Choi Ji Woo (born June 11, 1975 in Paju, South Korea) is a South Korean actress and model.
Birth name Choi Mi-hyang
Born June 11, 1975 (age 31)
Flag of South Korea Paju, South Korea
Years active 1995 - present
Notable roles Han Jeong-seo/Kim Ji-soo in Stairway to HeavenJung Yu-jin in Winter Sonata
Kim Yeon-soo in Beautiful Days
Choi Ji-Woo was first discovered when she won a talent audition organized by MBC in 1994.
The younger of two children (she has an elder brother) born to Choi Woon-Yong and Yun Gil-Ja, the actress made her debut in the 1995 drama Love and War, changing her given name Choi Mi-hyang to her stage name, Choi Ji- Woo. Choi also appeared in the one of the highest rated dramas in Korean history (65.8% viewership) First Love. That was the first time she was paired with Bae Yong-Jun
The pair later continued their chemistry in 2002 when Choi co-starred with Bae Yong Joon in the popular Korean drama series Winter Sonata produced by KBS and directed by Yoon Seon-Ho. Winter Sonata was the 2nd installment of Yoon's seasonal dramas (preceded by "Autumn Tales" and succeeded by "Summer Scent" and "Spring Waltz").This drama was credited as one of the initiators of the Korean Wave in Japan.
Prior to that in 2001, Choi Ji-Woo gained popularity with her role of an orphaned girl who deals with leukemia in Beautiful Days. He co-stars included Lee Byung-Hun, Ryu Si-Won and Lee Jung-Hun.
She continued her ratings winning streak with another drama in 2003 called Stairway to Heaven with Kwon Sang-woo. The main location of this drama was set in the amusement park, Lotte World.
Choi has gained a wide Japanese following since Winter Sonata. Her Japanese fans sometimes refer to her as "Princess Ji Woo" (ジウ姫).
Cho Ji-Woo graduated from Pusan Sooyoung Elementary, Sooyoung Girl's Jr. High, Dukmoon Girl's High School and majored in aerobics at Pusan Woman's Professional College's Dance Department. In 2001, she enrolled in Hanyang University's Department of Theater/Film Studies. She completed her first year but had to withdraw from college studies subsequently due to her hectic work commitments.
Currently, Choi Ji-Woo is filming the MBC weekend drama "Air City", her comeback drama in more than 3 years. In the series, Choi plays Han Do-Kyung, Chief Operating Officer of an airline company. The role requires her to be multi-lingual. The main location of this drama takes place at Incheon International Airport in South Korea. Her co-stars include Lee Jung-Jae and Lee Jin-Wook. The trio have just completed their photo shoot for the poster in February. The 20-episode drama will debut on MBC on May 12 and conclude on July 15.
Television
* 2007: Air City (MBC)
* 2006: RONDO (TBS)
* 2003: Stairway to Heaven (SBS)
* 2003: 101 Proposal
* 2002: Winter Sonata (KBS)
* 2001: Beautiful Days (SBS)
* 2000: Mr Duke (MBC)
* 2000: Truth/Jin Shil (MBC)
* 1999: Message-Love Stories 2000 (SBS)
* 1999: Love In Three Colors/Heart/Humaneness/In Search of Love
* 1998: Love/Sarang (MBC)
* 1997: Happiness is in our heart (SBS)
* 1996: First Love (KBS)
* 1995: War and Love
Film
* 2006: Now and Forever
* 2005: Shadowless Sword (cameo role)
* 2004: Everybody Has Secrets
* 2002: The Romantic President
* 1999: Nowhere to Hide
* 1998: First Kiss/Shall We Kiss
* 1997: Olgami/The Hole/Trap (Olgami at the Internet Movie Database)
* 1996: The Adventures of Mrs Park
Awards
* 2006: Timeless Beauty Acting Award (Seoul)
* 2005: Korean Movies Association - Special Award
* 2005: 41st BaekSang Arts Awards - Special Award (cont. to Hallyu wave)
* 2004: 40th BaekSang Arts Awards - Most Popular Actress in TV Part
* 2003: Golden Film Awards - Most Popular Actress Award
* 2003: SBS Acting Award - Best Actress Award for Special Production Drama Stairway to Heaven
* 2003: SBS Acting Awards - Top 10 Popularity Award
* 2002: KBS Acting Awards- Popularity Award
* 2002: KBS Acting Awards- Best Actress Award - Winter Sonata
* 2002: Best Dresser Awards- TV Talent Category
* 2002: 38th BaekSang Arts Awards- Popularity Award
* 2001: SBS Acting Awards- Best Actress Award for Special Production Drama Beautiful Days
* 2001: SBS Acting Awards- Top 10 Popularity Award
* 2000: MBC Acting Awards- Great Female Performer Award Mr Duke
* 1999: Video Music Awards- Golden Video Actress Award For Your Soul
* 1998: 34th BaekSang Arts Awards- Newcomer Actress Award The Hole
* 1998: 21st Grand Bell Film Awards- Newcomer Actress Award The Hole
* 1995: Korean Isabelle Ajani Award
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