Ji Chang-wook

• Name — Ji Chang-wook • Born — 5 July 1987 • Birthplace — Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea • Education — Dankook University (Department of Performing Arts) • Occupation — * Actor • singer • Years Active — 2006–present • Agent — Spring Company

Ji began his career in musical theatre. He made his onscreen debut in the 2006 short 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.

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.

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. • Illustration — Ji in February 2017 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 Ri 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.

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. On 13 November 2023, Ji was confirmed to be cast in the role of the main character of series The Manipulated. Ji is set to perform in Manila on 19 October 2025, as part of IAM WORLDWIDE 's anniversary show dubbed DOMIN8 along with fellow Koreans from NTX and Philippine pop group Bini.

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.

In 2017, Ji donated his dubbing fee as male lead in the Japanese animated film, "Your Name", to the Korean Barrier Free Films Committee (KOBAFF). After his military discharge in April 2019, he graced the June cover of The Big Issue Korea and Japan, the magazine sales profits of which support the homeless. In February 2020, he donated KRW 100 million to the Daegu branch of the Korean Red Cross to support medical staff, provide hygiene products (like masks and sanitizer), and aid citizens in self-quarantine at the epicenter of Korea's initial COVID-19 outbreak. He supported Miral Welfare Foundation by starring in their 2020 "How You See Me?" awareness campaign, which advocates for the rights of disabled children, and in their 2022 "I'M AN ARTIST" special project, which highlights the talents of artists with developmental disabilities. In February 2023, Ji donated 100 million to help 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, by donating money through UNICEF. In February 2024, he donated JPY 10 million to Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan to support victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake. In March 2025, he donated KRW 100 million to Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association for the recovery from the forest fire damage in Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Ulsan, and to support the firefighters. In April 2026, Ji and an Indonesian snack brand commemorated the success of their collaboration, "One Bite One Dream" campaign, that helped fund the building of two eco-friendly PAUD (Early Childhood Education) centers in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, and provide scholarships for students across Jakarta and East Java.

In June 2026, South Korean media reported that the Seoul Regional Tax Office had conducted a non-routine audit of Ji around March 2026 and assessed additional taxes in the billions of won, with some outlets describing the amount as tens of billions of won; the exact figure was not disclosed. Reports said the review concerned whether income from his entertainment work should be treated as personal income or as income of a one-person corporation under the substance-over-form principle. His agency, Spring Company, apologized for public concern and denied any intentional omission of income or tax evasion by improper means. It said it had cooperated with the audit, that the disagreement was over tax-law interpretation, that Ji had fulfilled his tax obligations since his 2008 debut, that it respected the National Tax Service's findings, and that the assessed amount would be paid without delay.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Ref. Reference • 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 • Mr Right — Wang Weian — Chinese drama (NOT RELEASED) • 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 • 2020–2021 — Lovestruck in the City — Park Jae-won • 2022 — The Sound of Magic — Lee Eul • If You Wish Upon Me — Yoon Gyeo-rye • 2023 — The Worst of Evil — Park Joon-mo • 2023–2024 — Welcome to Samdal-ri — Cho Yong-pil • 2024 — Queen Woo — Go Nam-mu / Gogukcheon of Goguryeo • Gangnam B-Side — Yoon Gil-ho • 2025 — The Manipulated — Park Tae-jung • 2026 — The Scandal — Cho Won • Merry Berry Love — Lee Yubin — Korea-Japan collaboration • 2027 — Human X Gumiho — Choi Seok • Men of the Harem — Special appearance

• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Ref. Reference(s) • 2014 — Kara: Secret Love — Angel No. 2013, Chun Sa Nam — Ep. 9–10 • 2016 — 7 First Kisses — Himself — Ep. 3–4

• Year — Title — Role — Ref. Reference(s) • 2022 — Young Actors' Retreat — Cast member • 2024 — My Name is Gabriel • 2025 — Abracadabra! The Galaxy of Ultimate Healing — Himself • 2026 — Kumusta

