Ji Soo

Kim Ji-soo (; born 30 March 1993), known professionally as Ji Soo, is a South Korean actor currently based in the Philippines.

Early life and education In elementary school, Ji Soo was a judo athlete and competed at national level before giving it up due to injuries. He was an actor trainee under JYP Entertainment in 2012.

Career

2009–2016: Beginnings and breakthrough Ji Soo made his acting debut on stage in 2009 and consequently starred in several short films, including having a leading role in the Korean-Filipino independent film Seoul Mates. He first gained recognition in high school drama Angry Mom (2015). Since then, he has starred in television series Cheer Up! (2015), Page Turner (2016) and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016); as well as the film One Way Trip (2016).

2017–2020: Rising popularity In 2017, he co-starred in JTBC's fantasy romance comedy Strong Woman Do Bong-soon, playing a passionate rookie police officer. He next starred in OCN's crime drama Bad Guys 2. In 2018, Ji Soo was cast in JTBC's drama special Ping Pong Ball, and Netflix's youth romance drama My First First Love. In 2020, Ji Soo signed a contract with KeyEast.

2021–2023: Bullying accusations, military enlistment and hiatus In 2021, Ji Soo was reported to play the male lead in the Korean drama River Where the Moon Rises. The drama began airing on 15 February 2021 with the actor playing the role of On Dal. He starred in the drama for six aired episodes until reported school bullying and assault accusations were made against him. Following this, KBS replaced Ji Soo and he was from then on removed from the show. The role of On Dal was re-cast by actor Na In Woo, who appeared in the drama from episode nine onward.

Actor Ji Soo was announced to be enlisted for mandatory military service duties in October 2021. Reports said that he received a mandatory military service duties summon in December 2020. After completing four weeks of basic military training, he was announced to carry out the rest of his services in the assigned social worker department.

On 6 July 2021, the legal representative of Ji Soo, law company Shin & Kim, released a new statement regarding the open-ended legal procedures of previously-reported school bullying and assault allegations. In May 2021, the same representative had stated that the actor had decided to take legal action against the people who had made false accusations and spread false rumors.

On 27 May 2021, KeyEast announced that Ji Soo's exclusive contract with the agency has been terminated due to the controversy.

2024–present: Return to entertainment Since mid-2024, Ji Soo has been residing in the Philippines and has resumed his acting career with projects on GMA Network. He guest-starred in the action drama Black Rider. He also played a recurring role in the medical drama Abot-Kamay na Pangarap. On 28 August 2024, Ji Soo signed a contract with GMA's talent agency Sparkle.

Controversy In a statement posted on an online forum by an anonymous person on 2 March 2021, Ji Soo was accused of being a bully during his school years. The following day, his agency, KeyEast, released a statement saying that "[they] are looking at this incident seriously and will do [their] utmost to verify the facts."

Following a series of similar accusations, Ji Soo posted a hand-written apology to his Instagram account on 4 March 2021. He stated:

It was later reported that Ji Soo would be replaced by actor Na In-woo in the television series River Where the Moon Rises. KeyEast issued a statement confirming Ji Soo's activities would be halted prior to his military enlistment in October 2021.

Personal life Ji Soo received surgery for acute osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone or bone marrow, usually due to infection) on 13 September 2016. On 27 September, he returned to filming Fantastic and was officially discharged from hospital on 1 October.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2010 Boy in Pain Short film 2014 Han Gong-ju Member of Min-ho's gang Bit part Seoul Mates Joon Korean-Philippines co-production Adult Short film More Than Short film 2016 One Way Trip Yong-bi 2024 Mujigae Ji-sung Park Philippine film

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2012 To the Beautiful You Student Cameo Family Han Song-yi Cameo (Episode 45) 2014 Love Frequency 37.2 Go Dong-hee's ex-boyfriend Cameo (Episode 3) 2015 Angry Mom Go Bok-dong Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo 14th Prince Wang Jung Fantastic Kim Sang-wook Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo Bok-joo's fellow worker Cameo (Episode 11) 2017 Strong Girl Bong-soon In Gook-du Amanza Park Dong Myung / Amanza 2021 River Where the Moon Rises On Dal Episodes 1–6 (Replaced) 2024 Black Rider Adrian Park Philippine drama Abot-Kamay na Pangarap Dr. Kim Young 2025 Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko Dong Hyuk/Seong Nam Sanggang-Dikit FRWoo Antagonist (Hired Assassin) 2026Never Say DieLee Jin Ho First Supporting Role in Philippine Drama Love, SiargaoHan Bin

Web series Year Title Role Notes 2015 Lunch Box Yong K-Food Fair 2015

Television shows Year Title Role 2016 Celebrity Bromance Cast member My Ear's Candy 2023–present It's Showtime Guest / Performer 2025 Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition Houseguest BE COOL: The Express Adventure Host

Music video appearances Year Title Artist 2018 "Wind" Bolbbalgan4

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2015 34th MBC Drama Awards Best New Actor in a MiniseriesAngry Mom Best Couple Award with Kim Hee-sun 2016 11th Max Movie Awards Rising Star Award 37th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best New Actor One Way Trip 30th KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a One-Act/Special/Short Drama Page Turner Best New Actor 2017 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor (Television) Strong Girl Bong-soon 22nd Chunsa Film Art Awards Best New Actor One Way Trip 2nd Asia Artist Awards Rising Star Award 2018 13th Soompi Awards Best Supporting Actor in the male category Strong Girl Bong-soon 2020 Busan International Film Festival Actor of the Year Award Our Joyful Summer Days 5th Asia Artist Awards 2020 Popularity Award (Actor) 39th MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Wednesday-Thursday Miniseries When I Was Most Beautiful Best Couple Award with Im Soo-hyang 2024 GMA Gala Night 2024Red Carpet Scene Stealer Ima Wa Ima Asian International Film Festival Outstanding International Actor Award Abot-Kamay na Pangarap