So Ji-sub
Encyclopedia
So Ji-sub is a South Korea
n actor
.
. Playing a gangster who falls in love with the main female character, more and more fans found him attractive and talented.
In 2004, he was cast in two immensely popular dramas - What Happened in Bali and I'm Sorry, I Love You
. Cha Moo-hyuk in I'm Sorry, I Love You
in particular became his breakout role, garnering positive feedback from critics and fans. Through those two dramas, he began drawing attention from not just Korea, but from all over Asia. To this day he still considers them the best dramas in his filmography.
After completing his mandatory Korean military service as a public relations officer with the Mapo
District Office, So returned to the entertainment world in 2007. His comeback was in Jang Hoon
's directorial debut Rough Cut
, in which he plays a thug who dreams of becoming an actor, while Kang Ji-hwan
plays an actor who beats up and hospitalizes his co-stars. The low-budget film was a critical and surprise box office success.
To break into the Chinese market, So starred in the 2009 romantic comedy
Sophie's Revenge
, with Zhang Ziyi
in the titular role. He followed that with the drama Cain and Abel
, about the intense relationship between two brothers, one a genius doctor and another outshone by his sibling.
Expectations were high for his big-budget Korean war
drama Road No. 1
, but the series tanked in the ratings, averaging 4% to 5% for its entire run.
So published his photo-essay collection, So Ji-sub's Road in 2010. The volume covers stories and photos over the past 13 years since his debut, using unpretentious language and sensitive photography. So had taken trips to the DMZ and Gangwon province while preparing the book, which is divided into the following categories: Rest and Travel; Freedom; Injury and Healing; Youth and Passion; Memory, Things to Leave Behind; Ours, Mine; and Reconciliation, Love. The usually taciturn and stoic actor reveals his inner thoughts throughout the book, with essays on the number 51 (reflected in the name of his company - it represents what happens when you take a 50-50 probability and believe just 1% more; the K, meanwhile, stands for Korea), Romeo and Juliet
, why he likes rainy days, and stories about his interactions with other celebs and artists such as Tiger JK
. Within ten days of its release, the book hit the bestseller list, having sold 50,000 copies by pre-order, and entered its third printing. He was subsequently named the goodwill ambassador of Gangwon-do in an effort to boost tourism there, and plans are underway for a 51 km-long trail in the province to be named "So Ji-sub Road", set to finish building in the summer of 2012. He is the first Korean celebrity to have an entire road named after him.
A professed longtime hip-hop lover, So rapped for two original tracks – Lonely Life and Foolish Love – under the artist pseudonym
"G" or "G-Sonic" for the Rough Cut and Cain and Abel soundtrack
s, respectively. In 2011 he released another digital single Pick Up Line under his own name. Two teaser videos were released, the first teaser described as a comedic version that features guest stars Jung Joon-ha
(who is a close friend of So's) and Kim Byung-man (whom So named as one of his favorite comedians). The three of them reportedly had a ton of fun filming the teaser. The second teaser gave a better taste of the MV. The music video itself, along with the single, were released on February 17th.
So then starred in auteur Song Il-gon
's romantic melodrama Always
(Korean title: Only You). He plays a boxer who falls in love with a girl (Han Hyo-joo
) who begins to lose her eyesight. It was the opening film of the 2011 Busan International Film Festival. He published a second book of photo-essays titled So Ji-sub's Always featuring photographs, notes and commentary on playing his movie character Jang Chul-min.
So has signed on to The Salary Man, about an employee in a killer-for-hire company who, after he falls in love and decides he wants out of his job, finds himself the target of his former colleagues.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
Biography
It was 1997 when So Ji-sub modeled for the jeans brand "STORM" and first caught the attention of Korean fans. He debuted as an actor in the sitcom Three Guys and Three Girls and remained active in the entertainment industry through dramas and commercials. Although his roles in dramas in the late 90s, such as Model, were small, his popularity grew, and by 2002, he was cast as the male second lead in Glass SlippersGlass Slippers
Glass Slippers was a 40-episode South Korean drama series, first broadcast by SBS in 2002 starring Kim Hyun Ju and Kim Ji Ho as the two orphaned sisters Yun-hee and Tae-hee.-Storyline:...
. Playing a gangster who falls in love with the main female character, more and more fans found him attractive and talented.
In 2004, he was cast in two immensely popular dramas - What Happened in Bali and I'm Sorry, I Love You
I'm Sorry, I Love You
I'm Sorry, I Love You is a South Korean drama broadcast by KBS. The drama starred actors So Ji Sub and Im Su Jeong and the theme song was "Snow Flower" by Park Hyo Shin.-Synopsis:Cha Moo Hyuk is a small time scam-artist working the streets of Australia...