• Year — Title — Artist — Ref. Reference(s) • 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" • "I Need You" — K.Will • 2013 — "That's My Fault" — Speed • "It's Over" • "Runaway" — Kara • 2024 — "No More Drinks" — Lee Juck • 2025 — "Even if" — Heize

Musical play performances • Year — Title — Role — Ref. Reference(s) • English — Korean • 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 • Brothers Were Brave — 형제는 용감했다 — Lee Joo-bong • 2018–2019 — The Shinheung Military School (musical) — 신흥무관학교 — Dong-gyu

• Year — Title — Notes — Ref. Reference(s) • 2016 — Be With You — Mandarin

• Year — Title — Notes — Ref. Reference(s) • 2025 — Assemble — Japanese, includes 6 songs from released singles and 4 new songs: "Celebration", "Glass", "Feel me,feel you", and "My Christmas Wish"

• Year — Title — Album — Ref. Reference(s) • 2011 — "Meet-Again Meet Again" — Warrior Baek Dong-soo OST • "Oh-Sing-Sing-Men Oh Sing Sing Men" (with Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Young-kwang, Shin Won-ho, Sung-je, and Ji-hyuk) — Bachelor's Vegetable Store OST Japanese release • "Your Warmth" • 2012 — "Fill Up" — Five Fingers OST • 2014 — "To the Butterfly" — Empress Ki OST • 2015 — "I Will Protect You" — Healer OST • 2016 — "Kissing You" — 7 First Kisses OST • 2017 — "101 Reasons Why I Like You" — Suspicious Partner OST • 2019 — "When Love Passes By" — Melting Me Softly OST • 2022 — "Magic In You" (with Sondia, Ye.Z and Lee Yeseul) — The Sound of Magic OST • "Do You Believe In Magic?" • "Don't Make Me Dream" (with Choi Sung-eun) • "Merry-Go-Round" (with Choi Sung-eun) • "A Curse of Asphalt" • "Annarasumanara" (아저씨. 마술을 믿으세요?) (with Choi Sung-eun) • 2023 — "Thank You for Being There" — "Thank You for Being There" (Released in Japan) • "That You Were There" ("Boku Ga Ita Koto") • 2024 — "The Wind of Spring" — "The Wind of Spring" (Released in Japan) • "Spring is You" • "SHINY TRIP" — "SHINY TRIP" (Released in Japan) • "Starry Night Driver"

• Year — Program / Channel — Note — Ref. Reference(s) • 2014 — Running Man — Episodes 211-212 • 2015 — Happy Camp — May 16 (with Yang Yang, etc.) • 2019 — Labourhood on Hire — Episode 6 • City Fisherman — Episodes 91-92 • 2020 — Running Man — Episode 507 • Knowing Bros — Episode 260 • UM Believable — UM Chef November 24, December 2 & December 9 • 2022 — House on Wheels — Season 3 (Episode 12) • Immortal Songs 2 — Episode 559 • 2023 — Salon Drip — Season 2 (Episode 15) • 2024 — You Quiz on the Block — Episode 254 • Whenever Possible — Season 4 (Episode 12) • 2025 — Cheonggyesan Daeng-i Records — November 4 (with Doh Kyung-soo) • My Grumpy Secretary — October 31 (with Doh Kyung-soo) • My Favorite Camping — November 5 (with Lee Juck) • 2026 — Ddeun Ddeun: Pinggyego — Episode 108: A Picnic is Just an Excuse (with Jun Ji-hyun and Koo Kyo-hwan)

• Year — Channel — Note — Ref. Reference(s) • 2022 — Signature Kitchen Suite — Live: Gourmet Journey – Spain • 2024 — Traveloka — Episode 1: Ji Chang-wook Liburan ke Bali dan Labuan Bajo, Episode 2: Ji Chang-wook Liburan ke Labuan Bajo • 2025 — One Fine Day in Seoul with Ji Chang-wook

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement • Publisher — Year — Listicle — Placement — Ref. Reference(s) • Korean Film Council — 2021 — Korean Actors 200

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

Name of country, year given, and name of honor • Country — Award ceremony — Year — Honor or award — Ref. Reference(s) • South Korea — Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards — 2025 — Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation