Ji Chang-Wook Has Been Making Us Swoon For Years. Here Are All His Handsome Transformations!
14 years of this leading man in both action flicks and romantic comedies, and we still can't get enough!
To the uninitiated, Ji Chang-wook is one of the most popular Hallyu actors in South Korea and beyond, who has over 14 years of showbiz experience under his belt. This undeniably handsome actor has been making us swoon for years now, and throughout each role he played (and every transformation in between), we can definitely say we've only come to love him more.
These days, Ji stars in 'Backstreet Rookie', a K-drama based on a webtoon that currently airs on SBS locally in South Korea, and can be viewed online via the iQIYI streaming app. Only six episodes in, and you'll definitely see a different side to the actor we've loved in memorable roles in shows and movies like 'Healer', 'Fabricated City', and 'Suspicious Partner'. He recently just celebrated his birthday last July 5, and as he turned 33, it is evident that as the years add up, the more he ages like fine wine!
We've rounded up all of Ji Chang-wook's most memorable roles and looks, and the occasional selfie in between (he loves doing this), to help you appreciate how this seasoned actor won us over! Enjoy!
Ji Chang-Wook Evolution
Ji Chang-Wook Evolution
You Stole My Heart (2008)
Ji Chang-Wook started off as a theater actor in 2006, but it was in 2008 that he officially got his debut role in this K-drama. Fresh faced, oozing with youth, and sporting the Korean actor hairstyle du jour during those times, you know JCW was destined for stardom.
Photo Credit: Kpopmap
My Too Perfect Sons (2009)
His debut show was quickly followed by another family-oriented comedy K-drama, this time as he plays the role of Song Mi-poong, one of the four sons of patriarch Kwang-ho. He still had that trendy haircut, and of course, his megawatt smile.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Smile Again (2010-2011)
With two K-dramas down, Ji jumped on the chance to do a daily drama, this time in 'Smile Again' in the local channel KBS. He played the role of a Korean-American speed skater, and after 159 episodes later, he has become a household name, giving him an award for 'Best Actor in a Daily Drama' at the KBS Drama Awards.
Photo Credit: Asian Addicts Anonymous
Warrior Baek Dong-soo (2011)
It seems like every respectable Korean actor has gone through a Joseon-era drama, and Ji is no different. In playing warrior Baek Dong-soo, he sported long, wavy locks, fitting for the role of a historical figure.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Bachelor's Vegetable Store (2011-2012)
Fresh from winning the 'New Star' award at the SBS Drama Awards, Ji went on to play Han Tae-yang, the legendary entrepreneur who was able to turn a tiny veggie store into a 33-store franchise. He was back to his Hallyu haircut look for this one!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Bachelor's Vegetable Store (2011-2012)
Fresh from winning the 'New Star' award at the SBS Drama Awards, Ji went on to play Han Tae-yang, the legendary entrepreneur who was able to turn a tiny veggie store into a 33-store franchise. He was back to his Hallyu haircut look for this one!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Five Fingers (2012)
Ji played his first villain role in Five Fingers, where he acted alongside Hallyu royalty Ju Ji-hoon. Ji looked regal in his getups for the show, and he sure showed his mischievous side with that spiky haircut!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Empress Ki (2013-2014)
In his pivotal role as Ta Hwan in historical drama Empress Ki, Ji showed the world that he is here to stay. His stellar acting chops were accompanied by equally enthralling good looks, giving justice to the role of a Yuan-dynasty emperor.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Empress Ki (2013-2014)
In perhaps his pivotal role as Ta Hwan in historical drama Empress Ki, Ji showed the world that he is here to stay. His stellar acting chops were accompanied by equally enthralling good looks, giving justice to the role of a Yuan-dynasty emperor.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Healer (2014-2015)
(1/3) In what seems to be one of his most iconic roles to date, Ji plays Seo Jung-hoo/Park Bong-su in the K-drama hit Healer, where he plays a night messenger who falls for Chae Young-sin, played by Park Min-young.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Healer (2014-2015)
(2/3) His primary character looks sexy, sleek, and rough around the edges, while his disguise roles show him looking like a cute, shy nerd complete with specs. We say we'll take a serving of each, please!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Healer (2014-2015)
(3/3) Ji shows his versatility in the drama, and even makes us weak in the knees in the romantic scenes he shared with fellow K-drama staple Min-young. Healer catapulted him to superstardom as his fanbase grew outside South Korea, including China.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
The Whirlwind Girl 2 (2016)
Because of his growing popularity in China, he then went on to play the role of Chang An in Chinese TV show The Whirlwind 2, where Mandarin was the language used. We see him with a hint of hair color, and this type of hairstyle, which will be making more appearances in the coming years.
Photo Credit: IMDB
The K2 (2016)
And because Ji looks really fine when playing tough guy roles, his being a bodyguard in The K2 played out real well for him—helping the show top ratings for its 8-week duration. He looked dashing in a shorter styled 'do this time around.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Fabricated City (2017)
We have to admit, Chang-wook looks mighty fine in his flawless skin and sleek styled hair, but for this action-packed film, a little grease and dirt actually made him look a lot more handsome than he already is!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Suspicious Partner (2017)
This time around, his next K-drama hit features him as a prosecutor, complete with slicked back locks, and a glowing complexion to boot!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Suspicious Partner (2017)
This time around, his next K-drama hit features him as a prosecutor, complete with slicked back locks, and a glowing complexion to boot!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Military Service (2017-2019)
(1/2) As with every 18-28-year old Korean man, Ji served in the country's military in August 2017, and was discharged with an award for 'high performance'.
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Military Service (2017-2019)
(2/2) Even with a military cut, we gotta admit—he still looks every bit the looker! Isn't that smirk just adorable?
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Melting Me Softly (2019)
Just as he got discharged from military service, he was immediately cast in this 2019 K-Drama, where he plays a TV producer who wakes up 20 years after a human freezing project. His comeback proves that his looks haven't gone anywhere, and that it only keeps getting better from here!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Melting Me Softly (2019)
Just as he got discharged from military service, he was immediately cast in this 2019 K-Drama, where he plays a TV producer who wakes up 20 years after a human freezing project. His comeback proves that his looks haven't gone anywhere, and that it only keeps getting better from here!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Backstreet Rookie (2020)
(1/2) Today, he is back on the small screen with webtoon-adaptation 'Backstreet Rookie', where he plays a convenience store manager. Now if you tell us that Ji Chang-wook simply does not age, we would totally not argue with you.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Backstreet Rookie (2020)
(2/2) His smile is still as infectious, skin still milky and youthful—even this mophead-style haircut is given justice effortlessly.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
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