Ji Chang-wook

Ji Chang-wook (; born 5 July 1987) is a South Korean actor and singer. He rose to fame for playing the lead role of daily drama series Smile Again (2010–2011), and gained further prominence with television series Warrior Baek Dong-soo, Empress Ki (2013–2014), Healer (2014–2015), The K2 (2016), Suspicious Partner (2017), The Worst of Evil (2023), Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023–2024), and film Fabricated City (2017).

Career 2006–2009: Beginnings Ji began his career in musical theatre. He made his onscreen debut in the 2006 short film Days... and had a minor role in the 2008 television drama You Stole My Heart. He officially debuted in 2008 through the film, Sleeping Beauty.

In 2009, he appeared in My Too Perfect Sons, playing the timid, youngest brother who ends up raising his best friend's daughter at just 20 years old. The weekend family drama received over 40% ratings. He then took on a supporting role in the action-comedy Hero. Smile Again topped the ratings chart for 15 consecutive weeks, and he was awarded "Best Actor in a Daily Drama" at the KBS Drama Awards.

He then played the titular character in 2011 historical-action series, Warrior Baek Dong-soo (2011). Adapted from Lee Jae-heon's manhwa, Honorable Baek Dong-soo, it is an origin story about Joseon-era swordsman, Baek Dong-soo, showing his early years until political intrigue creates a rivalry with his childhood best friend-turned-enemy. The series topped in its timeslot for 13 weeks, and Ji received a "New Star Award" at the SBS Drama Awards. Later that year, he played the lead role in cable drama, Bachelor's Vegetable Store which is based on the true story of Lee Young-seok, a young man who turned a tiny 350-square-feet vegetable store in 1998 into a nationwide franchise with 33 stores.

On his first antagonist role in the melodrama, Five Fingers (2012), Ji played a pianist who envies his older brother's natural gift for music. Ji returned to musical theater in 2013 with The Days, playing a presidential bodyguard who went missing 20 years ago along with a mysterious female companion. The Days was a jukebox musical using the folk rock songs of Kim Kwang-seok.

2013–2022: Breakthrough and overseas ventures Ji's breakthrough came through his role as Toghon Temür (also known as Ta Hwan), the 16th emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, in the historical drama Empress Ki. The drama drew solid viewership ratings nationwide throughout its run with an average rating of 35.12%. Ji's portrayal left a strong impression on both the critics and the audience, earning him critical acclaim and recognition. Ji then starred as the titular character in action-thriller television series, Healer (2014–2015). After the airing of the drama, Ji became popular in China and other parts of Asia. He then took on roles in Mandarin-language dramas such as The Whirlwind Girl 2 and Mr. Right. In 2016, Ji starred as the male lead in tvN's action-thriller The K2, a bodyguard who is betrayed by his fellow countrymen and falls in love with a girl with PTSD and apparent sociophobia. The drama received favorable reviews, topping cable channel viewership ratings throughout its 8-week broadcast. In November 2016, he co-starred in the promotional web-drama series, 7 First Kisses for Lotte Duty Free.

In 2017, Ji starred in the action film, Fabricated City, playing the role of a jobless game addict who is framed for murder. The same year, he was cast in SBS's romantic comedy thriller series, Suspicious Partner, as a prosecutor, which premiered in May. Following his discharge from military in 2019, Ji was cast in the romantic comedy series Melting Me Softly, where he played the role of a television producer who finds himself waking up 20 years into the future following an unsuccessful human-freezing project.

In 2020, Ji was cast in the romantic comedy series, Backstreet Rookie, based on a webtoon of the same name. He played the role of a former public-relations director of convenience stores franchises, who ends up managing his own convenience store. He also starred in romantic comedy web series Lovestruck in the City which premiered on Kakao TV in December 2020.

In 2021, he starred in the Kim Chang-ju's thriller film Hard Hit, playing a mysterious caller who blackmails the protagonist and his family with a bomb planted inside the car they are driving. In 2022, Ji appeared in the Netflix series The Sound of Magic, based on a webtoon of the same name, in the role of mysterious magician Ri Eul. That same year, he starred in the KBS2 drama If You Wish Upon Me in the role of an ex-convict who volunteers at a hospice.

