Kim Ji-soo (Korean김지수; born 30 March 1993), professionally known as Ji Soo, is a South Korean actor. He is currently residing in the Philippines.

Ji Soo
Ji Soo in March 2016
Born
Kim Ji-soo

(1993-03-30) 30 March 1993 (age 31)
Busan, South Korea
OccupationActor
Years active
  • 2009–2021
  • 2024–present
AgentSparkle GMA Artist Center (2024–present)
Korean name
Hangul
지수
Hanja
志洙
Revised RomanizationJi-su
McCune–ReischauerChisu
Birth name
Hangul
김지수
Hanja
金志洙
Revised RomanizationKim Jisu
McCune–ReischauerKim Chisu

Early life and education

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In elementary school, Ji Soo was a judo athlete and competed at national level before giving it up due to injuries.[1] He was an actor trainee under JYP Entertainment in 2012.[2]

Career

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Ji Soo made his acting debut on stage in 2009 and consequently starred in several short films, including having a leading role in the Korean-Filipino independent film Seoul Mates.[3] He first gained recognition in high school drama Angry Mom (2015).[4][5]

Since then, he has starred in television series Cheer Up! (2015), Page Turner (2016) and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016); as well as the film One Way Trip (2016).[6][7][8][9]

In 2017, he co-starred in JTBC's fantasy romance comedy Strong Woman Do Bong-soon, playing a passionate rookie police officer.[10] He next starred in OCN's crime drama Bad Guys 2.[11]

In 2018, Ji Soo was cast in JTBC's drama special Ping Pong Ball,[12] and Netflix's youth romance drama My First First Love.[13][14]

In 2020, Ji Soo signed a contract with KeyEast.[15]

In 2021, Ji Soo was approved to play the part as the male lead role in the Korean drama River Where the Moon Rises. The drama began airing on 15 February 2021 with the actor Ji Soo portraying the character role of On Dal. He starred in the drama for six aired episodes until reported school bullying and assault accusations were made against him, hence KBS replaced Ji Soo so he was from then on removed from the show. The role of On Dal was re-cast by actor Na In Woo, that then appeared from episode nine onward of the drama.[16]

Actor Ji Soo was announced to be enlisted for mandatory military service duties in October 2021, reports say that Ji Soo received mandatory military service duties summon in December 2020. After completed four weeks of basic military training, he was announced to carry out the rest of his services in the assigned social worker department.[17]

On 6 July 2021, the legal representative of Ji Soo, law company Shin & Kim, revealed a new statement about the open-ended legal procedures of before-reported school bullying and assault allegations. In May 2021, the same representative has stated the actor has decided to take legal action against the people who made false accusations and spread false rumors.

"In March 2021, there were many blatant lies posted on the Internet including those accusing our client of sexual offense allegations. The man who wrote a post accusing our client has sexually assaulted his wife in the past has come forward and apologized, but the rest of the accusatory posts made their way around the web without any verification. Thus, our client has decided to take legal action against the circulators of false information to reveal the truth.

Recently, we were able to locate one of the writers of false accusatory posts thanks to search and seizure on IP addresses and more. The man turned out to be a soldier who recently enlisted. He admitted that everything he claimed in his post was false. He then sincerely apologized to our client with a handwritten letter and plead for his forgiveness given that his mother is currently battling cancer.

Our client has dropped the aforementioned man from the lawsuit after considering both his and the perpetrator's circumstances. However, most publishers are laying low after deleting their false accusatory posts. We will take strict legal action against these people.

