Jung Il-woo

Quick Facts: Who was Jung Il-woo?

Subject:

Jung Il-woo

Known for:

South Korean actor known for roles in Unstoppable High Kick and 49 Days.

Born:

1987-09-09

Century / Era:

1987s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Jung Il-woo (Korean: 정일우; born 9 September 1987) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the sitcom Unstoppable High Kick (2006), and the television dramas The Return of Iljimae (2009), 49 Days (2011), Cool Guys, Hot Ramen (2011), Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), and Cinderella with Four Knights (2016). The son of a former television news anchorman, Jung Il-woo studied Broadcasting at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, then later dropped out and transferred to the Theater and Film department of Hanyang University, graduating on 20 February 2014. Jung made his acting debut in 2006 with a minor role in the thriller The World of Silence, but he first rose to fame playing a rebellious teen and motorcycle fanatic with a crush on his teacher in daytime family sitcom Unstoppable High Kick. He then joined the ensemble cast of 2007 romantic comedy film My Love.

Career & Major Achievements

In 2009, Jung starred in his first leading role as a young warrior battling injustice in historical drama The Return of Iljimae. This was followed by a supporting role in romantic comedy My Fair Lady, as an idealistic, upper-class lawyer. He further challenged himself when he made his stage debut in 2010 as an HIV-positive gay man in the sold-out play Beautiful Sunday, written by Japanese playwright Mayumi Nakatani. Jung's breakout role was in 2011 tearjerker 49 Days, in which he portrayed the Scheduler, a witty modern-day Grim Reaper. His popularity increased with his leading man turn in 2011 cable romantic comedy Cool Guys, Hot Ramen, in which he played an arrogant, immature yet lovable chaebol heir.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

A supporting role in hit 2012 historical drama Moon Embracing the Sun followed; Jung played a prince who becomes his half-brother's rival in love and for the throne. Following the success of Cool Guys, Hot Ramen and Moon Embracing the Sun, Jung was launched to stardom as a Hallyu star. He won the Asia Male Actor award at Beijing's Huading Awards, the first non-Chinese entertainer to be nominated at the awards show since it began in 2005. From 2013 to 2014, he played a prosecutor who falls in love with a girl from a family of orphans in Golden Rainbow. This was followed by a leading role as a prince turned ghost-seeing night watchman who patrols the palace after curfew and keeps the king and his citizens safe, in the supernatural period drama Diary of a Night Watchman.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1987 (1987-09-09): Birth of Jung Il-woo — South Korean actor known for roles in Unstoppable High Kick and 49 Days.
2. 2005: 2005 Milestone — He won the Asia Male Actor award at Beijing's Huading Awards, the first non-Chinese entertainer to be nominated at the awards show since it began in 2005.
3. 2006: 2006 Milestone — He is best known for his roles in the sitcom Unstoppable High Kick (2006), and the television dramas The Return of Iljimae (2009), 49 Days (2011), Cool Guys, Hot Ramen (2011), Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), and Cinderella with Four Knights (2016).
4. 2007: 2007 Milestone — He then joined the ensemble cast of 2007 romantic comedy film My Love.
5. 2009: 2009 Milestone — In 2009, Jung starred in his first leading role as a young warrior battling injustice in historical drama The Return of Iljimae.
6. 2010: 2010 Milestone — He further challenged himself when he made his stage debut in 2010 as an HIV-positive gay man in the sold-out play Beautiful Sunday, written by Japanese playwright Mayumi Nakatani.
7. 2011: 2011 Milestone — Jung's breakout role was in 2011 tearjerker 49 Days, in which he portrayed the Scheduler, a witty modern-day Grim Reaper.
8. 2012: 2012 Milestone — A supporting role in hit 2012 historical drama Moon Embracing the Sun followed; Jung played a prince who becomes his half-brother's rival in love and for the throne.
9. 2013: 2013 Milestone — From 2013 to 2014, he played a prosecutor who falls in love with a girl from a family of orphans in Golden Rainbow.
10. 2014: 2014 Milestone — The son of a former television news anchorman, Jung Il-woo studied Broadcasting at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, then later dropped out and transferred to the Theater and Film department of Hanyang University, graduating on 20 February 2014.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jung Il-woo

True or False: “Jung Il-woo's initial rise to fame came from a leading role in a historical drama like The Return of Iljimae.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He first rose to fame playing a rebellious teen in the daytime family sitcom Unstoppable High Kick.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 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.
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• 1987 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1987
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Frequently Asked Questions about Jung Il-woo