Biography
Who is Ju Ji-hoon?
Early life and education
Ju Ji-hoon was born on May 16, 1982, in the Gangdong District of Seoul, South Korea. He grew up in the capital city and pursued higher education within the country. He eventually attended Kyonggi University, where he earned a degree in Acting to prepare for his professional career in the entertainment industry.
Modeling and acting beginnings
Ju began his professional career in 2003 working as a model. He appeared in various advertisements for major clothing brands, including Levi's, Calvin Klein, and Reebok. While he took several minor roles in television dramas early on, his major breakthrough did not arrive until 2006. He starred in the romantic comedy series Princess Hours, which was based on the manhwa Goong. This production became a significant domestic hit with peak ratings of 28.3 percent and helped propel him to stardom across Asia.
Military service and career comeback
In early 2010, Ju enlisted in the Republic of Korea Army to fulfill his mandatory military service. He completed five weeks of basic training in Uijeongbu before serving on active duty. During this time, he also participated in the military musical Voyage of Life, which commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. He completed his service and was discharged in November 2011.
Recent work and major roles
In recent years, Ju has starred in several high-profile projects that have earned widespread attention. He played the role of Haewonmaek in the two-part fantasy epic Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, which became the second highest-grossing film in South Korea. He also gained acclaim for his performances in the 2018 films The Spy Gone North and Dark Figure of Crime. For his work in The Spy Gone North, he received multiple Best Supporting Actor awards.
Legal issues
In April 2009, the Seoul Metropolitan Police indicted Ju without detention regarding the use of ecstasy. He pleaded guilty to the use of ecstasy and ketamine in June 2009. The court sentenced him to a six-month prison term suspended for one year, along with 120 hours of community service and a fine of 360,000 won. The judge noted his lack of a prior criminal record and his reflection on the matter when deciding the sentence.
Birthday and age
Ju Ji-hoon was born on May 16, 1982, which makes Ju 44 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Ju shares the date with 37 other famous people.
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