Meanwhile, the posts accusing him of school bullying were mostly untrue as well. Our client has sued them for libel. We are writing to notify the search warrant has been issued by the court and the investigations pertaining to the case is underway."[18]

On May 27, 2021, KeyEast announced that Ji Soo's exclusive contract with the agency has been terminated due to the controversy.[19]

In mid-2024, Ji Soo resides in the Philippines and has been returned to acting by working on GMA Network. He guest-starred in the action drama Black Rider.[20][21] He also played a recurring role in the medical drama Abot-Kamay na Pangarap.[22] On August 28, 2024, Ji Soo signed a contract with GMA's talent agency Sparkle.[23]

Personal life

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Ji Soo received surgery for acute osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone or bone marrow, usually due to infection) on September 13, 2016.[24][25] On September 27, he returned to filming Fantastic and was officially discharged from hospital on 1 October.[26][27]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2010 Boy in Pain Short film
2014 Han Gong-ju Member of Min-ho's gang Bit part
Seoul Mates Joon Korean-Philippines co-production
Adult Short film
More Than Short film
2016 One Way Trip Yong-bi [9]
2020 Our Joyful Summer Days Chan Hee [28]
2024 Mujigae Ji-sung Philippine film [29]

Television series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 To the Beautiful You Student Cameo
Family Han Song-yi Cameo (Episode 45)
2014 Love Frequency 37.2 Go Dong-hee's ex-boyfriend Cameo (Episode 3)
2015 Angry Mom Go Bok-dong [3]
Cheer Up! Seo Ha-joon [6]
2016 Page Turner Jeong Cha-sik KBS Drama Special [7]
The Doctors Kim Soo-cheol Guest (Episodes 1-3, 5, 7-8) [30]
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo 14th Prince Wang Jung [31]
Fantastic Kim Sang-wook [32]
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo Bok-joo's fellow worker Cameo (Episode 11) [33]
2017 Strong Girl Bong-soon In Gook-du [10]
2017–2018 Bad Guys 2 Han Kang-joo [11]
2018 Ping Pong Ball Kim Young-joon JTBC Drama Festa [12]
2019 My First First Love Yun Tae-oh [13]
2020 When I Was the Most Beautiful Seo-hwan [34]
Amanza Park Dong Myung / Amanza [35]
2021 River Where the Moon Rises On Dal Episodes 1–6 (Replaced) [36][37]
2024 Black Rider Adrian Park Philippine drama [38]
Abot-Kamay na Pangarap Dr. Kim Young Philippine drama [39]

Web series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 Lunch Box Yong K-Food Fair 2015 [40]

Television shows

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Year Title Role Ref.
2016 Celebrity Bromance Cast member [41]
My Ear's Candy [42]

Music video appearances

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Year Title Artist Ref.
2018 "Wind" (바람사람) Bolbbalgan4 [43]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2015 34th MBC Drama Awards Best New Actor in a Miniseries Angry Mom Nominated
Best Couple Award with Kim Hee-sun Nominated
2016 11th Max Movie Awards Rising Star Award Won [44]
37th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best New Actor One Way Trip Nominated
30th KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a One-Act/Special/Short Drama Page Turner Nominated
Best New Actor Nominated
2017 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor (Television) Strong Girl Bong-soon Nominated
22nd Chunsa Film Art Awards Best New Actor One Way Trip Nominated
2nd Asia Artist Awards Rising Star Award Won [45]
2018 13th Soompi Awards Best Supporting Actor in the male category Strong Girl Bong-soon Nominated
2020 Busan International Film Festival Actor of the Year Award Our Joyful Summer Days Won [46]
5th Asia Artist Awards 2020 Popularity Award (Actor) Nominated [47]
39th MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Wednesday-Thursday Miniseries When I Was Most Beautiful Nominated
Best Couple Award with Im Soo-hyang Nominated [48]
2024 GMA Gala Night 2024 Red Carpet Scene Stealer Won [49]
Ima Wa Ima Asian International Film Festival Outstanding International Actor Award Abot-Kamay na Pangarap Won [50]

Controversy

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In a statement posted on an online forum by an anonymous person on March 2, 2021, Ji Soo was accused of being a bully during his school years.[51] The following day, his agency, KeyEast, released a statement saying that "[they] are looking at this incident seriously and will do [their] utmost to verify the facts."[52]

Following a series of similar accusations, Ji Soo posted a hand-written apology to his Instagram account on 4 March 2021.[53] He stated:

"I would like to sincerely apologize to those who were hurt by me. I have absolutely no room for excuses for my actions in the past. They were unforgivable.

