Park Ji-hoon
Early life
Park Ji-hoon was born on May 29, 1999, in Masan Province in South Korea. Originally from Gyeongsang Province, Park has lived in Seoul since he was seven years old. He graduated from National Middle School of Traditional Arts, where he majored in musical theater. Park majored in broadcasting arts at School of Performing Arts Seoul and graduated in January 2018. Park was accepted into Chung-Ang University's Department of Theater for 2018.
Career
2006โpresent: Acting career
Early work
Park debuted as a child actor, participating in musicals like Peter Pan (2007โ2010), The Harmonium in My Memory (2010), and Radio Star (2010โ2011), and small stints in television dramas Jumong (2006โ2007), The King and I (2007โ2008), Kimchi Cheese Smile (2007โ2008), Iljimae (2008), and more.
Park also appeared in SS501's reality show SS501 SOS (2006), although his face was blurred out through the episodes. In 2007, he appeared in KM Idol War with Big Bang. During his childhood, he continued to be active in musical theatre, television broadcasts, and film, and also worked as an advertisement model. Park was less active in the entertainment industry in his teen years.
Return to acting and transition to lead roles
In April 2019 Park was cast in JTBC's historical drama Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency, which was aired on September 16. He received praise for his acting skills and received positive reviews. He topped Good Data Corporation's buzzworthy list for eight consecutive weeks.[citation needed] Park took his first leading role in the Kakao M's web drama Love Revolution (2020), an adaptation of the webtoon of the same name.
It from September 1 to December 27, 2020. Park received wider recognition through the series. He released the song "Midnight"as part of the drama's soundtrack. Park starred in the KBS college drama At a Distance, Spring is Green which aired from June 14 thru July 2021.
Weak Hero and The King's Warden
Park starred in the wavve k-drama Weak Hero which premiered on November 18. Before its premiere, the first three episodes of the drama were screened at the 27th Busan International Film Festival where it sold out in two minutes, leading to additional screenings. The drama was a hit becoming wavve's #1 drama in paid subscribers within the first day.
Park received positive reviews from audience and critics as Park's cute and bubbly persona as an idol is different from his Weak Hero character. When asked about the casting of Park, filmmaker Han Jun-hee revealed that the production company was impressed with his performance in At a Distance, Spring Is Green (2021), and was suggested to director Yu Su-min. In 2024, he made his film debut with Beautiful Audrey alongside Kim Jung-nan.
The drama Love Song for Illusion was released in 2024, with Park portraying dual roles. On August 5, 2024, Park signed an exclusive contract with YY Entertainment for his future activities. Park starred as King Danjong, the central figure of the historical film The King's Warden directed by Jang Hang-jun.
The film was released on February 4, 2026, coinciding with the Korean New Year holiday. It received positive reviews and is the highest-grossing film in South Korea box office history. In 2026 Park also played the lead role in the tvN drama The Legend of the Kitchen Soldier which won best drama at the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards. At the same award show, Park was nominated for Best Actor, making him the youngest Best Actor nominee in Blue Dragon Series Awards history.
2017โpresent: Music career
Produce 101 and Wanna One
Park began training to become an idol singer under SM Entertainment and Fantagio. Due to a knee injury, he did not make it to the final line up of Fantagio's boy group Astro and subsequently transferred to Maroo Entertainment.
In 2017, Park represented Maroo Entertainment in the second season of Produce 101. He experienced a sudden rise in popularity after going viral as "wink boy (์ํฌ๋จ)", after the introductory "It's Me (Pick Me)" stage on M Countdown, even before the show had started airing.
Consequently, Park's participation in the survival show received extensive media attention to the extent that his self-made aegyo catchphrase "save you in my heart (๋ด ๋ง์ ์์ ์ ์ฅ)" trended on social media and was used by various companies for marketing purposes.
The phrase was later crowned as the best catchphrase of 2017 by KOCCA. Furthermore, Park received offers from various companies to become their advertisement model while the show was still being aired, and it was later revealed that Park had signed an exclusive contract with Maroo Entertainment before the show had started.
He finished second, which made him a member of the project boy group Wanna One under YMC Entertainment. Wanna One disbanded on December 31, 2018, and officially completed activities after their sold out 4-day final concert series 'Therefore' that ran from January 24 to 27 at Gocheok Sky Dome.
Solo activities
On March 26, 2019 Park released his debut EP as a soloist, O'Clock, with the lead single "L.O.V.E". Park took his first solo music show win with his debut album "L.O.V.E" on KBS Music Bank on April 5, 2019. On December 4, Park released his second EP, 360, and its lead single of the same name. Park release his third EP, The W, with the title track "Wing" on May 26, 2020.
