours of community service.

2010 - present: Heads Off to the Military

It is reported that starting Feb 2,2010 actor Joo Ji Hoon will bid his fans goodbye as he’ll be leaving for army. A source close to Joo JiHoon says on Jan 13, “Yesterday, MMA (Military Manpower Administration) has confirmed that Joo Ji Hoon can join the army as of Feb 2, 2010. First he’ll be off to an Academy in Gyeonggi Province to receive 5 weeks basic military training before serving full-time”, he said.

Joo Ji Hoon expressed:

“Thank you all for coming to send me off. I will work hard and do my best in the army. Please look forward to a new image of me 2 years later.”

— Joo Ji Hoon

Filmography

Films

• The Naked Kitchen (2009)
• Antique Bakery (2008)

TV Commercials / Advertisements

• Crown Butter Waffle
• Clride
• Bon
• Hi Harriet Shopping Mall
• Calvin Klein
• CF- SKT
• Cass Beer
• IBM
• LEVI’s
• POLO
• Reebok
• Cyworld
• KTF
• Sshil On-line game
• OB Lageo Deung

Awards

• 2009 Paeksang Awards: Prize for Popularity
• 2008 07' Asia Model festival award Star Prize
• 2006 MBC Drama Awards: Best New Actor
• Best Dresser Model Award (2005)
• 21st Best Outfit Swan Award: Best Male model
• 2005 Most Stylish Male Model: Style Magazine
• 2005 Best Male Model: The Photographers' Association (2005)
• Best Dresser Model Award (2004)

External links

• Ju Ji-hoon at IMDb