Ji Sung is a well-known South Korean actor who has been in films such as ‘All In’ and ‘Protect the Boss’. He has had a great career in South Korean film and television, playing roles in several genres. Starring in popular TV dramas including ‘Delicious Proposal,’ ‘All In,’ ‘Beating Heart,’ and more. He has starred in films such as Blood Rain, My P.S. Partner, and The Vampire Lives Next Door. He has also appeared in music videos for Lee Ki-chan and KCM, such as ‘Leave Me Alone’. His charm and good appearance make him a fan favorite. Ji Sung and Lee Bo Young have a daughter. He is a true family man, regularly seen uploading images of his daughter and wife.
Early Childhood of Ji Sung
Ji Sung was born in 1977. Kwak Tae Geun His parents were both educators and wanted Ji to follow in their footsteps.
In his sophomore year of high school, Ji saw the Dustin Hoffman film ‘Rain Man’. Hoffman’s portrayal influenced the young man and he became an actor.
His major at Hanyang University was Theatre and Film.
A Career of Ji Sung
In 1999, Ji Sung debuted in the drama ‘KAIST’. At his audition, Song Ji-na, the famous songwriter, recognized him and built a role for him. On the advice of his management, he took the stage name ‘Ji Sung’.
He later had tiny roles in ‘March,’ ‘Popcorn,’ and ‘I Want to Keep Seeing You’. In 2001, he appeared in ‘Delicious Proposal’ as Oh Joon Soo and a guest episode of ‘Open Drama Man and Woman’.
In the 2001 TV drama ‘Wonderful Days,’ Sung played Jang Seok-jin, a much larger role than his prior performances. In 2002, he appeared as Lee Seung-joon in the KBS2 drama Sunshine Hunting.
Sung got her big break in the 2003 gambling drama ‘All In’. Sung sought the casting directors for the position. The series was a tremendous hit, and Sung rose to fame. Audience and critics alike loved his portrayal as ‘Choi Jung-Won’.
Ji Sung featured in ‘The King’s Woman,’ a period drama about the Joseon era. Prince Gwanghae was his name.
Sung has roles in 2004’s ‘Terms of Endearment’ and ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’ In the latter, he plays a wealthy businessman who falls in love with a humble girl. On the set of ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’, Sung met Lee Bo-Young.
In 2005, Sung appeared in ‘Beating Heart’ and ‘Blood Rain’. On June 7, 2005, he enlisted for his military service. He joined the military promotion unit in February 2006. His service ended on June 6, 2007.
In the 2007-2008 medical drama ‘New Heart,’ he plays a jovial cardiothoracic surgeon. His next huge hit was ‘Swallow the Sun,’ based on the same-named novel.
In 2011, Sung starred in ‘Royal Family,’ a fascinating series about a chaebol family’s dark side. An up-and-coming lawyer who helps his friend become the CEO of a multinational business. In the same year, he starred in the romantic comedy ‘Protect the Boss’ as a young businessman.
In 2012, he played a seer in the series ‘The Great Seer’. Then he acted in ‘My PS Partner’ as a heartbroken songwriter. In 2013, he starred in ‘Secret Love’. In 2014, he returned to serious parts in ‘Confession,’ a gloomy film about the impact of death on three childhood friends.
In 2015’s ‘Kill Me, Heal Me,’ Sung played a millionaire with dissociative identity disorder and seven many identities. The series gave him a huge rise in popularity and cult status in South Korea.
After a streak of hits, he had a commercial flop with ‘Entertainer’ in 2016. In 2017, he won again with ‘Defendant,’ a prosecutor with amnesia. The series was a hit.
Grandiose of Ji Sung
In the 2003 gambling drama ‘All In,’ Ji Sung starred as the second main lead. The series finale got a 47.7% audience rate, ranking it among the top 50 most-watched episodes in Korean television history.
In the 2007 medical drama ‘New Heart,’ he played a kind but academically challenged cardiothoracic resident surgeon.
Sung’s vengeance drama ‘Swallow the Sun’ was a financial and critical success. He had to train hard to play the lead character who is taken to a remote island prison.
He has acted in historical dramas such as ‘The King’s Woman’, ‘The Iron King’s Kim Su-ro’, ‘The Great Seer’, and others.
His dramatic roles include ‘Royal Family’ and ‘Defendant’.
Sung gained a cult following for his part in ‘Kill Me, Heal Me’ as a millionaire with dissociative identity disorder due to child abuse. Audiences adored his portrayal of seven personas.
Honors & Awards
Ji Sung was nominated for six awards between 2001 and 2004. Save the Last Dance for Me earned him an MBC Drama Award for Best New Actor, an SBS Drama Award for New Star, and a Top 10 Stars Award.
In 2008, he received the MBC Drama Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries for New Heart. Nominated for an Excellence Award. In 2009, he was nominated for an SBS Drama Award for ‘Swallow the Sun’.
Protect the Boss won him and his co-star Choi Kang-hee the SBS Couple Award in 2011-2012. Secret Love won him three KBS Drama Awards in 2013, including Top Excellence, Popularity, and Best Couple.
Sung was nominated for the Excellence Award, Actor in a Mini-Series two years in a row. Kill Me, heal Me earned him nominations for the 51st Baeksang Arts Awards and the 10th Seoul International Drama Awards.
He received seven prizes in 2015-16 for Kill Me, Heal Me, including the Daesang, Best Couple and Top Excellence Award for Actor in a Mini-Series at the MBC Drama Awards, and Best Actor at the 4th Annual Drama Fever Awards.
In 2017, he was nominated for Best Popular TV Actor at the 53rd Baeksang Awards.
Personality of Ji Sung
From 2003 through 2006, Ji Sung dated ‘All In’ co-star Park Sol-mi.
In 2004, he met Lee Bo-Young on the set of ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’. Their relationship was announced in 2007.
On August 2, 2013, Ji Sung announced her engagement to Lee Bo-young via social media. On September 27, 2013, at Aston House in Seoul, they married.
Kwak Ji-yo was born on June 12, 2015. Sung is a loving father who frequently tweets gorgeous photos of his daughter and mother matching clothing.
Estimated Net Worth
Ji Sung is one of the wealthiest and most popular TV actors. Ji Sung net worth is estimated at $1.5 Million by Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.