The Heart of Dhevaprom: And the Fairy Tales Continue
An actor with hearts in his eyes
(Park Ji Hoon for April Skin, 2018)
BIO DATA
Name: Park Ji Hoon (박지훈)
Nicknames: Wink boy, Winkingie, Winkop, Winkdongie, Hoonie
Birthday: May 29th, 1999
Birthplace: Masan, South Korea
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Height: 173cm (5’8”)
Agency: YY Entertainment
Website: YY Entertainment/Park Ji Hoon
Socials: Instagram (current), Twitter, TikTok, Youtube
Hello!! Annyeong!!! We are MAY (메이). May is the fandom name of our beloved actor Park Ji Hoon. As you read the Biodata above, May is the month he was born. May also symbolizes the opportunity for possibilities. The fandom colors represent the season, with spring colors of Spring Bouquet, Lemon Tonic, and Peach Pink. His pup Max (right image), who has been with him since 2018, chose his fandom name.
Korean fans often send him gifts and even coffee trucks during the filming of his shows. Since we don't live in South Korea, we can only humbly create this fan guide article to express our adoration. If you don't know (much) about him, you probably wonder why we chose the title "Soulful Eyes, Heartfelt Acting".
Soulful Eyes. From the first GIF above, now you know the reason. About his eyes, in an interview, Ji Hoon says, "I do not feel proud or confident about my visuals. It’s too much of a compliment for me when they say I’m handsome. But I do think that my eyes are my weapon. I’m grateful for them as they let me express many different types of emotions." (source: Koreaboo)
Heartfelt Acting. Alright, don't stare at his eyes too long; we have more to tell about this incredible actor/singer. So you can say that he not only has a cute face with a mesmerizing gaze but also shows heartfelt acting, as Ji Hoon takes pride in his work!
Park Ji Hoon was born in the city of Masan, Gyeongsang Province, in South Korea, but has lived in Seoul since he was seven years old. He graduated from the National Middle School of Traditional Arts, where he majored in musical theatre. Ji Hoon majored in broadcasting arts at the School of Performing Arts Seoul and graduated in January 2018. He was accepted into Chung-Ang University's Department of Theater for 2018.
Ji Hoon debuted as a child actor since he was seven years old, as guest roles in the dramas Jumong (2006–2007), Kimchi Cheese Smile (2007–2008), The Stories of One Thousand People (2007-2008), The King and I (2007–2008), and Iljimae (2008). He also participated in musicals like Peter Pan (2007–2009), The Harmonium in My Memory (2010), and Radio Star (2010–2011). In all of these, Ji Hoon was able to portray his child characters elaborately, precisely, and creatively, despite his then-young age.
 Jumong |  The Stories of One Thousand People |  The King and I |  Iljimae |
FUN FACT!
His crying acts in the mentioned dramas paved the way for his guesting in some variety shows on South Korean television. One of which was his famous Idol World guesting with the Big Bang idol group. In the show’s episode, Big Bang leader G-Dragon and little Ji Hoon competed against each other. Whoever gets to cry first wins. Click on the left image for the link to this funny video on how Ji Hoon was able to produce tears within seconds and beat G-Dragon!
During his childhood, he continued to be active in musical theatre, television broadcasts, and film, and also worked as an advertisement model.
WANNA ONE
Park Ji Hoon debuted as part of the K-pop group Wanna One (워너원) on August 7, 2017. The boy band was a project group formed as part of the Mnet survival show Produce 101 and consisted of 11 members, managed by Swing Entertainment. The group officially disbanded on December 31, 2018.
Throughout the survival show, Ji Hoon had caught the attention of many viewers and gained many fans, most specifically with his viral tagline “Nae Maeum Soge Jeojang” (내 마음 속에 저장), which translates to “I will lock you in my heart.” This beca
me a popular catchphrase among the public and even spread to Hollywood, with many popular celebrities such as Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth re-enacting the viral line. The K-pop idol also gained the nickname ‘wink boy’ during the show due to going viral for his winking when performing and off-camera. Aside from this, Ji Hoon’s talent, hard work, and determination to debut were evident and shone through when performing, as he was praised by many of his fellow contestants and professionals on the show. As a result, his talent and love for performing led to him being among the top 3 throughout the entire show, and he was ranked #1 for four consecutive weeks. In the finale, Park Ji Hoon ranked in second place with an impressive 1,136,014 votes.
