Um Ki-joon

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Um Ki-joon

Role / Field:

Acclaimed South Korean actor known for dramatic roles in musicals and hit dramas.

Born:

1976-03-23

Century / Era:

1976s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Um Ki-joon (Korean: 엄기준; born March 23, 1976) is a South Korean actor. He made his acting debut in 1995 in the stage play Richard III, though he later became best known as a musical theatre actor, starring in Singin' in the Rain, The Sorrows of Young Werther, Grease, The Three Musketeers, Jack the Ripper, The Count of Monte Cristo, Catch Me If You Can, and Rebecca. He also appeared in the Patrick Marber play Closer. Um's popularity increased after he began playing supporting roles in television dramas such as Life Special Investigation Team, Worlds Within, Hero, Dream High, Scent of a Woman and Phantom. He was also the leading actor in Good Job, Good Job and The Virus.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He is best known for his roles in television series I'm Not a Robot (2017–2018), The Penthouse: War in Life (2020–2021) and Little Women (2022). Um made his acting debut in 1995 in the stage play Richard III. After his discharge from the military in 1998, he faced a period of obscurity in Daehakro, taking on various roles in both large and small productions, starting with the musical "Gwanggaeto the Great." However, it was in the musical in Singin' in the Rain, where his true talent shone, propelling him to stardom with his portrayal of Dong-hyeon. Subsequently, he appeared in productions such as The Sorrows of Young Werther, Grease and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. In 2004, Um made a return to the theater stage with play Male Impulse.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 2006, Um made his television debut in Drama City - Who Loved Her? The following year, he worked with Lee So-yeon again in Drama City - The Grim Reaper with Amnesia. Um also appeared in Kimchi Cheese Smile, as Ki-jun, Shin Goo's eldest son, who rents the second floor of his friend Byeong-jin's house. He is a man with a sly personality who is messy at home and neat and tidy outside. In 2008, Um worked with Lee So-yeon again in Drama City - Secret, Only You Don't Know.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1976 (1976-03-23): Birth of Um Ki-joon — Acclaimed South Korean actor known for dramatic roles in musicals and hit dramas.
2. 1995: 1995 Milestone — He made his acting debut in 1995 in the stage play Richard III, though he later became best known as a musical theatre actor, starring in Singin' in the Rain, The Sorrows of Young Werther, Grease, The Three Musketeers, Jack the Ripper, The Count of Monte Cristo, Catch Me If You Can, and Rebecca.
3. 1998: 1998 Milestone — After his discharge from the military in 1998, he faced a period of obscurity in Daehakro, taking on various roles in both large and small productions, starting with the musical "Gwanggaeto the Great.
4. 2004: 2004 Milestone — In 2004, Um made a return to the theater stage with play Male Impulse.
5. 2006: 2006 Milestone — In 2006, Um made his television debut in Drama City - Who Loved Her?
6. 2008: 2008 Milestone — In 2008, Um worked with Lee So-yeon again in Drama City - Secret, Only You Don't Know.
7. 2017: 2017 Milestone — He is best known for his roles in television series I'm Not a Robot (2017–2018), The Penthouse: War in Life (2020–2021) and Little Women (2022).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Um Ki-joon

True or False: “Um Ki-joon's initial acting debut was in a television drama series.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His acting career began on stage with the play Richard III in 1995.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A Day at the Races (album) — Contemporary (Born in 1976) (1976): Queen's fifth studio album, a companion piece to A Night at the Opera.
• Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani — Contemporary (Died in 1976) (1976): Bangladeshi statesman and founder of the Awami League, known for advocating for the poor.
• Abiy Ahmed — Contemporary (Born in 1976) (1976): Ethiopian Prime Minister known for sweeping reforms and Nobel Peace Prize.
• Adolfo Suárez — Shared historical date (03-23 · Died) (2014): Key architect of Spain's transition to democracy, serving as Prime Minister 1976-1981.
• Akira Kurosawa — Shared historical date (03-23 · Born) (1910): Master of Japanese cinema, known for dynamic style and epic storytelling.
• Adam Beyer — Historical peer (Born in 1976) (1976): Pioneering Swedish techno producer and DJ, known for founding Drumcode Records.
• Adolph Zukor — Historical peer (Died in 1976) (1976): Pioneering Hungarian-American film producer, co-founder of Paramount Pictures.
• Adolf Butenandt — Historical peer (Died in 1995) (1995): Pioneering German biochemist known for sex hormones and pheromone discovery.
• Adolfo Pedernera — Historical peer (Died in 1995) (1995): Argentine football legend, nicknamed 'El Maestro,' pivotal in the 1940s.
• Abdul Halim of Kedah — Historical peer (Died in 2017) (2017): Sultan of Kedah and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a pivotal Malaysian royal figure.
• 1976 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1976
• March 23 (03-23) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 23

Frequently Asked Questions about Um Ki-joon