Lady Bie in Action: Profile: Ju Ji Hoon

Ju Ji Hoon

Joo Ji-hoon (or Ju Ji-hoon, born on May 16, 1982) is a popular model and actor from South Korea. He is well known for portraying Crown Prince Lee Shin in Princess Hours (Goong), which was his acting debut. Before entering the entertainment industry, he studied at Tongwon College, majoring in e-Business. Joo started out as a model. In 2003, he went into modeling and advertised for brand names like Calvin Klein, Levi's and Reebok. He has won many awards for modeling.

2006–2007: Breakthrough success

Joo's debut drama was "Old Love," but it was Princess Hours that made him notable throughout Asia. In Princess Hours, also known as Goong, he portrayed Prince Shin, a cold-hearted prince who was forced to marry a regular town girl. He starred alongside former Baby V.O.X. member Yoon Eun Hye and UN member Kim Jeong Hoon. Fans of the manhwa initially protested the casting of Joo into the lead role, but the drama was successful. He won the MBC Drama Award for "Best New Actor." The success led to a spinoff, Goong S. In 2007, Joo starred in the 2007 KBS drama The Devil, alongside popular actress Shin Min-a. In The Devil, he portrays a lawyer. He also cut his hair, which used to be rather shaggy, into a neat trim that framed his long face. He also lost 5 kg by eating only chicken and exercising three times a day. In March, The Devil was one of the three most highly anticipated dramas, along with The Thank You and Witch Amusement. The actor was selected in 2007 to be the New Asian Star of 2007 at the 1st Astar TV Drama Awards which was held on March 30, 2007 at the COEX in Seoul. New Asian Stars have been chosen from Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. Astar TV said the six were chosen for their high recognition in their respective countries, their celebrity status, and potential to emerge as top Asian stars. Singer/Actor Kamenashi Kazuya was chosen among Japanese stars, while Fan Bing Bing represented China. Actor Wilson Chen was chosen among Taiwanese stars, actor Daniel Wu among Hong Kong stars and model/actress Patcharapa Chaichua among Thai stars

2008–2009: Acting and drug scandal

Antique is the debut movie of Ji Hoon. Joo plays the part of a bakery owner. Kim Jae Wook plays the part of a genius pâtissier. Young actor Yoo Ah In plays the role of a boxing champion turned apprentice. Choi Ji Ho portrays a trouble making bodyguard. And they all come together to run the cake shop, ‘Antique.’ The movie opened in theaters on November 13, 2008. On the morning of June 23, Joo Ji-hoon appeared in court to receive his sentencing after pleading guilty to drug use of ecstasy and ketamine. His punishment is six months of jail with one year of probation (a suspended sentence) and 120 hours of community service, plus a penalty of 360,000 won (which is only approx US $280). That’s lighter than the one year and 440,000 won fine he had sought earlier this month. What this means is, he gets to suspend his six months of hard time while he is on probation for a year; if he remains clean (of any crime, not just drugs), the offense is essentially cleared and he does not have to serve his initial sentence. Joo will not be imprisoned, yet, provided he remains clean of crimes during his probation period. The decision was explained, “The nature of the crime is by no means light. However, he has reflected deeply on the crime and has not taken any drugs since the time a year and two months ago. Also, many fans from within the country and from overseas have appealed for an appropriate handling of the matter and sent petitions.” Joo’s lawyer explained, “Of course he must accept the price of his crime, but wrong information kept coming out and exaggerated him as a habitual user, and some of it was unfair.” As for his partners in crime, actress and trafficker Yoon Seol-hee was given three years in jail, while model and financer Yeh Hak-young and the unidentified Mr./Ms. Jeon were both given two and a half years of jail, but with four years of suspended-sentence probation, plus two years of regular probation and 200 hours of community service.

2010: Military service

It is reported that starting Feb 2, 2010 actor Joo Ji Hoon will bid his fans goodbye as he will be leaving for army. A source close to Joo JiHoon says on Jan 13, “Yesterday, MMA (Military Manpower Administration) has confirmed that Joo Ji Hoon can join the army as of Feb 2, 2010. First he’ll be off to an Academy in Gyeonggi Province to receive 5 weeks basic military training before serving full-time”, he said. Joo Ji Hoon expressed: “Thank you all for coming to send me off. I will work hard and do my best in the army. Please look forward to my new image in two years.” —Joo Ji Hoon In August, Ji Hoon will star a military musical, Voyage of Life. It has been gaining a lot of attention ever since it was announced Joo and fellow actor Lee Junki, both currently serving in the army, would be playing lead roles in it. The musical, which is co-produced by the Ministry of National Defense and Korea Musical Theatre Association to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, revealed its promotional poster and generated more hype. The musical ran from August 21 – 29th at the National Theater of Korea

2011 – present: comeback, Key East Entertainment

Ji-hoon has signed with top Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon-owned entertainment firm KEYEAST, according to the agency on Wednesday. According to a press release by KEYEAST, Joo, who is currently serving in the army to fulfill Korea's two-year mandatory military duties, finalized a contract with the firm early this month ahead of resuming his acting career in November when he is set to be discharged. KEYEAST said it plans to support Joo in his future activities both at home and overseas by cooperating with its Japanese subsidiary Digital Adventure (DA) as well as air various promotional events on Asian entertainment cable channel DATV. KEYEAST manages the career of numerous famous actors and actresses including Kim Hyun-joong, Lee Na-young, Choi Kang-hee, Lee Bo-young, E Ji-ah, Hong Soo-hyun, Wang Ji-hye and So E-hyun