Park Ji Hoon went on to achieve many achievements and milestones as a member of the multi-sensational group, winning awards both at award shows and music shows. During their promotions as
a group, Wanna One released a total of tw
o studio albums and six extended plays. The group experienced domestic and international success with numerous songs achieving the number one spot on a variety of music programs and attaining significant results on the charts. The group’s popularity and high demand were proven through their world tour, which began on June 1, 2018, in South Korea and included concerts in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, and the United States and concluded on September 1, 2018, in the Philippines. The group’s final concert was at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul as part of their four-day concert series "Therefore", taking place from January 24-27, 2019.
SOLO ARTIST
Following Wanna One's disbandment, Park Ji Hoon debuted as a solo artist under Maroo Entertainment, with his first album titled O'Clock on March 26, 2019, along with the title track "L.O.V.E". The K-pop idol has released various albums, extended plays, and OSTs since his debut, with his most recent release being his 7th mini album Blank or Black, which was released on 12th April 2023 with the title track "Blank Effect".
Click on the right images to direct you to the respective song links on Spotify!
The K-Pop idol debuted with the title track "L.O.V.E" as part of his first solo album O'Clock. The album features a total of six tracks in which diverse emotions such as love, passion, joy, and nostalgia are explored in various tones throughout the album. The album consists of the title track ‘L.OV.E’ and other songs include "US", "Would You", "새벽달 (Moon)", "Young 20", and an intro track. Accompanied by a refreshing melody and a memorable chorus, "L.O.V.E" describes feelings of love through looking back on fond and precious memories. Ji Hoon's vocal abilities were able to shine through during the song as his singing varied from falsettos to his usual vocal tone and even featured a rap verse.
Zie: A favourite of mine from the album would be “새벽달 (Moon)" as the lyrics and tone of the song really stand out to me. The song talks about missing and yearning for a lover and uses symbolism of the moon to feel closer to them.
During the same year, Ji Hoon showed a completely different side of him through his first comeback as a solo artist with his album titled 360. This song quickly became a fan favourite due to the unique and mystical concept. Having mostly shown cute sides of himself previously, Ji Hoon surprised fans by coming back with a more mature and charismatic appearance. The title track "360" is a deep house track comprised of electronic beats and enchanting lyrics.
Zie: As I was just a casual listener of Wanna One, "360" is the song that officially introduced me to Ji Hoon, and I was instantly captivated by the music video and melody of the song. I would say that the chorus is definitely my favourite part as it easily catches the audience's attention and including the climax building up to it, and the choreography is the most memorable.
The W is released on May 26, 2020 is Park Ji Hoon's third mini album and second comeback as a soloist. With its upbeat tempo and intense choreography, the title track "Wing" is a great introduction to Ji Hoon's third EP. As well as showcasing his dancing and vocal abilities throughout the song, "Wing" also features a catchy chorus with a captivating dance routine. Other songs on the album aside from the title track include 'On The Rise', 'Frequency', 'Driving', 'Paradise' and 'Let's Love'. Throughout the album, Ji Hoon shows various charms and sides of himself and adopts many different genres of music.
Zie: I would describe the feeling of listening to this album as refreshing as I was surprised by the variety of different genres in the album and I found it fun to watch Ji Hoon performing different concepts especially when comparing the title track "Wing" and B-side "Driving" which were both promoted on music shows.
Shortly after, Park Ji Hoon's first full album came out on November 4, 2020, titled Message. The album includes a total of 10 songs, making it Ji Hoon's first full-length album after his debut as a solo artist. For this album, Park Ji Hoon embraced a villainous persona as seen in the MV for the lead single "Gotcha".
The highly anticipated full-length album included many fan favourites and most of the songs delved into the R&B genre and also consisted of features with several artists such as Penomeco, Punchnello, and Sweden Laundry.