He then released his first studio album, Message, with the title track "Gotcha". He had his first ever online solo concert titled "Message" on December 13.
On August 12, Park released his fourth EP My Collection, with the title track "Gallery". On October 28, Park released his fifth EP Hot&Cold, with the title track "Serious". In August 2022, it was announced that Park would be making a comeback with his sixth EP The Answer with the title track "Nitro" on October 12, 2022.
On September 30, he pre-released a b-side called "Moon & Back". On October 9 and 10, Park held a two-day concert called '[CLUE]' at the YES24 Live Hall. Park released his seventh EP Blank or Black with the title track "Blank Effect" on April 12, 2023.
Following his success in The King's Warden Park held a two-day fanmeeting called 'Same Place' at YES24 Live Hall from April 24th and 25th. On April 29th he released his first single album RE:FLECT with title track "Bodyelse". After the release of his album, Park embarked on an Asian Fancon [RE:FLECT] from May through July with stops in Tokyo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Bankok, and Singapore.
In 2026 Park also participated in Wanna One reunion activities such as Wanna One Go: Go Back to Base and Wanna One Go in LA which were released on Mnet Plus in April and September respectively. In August he performed "Energetic", "Boomerang", and "Spring Breeze, Again" with Wanna One on day 1 of KCON LA at Crypto.com Arena.
Other ventures
In April 2018, Park was appointed as an endorser of April Skin's Milk Booster Fast Shampoo and hair-dyes. Park along with fellow Wanna One member Ong Seong-wu was selected as a model for CLAVIS and their line of sports bracelets on April 20. In March 2019, the seaweed snack brand Masita revealed Park as the new ambassador for their new "0% MSG" recipe that came in five different flavors.
The same month, Park and fellow former Wanna One member Bae Jin-young were selected as the new advertising models for youth make-up brand, I'M MEME. In May, it was announced that Park had been selected as the new model for pizza specialty brand, Pizza E-Tang. The promotion was a success with the pizza consistently selling out. On May 3, Yuyu Nature selected Park as a model for their flagship health supplement, Formoline L112.
In June 2020, Park had his first apparel collaboration with contemporary fashion brand [LE] MOHO. The collection was named "[LA] POMME de Universe" in which Park participated in designing.[citation needed] In October, Park collaborated with Tous on its Toss Love Me perfume that was made to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the brand's founding.
It became a bestseller and sold out at the Olive Young Myeong-dong Store where it was carried domestically. On August 18, 2021, it was announced that Park had been selected as a model for the Korean skincare and cosmetics brand It's Skin, running advertisements in Japan and Southeast Asia.
In 2026 Park was selected as a model for Baskin Robbins' summer campaign, the fragrance brand Forment, and Superdry's 26FW season campaign. Park's Superdry collaboration collection titled 'Raw Archive' was released on August 3rd and sold out online the same day.
Discography
Single albums
- Released: April 29, 2026 Label: YY Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Track listing "Bodyelse" "Watercolor" "I Can't Hold Your Hand Anymore" โ 9 โ KOR: 91,682
Singles
As lead artist
- 2019 โ 59 โ O'Clock
- 2019 โ 138 โ 360
- 2020 โ 109 โ The W
- 2020 โ 102 โ Message
- 2021 โ 128 โ My Collection
- 2021 โ 121 โ Hot&Cold
- 2022 โ โ โ The Answer
- 2023 โ โ โ Blank or Black
- 2026 โ 145 โ Re:Flect
- "โ" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Other releases
- 2019 โ 34 โ My Moment
- 2021 โ โ โ Non-album single
- 2020 โ โ โ Love Revolution OST
- 2021 โ โ โ At a Distance, Spring Is Green OST
- "โ" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Music videos
- 2019 โ Hong Won-ki, Huh Jin-hyun(Zanybros)
- 2019 โ Yoo Sung-kyun(SUNNYVISUAL)
- 2020 โ Yoo Sung-kyun(SUNNYVISUAL)
- 2021 โ Yoo Sung-kyun(SUNNYVISUAL)
- 2021 โ Zanybros
- 2022 โ Zanybros
- 2022 โ Zanybros
- 2023 โ Zanybros
Filmography
Film
- Beautiful Audrey โ Kang Ki-hoon
- The King's Warden โ Lord Nosan / King Danjong of Joseon / Yi Hong-wi
Television series
- Jumong โ Merchant's son โ Bit part
- The Stories of One Thousand People โ Lee Dong-gyu โ Episode 20
