Kingdom actor Ju Ji-hoon – 5 things to know about the star of Netflix’s first Korean drama series known as the ‘king of memes’
South Korean actor Ju Ji-hoon has made a name for himself playing kings and princes. The actor, who turns 38 on May 16, has taken on several complex roles during a 14-year career, garnering over 15 awards – including several daesangs (grand prizes).
Here are five things to know about the versatile lead actor of Netflix’s Kingdom and TVN’s Hyena.
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His breakthrough came in the hit 2006 drama, Princess Hours
Ju has made various appearances in television dramas, but his acting skyrocketed with the lead in MBC’s Princess Hours in 2006. That role won him the best new actor award, and his co-star Yoon Eun-hye earned the best new actress award, at the MBC Drama Awards.
He has unwittingly become a “king of memes”
Ju is known for goofing around at press conferences, drama sets and photo shoots, and fans love posting memes of him on social media.
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He has a signature hand gesture
Whether it’s at fashion events, film festivals, or press conferences, Ju has a signature hand gesture – and it’s not the ubiquitous Korean “finger heart”. Instead, Ju extends his little finger and thumb, and this gesture has been his go-to pose since the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
He is musically talented
Ju is also a great singer, and can play the guitar and piano.
Ju took classical piano lessons to play a professional pianist in the 2012 SBS drama, Five Fingers.
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He is the face of several international brands
Ju has worked with fashion brands that include Calvin Klein, Chanel, Reebok, Levi’s and Polo.
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Best known as star of Netflix’s Kingdom and TVN’s Hyena, Ju’s acting breakthrough came alongside Yoon Eun-hye in MBC’s Princess Hours in 2006, and he has gone on to represent major Western fashion brands Calvin Klein, Chanel, Reebok, Levi’s and Polo