Zie: One of my most played songs from the album is the title track "Gotcha" due to the song being quite different from the others, as it's heavily inspired by Latin music as heard through the instrumental and bass of the song.
The 4th mini album, My Collection, was met with impressive results, having hit #1 on the iTunes "Album Chart". The summer album was accompanied by the groovy title track "Gallery". The song is described as an 'EDM (Electronic Dance Music) pop song', and the music video also embodies this through the concept of being filmed in a gallery and gives off an upbeat and fun atmosphere.
Although the album only has 6 tracks, Park Ji Hoon shows his versatility in both his singing, rapping, and dancing abilities through each song, revealing distinct charms in each one. The tracklist includes the lead track "Gallery", "Present on the stage (Intro)'", "LOST ( ft. Lil Boi)", "Strawberry", "I Wonder" and "To The Wave (파도에게)". Colde, a well-known songwriter, also participated in writing and composing the track "Strawberry".
Zie: "To The Wave (파도에게)" is a song from the album that strongly stood out to me due to the summer feelings the song emits, making it a great song to listen to during the sunny season.
Coming back with a more solemn image, Hot & Cold, which is Park Ji Hoon's 5th mini album, was released on 28 October 2021. Park Ji Hoon utilises his praiseworthy acting skills through the MV for the song "Serious" which portrays a heavy message through Ji Hoon's acting and cinematography of the MV.
The title track is an R&B song, in which the genre Ji Hoon is quite familiar with looking back on his discography as he has released many songs that go into the R&B genre, however, the tone and lyrics of the song is what sets it apart from his previous songs as he shows a more earnest side of himself.
Zie: I often find myself listening to the track titled "All yours" from this album as it's a song that provides a lot of comfort with the soft vocals and uplifting message of the song.
Almost a year after the release of Hot & Cold, Park Ji Hoon released his next extended play The Answer on 12 October 2022, which received a lot of love from fans especially, with the release of "Nitro" and "Moon&Back", which both have music videos and were performed on stage on several occasions. The lead single "Nitro" featured intense scenes with an interesting storyline, and the memorable choreography are factors that stand out when watching the MV.
Zie: When I first heard it, I instantly loved the song "Moon&Back" which was released as a pre-release prior to the official album release, giving fans a chance to preview the mood and concept of the album.
After the release of Weak Hero Class 1, Park Ji Hoon released his highly anticipated album titled Blank or Black, giving new fans the opportunity to discover a different side of him through his music.
The album was released on streaming platforms on 12 April 2023 and includes a total of 6 songs. With this album release and the MV for the track "Blank Effect", Park Jihoon explores a darker concept compared to his previous releases, and there are also many links and similarities to his role in Love Song for Illusion!
FUN FACT!
Ji Hoon took inspiration from the 2019 film Joker for his acting in the MV for "Blank Effect". (Source: Korea Herald)
Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency (2019) | |
 | In this sageuk, a young blacksmith wants to propose to the woman he loves. He employs Flower Crew, the most successful matchmaking agency in the country, which is run by three good-looking young men. Park Ji Hoon took his first step into full-fledged acting through this drama. He played Go Young Soo, the youngest member and the image consultant of Flower Crew. He is a fashionista whose skills with clothes and makeup make him an asset to the matchmaking agency, as he can turn any bride into a beauty. His fashion choices quickly become trends.  Ji Hoon acknowledged that he was nervous in his first main role. However, the production team said, "It's hard to believe that this is his first work as an adult actor; he is already playing the character of Young Soo so well." Netizens praised his natural acting skills. From the most mundane of looks to the hilarious takes, Park Ji Hoon nailed them all! |
Cho Na: This was my first time watching Park Ji Hoon, and I didn't know that this was also his first debut as an adult actor! I loved seeing him as the pretty boy Young Soo, but what most impressed me was his acting as Chil Nom (right image) from the untouchable caste in the Joseon era, who is lowly, filthy, and foul-smelling. By acting out two opposite personalities, Ji Hoon won me over, and I would love to see him again in the future!