. Cha Moo-hyuk in I'm Sorry, I Love You
I'm Sorry, I Love You
I'm Sorry, I Love You is a South Korean drama broadcast by KBS. The drama starred actors So Ji Sub and Im Su Jeong and the theme song was "Snow Flower" by Park Hyo Shin.-Synopsis:Cha Moo Hyuk is a small time scam-artist working the streets of Australia...
in particular became his breakout role, garnering positive feedback from critics and fans. Through those two dramas, he began drawing attention from not just Korea, but from all over Asia. To this day he still considers them the best dramas in his filmography.
After completing his mandatory Korean military service as a public relations officer with the Mapo
Mapo-gu
Mapo-gu is a gu, or district, within Seoul, South Korea. It lies northwest of the Han River. Several universities and government buildings are located here. Mapo is especially well-known for the Hongdae club district around Hongik University. Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1, Line 5, and Line 6...
District Office, So returned to the entertainment world in 2007. His comeback was in Jang Hoon
Jang Hun (director)
Jang Hun is a South Korean film director. He has worked primarily with director Kim Ki-duk first with the production department, then as an assistant director, to getting a script from Mr. Kim; Rough Cut. In 2010 he directed Secret Reunion selling over 5,000,000 tickets making it the second...
's directorial debut Rough Cut
Rough Cut (2008 film)
Rough Cut is a 2008 South Korean film, and the debut feature of director Jang Hun. The film is based on an original story by Kim Ki-duk.- Synopsis :...
, in which he plays a thug who dreams of becoming an actor, while Kang Ji-hwan
Kang Ji-hwan
Kang Ji-hwan is a South Korean actor.- Career :Kang made his debut in the entertainment industry through popular musical productions The Rocky Horror Show and Grease...
plays an actor who beats up and hospitalizes his co-stars. The low-budget film was a critical and surprise box office success.
To break into the Chinese market, So starred in the 2009 romantic comedy
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy can refer to* Romantic Comedy , a 1979 play written by Bernard Slade* Romantic Comedy , a 1983 film adapted from the play and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen...
Sophie's Revenge
Sophie's Revenge
Sophie's Revenge is a 2009 Chinese-Korean film starring Zhang Ziyi, So Ji-sub, Fan Bingbing, Ruby Lin, Peter Ho, and Yao Chen.This movie is a co-production with South Korean powerhouse CJ Entertainment. Sound and effects help also came from South Korea through Seoul-based postproduction houses...
, with Zhang Ziyi
Zhang Ziyi
Zhang Ziyi is a Chinese film actress. Zhang is coined by the media as one of the Four Young Dan actresses in the Film Industry in China, along with Zhao Wei, Xu Jinglei, and Zhou Xun...
in the titular role. He followed that with the drama Cain and Abel
Cain and Abel (TV series)
Cain and Abel is a Korean drama broadcast by SBS-Synopsis:Based on the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s first two sons, Cain and Abel is about Cain’s jealousy towards his brother Abel...
, about the intense relationship between two brothers, one a genius doctor and another outshone by his sibling.
Expectations were high for his big-budget Korean war
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
drama Road No. 1
Road No. 1
Road No. 1 is a 2010 MBC television series about two South Korean soldiers Lee Jang Woo and Shin Tae Ho who loved with Kim Soo Yeon who was Jang-woo's childhood sweetheart and Tae-ho's fiancee.-Cast:*So Ji-sub as Lee Jang Woo...
, but the series tanked in the ratings, averaging 4% to 5% for its entire run.
So published his photo-essay collection, So Ji-sub's Road in 2010. The volume covers stories and photos over the past 13 years since his debut, using unpretentious language and sensitive photography. So had taken trips to the DMZ and Gangwon province while preparing the book, which is divided into the following categories: Rest and Travel; Freedom; Injury and Healing; Youth and Passion; Memory, Things to Leave Behind; Ours, Mine; and Reconciliation, Love. The usually taciturn and stoic actor reveals his inner thoughts throughout the book, with essays on the number 51 (reflected in the name of his company - it represents what happens when you take a 50-50 probability and believe just 1% more; the K, meanwhile, stands for Korea), Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
, why he likes rainy days, and stories about his interactions with other celebs and artists such as Tiger JK
Tiger JK
Seo Jung-kwon better known by his stage name Tiger JK is a Korean American rapper, producer, songwriter, enterprenuer, and founding member of Drunken Tiger. He is the founder and former CEO of Jungle Entertainment an imprint distributed by CJ E&M...
