Zo In-sung

South Korean actor (born 1981) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Zo In-sung

Zo In-sung (Korean: 조인성; RR: Jo In-seong, born July 28, 1981) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading roles in the television series Something Happened in Bali (2004), Spring Day (2005), That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013), It's Okay, That's Love (2014), and Moving (2023). In film, he is known for his roles in The Classic (2003), A Dirty Carnival (2006), A Frozen Flower (2008), The King (2017), The Great Battle (2018), and Escape from Mogadishu (2021). He also hosted the reality show Unexpected Business.

Quick Facts Born, Other names ...
Zo In-sung
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Zo in July 2021
Born (1981-07-28) July 28, 1981 (age 43)
Other namesCho In-sung,[1] Jo In-sung[2]
Alma materDongguk University
OccupationActor
Years active1998–present[3]
AgentIOK Company [ko][4]
Korean name
Hangul
조인성
Hanja
Revised RomanizationJo In-seong
McCune–ReischauerCho In-sŏng
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His name is currently officially romanized as Zo In-sung,[4][5][3] previously as Cho In-sung,[1] and sometimes as Jo In-sung.[2]

Early life

Zo In-sung was born and raised in Gangdong District, Seoul.[6][7]

Zo studied modeling and events management at Chunnam Techno University. He later enrolled as a Theater and Film major at Dongguk University, but was expelled in 2007 due to inadequate class attendance.[8]

Career

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1998–2002: Beginnings and rise to fame

Zo made his entertainment debut in 1998 as a model for clothing brand Ziozia.[7] He began his acting career in 1999 through the MBC sitcom Jump and, in 2000, starred in the teen drama School 3 and in the second season of the sitcom Nonstop.[9]

Zo first drew notice with a supporting role in the 2001 television drama Piano, co-starring Go Soo and Kim Ha-neul.[10] He was then cast in his first drama leading role in 2002, as an illiterate actor in Shoot for the Stars opposite Jeon Do-yeon.[11] The same year, he made his film debut in the movie Public Toilet.[12] He also starred in several music videos of popular boy band g.o.d, a fellow SidusHQ artiste at that time, and was directed by actor Jung Woo-sung.[13]

2003–2008: Mainstream popularity

In 2003, Zo starred in three romantic films, most notably Kwak Jae-yong's The Classic, with Son Ye-jin and Cho Seung-woo.[14]

In 2004, he returned to television in the melodrama Something Happened in Bali, alongside Ha Ji-won and So Ji-sub.[15] Something Happened was a huge success, with its final episode reaching a peak rating of 39.7%. Zo won Best Actor awards at both the Baeksang Arts Awards and SBS Drama Awards.[16]

In 2005, he starred opposite Go Hyun-jung in her comeback drama Spring Day, a remake of the Japanese drama Heaven's Coin.[17][18]

Zo collaborated with renowned director Yoo Ha in his next two films: 2006's A Dirty Carnival, in which he played a charismatic small-time gangster who seeks a happier life,[19][20] and 2008's A Frozen Flower, a Goryeo-period film where his royal bodyguard character is caught in a love triangle between the king and the queen.[21][22]

2009–2012: Enlistment

On April 7, 2009, Zo enlisted for his two-year mandatory military service; he reportedly wanted to join the Air Force to follow in the footsteps of his father, who served as a non-commissioned officer.[23][24][25] He served 25 months in the Air Force and the Air Force military band, and was discharged on May 4, 2011.[26][27]

Upon the expiry of his contract with talent agency SidusHQ, Zo joined IOK Company in March 2012.[28]

2013–present: Return to television and international recognition

In 2013, he co-starred in the melodrama That Winter, the Wind Blows alongside Song Hye-kyo,[29][30] a remake of the Japanese drama Forget Love (愛なんていらねえよ、夏, Ai nante Irane yo, Natsu).[31] The drama placed number one in its time slot during most of its run, and Zo and Song were praised for their performances.[32][33] A year later, Zo reunited with That Winter's teleplay writer and director in SBS's medical melodrama It's Okay, That's Love opposite Gong Hyo-jin.[34][35] Zo won the Daesang (Grand Prize), the highest honor for television at the APAN Star Awards.[36]

In 2016, Zo was chosen as the ambassador of the National Tax Service alongside Choi Ji-woo.[37]