Love Revolution (2020) | |
 | Love Revolution is a show based on a well-known Webtoon with the same name. The series focuses on the main character, Gong Joo Young and the relationship with his crush, Wang Ja Rim as he falls in love at first sight and attempts to win her over, although this isn't easy at first. The show also has a central focus on Gong Joo Young's friendship group, and the show features many fun scenes with them.  This project served as Ji Hoon's first acting role in a modern setting after his debut as a soloist. The actor has expressed his excitement regarding this and has stated that he felt he could relate to the story more since the characters were close in age to him. He explained, "It hasn't been that long since I graduated from high school, so I was able to act a bit more comfortably." |
 Park Ji Hoon was initially worried about being cast as the main lead of the hit Webtoon adaptation, as he wondered about how he could bring the character of Gong Joo Young to life.When asked about any similarities between Gong Joo Young and his own personality in real life, Ji Hoon has mentioned that they're nothing alike, as he doesn't tend to talk much in real life, and that their personalities are complete polar opposites. | |
Zie: I watched Love Revolution after watching Weak Hero Class 1 and was amazed at Ji Hoon's range as an actor, as Yeon Si Eun and Gong Joo Young are completely different from each other. However, despite this, Ji Hoon embodied both characters flawlessly and accurately portrayed their individual charms and characteristics. I felt that Ji Hoon was the perfect and most accurate choice when it comes to portraying Gong Joo Young, as his acting felt natural, especially since Gong Joo Young is a very bubbly and endearing character, and he was able to bring the Webtoon character to life effortlessly.
At a Distance, Spring Is Green (2021) | |
 | Park Ji Hoon took on the role of Yeo Joon, who is a popular and charming character; however, beneath this facade, he hides a past trauma relating to his family, leading to him constantly seeking approval from others and yearning to make more meaningful friendships. Later on, Yeo Joon meets Nam Soo Hyun and Kim So Bin, whom he is able to find comfort in and open up to.  Ji Hoon mentioned that he saw himself in the character of Yeo Jun and was interested in acting in the drama after reading the webtoon. In particular, Yeo Jun's hidden side, which he masks under his cheerful public persona, is what Ji Hoon could relate to due to the common expectations for K-pop idols to only display their cheerful nature. Ji Hoon has also stated that, as a result of debuting at a young age, he experienced difficulties in making friends at school due to not having the opportunity to do the most common things. |
The relationships portrayed between Ye  o Joon, Soo Hyun, and So-Bin are one of the main elements of the show that touched viewers, as we were able to see Yeo Joon gradually growing closer to others and not being afraid to express his emotions.The chemistry between the actors is what makes the trio feel even more special, as the cast was close both on and off-set.   | |
Weak Hero Class 1 (2022) | |
 | Based on a popular webtoon by the same name, the drama tells the story of Yeon Si Eun, a model student who ranks at the top of his high school. Physically, Si Eun appears weak, but by using his intelligence and psychology, he fights against the violence that takes place inside and outside of his school. This drama also tells the story of what many would have experienced in their teens, including friendship, a sense of belonging to a group, and the passion for moving forward for a better future through the relationship of Si Eun with his newfound friends An Su Ho and O Beom Seok. Park Ji Hoon shed his previous cutesy image by working hard to transform himself into Si Eun convincingly. He put effort into losing weight and adjusted his posture so that he would appear small and meek, since Si Eun is shorter than Park Ji Hoon. Also, Si Eun devotes his time to studying, while Ji Hoon's daily activities as a singer include practicing singing and dancing. Ji Hoon learned how to be a studious Si Eun by watching people studying at a cafe. Moreover, because WHC1 was his first action series, the actor trained at an action school for three to four months before filming the series. |
However, physical appearance and activities are just outward aspects of Si Eun’s character. Imagining the emotions the protagonist went through and presenting those emotions on screen was yet another challenge for the actor. Ji Hoon stated that he used his own experience of becoming a solo artist, after the disbandment of the project boy group, Wanna One, to portray the loneliness of Si Eun.
