How a single VCR rental transformed a student into a Hallyu star
In short: Born to educators who expected a teaching career, Kwak Tae-geun's life changed after a single movie. Watching Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man sparked a passion that led him to Hanyang University and eventually to becoming one of South Korea's most recognizable television icons.
The transition from student to star began with an audition for the 1999 campus drama KAIST. It was there that screenwriter Song Ji-na recognized his potential and wrote a specific character just for him. While he initially used the stage name Chae Ji-sung, he eventually dropped the surname to become known simply as Ji Sung. After his debut, he performed in several minor roles before securing larger parts in productions like Wonderful Days and Sunshine Hunting 2002. He also appeared in the romantic comedy film Whistling Princess.
His breakthrough came in 2003 with the gambling drama All In. At the time, producers struggled to cast the second male lead because most actors feared being compared to the lead, Lee Byung-hun. Ji Sung, however, proactively approached director Yoo Chul-yong to claim the role. The drama's massive success propelled him to Hallyu stardom. Following this success, he sought new challenges by appearing in his first period drama, The King's Woman, where he portrayed Gwanghaegun of Joseon.
Throughout his career, Ji has demonstrated significant range, moving from the serious roles in period dramas like The King's Woman to complex psychological characters. In the 2015 hit Kill Me, Heal Me, he played a millionaire with dissociative identity disorder, a performance that earned him the Daesang (Grand Prize) at the MBC Drama Awards. His versatility is further evidenced by his role in the workplace comedy Protect the Boss, where he portrayed a man-child with a panic disorder.
Beyond his acting, Ji's life has been marked by significant milestones, including his mandatory military service. While he enlisted as an ordinary soldier on 7 June 2005, he was transferred to the military promotion unit in February 2006, serving as a public ambassador of military affairs until his discharge on 6 June 2007. During his service, he was assigned to the entertainers unit. He was officially discharged in June 2007.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ji Sung
- Also: Wikidata — Ji Sung · CC0
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