Kim Jung-guk (Korean: 김정국; born January 14, 1981), known professionally as Jung Woo (정우), is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the drama Reply 1994 (2013) and You Are the Best! (2013).

Career

Jung Woo made his acting debut in 2006, and began his career appearing in minor roles on film and television. He drew attention in 2008 for his turn as a morally challenged but lovable villain in action film Spare, the directorial debut of Lee Seong-han.

In 2009, Lee directed Jung Woo again, this time in the leading role in Wish, a film which Jung Woo had written himself based on his own experiences as a troubled youth dreaming of becoming the number one fighter at his school. The character uses his real name Kim Jung-guk and nickname Jjianggu, the movie was shot at his childhood home and high school, Busan Commercial High School, and Jung Woo's real-life friends play themselves in the film. Spanning the years from Jjianggu's school life to his father's last days, the film was an official selection at the 2009 Busan International Film Festival. Jung Woo was praised for his performance, and won Best New Actor at the prestigious Grand Bell Awards in 2010.

In 2013, Jung Woo played a supporting role as a baker who falls for a divorced single mother in the family drama You Are the Best!. His mainstream popularity further increased when he was cast as one of the main characters of Reply 1994, a cable drama about a group of young students from different regions in Korea living together in a boarding house while going to college in 1990s Seoul.[unreliable source?] This was followed by a role in arthouse spy movie Red Family, produced by Kim Ki-duk.

Jung Woo next starred in the 2015 musical biopic C'est Si Bon. Set in the eponymous live music cafe in Mugyo-dong, downtown Seoul, the film depicted the formation of legendary folk music group Twin Folio, which was active from the 1960s to 80s.

In 2019, Jung was cast in the gangster movie The Boiling Blood.

Personal life

Jung Woo married actress Kim Yoo-mi on January 16, 2016. They became a couple after starring together in the 2013 film Red Family.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2001Running 7 Dogs
2002Break OutHenchman 7
Conduct ZeroGangster Dan-gun
2003My Tutor FriendThug
A Good Lawyer's WifeNeighborhood bully
Spring BreezeYoung friend 2
2004He Was CoolPpa-Park-yi
Spin KickPark Do-soo
2005The President's Last BangHan Jae-guk
2006Bloody TieDetective Kim
The City of Violenceyoung Wang-jae
How the Lack of Love Affects Two MenIgnorant person
2008FateChoi Jung-hak
SpareGil-do
Dachimawa LeeMP captain
Summer WhispersJung-sik
2009WishJjiangguAlso screenwriter
2012Doomsday BookJoong-dongsegment "A Brave New World"
2013Red FamilyKim Jae-hong
2015C'est Si BonOh Geun-tae
The HimalayasPark Mu-taek
2017New TrialLee Joon-young
2018Heung-boo: The RevolutionistHeung-boo
Fifth ColumnYoon Joong-hyeon
2020Best FriendYoo Dae-kwon
2022Hot BloodedPark Hee-soo
Hot Blood: The OriginalExtended version
2025Audition 109Jjang-gooAlso director, screenwriter, and producer
TBADon't Touch Dirty Hands

Television series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2005Sad Love StoryLee Min-ho
Princess LuluAssistant manager Lee
2007If In Love...Like Them
Cruel LoveHan Jung-woo
2009Cinderella ManMa Yi-san
Green CoachKang Seok-jong
2010Blossom SistersKim No-shik
2012KBS Drama Special – The Great DipperPark Yong-daeOne-act drama
2013You Are the Best!Seo Jin-wook
Reply 1994Sseureki (nickname)
2015–2016Reply 1988Sseureki (nickname)Cameo
2022Mental Coach JegalJegal Gil
2023Miraculous BrothersYuk Dong-joo

Web series

YearTitleRoleRef.
2021Mad for Each OtherNoh Hwi-Oh
2022A Model FamilyDong-ha

Television shows

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2016Youth Over FlowersCast member
2021Warning of the Earth - 100 People's Leading ShowHostDocumentary
2022100 Reading Show - Reading the Earth

Music video appearances

YearSong titleArtistRef.
2004"Incurable Disease"Wheesung
"Fall in Love with Someone"
2006"The Day"JeA and Kim Yeon-ji
2007"New Skin"Monday Kiz
"A Good Man"
"The Man"
"What Can I Do If I Like It"Black Pearl
"Finally It's You"
"White Lie"Lee Seung-gi
"Why Are You Leaving"
2008"That Person"SeeYa
"Without Me"
2009"Jjarajajja"Joo Hyun-mi and Seohyun
"It's Over"Jung Yup

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee / WorkResultRef.
APAN Star Awards2014Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesReply 1994Won
Asia Model Awards2014Popularity AwardJung WooWon
Baeksang Arts Awards2014Best New Actor – TelevisionReply 1994Won
Most Popular Actor (TV)Nominated
2017Most Popular Actor (film)New TrialNominated
2022Best Actor – FilmHot BloodedNominated
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival2015Fantasia AwardC'est Si BonWon
Grand Bell Awards2010Best New ActorWishWon
KBS Drama Awards2013Best New ActorYou Are the Best!Won
Seoul International Drama Awards2014People's Choice ActorReply 1994Nominated

External links