. Within ten days of its release, the book hit the bestseller list, having sold 50,000 copies by pre-order, and entered its third printing. He was subsequently named the goodwill ambassador of Gangwon-do in an effort to boost tourism there, and plans are underway for a 51 km-long trail in the province to be named "So Ji-sub Road", set to finish building in the summer of 2012. He is the first Korean celebrity to have an entire road named after him.
A professed longtime hip-hop lover, So rapped for two original tracks – Lonely Life and Foolish Love – under the artist pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
"G" or "G-Sonic" for the Rough Cut and Cain and Abel soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
s, respectively. In 2011 he released another digital single Pick Up Line under his own name. Two teaser videos were released, the first teaser described as a comedic version that features guest stars Jung Joon-ha
Jeong Jun-ha
Jeong Jun-ha is a South Korean comedian and entertainer. His well-known motto is " gives love or not, always gives love, Jeong Jun-ha" .-History:...
(who is a close friend of So's) and Kim Byung-man (whom So named as one of his favorite comedians). The three of them reportedly had a ton of fun filming the teaser. The second teaser gave a better taste of the MV. The music video itself, along with the single, were released on February 17th.
So then starred in auteur Song Il-gon
Song Il-gon
Song Il-gon is a South Korean film director and screenwriter known for his international award-winning early short films, and later feature films such as Spider Forest and Feathers in the Wind...
's romantic melodrama Always
Only You (2011 film)
Only You is a South Korean film directed by Song Il-gon. Starring So Ji-sub and Han Hyo-joo in the lead roles, it is about a romance between an ex-boxer who has closed his heart to the world and a telemarketer who remains spirited despite slowly going blind...
(Korean title: Only You). He plays a boxer who falls in love with a girl (Han Hyo-joo
Han Hyo-joo
Han Hyo-joo is a South Korean actress and model.-Career:Han was first discovered in a teenage beauty pageant in 2003. She began her acting career in the sitcom Nonstop 5 and the gangster comedy My Boss, My Teacher...
) who begins to lose her eyesight. It was the opening film of the 2011 Busan International Film Festival. He published a second book of photo-essays titled So Ji-sub's Always featuring photographs, notes and commentary on playing his movie character Jang Chul-min.
So has signed on to The Salary Man, about an employee in a killer-for-hire company who, after he falls in love and decides he wants out of his job, finds himself the target of his former colleagues.
TV Dramas
- Road No. 1Road No. 1Road No. 1 is a 2010 MBC television series about two South Korean soldiers Lee Jang Woo and Shin Tae Ho who loved with Kim Soo Yeon who was Jang-woo's childhood sweetheart and Tae-ho's fiancee.-Cast:*So Ji-sub as Lee Jang Woo...
(MBC, 2010) - I am Ghost (BeeTV Japan, 2009) (mobile drama)
- Cain and AbelCain and Abel (TV series)Cain and Abel is a Korean drama broadcast by SBS-Synopsis:Based on the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s first two sons, Cain and Abel is about Cain’s jealousy towards his brother Abel...
(SBS, 2009) - U-Turn (OCN, 2008)
- I'm Sorry, I Love YouI'm Sorry, I Love YouI'm Sorry, I Love You is a South Korean drama broadcast by KBS. The drama starred actors So Ji Sub and Im Su Jeong and the theme song was "Snow Flower" by Park Hyo Shin.-Synopsis:Cha Moo Hyuk is a small time scam-artist working the streets of Australia...
(KBS, 2004) - What Happened in BaliSomething Happened in BaliWhat Happened in Bali is a South Korean drama series with themes of love, jealousy, fate and pride.- Synopsis :...
(SBS, 2004) - Thousand Years of Love (SBS, 2003)
- Glass SlippersGlass SlippersGlass Slippers was a 40-episode South Korean drama series, first broadcast by SBS in 2002 starring Kim Hyun Ju and Kim Ji Ho as the two orphaned sisters Yun-hee and Tae-hee.-Storyline:...
(SBS, 2002) - We Are Dating NowWe are Dating NowWe are Dating Now is a 16-episode drama produced by the SBS in 2001. The drama series was later first broadcast by the SBS between January 16, 2002 to March 7, 2002.- Youth :...
(SBS, 2002) - Law Firm (SBS, 2001)
- Delicious ProposalDelicious ProposalDelicious Proposal , also known as Sweet Proposal, is a 16-episode Korean television drama from MBC in 2001.- Overview :...
