Cho Jin-woong

Early life and education

Cho was born Jo Won-jun on April 2, 1976 in Busan. His father's name is Cho Jin-woong. He graduated from the Department of Theater and Film at Kyungsung University.

Career

Beginning in theater

Cho began his acting career on stage, spending nine years with the Dongnyeok theater troupe. During this time, he appeared in several notable plays, including Baridegi (2001), The Parrot's Song (2002), Macbeth (2003), and Veronica Decides to Die (2003).

Screen debut and career as character actor

Cho made his screen debut in 2004 with the film Once Upon a Time in High School, an opportunity he came across by chance. While strolling in Samseong-dong, he met a military senior who worked at a film company and invited him to audition. he soon found himself in the company's office meeting teen star Kwon Sang-woo, which led him to believe the opportunity was legitimate. Despite being 29 or 30 years old at the time, he was cast as a high school student. Before the film's release, he asked his father for permission to adopt his name as his stage name, a choice he said was a pledge "not to bring shame to my father's name." His father's name, Jin-woong, written in hanja as "thunder" (震) and "male" (雄).

Early in his career, Cho gained a reputation as a scene-stealer in supporting roles in films such as Hwang Dong-hyuk's film Our Brother (2004), Jung Ji-woo's film Running Wild (2006), Yu Ha's film A Dirty Carnival (2006), and Kwak Kyung-taek's film Gangster High (2006). He expanded his presence on television with key roles in dramas like My Too Perfect Sons (KBS2, 2009), The Slave Hunters (KBS2, 2010), A Man Called God (MBC, 2010), and Deep Rooted Tree (SBS, 2011).

Cho's career took a significant turn with a series of acclaimed film roles, including Jang Hoon's film The Front Line(2011), Park Hee-gon's film Perfect Game (2011), and Yoon Jong-bin's film Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (2012). His filmography continued to grow with notable performances in Jang Joon-hwan's film Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013), Kim Seong-hun's film A Hard Day (2014), and Yoon Jong-bin's film Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014). He was part of two films that each attracted over 10 million viewers, Kim Han-min's film The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014) and Choi Dong-hoon's film Assassination (2015).

Transitioning to leading role

Working tirelessly in both television and film, Cho reached the pinnacle of his career with the tvN drama Signal in January of 2015. His portrayal of Detective Lee Jae-han captivated audiences of all ages. His honest, straightforward character won over female fans, solidifying his status as a leading man. This drama and role opened the door to a new phase of success for him.

Following Signal, he returned to film, attending the Cannes Film Festival with Park Chan-wook's film The Handmaiden. He then starred in Lee Woo-cheol's film The Hunt, where he took on his first-ever dual role. Although The Hunt was not a box office hit, his performance received critical acclaim. With his charm and box office power now proven, Cho then starred in Kim Hyung-joo's film The Sheriff in Town and appeared in the tvN drama Entourage in the second half of 2016. His next film was Lee Soo-yeon's film Bluebeard.

Cho's film Believer, a crime thriller inspired by the Hong Kong film Drug War, was released on May 22. In the film, he plays Detective Won-ho, who has been tracking a drug cartel for years. After a mysterious explosion, Won-ho pursues the hidden boss, "Mr. Lee," with the help of Oh Yeon-ok (Kim Sung-ryung), a member of the organization, and an abandoned member, Rock (Ryu Jun-yeol).

Retirement

In late 2025, he abruptly announced his retirement after his criminal record from his teenage years came to light.

Personal life

In 2013, he married his wife, Kim Min-a, after they had been dating for seven years.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Television shows

Web shows

Musical theater

Accolades

Awards and nominations

Listicles

Other accolades

In 2021, he was selected as Jury member for Actor and Actress of the Year Award in 26th Busan International Film Festival held in October.