2023–present: New agency In March 2023, Ji ended his contract with Glorious Entertainment. On 14 March 2023, Ji is in the stage on preparing to establish a one-man agency with his manager who has been working with him for more than ten years. In April 2023, Ji signed with Spring Company. On 13 November 2023, Ji was confirmed to be cast in the role of the main character of series The Manipulated.

Ji is set to perform in Manila on 19 October 2025, as part of IAM WORLDWIDE 's anniversary show dubbed DOMIN8 along with fellow Koreans from NTX and Philippine pop group Bini.

Personal life Military service Ji began his mandatory military service on 14 August 2017. He underwent his basic military training at the Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Cheorwon, Gangwon Province. Upon completion, he was awarded a prize for his exemplary performance. Ji was assigned to the Army's 5th Artillery Brigade at Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, to complete the remainder of his military service. He was appointed as a Platoon Leader and promoted to Corporal. He was further promoted to Sergeant. Ji was discharged on 27 April 2019.

Philanthropy In 2017, Ji donated his dubbing fee as male lead in the Japanese animated film, "Your Name", to the Korean Barrier Free Films Committee (KOBAFF).

After his military discharge in April 2019, he graced the June cover of The Big Issue Korea and Japan, the magazine sales profits of which support the homeless.

In February 2020, he donated KRW 100 million to the Daegu branch of the Korean Red Cross to support medical staff, provide hygiene products (like masks and sanitizer), and aid citizens in self-quarantine at the epicenter of Korea's initial COVID-19 outbreak.

He supported Miral Welfare Foundation by starring in their 2020 "How You See Me?" awareness campaign, which advocates for the rights of disabled children, and in their 2022 "I'M AN ARTIST" special project, which highlights the talents of artists with developmental disabilities.

In February 2023, Ji donated to help 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, by donating money through UNICEF.

In February 2024, he donated JPY 10 million to Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan to support victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

In March 2025, he donated KRW 100 million to Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association for the recovery from the forest fire damage in Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Ulsan, and to support the firefighters.

In April 2026, Ji and an Indonesian snack brand commemorated the success of their collaboration, "One Bite One Dream" campaign, that helped fund the building of two eco-friendly PAUD (Early Childhood Education) centers in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, and provide scholarships for students across Jakarta and East Java.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2006 Days... Soo-bin In Search of Lost Time Min-seong Short film 2008 Sleeping Beauty Jin-seo 2009 The Weird Missing Case of Mr. J Sun Gun-man Bit part 2010 Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp Soo-il Confession Grandson Short film 2013 How to Use Guys with Secret Tips Hong-jun's brother Cameo 2015 The Long Way Home Military police Cameo 2016 Your Name Taki Tachibana Voice; Korean dub 2017 Fabricated City Kwon Yoo The Bros Young Choon-bae Cameo 2021 Hard Hit Jinwoo 2024 Revolver Andy / Mad Dog 2026 Colony Choi Hyun-seok The Generals Heo Hak-sung Netflix film

Television series

Web series Year Title Role Notes 2014 Kara: Secret Love Angel No. 2013, Chun Sa Nam Ep. 9–10 2016 7 First Kisses Himself Ep. 3–4 2024 My Name is Gabriel 2025 Abracadabra! The Galaxy of Ultimate Healing Himself 2026 Kumusta

Music video appearances Year Title Artist 2007 "Are You Ready" Lena Park feat. Dynamic Duo 2009 "We Broke Up Today" Younha 2010 "I Have to Let You Go" Young Gun 2011 "Cry Cry" T-ara 2012 "Lovey-Dovey" "I Need You" K.Will 2013 "That's My Fault" Speed "It's Over" "Runaway" Kara 2024 "No More Drinks" Lee Juck 2025 "Even if" Heize

Theater + Musical play performances Year Title Role English Korean 2007 Fire and Ice 2010 Thrill Me 쓰릴미 Richard Loeb 2013–2017; 2023 The Days 그날들 Mu-young 2013 Jack the Ripper 살인마 잭 Daniel Brothers Were Brave 형제는 용감했다 Lee Joo-bong 2018–2019 신흥무관학교 Dong-gyu

