7 Facts About Ju Ji-hoon: Drug Possession Charge, Career Resurgence, and Lead Role in Netflix's Kingdom

Ju Ji-hoon is a South-Korean actor who was slated for greatness since his debut in 2003. His career seemingly seemed over after getting implicated in a drug possession and consumption charge, but he redeemed himself, and the latter part of his career yielded in blockbusters.

He plays the lead character in the South-Korean Netflix supernatural-horror drama series, Kingdom. The series premiered on January 25, 2019, and is set to drop its sophomore season on March 13, 2020.

These are seven facts about Ju Ji-hoon:     

7. Lead Star of Netflix's Kingdom

Kingdom is a supernatural-horror series that premiered on Netflix on January 25, 2019. It is the first original South-Korean series to air on Netflix and marks Ji-hoon's first foray into the international market.

Ji-hoon plays the lead character, Crown Prince Lee Chang, who embarks on a journey to investigate a zombie plague infesting Joseon-era Korea.

Joining Ji-hoon on-screen are Ryu Seung-ryong, Bae Doona, and Kim Sung-kyu, among others.    

The second season airs on Netflix on March 13, 2020.

6. Was Incarcerated for Possession of Drugs

On the cusp of meteoric stardom, Ji-hoon's career seemed over when he was incarcerated in a drug possession and consumption charges along with 15 others. He spent a prison sentence of six months and was banned from performing for a year.

He had a career resurgence after his release and the latter half of his career has arguably been more prolific than his former. These days, the controversy is all but a bad memory, but still not a good look for someone in a position of power and influence.  

5. Has a Dedicated Fan Following on Instagram

Ji-hoon's felony charges have not affected his popularity in the slightest, and, if anything, the controversy has made him into the talk of the town.

His Instagram reflects his infallible status in Korean showbiz, and as of March 2020, retains a staggering 353k followers.

4. His Age and Height

Ju Ji-hoon was born Young-Hoon Ju on May 16, 1982, in Seoul, South Korea. As of March 2020, he is 37 years old. He also hit the gene-pool lottery and stands at 6' 2".  

3. Rumored Relationships with Yoon Eun-hye and Shin Min-ah

Ju Ji-hoon has been linked in high-profile rumors with two of the biggest names in Korean entertainment. 

He was rumored to be dating his Princess Hours co-star, Yoon Eun-hye. Those rumors were set on fire after she became one of the implicated in the drug possession charges with Ji-hoon. The two involved parties have remained mum about the nature of their relationship.

Ji-hoon was also rumored to be involved with the actress, Shin Min-ah. But as of yet, their relationship is conjecture, at best.   

2. Debuted in the South-Korean Romantic-Comedy TV Series, Princess Hours 

Ji-hoon made his on-screen debut in the South-Korean romantic-comedy TV series, Princess Hours in 2006. 

He played the lead role as Crown Prince Lee Shin in the series and appeared in all 24 episodes.   

1. A Staple of Korean Movies and TV Shows

While nowadays, Ji-hoon has an international appeal - thanks in no small part to his lead role in the Netflix supernatural-horror series, Kingdom - he has been a mainstay of South-Korean movies and TV shows since 2006.

He has appeared in such TV shows as The Devil, Five Fingers, and Medical Top Team. He has also been a part of acclaimed South-Korean movies like The Naked Kitchen, I Am the King and Marriage Blue.