As I began acting, I was able to come this far due to the fact that I covered up my past, and as a result received undeserving love and attention from the public.

But deep inside, I always held a sense of guilt in one part of my heart, and an irreversible regret haunted me anxiously. I was always pressed down by my dark past.

I now beg forgiveness to those who were undoubtedly deeply hurt for a long time, seeing me acting, and I will reflect on the unforgivable actions of my past and repent.

I feel miserable and guilty for inflicting so much damage on all of my fellow drama cast and crew members, the broadcasting station, and all those affiliated with the production, solely due to my own personal mistakes. I sincerely pray that the drama will not suffer any more damages.

Once again, I beg for forgiveness on my knees to all those who were hurt by me."[54]

It was later reported that Ji Soo would be replaced by actor Na In-woo in the television series River Where the Moon Rises.[55][56][57] KeyEast issued a statement confirming Ji Soo's activities would be halted prior to his military enlistment in October 2021.[58][59]

References

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  1. ^ 지수 중에 최고, 청춘배우 지수의 글로리데이 (인터뷰②). The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). 22 March 2016.
  2. ^ '앵그리맘' 지수, JYP연습생 출신 "7년전 연극으로 데뷔". Star News (in Korean). 6 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Who is the guy held from the collar by Kim Hee-seon?". Hancinema. SBS funE. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  4. ^ '앵그리맘' 지수 "김희선 선배, 해피 바이러스 넘친다" [인터뷰]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 16 April 2015.
  5. ^ 지수, 성장의 거듭제곱 (인터뷰). 10Asia (in Korean). 11 December 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Ji Soo in 'Cheeky Go Go'". HanCinema. TV Report. 15 September 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Page Turner actor Ji Soo wants to present a new side of coming-of-age story characters". Hancinema. TVJ. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  8. ^ "'Moon Lovers – Scarlet Heart: Ryeo' reveals posters". Kpop Herald. 4 July 2016.
  9. ^ a b "GLORY DAY Confirms Youth-led Cast". Korean Film Biz Zone. 29 April 2015.
  10. ^ a b Lee Jae-young (8 February 2017). '힘쎈여자 도봉순' 지수, 신참 형사의 치명적 제복핏 '여심저격' ['Fighting Women', 'Death Penalty']. Xports News (in Korean).
  11. ^ a b [단독]지수, '나쁜녀석들2' 새 주연진으로 합류. Sports Chosun (in Korean). 18 July 2017.
  12. ^ a b 유재명X지수, JTBC 드라마페스타 탁구공' 출연확정·9월 첫방 [공식입장]. Sports Donga (in Korean). 16 August 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Netflix announces cast for new mini-series". Korea JoongAng Daily. 15 September 2018.
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  17. ^ Yoo, Seong Yeol (5 March 2021). '학폭 인정' 지수, 10월 입대..사회복무요원 대체 복무 [스타이슈]. Star News. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
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  20. ^ Tomada, Nathalie (2 July 2024). "How K-drama star Kim Ji Soo became part of GMA's 'Black Rider'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  21. ^ Integrated News, GMA (3 July 2024). "Kim Ji Soo makes 'Black Rider' debut". GMA News Online. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  22. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (19 August 2024). "South Korean actor Kim Ji-soo joins 'Abot Kamay' as Dr. Kim Young". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