In 2023, won Best OTT Original in the Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards. Park Ji Hoon won Best New Actor at the Blue Dragon Series Awards and Best New Actor at the Korea Drama Awards. When he was nominated for the Blue Dragon Series Awards, he didn't think he would win, so he didn't even prepare an acceptance speech. His mind went blank when he was announced as the winner, with all six judges and one netizen voting for him. The GIF made for the "Acting Career" header shows Jihoon giving an impromptu speech upon receiving the award. | |
Cho Na: I don't usually watch high school dramas, but I watched WHC1 because I wanted to see Park Jihoon again after Flower Crew. After bingeing for 5+ hours, I cried during the entire last episode that I got a headache, lol. So, to overcome the post-drama withdrawal syndrome, I had to write an article about this drama!
Love Song for Illusion (2024) | |
 |  |
Park Ji Hoon played two different personalities. His first identity is Crown Prince Sajo Hyun. Sajo Hyun can’t get over the painful memory he got from his oppressive father, the king, while he was a child. While hiding his identity as the crown prince, he works as a fashion designer for a boutique store. His other personality is Ak Hee, an attractive and passionate man who can make people fall in love with him, but he is cursed so that when he touches someone else, he feels extreme pain. When Yeon Wol, who is from a prestigious clan that was decimated by Hyun’s father, enters their life, Hyun gets into an unlikely love triangle with his alter ego.  Ji Hoon shared that he put considerable thought into creating the two distinct characters. He acknowledged the complexities of his first experience in playing the double role. “I was actually quite nervous and had some fears. I researched and contemplated on my own how to handle this well and to develop the direction and image of these characters." (Source: Korea Times) | |
  Besides preparing for the dual roles that were emotionally and mentally challenging, Ji Hoon also did physical preparation he had never done before, including archery and horse riding. After getting a lesson in archery, he felt proud when he hit the bull's-eye. Besides practicing horse riding, he also spent enough time getting close to the horse, including feeding it its favorite snack. Ji Hoon didn't use a stunt actor when filming the royal hunting scene. | |
Cho Na: I started this drama, not only because of Park Ji Hoon but mostly because of a Male Lead suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder. I was curious how such a mental health issue was addressed in ancient times, despite it being a fictitious period setting. I trust Ji Hoon could perform to the max to portray both characters with such conflicting and complex personalities. However, the screenwriter (yes, I blamed her for the flop!) added the typical palace scheming subplots with too many characters fighting for the throne, and made the drama seem all over the place. Had she simply focused on the DID, revenge, and romance, LSFI would have shone because of its unique premise.
Despite the bad script, we know Park Ji Hoon gave his best performance with the dual role. Therefore, it's not surprising that he won the Excellence Award: Best Actor in a Mini Series at the KBS Drama Awards 2024.
Beautiful Audrey (2024) | |
 | In this movie, Park Ji Hoon played Kang Ki Hoon, who happily runs a noodle restaurant with his mother Oh Mi Yeon in his hometown. When his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he got into a conflict with his estranged sister Kang Ji Eun. Kang Ki Hoon, despite struggling to take care of his mom, is very devoted to her and even sacrifices his own future to go to college to be her caregiver. This is Park Ji Hoon's first debut on the big screen. During an interview, he told the story of his grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, and said that he was deeply immersed in the role through empathy from his real experiences (Source: KpopMap). For his acting, Ji Hoon won Best New Actor at the Seoul Global Movie Awards 2024. |
Cho Na: I watched this movie only a few days after finishing Park Ji Hoon's drama Weak Hero Class 2, so his high schooler's image is still stuck in my mind. So I was surprised to see Ji Hoon's Kang Ki Hoon, who is warm, mature, and gentle. The way he's looking at his mom lovingly...