In 2017, Zo starred in the crime thriller The King alongside Jung Woo-sung, directed by The Face Reader director Han Jae-rim.[38] In 2018, he starred in the historical film The Great Battle.[39][40]

Other works

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Endorsement

In 2001, Zo earned title best male rookie for CF model.[41] in 2002, Zo ranked First among male celebrity as "the celebrity who is likely to appear the most in CF this year".[42] In 2004, He paired with Lee Yeon-hee as advertising model for camera brand.[43] In 2006 Zo was model of electronic home appliance brands.[44] In 2007, He became face of a cosmetic brand.[45] In 2008, He paired with Han Hyo-joo to advertise coffee brand.[46]

After being discharged from the military in 2011, Zo reclaimed his CF King title. He was selected as a brand advertising model for SK Telesis 'W'.[47] He signed with home appliance brands.[48][49] Zo also signed contracts with food and beverage such as Outback Steakhouse, Cass Beer, and Woongjin Foods.[50][51] In 2014, He went to Himalaya to film for an outdoor clothing brand.[52][53] He was with the brand for five years from 2011 to 2016.[54] In 2016 Angel-in-us wanted to shoot women's hearts with Zo In-sung as model.[55] In the following year Zo, then became model for bedding product.[56] Zo signed with Asahi Beer in 2018.[57] In 2019, Zo signed as an advertising model of food brand Ottogi.[58]

In 2020, Zo paired with Han Ji-min to advertise health food brand.[59] In February 2021, IOK Company announced on that Zo is the exclusive model of Ranking Chicken Com. Ranking Chicken Com is an online platform that provides a service that allows consumers to compare and buy various chicken breast brands.[60] In September, Zo was signed as ambassador for a luxury shopping platform.[61] In the end of 2021, Zo re-signed as an advertising model of food brand Ottogi. It was announced on January 15, 2022, that the sales of dumpling jumped 167% compared to the same month of the previous year, recording the highest monthly sales since its launch.[62] Ottogi released new 'XO dumplings' advertisement featuring actor Zo in the winter, the peak season for frozen dumplings.[63]

Philanthropy

According to a non-governmental organization MIRAL Welfare Foundation, Jo has generously donated 500 million won (almost 440 thousand dollars) to help the people in Tanzania. The foundation also stated that the donation was used to build Singida New Vision School located in central Tanzania.[64]

Personal life

In 2013, it was reported that Zo and Kim Min-hee have been in a relationship since earlier in the year. Both their agencies confirmed this.[65] On September 24, 2014, Zo and Kim confirmed that they ended their year-and-a-half-long relationship.[66]

Filmography

Film

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2002 Public Toilet Cho Korea-Hong Kong joint film [12]
2003 Madeleine Kang Ji-suk [67]
The Classic Oh Sang-min [68]
Love Impossible Kim Chul-soo [69]
2006 A Dirty Carnival Kim Byung-doo [20]
2008 A Frozen Flower Hong-rim [22]
2017 The KingPark Tae-soo[38]
Love Jo. Right Now Himself Cameo [70]
2018 The Great Battle Yang Manchun [39]
2021 Escape from Mogadishu Kang Dae-jin [71]
2023 Smugglers Sergeant Kwon [72]
TBA Hope Sung-ki [73]
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Television series

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1999 Jump [74]
2000 School 3 Kim Seok-joo [75]
New Nonstop Zo In-sung Ep. 169, 177–468 [76]
2001 Drama City:
"Love Me Tender"
Joon-ho [77]
Drama City:
"Like a Pure Comic"
Kim Jung-hyun [78]
Piano Lee Kyung-ho [10]
2002 Great Ambition young Lee Soo Cameo (episode 1) [79]
Shoot for the Stars Gu Sung-tae [11]
2003 Hey Hey Hey Zo In-sung episode 39 [80]
2004 Something Happened in Bali Jung Jae-min [15]
2005 Spring Day Go Eun-sup [17]
2013 That Winter, the Wind Blows Oh Soo [30]
2014 It's Okay, That's Love Jang Jae-yeol [35]
2016 Dear My Friends Seo Yeon-ha Special appearance [81]
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Web series

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Ref.
2023 Moving Kim Doo-shik [82]
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Television shows