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  24. ^ 윤, 고은 (14 September 2016). 배우 지수 급성 골수염 수술받아…"회복 중". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  25. ^ '급성골수염' 지수 측 "암 아니라 다행, 회복에 최선 다할 것". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 14 September 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  26. ^ 지수 측 "입원 중 외출로 '판타스틱' 촬영, 주치의 상의 하에 결정" [공식입장]. Naver (in Korean). TV Report. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  27. ^ `급성골수염` 지수 "오늘 건강하게 퇴원". Naver (in Korean). MK News. 2 October 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  28. ^ 지수 '기쁜 우리 여름날', BIFF 올해의 배우상 수상. entertain.naver (in Korean). 31 October 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  29. ^ Tomada, Nathalie. "K-drama star Kim Jisoo joins cast of Philippines film 'Mujigae'". Philstar.com. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  30. ^ "Actor Kim Ji-soo cast as Park Shin-hye's first love". Kpop Herald. 6 April 2016.
  31. ^ [단독] 지수, '달의 연인' 출연 확정…대세 신예 행보. Xports News (in Korean). 25 December 2016.
  32. ^ "'Fantastic' completes brilliant lineup with Park Si-yeon, Kim Tae-hoon and Ji Soo". HanCinema. OSEN [ko]. 29 July 2016.
  33. ^ '역도요정 김복주' 측 "지수·서현 특별출연, 비중 있는 역할" (공식입장). Star MBN (in Korean). 19 December 2016.
  34. ^ 내가 가장 예뻤을 때' 하석진-임수향, 눈물의 이별 포옹 "안녕. iMBC (in Korean). 15 October 2020.
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  36. ^ 강하늘·김소현·지수·이지훈·최유화, '달이 뜨는 강' 출연 확정(공식). YTN (in Korean). 22 October 2020.
  37. ^ 달이 뜨는 강' 측 "KBS 월화극 확정, 3월 첫 방송"(공식). news.naver (in Korean). 26 November 2020.
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  44. ^ "Winners of '2016 Max Movie Best Film Awards'". Mnet. 26 February 2016. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
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  46. ^ 지수, '기쁜 우리 여름날'로 제25회 BIFF 올해의 배우상 수상 "정말 영광" [Jisoo wins the 25th BIFF Actor of the Year Award for'Our Happy Summer Day']. HeraldPop. 31 October 2020.
  47. ^ "2020 Asia Artist Award Actor Shortlist". Twitter.
  48. ^ announced online
  49. ^ "Kim Ji Soo after red carpet scene stealer award in GMA Gala 2024: 'Salamat po'". GMA Network. 21 July 2024.
  50. ^ "Kim Ji Soo, Kiray Celis bag awards at Ima Wa Ima International Film Festival 2024". GMA Network. 2 December 2024.
  51. ^ Kim, Seong-Hyun (2 March 2021). 배우 지수, 학폭 의혹 제기 "일진 군림, 온갖 악행"… 소속사 "확인 중"(전문) (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved 5 March 2021 – via Naver.
  52. ^ Jo, Hyun-joo (3 March 2021). 키이스트, 지수 '학폭' 의혹에 "제보 받는다...해결 위해 최선 다할 것" (공식) (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved 5 March 2021 – via Naver.
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  54. ^ Han, Seon Han (4 March 2021). 지수, 학폭·일진설→'달뜨강' 하차 청원 5000명→"비행 인정·사죄"[종합]. Star News. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  55. ^ hermesauto (4 March 2021). "Ji Soo apologises for school bullying, may be replaced in K-drama". The Straits Times. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  56. ^ ago, Hanna Tamondong | 23 hours. "Confirmed: Ji Soo Will Be Leaving 'River Where The Moon Rises'". COSMO.PH. Retrieved 5 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  57. ^ "Kim Ji Soo to be Replaced in K-Drama River Where the Moon Rises Following School Bullying Scandal". News18. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  58. ^ "Alleged Victims of Ji Soo Bullying Speak to MBC's True Story Expedition; Actor Issues Clarification". International Business Times. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  59. ^ "Korean stars vulnerable to excessive public outrage". The Korea Times. 22 April 2021.
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