(MBC, 2001) - Long Way (SBS New Year's Day Drama, 2001)
- Cheers for the Women (SBS, 2000)
- Have You Ever Said 'I Love You'? (MBC Best Theater, 2000)
- Wang Rung's Land (SBS, 2000)
- Because of You (MBC, 2000)
- Joa, Joa (SBS, 2000)
- Love Story: "Miss Hip-hop and Mister Rock" (SBS, 2000)
- I Hate You, But It's Fine (SBS, 1998)
- What You Cherish Can Never Be Forgotten (MBC Best Theater, 1998)
- Model (SBS, 1997)
- Three Guys and Three Girls (MBC, 1996) (sitcom)
Films
- The Salary Man (2012)
- AlwaysOnly You (2011 film)Only You is a South Korean film directed by Song Il-gon. Starring So Ji-sub and Han Hyo-joo in the lead roles, it is about a romance between an ex-boxer who has closed his heart to the world and a telemarketer who remains spirited despite slowly going blind...
(2011) - Sophie's RevengeSophie's RevengeSophie's Revenge is a 2009 Chinese-Korean film starring Zhang Ziyi, So Ji-sub, Fan Bingbing, Ruby Lin, Peter Ho, and Yao Chen.This movie is a co-production with South Korean powerhouse CJ Entertainment. Sound and effects help also came from South Korea through Seoul-based postproduction houses...
(2009) - Rough CutRough Cut (2008 film)Rough Cut is a 2008 South Korean film, and the debut feature of director Jang Hun. The film is based on an original story by Kim Ki-duk.- Synopsis :...
(2008) - Kitaro and the Millennium Curse (2008)
- Can't Live Without Robbery (2002)
Music videos
- Take (Seo In Guk, 2010)
- Smiling Goodbye (Soya n Sun, 2010)
- Lonely Life (G-Sonic, 2008)
- Love Seat (WheesungWheesung-EPs:*2006: Against All Odds*2008: 스마일 프로젝트 Vol.2 'Love Seat*2009: 휘성 with D.O*2009: Insomnia*2010: Realslow Is Back*2010: Winter Night*2011: Words That Freeze My Heart-OSTs:*2006: 중천의 기억*2009: 우리집에 왜 왔니...
, 2008) - Only You (Go Yu Jin, 2008)
- Tears Are Forming (Jo Sung MoJo SungmoJo Sung Mo , born on February 28, 1977, is a South Korean singer who mainly focuses on ballads. He debuted in 1998 with a sad, romantic ballad titled "To Heaven." Jo is notable for his "million sellers", as his first few albums were widely popular....
, 2005) - 못다한 한마디... (Jo Sung MoJo SungmoJo Sung Mo , born on February 28, 1977, is a South Korean singer who mainly focuses on ballads. He debuted in 1998 with a sad, romantic ballad titled "To Heaven." Jo is notable for his "million sellers", as his first few albums were widely popular....
, 2005) - Mr. Flower (Jo Sung MoJo SungmoJo Sung Mo , born on February 28, 1977, is a South Korean singer who mainly focuses on ballads. He debuted in 1998 with a sad, romantic ballad titled "To Heaven." Jo is notable for his "million sellers", as his first few albums were widely popular....
, 2004) - Beautiful Days (Jang Hye Jin, 2001)
- The End (Lee Hyun Woo, 2001)
- For You (Ryu Chan, 1999)
- Good-Bye Yesterday (TurboTurbo (group)Turbo was a popular South Korean duo in the mid to late 90's.-Early years:Turbo was formed in October 1994 to compete against the then popular dance group, Deux. Leader and former DJ Kim Jung Nam was responsible for the rap and choreography while Kim Jong Kook, former vocalist for a high school...
, 1997)
Variety shows
- Crossing the Korea StraitKorea StraitThe Korea Strait is a sea passage between South Korea and Japan, connecting the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan in the northwest Pacific Ocean...
