Do Ji-won

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Do Ji-won

Role / Field:

South Korean actress known for roles in Ladies of the Palace, Punch Lady, and Smile Again.

Born:

1966-03-05

Century / Era:

1966s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Do Ji-won (Korean: 도지원; born February 14, 1966) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her roles in Ladies of the Palace (2001), Punch Lady (2007), and Smile Again (2010). Upon her graduation as a dance major from Hanyang University in 1988, Do Ji-won joined the Korea National Ballet. She was selected as the model for the ballet company's advertisements, which led to her debut in the entertainment industry.

Career & Major Achievements

She began acting in television dramas such as Seoul Ddukbaegi (1990) and Kareisky (1994). In 2001, she portrayed her most famous role as King Jungjong's 4th consort Park Gyeong Bin in the historical drama Ladies of the Palace, which brought her acting recognition and popularity. On the big screen, she and Shin Se-kyung played mother and daughter in Cinderella, a 2006 horror film about a serial killer targeting high school girls who've had facial plastic surgery. And in the comedy-drama Punch Lady (2007), Do gave a well-reviewed performance in the leading role of a battered housewife who trains hard to master the art of fighting after publicly announcing a duel on the ring with her abusive husband (Son Hyun-joo), who happens to be a mixed martial arts champion.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Aside from the occasional leading role in series such as Our Happy Ending (2008), Do has remained active on television mostly in supporting roles, notably as Ahn Nae-sang's estranged wife in Three Brothers (2009), and as Ji Chang-wook's mentally challenged mother in Smile Again (also known as Smile, Dong-hae, 2010). In July 1998, Do was kidnapped by a man and a woman who threatened the actress with a knife in the parking lot of a sports center in Seoul. The couple stuffed Do in the trunk of a car and drove around for five hours before releasing her after extorting ₩14 million.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1966 (1966-03-05): Birth of Do Ji-won — South Korean actress known for roles in Ladies of the Palace, Punch Lady, and Smile Again.
2. 1988: 1988 Milestone — Upon her graduation as a dance major from Hanyang University in 1988, Do Ji-won joined the Korea National Ballet.
3. 1990: 1990 Milestone — She began acting in television dramas such as Seoul Ddukbaegi (1990) and Kareisky (1994).
4. 1998: 1998 Milestone — In July 1998, Do was kidnapped by a man and a woman who threatened the actress with a knife in the parking lot of a sports center in Seoul.
5. 2001: 2001 Milestone — She is best known for her roles in Ladies of the Palace (2001), Punch Lady (2007), and Smile Again (2010).
6. 2006: 2006 Milestone — On the big screen, she and Shin Se-kyung played mother and daughter in Cinderella, a 2006 horror film about a serial killer targeting high school girls who've had facial plastic surgery.
7. 2007: 2007 Milestone — And in the comedy-drama Punch Lady (2007), Do gave a well-reviewed performance in the leading role of a battered housewife who trains hard to master the art of fighting after publicly announcing a duel on the ring with her abusive husband (Son Hyun-joo), who happens to be a mixed martial arts champion.
8. 2008: 2008 Milestone — Aside from the occasional leading role in series such as Our Happy Ending (2008), Do has remained active on television mostly in supporting roles, notably as Ahn Nae-sang's estranged wife in Three Brothers (2009), and as Ji Chang-wook's mentally challenged mother in Smile Again (also known as Smile, Dong-hae, 2010).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Do Ji-won

True or False: “Did Do Ji-won's initial entry into the entertainment industry come directly after her graduation from Hanyang University?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): She joined the Korea National Ballet upon graduation and was selected as a model for the company's advertisements, which led to her debut in acting.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. O. Scott — Contemporary (Born in 1966) (1966): American journalist and cultural critic specializing in film and literary analysis.
• A. R. Rahman — Contemporary (Born in 1966) (1966): Visionary Indian composer celebrated for blending global sounds with cinematic emotion.
• Abdul Salam Arif — Contemporary (Died in 1966) (1966): Iraqi military officer and politician who served as the second president of Iraq.
• Abdullah al-Sallal — Shared historical date (03-05 · Died) (1994): Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.
• Alessandro Volta — Shared historical date (03-05 · Died) (1827): Pioneering Italian physicist, credited with the electric battery and electrochemistry.
• Abe Saperstein — Historical peer (Died in 1966) (1966): Founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, revolutionized black basketball.
• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi — Historical peer (Born in 1966) (1966): Jordanian jihadist militant known for orchestrating violence in Iraq (1966–2006)
• Aaliyah — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Pioneering R&B artist known for redefining urban pop and hip hop sounds.
• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• Al Oerter — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• 1966 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1966
• March 5 (03-05) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 5

Frequently Asked Questions about Do Ji-won