Weak Hero Class 2 (2025) | |
 | After three years of waiting for the sequel, the most anticipated drama of the year will, temporarily, conclude our appreciation and admiration article for Park Ji Hoon's acting prowess. Ji Hoon resumed the character of Yeon Si Eun, the weak hero. After transferring to Eunjang High School, Yeon Si Eun still carries the scars of his past. Determined to never lose another friend, he forms unlikely bonds with Park Hu Min, Seo Jun Tae, and Ko Hyeon Tak, but their friendship soon attracts the attention of Union, a ruthless high school gang led by the vicious Na Baek Jin. Anyone who saw Weak Hero Class 1 knows that the prequel ends with the psycho-looking Si Eun, hence, he's called "lunatic" by the whole school, and nobody dares to be close to him. After playing several different characters, Park Ji Hoon easily transformed back to being stoic, cold, and quiet Yeon Si Eun, whom his new friend Park Hu Min nicknames "Ice Princess". |
Cho Na: Despite his character being unemotional and quiet, Park Ji Hoon, again, was able to show a variety of Si Eun's emotions through his facial expressions. We can see the differences, whether Si Eun is angry, scared, sad, or happy, as shown in different screenshots below. My favorite is the last, because it's super rare to see Si Eun smile in both seasons. The scene is also accompanied by my favorite OST, "The Awakening" by Die Boy, as it symbolizes the plot.
Faces of Si Eun
Although Park Ji Hoon doesn't seem to have much to do acting out Yeon Si Eun's character, when it comes to fighting scenes, he is savage and goes all out. Below is my favorite fighting scene on the school's rooftop, between Si Eun and Geum Song Je, the second-in-command in the Union gang. It's my favorite because the quick-thinking Si Eun tactically uses everything he can find to fight, even the opponent's belongings!
I will bet with anyone: I believe Park Ji Hoon will win an award for Weak Hero Class 2!
PROJECTS
Not enough admiration for Park Ji Hoon? Here are some of his projects to look for.
We Are the Zombies | |
 | This drama is adapted from the webtoon "We Are the Zombies" (위아더좀비) by Lee Myeong Jae (이명재), as pictured. A zombie outbreak breaks out in the mega shopping mall Seoul Tower, and the government blocks off the zombies in order to suppress the situation. It tells the story of humans and zombies who are unable to be rescued in the process. Kim In Jong loses all his friends due to the zombie outbreak and ends up living alone in Seoul Tower for a year. He wants to live an ordinary life without standing out, but he lacks tact and is known as a troublemaker. However, he is called the 'Clumsy Problem Solver'. Park Ji Hoon will be the clumsy hero Kim In Jong. It seems his character's weapon will no longer be a pen... but an axe? |
The Legend of Kitchen Soldier (2026) | |
 | This drama is adapted from the web novel “Becoming a Cooking Soldier Legend" (취사병 전설이 되다) by Jay Robin (제이로빈), as pictured. Depicts the story of Kang Seong Jae, a young man in his 20s who comes from a poor background, enlists in the military, and grows into a legendary cook. In this drama, we will see Park Ji Hoon don an apron and show off his acting skills in cooking, as he will be the titular cooking soldier Kang Seong Jae. He won't hold a pen anymore, but a ladle. |
The King’s Warden (2025) |
This will be the second time for Park Ji Hoon to act in a movie. This movie, set in the Joseon Dynasty, tells the story of a village chief and villagers caring for a young former king who was deposed and exiled from the throne. Park Ji Hoon will play the 6th king of Joseon, Danjong, who was exiled to Yeongwol, Gangwon Province.
Prepare for a tearjerker movie, because according to historical facts, Danjong is a tragic Korean royal figure who was executed two years after the exile (source: Danjong of Joseon). Park Ji Hoon definitely made us cry again...
That's all, everyone, our accolade for the multi-talented young Korean artist Park Ji Hoon! By observing the trend of him getting awards one after another, we're hoping that one day, he will receive South Korea's most prestigious award, The Baeksang Arts Award Grand Prize, which recognizes his acting excellence and dedication in his dramas or movies. Hwaiting (화이팅), Jihoon-ah!
Now that you've read this article, it's your turn to tell us:
When did you watch/hear him for the first time?
What are your favorite works of Park Ji Hoon?
If you have never seen or heard him, you should start now!
The images are linked to their sources; otherwise, they are taken from drama posters, screenshots, or self-made GIFs. Other sources: Feature Image, GIF for subheaders: Introduction, Early Life, Singing Career, and Acting Career. |