(SBS Beautiful Sunday, 2000) - Music Camp (MBC, 1999–2000) (MC, co-hosted by Chae Rim)
- 결정 Inkigayo 43 (KMTV, 1999) (MC)
- 자유선언 (KBS) (MC)
- 토요대행진 "Faust" (KBS, 1998)
- Saturday Power Start: "Oh Happy Day" (KBS, 1997) (sitcom)
Books
- So Ji-sub's Always (2011, photo-essays)
- So Ji-sub's Road (2010, photo-essays)
Awards
| Years | Awards | Film/Series | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 |
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| 2010 |
Grand Bell Awards The Grand Bell Awards is an awards ceremony presented annually by The Motion Pictures Association of Korea for excellence in film in South Korea.... : Cultural Achievement |
||
| 2009 |
Buil Film Awards The Buil Film Awards is a South Korean film awards ceremony hosted by the Busan Ilbo newspaper. The awards began in 1958 and were held annually until 1973... : Best New Actor Pusan Film Critics Awards The Pusan Film Critics Awards have been presented in South Korea since the founding of the prize by the Korea Pusan Film Critics Association. The winners of the awards are announced yearly just prior to the Pusan International Film Festival... : Best New Actor New York Asian Film Festival The New York Asian Film Festival was first held in 2002, growing out of the previous year's New York Korean Film Festival... : Rising Star Asia Award |
Cain and Abel (TV series) Cain and Abel is a Korean drama broadcast by SBS-Synopsis:Based on the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s first two sons, Cain and Abel is about Cain’s jealousy towards his brother Abel... Cain and Abel (TV series) Cain and Abel is a Korean drama broadcast by SBS-Synopsis:Based on the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s first two sons, Cain and Abel is about Cain’s jealousy towards his brother Abel... Cain and Abel (TV series) Cain and Abel is a Korean drama broadcast by SBS-Synopsis:Based on the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s first two sons, Cain and Abel is about Cain’s jealousy towards his brother Abel... Rough Cut (2008 film) Rough Cut is a 2008 South Korean film, and the debut feature of director Jang Hun. The film is based on an original story by Kim Ki-duk.- Synopsis :... Rough Cut (2008 film) Rough Cut is a 2008 South Korean film, and the debut feature of director Jang Hun. The film is based on an original story by Kim Ki-duk.- Synopsis :... Rough Cut (2008 film) Rough Cut is a 2008 South Korean film, and the debut feature of director Jang Hun. The film is based on an original story by Kim Ki-duk.- Synopsis :... Rough Cut (2008 film) Rough Cut is a 2008 South Korean film, and the debut feature of director Jang Hun. The film is based on an original story by Kim Ki-duk.- Synopsis :... |
|
| 2008 |
Blue Dragon Film Awards The Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea.... : Best New Actor |
Rough Cut (2008 film) Rough Cut is a 2008 South Korean film, and the debut feature of director Jang Hun. The film is based on an original story by Kim Ki-duk.- Synopsis :... Rough Cut (2008 film) Rough Cut is a 2008 South Korean film, and the debut feature of director Jang Hun. The film is based on an original story by Kim Ki-duk.- Synopsis :... |
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| 2005 |
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I'm Sorry, I Love You I'm Sorry, I Love You is a South Korean drama broadcast by KBS. The drama starred actors So Ji Sub and Im Su Jeong and the theme song was "Snow Flower" by Park Hyo Shin.-Synopsis:Cha Moo Hyuk is a small time scam-artist working the streets of Australia... |
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| 2004 |
Lim Su-Jeong Lim Su-jeong is a female South Korean taekwondo practitioner.- Asian Games :At the age of 16, she won the gold medal in flyweight at the 2002 Asian Games, beating 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Yaowapa Boorapolchai of Thailand in the final.In 2007, Lim won the gold medal in featherweight at the... ) |
Something Happened in Bali What Happened in Bali is a South Korean drama series with themes of love, jealousy, fate and pride.- Synopsis :... I'm Sorry, I Love You I'm Sorry, I Love You is a South Korean drama broadcast by KBS. The drama starred actors So Ji Sub and Im Su Jeong and the theme song was "Snow Flower" by Park Hyo Shin.-Synopsis:Cha Moo Hyuk is a small time scam-artist working the streets of Australia... I'm Sorry, I Love You I'm Sorry, I Love You is a South Korean drama broadcast by KBS. The drama starred actors So Ji Sub and Im Su Jeong and the theme song was "Snow Flower" by Park Hyo Shin.-Synopsis:Cha Moo Hyuk is a small time scam-artist working the streets of Australia... I'm Sorry, I Love You I'm Sorry, I Love You is a South Korean drama broadcast by KBS. The drama starred actors So Ji Sub and Im Su Jeong and the theme song was "Snow Flower" by Park Hyo Shin.-Synopsis:Cha Moo Hyuk is a small time scam-artist working the streets of Australia... I'm Sorry, I Love You I'm Sorry, I Love You is a South Korean drama broadcast by KBS. The drama starred actors So Ji Sub and Im Su Jeong and the theme song was "Snow Flower" by Park Hyo Shin.-Synopsis:Cha Moo Hyuk is a small time scam-artist working the streets of Australia... |
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