Notes

References

References

1. "조진웅".
2. "CHO Jin-woong". Korean Film Biz Zone.
3. (15 March 2016). "'Signal' stars maintaining the momentum".
4. (17 October 2014). "10 Scene Stealers④ - CHO Jin-woong: Expressing with Subtle Glances".
5. (2019-11-19). "[MHN STAR] 블랙머니 '조진웅' 키, 본명, 나이, 와이프, 필모그래피". 문화뉴스.
6. (2018-06-11). "조진웅의 위트".
7. Bae. Seon-yeong. (2016-08-02). "". link
8. "'과거 범죄 이력 논란' 조진웅 "배우의 길 마침표…책임 지겠다"".
9. Lee, Jin-ho. (13 December 2011). "Cho Jin Woong Has Newfound Respect for Baseball". enewsWorld.
10. Yun, Chloe. (4 September 2013). "Cho Jin woong "I want to give everything to Yeo Jin goo"". BNTNews.
11. Lee, Eun-ah. (4 June 2013). "Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Jin-woong Cast in New Film". TenAsia.
12. (20 August 2014). "Cho Jin Woong leaves a comment after 'Roaring Currents' surpasses 15 million views".
13. Conran, Pierce. (19 March 2014). "Veteran Director JANG Jin Announces 12th Project".
14. (10 March 2015). ""Salut D'Amour" Cho Jin-woong, no more charisma".
15. (22 June 2015). "Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Jung-jae and Cho Jin-woong, why they chose "The Assassination"".
16. (3 May 2016). "'The Handmaiden' generates a buzz".
17. (28 June 2016). ""The Hunt" Cho Jin-woong and why wants to be the character in his work".
18. (28 February 2017). "'Bluebeard' pioneers new genre for Korean thriller".
19. (6 April 2016). "SHERIFF Rounds Up LEE Sung-min, CHO Jin-woong and KIM Sung-kyun".
20. (14 November 2016). "CHO Jin-woong Takes on COMMANDER KIM CHANG-SOO".
21. (6 January 2017). "HWANG Jung-min Infiltrates YOON Jong-bin's DUKE".
22. (1 December 2017). "LEE Hae-young's DOKJEON Wraps with CHO Jin-woong and RYU Jun-yeol".
23. (9 January 2018). "PERFECT STRANGERS Remake Begins Production".
24. (9 April 2018). "CHO Jin-woong and SON Hyun-ju Suit Up for THE CLOWNS".
25. (10 September 2019). "SUL Kyung-gu, CHO Jin-woong Face Off in MAN OF MEN".
26. Yoon, Min-sik. (Oct 29, 2019). "[Herald Review] 'Black Money' tells a convincing tale in a questionable manner".
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35. Yeon Hwi-seon. (August 17, 2025). "조진웅 내레이션 '독립군: 끝나지 않은 전쟁', 이재명 대통령 부부도 봤다". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
36. (21 November 2011). "Shin Se Gyeong and Cho Jin Woong took a picture together". Korea.com.
37. (26 December 2013). "Yoon Kye-sang and Cho Jin-woong in "The Full Sun"".
38. (Feb 29, 2016). "TV drama 'Signal' enjoying high viewer ratings".
39. (2 February 2016). "'Entourage Korea' names its cast".
40. Kim Ji-hye. (March 22, 2023). "조진웅, 라미란 남편 된다..'나쁜 엄마'로 7년 만 안방 복귀[공식]". [[Herald POP]].
41. link. Chang. A-leum. (May 22, 2024). News1
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43. Hwang Hye-jin. (January 12, 2023). "'텐트밖은 유럽2' 측 "조진웅X최원영X박명훈X권율 출연, 3월 첫방"[공식]". Newsen.
44. Hwang Soo-yeon. (October 7, 2021). "[단독] 조진웅, 'SNL 코리아' 출연 확정...시즌1 마지막 게스트". Xports News.
45. Ahn Tae-hyun. (October 13, 2021). "SNL 코리아' 옥주현·김동욱·윤계상·조진웅, 호스트 라인업 완성". News1.
46. (18 September 2010). "강우석 '이끼', 춘사영화제 작품상 등 7관왕(종합)".
47. (7 October 2013). "Cho Jin Woong garners the Best Supporting Actor Award in Busan".
48. Ha, Soo-jung. (8 July 2014). "Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin, Kim Woo Bin and More to Win Awards from ''PiFan''".
49. Kim, June. (18 December 2014). "35th Blue Dragon Awards Names THE ATTORNEY Best Film".
50. (26 February 2015). "The 10th Max Movie Awards Winners; "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" awarded 2 trophies".
51. (28 May 2015). "Baeksang honors new, veteran stars".
52. (April 6, 2016). "Chunsa Film Art Awards 2016 Winners".
53. (3 October 2016). "Song Joong-ki wins grand prize at APAN awards".
54. (10 October 2016). "Cho Jin-woong, "Signal" was tough".
55. (10 October 2016). "tvN10 Awards' full list of winners".
56. (16 November 2016). "[2016 AAA] 조진웅·엑소, 대상 수상...엑소 5관왕 영예[종합]".
57. (29 December 2016). "Actors Gong Hyo-jin, Cho Jung-seok, Cho Jin-woong win top star award".
58. (25 October 2016). "Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards announces winners".
59. (21 September 2018). "제55회 대종상, 각 부문 후보 공개...'공작' 12개 최다부문 노미네이트".
60. "The Fantasia International Film Festival Announces Awards for 24Th...".
61. (21 December 2020). "The 7th Korean Film Producers Association Awards Kim Hee Ae and Cho Jin Woong the Best Actress & Actor".
62. "황금촬영상 시상식".
63. Kim Jin-seok and Jo Yeon-kyung. (April 12, 2021). "57회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 부문 최종 후보 공개".
64. Lee Nam-kyung. (April 20, 2021). "'제8회 들꽃영화상' 10개 부문 후보작 공개...홍상수X김민희도 후보(공식)". [[Maeil Broadcasting Network]].
65. Park Kyung-hee. (July 5, 2021). "유아인 vs 송중기 남주상 주인공은?...제26회 춘사국제영화제 후보 발표". [[Naver]].
66. Nam, Yoo-jung. (August 28, 2022). "헤어질 결심 브로커 둘 다 8개 부문 후보 올라". [[Busan Ilbo]].
67. Kim, No-eul. (July 13, 2023). "'2023 방송광고 페스티벌' 성료..조진웅→이장우, 올해의 CF스타상 영예 [종합]". MT Star News.
68. Yang, Young-eun. (November 3, 2023). "아시아 최고의 셀럽들 한자리에 '제18회 아시아모델페스티벌' 개최". Straight News.
69. Ramachandran, Naman. (August 30, 2024). "Wong Kar-wai's 'Blossoms Shanghai,' Netflix's 'Cigarette Girl' Among Busan Streaming Awards Nominees – Global Bulletin".
70. 조선일보. (2021-01-18). "[공식] 영화진흥위원회, 韓배우 200인 선정..'Korean Actors 200' 해외 홍보 나선다".
71. "KOREAN ACTORS 200".
72. "2009~2019 한국영화 배우 흥행 파워 11위~20위".
73. Kwon Byung-seok. (August 11, 2021). "제26회 부산국제영화제, '올해의 배우상' 심사위원에 엄정화&조진웅 선정". [[Naver]].