Ji Chang-wook

Quick Facts: Who was Ji Chang-wook?

Subject:

Ji Chang-wook

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actor and singer known for dramatic roles in historical epics.

Born:

1987-07-05

Century / Era:

1987s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

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 daily drama series Smile Again (2010–2011), and gained further prominence with television series Warrior Baek Dong-soo (2011), Empress Ki (2013–2014), Healer (2014–2015), The K2 (2016), Suspicious Partner (2017), The Worst of Evil (2023), Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023–2024), and film Fabricated City (2017). Ji began his career in musical theatre. and had a minor role in the 2008 television drama You Stole My Heart. He officially debuted in 2008 through the film, Sleeping Beauty.

Career & Major Achievements

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.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1987 (1987-07-05): Birth of Ji Chang-wook — Acclaimed South Korean actor and singer known for dramatic roles in historical epics.
2. 1998: 1998 Milestone — 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.
3. 2008: 2008 Milestone — and had a minor role in the 2008 television drama You Stole My Heart.
4. 2009: 2009 Milestone — 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.
5. 2010: 2010 Milestone — He rose to fame for playing the lead role of daily drama series Smile Again (2010–2011), and gained further prominence with television series Warrior Baek Dong-soo (2011), Empress Ki (2013–2014), Healer (2014–2015), The K2 (2016), Suspicious Partner (2017), The Worst of Evil (2023), Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023–2024), and film Fabricated City (2017).
6. 2011: 2011 Milestone — He then played the titular character in 2011 historical-action series, Warrior Baek Dong-soo (2011).
7. 2012: 2012 Milestone — 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.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ji Chang-wook

True or False: “Ji Chang-wook's first major breakthrough role was in the action-thriller series Healer.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His initial rise to fame came from the daily drama Smile Again in 2010.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaron Carter — Contemporary (Born in 1987) (1987): American singer and rapper known for teen pop stardom and enduring musical career.
• Afrojack — Contemporary (Born in 1987) (1987): Dutch DJ and record producer, known professionally as Afrojack.
• Ahn Jae-hyun — Contemporary (Born in 1987) (1987): South Korean actor and model known for roles in dramas like Blood and The Beauty Inside.
• Al-Mustansir Billah — Shared historical date (07-05 · Born) (1029): Eighth Fatimid Caliph, whose long reign marked the twilight of the dynasty.
• Andrei Gromyko — Shared historical date (07-05 · Born) (1909): Soviet diplomat who served as Foreign Minister during the height of the Cold War.
• Ahn Ji-hye — Historical peer (Born in 1987) (1987): South Korean actress known for her roles in films like In Her Place.
• Aidy Bryant — Historical peer (Born in 1987) (1987): American actress and comedian known for her work on Saturday Night Live.
• Alex Chilton — Historical peer (Died in 2010) (2010): American musician, best known for his vocal work with The Box Tops and Big Star.
• Alexander McQueen — Historical peer (Died in 2010) (2010): Iconic British fashion designer known for theatrical, boundary-pushing collections.
• Al Davis — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): Pioneering NFL executive and coach, known for building the legendary Oakland Raiders.
• 1987 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1987
• July 5 (07-05) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 5

Frequently Asked Questions about Ji Chang-wook