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021–2023 Unexpected Business MC with Cha Tae-hyun – Season 1–3 [83][84][85]
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Music video appearances

More information Year, Song Title ...
Year Song Title Artist Ref.
2000 "She's Leaving Me"Shin Seung-hun [86]
"Now"Fin.K.L [87]
2002 "Sad Love"g.o.d [88]
"You Don't Know"
"Fool"
2012 "Love"Kim C [89]
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Awards and nominations

More information Award ceremony, Year ...
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2013 Top Excellence Award, Actor That Winter, the Wind Blows Nominated
2014 Grand Prize (Daesang) It's Okay, That's Love Won [36]
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Nominated
Baeksang Arts Awards 2002 Best New Actor – Television Piano Nominated
2004 Best Actor – Television Something Happened in Bali Won [90]
2005 Most Popular Actor (TV) Spring Day Won [91]
2007 Best Actor – Film A Dirty Carnival Nominated
2015 Best Actor – Television It's Okay, That's Love Nominated
Beautiful Artist Awards
(Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation)
2023 Good People Artist Award Zo In-sung Won [92]
Blue Dragon Film Awards 2006 Best Leading Actor A Dirty Carnival Nominated
2017 The King Nominated [93]
Popular Star Award Won [94]
2021 Best Leading Actor Escape from Mogadishu Nominated [95]
2023 Best Supporting Actor Smugglers Won [96]
Popular Star Award Won
Buil Film Awards 2021 Star of the Year Escape from Mogadishu Won [97]
Busan International Film Festival 2007 Star Summit Asia – Curtain Call Zo In-sung Won
Esquire Man at His Best Awards 2014 Most Popular Overseas Artist Won [98]
Grand Bell Awards 2007 Best Actor A Dirty Carnival Nominated
2017 The King Nominated
KBS Drama Awards 2000 Best Young Actor School 3 Won [99]
KCA Consumer Day Awards 2018 Best Actor The Great Battle Won [100]
Korea Advertising Festival 2007 Netizen's Choice for Best Male Model Zo In-sung Won [101]
Korea Advertisers' Association 2011 Good Model Award Won [102]
Korean Film Awards 2006 Best Actor A Dirty Carnival Won [103]
Max Movie Awards 2007 Won [104]
Malaysia Golden Global Awards 2017 The King Nominated
MBC Entertainment Awards 2001 Excellence Award, Actor in a Comedy / Sitcom New Nonstop Won [105]
Mnet 20's Choice Awards 2007 Best Actor A Dirty Carnival Won [106]
Most Photogenic Star Zo In-sung Won
Best CF Star Won
Motion Pictures Day Most Promising Actor A Dirty Carnival Won [107]
Premiere Rising Star Awards 2006 Best Actor Nominated
Pyeongtaek Film Festival Won
SBS Drama Awards 2001 New Star Award Piano Won [108]
2002 Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama Shoot for the Stars Nominated
Netizen Popularity Award Won [109]
Top 10 Stars Won
2004 Top Excellence Award, Actor Something Happened in Bali Won
Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama Nominated
Top 10 Stars Won [110]
2005 Top Excellence Award, Actor Spring Day Nominated
Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama Nominated
Netizen Popularity Award Won [111]
Top 10 Stars Won
2013 SBS Special Award That Winter, the Wind Blows Won [112]
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Nominated
Top 10 Stars Won
Best Couple Award (with Song Hye-kyo) Nominated
2014 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries It's Okay, That's Love Nominated
Top 10 Stars Won [113]
Best Couple Award (with Gong Hyo-jin) Won [114]
Sohu Fashion Awards 2014 Fashion Idol of the Year Zo In-sung Won [115][116]
Style Icon Awards Style Icon of the Year Won [117]
Top 10 Style Icons Won
tvN10 Awards 2016 Best Kiss Award (with Go Hyun-jung) Dear My Friends 4th place
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State honors

More information Country, Organization ...
Name of the country, organization, year presented, and the award given
Country Organization Year Award Ref.
South Korea Republic of Korea Air Force 2011 Honorary Citation from the Chief of Staff [118]
Savings Day 2012 Presidential Commendation [119]
Taxpayers' Day 2016 Presidential Commendation [120]
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Listicles

More information Publisher, Year ...
Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Forbes 2015 Korea Power Celebrity 40 32nd [121]
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References

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