- Kimchi Cheese Smile โ Kid โ Bit part
- 2007โ2008 โ The King and I โ Eunuch trainee โ Episode 2
- Iljimae โ Villager's son โ Episode 10โ11
- Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency โ Go Young-soo
- Love Revolution โ Gong Joo-young
- At a Distance, Spring Is Green โ Yeo Jun
- Remarriage & Desires โ Choi Yoo-seon's customer โ Cameo (episode 8)
- 2022 โ Weak Hero Class 1 โ Yeon Si-eun โ Main Role
- Love Song for Illusion โ Sajo Hyun / Ak-hee
- Weak Hero Class 2 โ Yeon Si-eun โ Main Role
- 2025 โ Tastefully Yours โ Eun-jae โ Cameo (episode 2, 8โ10)
- The Legend of Kitchen Soldier โ Kang Seong-jae โ Main Role
Television shows
- Produce 101 (Season 2) โ Contestant โ Finished second place
- Inkigayo โ Special MC โ Episode 1,014
- 2019 โ Show! Music Core โ Special MC โ Episode 658, 718
- Seven Stars โ Mentor โ Thai audition program
- 2022 โ King of Mask Singer โ Judge
Radio shows
- Park Ji-hoon's Stay Night โ DJ โ 2021โOctober 18, 2022
Theater
- Peter Pan (2007โ2009)
- The Harmonium in My Memory (2010)
- Radio Star (2010โ2011)
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (2014)
Awards and nominations
- 2020 โ Entertainer Award (Man) โ Park Ji-hoon โ Won
- APAN Music Awards โ 2020 โ Best Solo for Man (Global) โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- 2019 โ StarNews Popularity Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Asia Artist Awards โ 2020 โ Male Popularity Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Asia Artist Awards โ 2021 โ Male Solo Singer Popularity Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- 2023 โ Best Newcomer Actor โ Weak Hero Class 1 โ Nominated
- 2019 โ Asia Star Award (Singer) โ Park Ji-hoon โ Won
- 2026 โ Naver Popularity Award โ Male โ Park Ji-hoon โ Won
- Baeksang Arts Awards โ 2026 โ Best New Actor โ Film โ The King's Warden โ Won
- 2023 โ Best New Actor โ Weak Hero Class 1 โ Won
- Blue Dragon Series Awards โ 2026 โ Best Actor โ The Legend of Kitchen Soldier โ Nominated
- 2025 โ Best Actor โ Weak Hero Class 2 โ Won
- Daejeon Special FX Film Festival (DFX OTT Awards) โ 2026 โ Grand Prize (Daesang) โ The Kingโs Warden โ Won
- 2026 โ Best New Actor โ Film โ The Kingโs Warden โ Won
- Director's Cut Awards โ 2026 โ Best Actor โ Television โ Weak Hero Class 2 โ Nominated
- 2025 โ Popular Star Prize โ K-Drama Actor โ Weak Hero Class 2 โ Won
- 2019 โ Album Bonsang โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Golden Disc Awards โ 2019 โ Popularity Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Golden Disc Awards โ 2019 โ Rookie of the Year โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- 2021 โ Best New Actor โ At a Distance, Spring Is Green โ Nominated
- KBS Drama Awards โ 2024 โ Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries โ Love Song for Illusion โ Won
- 2023 โ Best New Actor โ Weak Hero Class 1 โ Won
- 2021 โ Best Idol Actor โ Park Ji-hoon โ Won
- Korea First Brand Awards โ 2022 โ Acting Idol (Male) โ Park Ji-hoon โ Won
- Korea First Brand Awards โ 2025 โ Acting Idol (Male) โ Park Ji-hoon โ Won
- 2026 โ Asian Artist of the Year โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- 2024 โ Best New Actor โ Beautiful Audrey โ Won
- 2019 โ Dance Performance Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Seoul Music Awards โ 2019 โ K-Wave Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Seoul Music Awards โ 2019 โ Popularity Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Seoul Music Awards โ 2020 โ Fan PD Artist Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Seoul Music Awards โ 2020 โ K-Wave Popularity Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Seoul Music Awards โ 2020 โ Main Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Seoul Music Awards โ 2020 โ Popularity Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- 2019 โ Bonsang Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Won
- Soribada Best K-Music Awards โ 2019 โ The New K-wave Icon Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Won
- Soribada Best K-Music Awards โ 2019 โ Male Popularity Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Soribada Best K-Music Awards โ 2020 โ Bonsang Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Soribada Best K-Music Awards โ 2020 โ Global Artist Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
- Soribada Best K-Music Awards โ 2020 โ Male Popularity Award โ Park Ji-hoon โ Nominated
๐ Source: Wikipedia
