Jung Woo

Quick Facts: Who was Jung Woo?

Subject:

Jung Woo

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actor known for roles in Reply 1994 and You Are the Best!

Born:

1981-01-14

Century / Era:

1981s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kim Jung-guk (Korean: 김정국; born January 14, 1981), known professionally as Jung Woo (정우), is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the drama Reply 1994 (2013) and You Are the Best! Jung Woo made his acting debut in 2006, and began his career appearing in minor roles on film and television. He drew attention in 2008 for his turn as a morally challenged but lovable villain in action film Spare, the directorial debut of Lee Seong-han. In 2009, Lee directed Jung Woo again, this time in the leading role in Wish, a film which Jung Woo had written himself based on his own experiences as a troubled youth dreaming of becoming the number one fighter at his school.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The character uses his real name Kim Jung-guk and nickname Jjianggu, the movie was shot at his childhood home and high school, Busan Commercial High School, and Jung Woo's real-life friends play themselves in the film. Spanning the years from Jjianggu's school life to his father's last days, the film was an official selection at the 2009 Busan International Film Festival. Jung Woo was praised for his performance, and won Best New Actor at the prestigious Grand Bell Awards in 2010. In 2013, Jung Woo played a supporting role as a baker who falls for a divorced single mother in the family drama You Are the Best!. His mainstream popularity further increased when he was cast as one of the main characters of Reply 1994, a cable drama about a group of young students from different regions in Korea living together in a boarding house while going to college in 1990s Seoul.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This was followed by a role in arthouse spy movie Red Family, produced by Kim Ki-duk. Jung Woo next starred in the 2015 musical biopic C'est Si Bon. Set in the eponymous live music cafe in Mugyo-dong, downtown Seoul, the film depicted the formation of legendary folk music group Twin Folio, which was active from the 1960s to 80s. In 2019, Jung was cast in the gangster movie The Boiling Blood. Jung Woo married actress Kim Yoo-mi on January 16, 2016.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1981 (1981-01-14): Birth of Jung Woo — Acclaimed South Korean actor known for roles in Reply 1994 and You Are the Best!
2. 1994: 1994 Milestone — He is best known for his roles in the drama Reply 1994 (2013) and You Are the Best!
3. 2006: 2006 Milestone — Jung Woo made his acting debut in 2006, and began his career appearing in minor roles on film and television.
4. 2008: 2008 Milestone — He drew attention in 2008 for his turn as a morally challenged but lovable villain in action film Spare, the directorial debut of Lee Seong-han.
5. 2009: 2009 Milestone — In 2009, Lee directed Jung Woo again, this time in the leading role in Wish, a film which Jung Woo had written himself based on his own experiences as a troubled youth dreaming of becoming the number one fighter at his school.
6. 2010: 2010 Milestone — Jung Woo was praised for his performance, and won Best New Actor at the prestigious Grand Bell Awards in 2010.
7. 2013: 2013 Milestone — In 2013, Jung Woo played a supporting role as a baker who falls for a divorced single mother in the family drama You Are the Best!.
8. 2015: 2015 Milestone — Jung Woo next starred in the 2015 musical biopic C'est Si Bon.
9. 2016: 2016 Milestone — Jung Woo married actress Kim Yoo-mi on January 16, 2016.
10. 2019: 2019 Milestone — In 2019, Jung was cast in the gangster movie The Boiling Blood.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jung Woo

True or False: “Jung Woo's breakthrough role as a villain occurred in the film *Spare*, which was Lee Seong-han's directorial debut.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text confirms that Jung Woo drew attention in 2008 for his turn as a morally challenged but lovable villain in *Spare*.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abel Gance — Contemporary (Died in 1981) (1981): French cinematic pioneer, celebrated for his mastery of montage and epic filmmaking.
• Abigail Spencer — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): American actress, producer, and writer known for roles in soap operas and dramas.
• Adriana Lima — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): Iconic Brazilian model, celebrated for her long tenure as a Victoria's Secret Angel.
• Abul Fazl — Shared historical date (01-14 · Born) (1551): Pioneering Mughal historian, writer, and Grand Vizier of Emperor Akbar's court.
• Ahmed Ali (writer) — Shared historical date (01-14 · Died) (1994): Pioneering Urdu writer, poet, and diplomat from British India to Pakistan.
• Abdullah al-Sallal — Historical peer (Died in 1994) (1994): Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.
• Ahn Seung-gyun — Historical peer (Born in 1994) (1994): South Korean actor known for roles in dramas like All of Us Are Dead.
• Albert Cohen (novelist) — Historical peer (Died in 1981) (1981): Greek-born Swiss novelist who wrote in French, known for his memoirs and international work.
• Albert Speer — Historical peer (Died in 1981) (1981): German architect and Nazi official, known for monumental designs and wartime ministry.
• Aaron Swartz — Historical peer (Died in 2013) (2013): Pioneering programmer, activist, and hacktivist known for RSS, Markdown, and progressive organizing.
• 1981 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1981
• January 14 (01-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 14

Frequently Asked Questions about Jung Woo