Jo Jung-suk

Quick Facts: Who was Jo Jung-suk?

Subject:

Jo Jung-suk

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actor known for his versatility across stage, screen, and comedy.

Born:

1980-12-26

Century / Era:

1980s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Jo Jung-suk (Korean: 조정석; born December 26, 1980) is a South Korean actor. He began his career in theatre, starring in Spring Awakening, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Grease and stage adaptation of The Harmonium in My Memory, among many other musicals and plays. After nearly a decade on the stage, Jo made his film debut as a comedic supporting actor in the box office hit Architecture 101 (2012), which became his breakout role. He continued to star in the television series The King 2 Hearts (2012), Oh My Ghost (2015), Don't Dare to Dream (2016), Hospital Playlist (2020–2021), as well as films The Face Reader (2013), My Annoying Brother (2016), Exit (2019), and My Daughter Is a Zombie (2025). For his role in the film Pilot (2024), he won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor.

Career & Major Achievements

Jo Jung-suk had always wanted to be on stage. He was admitted into the Theater department of Seoul Institute of the Arts on student loan, but after his father died in 2000, Jo's widowed mother became fully dependent on him. He was granted an exemption from military service due to family circumstances, and he quit school before graduating so he could start earning money by doing musicals. He made his professional acting debut in The Nutcracker in 2004. Jo then became active and well-known in musical theatre, performing in a total of 25 musicals during the first nine years of his career, including, musical adaptation of The Harmonium in My Memory, Organ in My Heart, musical adaptation of Jewel in the Palace, Janggeum the Great, as well as Korean productions of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Grease, The Island, and Spring Awakening.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Jo Jung-suk expressed in an interview with the media: "To be honest, I don't really like the term 'musical actor.' I just want to be an actor. A really good actor."— Financial News, May 3, 2007. In 2011, he landed his first television role on cable series What's Up, playing an awkward but talented music student. However, 2012 proved to be his breakout year with two high-profile projects. In his big-screen debut, he played a supporting role as Nab-ddeuk, the young hero's best friend, in the box-office hit Architecture 101.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1980 (1980-12-26): Birth of Jo Jung-suk — Acclaimed South Korean actor known for his versatility across stage, screen, and comedy.
2. 2000: 2000 Milestone — He was admitted into the Theater department of Seoul Institute of the Arts on student loan, but after his father died in 2000, Jo's widowed mother became fully dependent on him.
3. 2004: 2004 Milestone — He made his professional acting debut in The Nutcracker in 2004.
4. 2011: 2011 Milestone — In 2011, he landed his first television role on cable series What's Up, playing an awkward but talented music student.
5. 2012: 2012 Milestone — After nearly a decade on the stage, Jo made his film debut as a comedic supporting actor in the box office hit Architecture 101 (2012), which became his breakout role.
6. 2024: 2024 Milestone — For his role in the film Pilot (2024), he won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor.

Notable Quotes by Jo Jung-suk

“To be honest, I don't really like the term 'musical actor.' I just want to be an actor. A really good actor.” (2007)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jo Jung-suk

True or False: “Jo Jung-suk achieved his breakout role in a film released before 2012.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His breakthrough role occurred in the box-office hit *Architecture 101*, which was released in 2012.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abby Wambach — Contemporary (Born in 1980) (1980): Iconic American soccer forward, celebrated for her goal-scoring prowess and longevity.
• Adande Thorne — Contemporary (Born in 1980) (1980): Trinidadian-American YouTuber, animator, comedian, and actor known as Swoozie.
• Alejo Carpentier — Contemporary (Died in 1980) (1980): Influential Cuban novelist, essayist, and musicologist of the Latin American Boom.
• Arthur Percival — Shared historical date (12-26 · Born) (1887): British Army officer, known for commanding forces during the Malayan Campaign and the fall of Singapore.
• Baba Amte — Shared historical date (12-26 · Born) (1914): Pioneering Indian social worker renowned for empowering leprosy patients.
• Alexei Kosygin — Historical peer (Died in 1980) (1980): Soviet statesman who chaired the Council of Ministers from 1964 to 1980.
• Alexei Yagudin — Historical peer (Born in 1980) (1980): Pioneering Russian figure skater, celebrated for multiple World and Olympic titles.
• Adam Yauch — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• Adrienne Rich — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Influential American poet, essayist, and leading voice in feminist literary discourse.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Historical peer (Died in 2015) (2015): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• 1980 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1980
• December 26 (12-26) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 26

Frequently Asked Questions about Jo Jung-suk