Discography Extended plays Year Title Notes 2016 Be With You Mandarin

Full album Year Title Notes 2025 Assemble Japanese, includes 6 songs from released singles and 4 new songs: "Celebration", "Glass", "Feel me,feel you" , and "My Christmas Wish"

Singles Year Title Album 2011 "Meet-Again Meet Again" Warrior Baek Dong-soo OST "Oh-Sing-Sing-Men Oh Sing Sing Men" Bachelor's Vegetable Store OST Japanese release "Your Warmth" 2012 "Fill Up" Five Fingers OST 2014 "To the Butterfly" Empress Ki OST 2015 "I Will Protect You" Healer OST 2016 "Kissing You" 7 First Kisses OST 2017 "101 Reasons Why I Like You" Suspicious Partner OST 2019 "When Love Passes By" Melting Me Softly OST 2022 "Magic In You" The Sound of Magic OST "Do You Believe In Magic?" "Don't Make Me Dream" "Merry-Go-Round" "A Curse of Asphalt" "Annarasumanara" 2023 "Thank You for Being There" "Thank You for Being There" (Released in Japan) "That You Were There" ("Boku Ga Ita Koto") 2024 "The Wind of Spring" "The Wind of Spring" (Released in Japan) "Spring is You" "SHINY TRIP" "SHINY TRIP" (Released in Japan) "Starry Night Driver"

Other appearances

Variety Year Program / Channel Note 2014 Running Man Episodes 211-212 2015 Happy Camp May 16 (with Yang Yang, etc.) 2019 Labourhood on Hire Episode 6 City Fisherman Episodes 91-92 2020 Running Man Episode 507 Knowing Bros Episode 260 UM Believable UM Chef November 24, December 2 & December 9 2022 House on Wheels Season 3 (Episode 12) Immortal Songs 2 Episode 559 2023 Salon Drip Season 2 (Episode 15) 2024 You Quiz on the Block Episode 254 Whenever Possible Season 4 (Episode 12) 2025 Cheonggyesan Daeng-i Records November 4 (with Doh Kyung-soo) My Grumpy Secretary October 31 (with Doh Kyung-soo) My Favorite Camping November 5 (with Lee Juck) 2026 Ddeun Ddeun: Pinggyego Episode 108: A Picnic is Just an Excuse (with Jun Ji-hyun and Koo Kyo-hwan)

Promotional Year Channel Note 2022 Signature Kitchen Suite Live: Gourmet Journey – Spain 2024 Traveloka Episode 1: Ji Chang-wook Liburan ke Bali dan Labuan Bajo, Episode 2: Ji Chang-wook Liburan ke Labuan Bajo 2025 One Fine Day in Seoul with Ji Chang-wook

Accolades Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2014 Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Empress Ki 2015 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Healer 2021 Backstreet Rookie Popular Star Award, Actor 2022 Global Star Award The Sound of Magic 2024 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Welcome to Samdal-ri Asia Artist Awards 2019 Asia Celebrity (Actor) Ji Chang-wook Best Actor Asian Film Awards 2023 AFA Next Generation Award Ji Chang-wook Baeksang Arts Awards 2017 Best New Actor – Film Fabricated City China TV Drama Awards 2015 Most Popular Actor (Overseas) Healer KBS Drama Awards 2010 Best New Actor Smile Again 2011 Excellence Award, Actor in a Daily Drama Best Couple Award Ji Chang-wook Healer Korea's Best Dresser Swan Awards 2016 Best Dressed Actor The K2 Korea Drama Awards 2011 Best New Actor Smile Again 2014 Top Excellence Award, actor Empress Ki Korean Film Producers Association Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor Revolver MBC Drama Awards 2013 Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama SBS Drama Awards 2011 New Star Award Warrior Baek Dong-soo Best Couple Award Ji Chang-wook Suspicious Partner 2020 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Fantasy/Romance Drama Backstreet Rookie Best Couple Award Ji Chang-wook Backstreet Rookie Seoul International Drama Awards 2014 Outstanding Korean Actor Empress Ki The Musical Awards 2013 Best New Actor The Days

State honors + Name of country, year given, and name of honor Country Award ceremony Year Honor or award South Korea Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards 2025 Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation

Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Korean Film Council 2021 Korean Actors 200