𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫
2006–2009: Beginnings
Ji began his career in musical theatre. He made his onscreen debut in the 2006 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.[3]
In 2009, he appeared in My Too Perfect Sons, playing the timid, sissy youngest brother who ends up raising his best friend's daughter at just 20 years old.[4] The weekend family drama received over 40% ratings.[5] He then took on a supporting role in the action-comedy, Hero.[6]
2010–2012: Rising popularity
In 2010, Ji was cast in his first lead role in the 159-episode daily drama, Smile Again, playing the role of a Korean-American short track speed skater.[7]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.[8][9]
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 bestfriend-turned-enemy.[10][11]The series topped in its timeslot for 13 weeks, and Ji received a "New Star Award" at the SBS Drama Awards.[12][13] Later that year, he played the lead role in cable drama, Bachelor's Vegetable Storewhich 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.[14]
In his first role as an antagonist, Ji played a pianist who envies his older brother's natural gift for music in the melodrama, Five Fingers (2012).[15][16]
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.[17]
2013–present: 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.[18] 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.[19][20]
Ji then starred as the titular character in action-thriller television series, Healer (2014-2015).[21][22]After the airing of the drama, Ji became popular in China and other parts of Asia.[23][24] He then took on roles in Mandarin-language dramas such as The Whirlwind Girl 2 and Mr. Right.[25][26]
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.[27] The drama received favorable reviews, topping cable channel viewership ratings throughout its 8-week broadcast.[28] In November 2016, he co-starred in the promotional web-drama series, First Seven Kisses for Lotte Duty Free.[29]
In 2017, Ji starred in the action film, Fabricated City, playing the role of a jobless game addict who becomes a framed murderer.[30] The same year, he was cast in SBS's romantic-comedy thriller series, Suspicious Partner, as a prosecutor, which premiered in May.[31]
In 2019, following his discharge from military, Ji was cast in the romantic-comedy series, Melting Me Softly, where he plays the role of a television producer who finds himself waking up 20 years into the future following an unsuccessful human-freezing project.[32]
In 2020, Ji was cast in the romantic-comedy series, Backstreet Rookie, based on a webtoon of the same name. He plays the role of a former public-relations director who ends up managing a convenience store.[33]
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