Park Ji-hoon
27 years old
Who Is Park Ji-hoon?
Park Ji-hoon (박지훈) is a South Korean singer and actor. He was born on May 29, 1999, in Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, South Korea. He is one of the most multifaceted entertainers of his generation.
His career spans over two decades. It began on a musical stage at age seven. It has since taken him through idol stardom, award-winning acting, and an acclaimed film career.
In 2017, he rose to fame by placing second in the second season of the reality competition series Produce 101 and becoming a member of the show’s resulting boy group Wanna One. After the group disbanded, Park rebuilt himself entirely as a solo force — first in music, then on screen.
As an actor, he is known for his leading roles in the first and second seasons of the television series Weak Hero (2022–2025) and the historical film The King’s Warden (2026).
Today, Park Ji-hoon stands as one of South Korea’s most respected young stars. Moreover, he continues to grow in both music and film simultaneously.
Early Life: A Stage Kid From Masan
Childhood and First Steps in Entertainment
Park Ji-hoon was born on May 29, 1999, in Masan, South Korea. From an early age, he showed a natural flair for performance. He did not wait long to act on it.
He started his career in the entertainment industry as a commercial model and child actor in 2006, when he was just seven years old.
Park debuted as a child actor, participating in musicals like Peter Pan (2007–2010), The Harmonium in My Memory (2010), and Radio Star (2010–2011), and small stints in television dramas.
Early Training and Agency Stints
Before settling at Maroo Entertainment, Park Ji-hoon had a winding path through the Korean entertainment industry. He trained as an idol singer under SM Entertainment and Fantagio. Due to a knee injury, he did not make it to the final lineup of Fantagio’s boy group Astro and subsequently transferred to Maroo Entertainment.
This setback was significant. However, it ultimately redirected him toward the opportunity that would change his life.
Education
Park attended the School of Performing Arts Seoul — Broadcasting Arts department. He later attended Chung-Ang University, majoring in Performing Arts and Media. His academic path reinforced his practical training. Furthermore, it gave him a strong theoretical foundation in performance and media.
Rise to Fame: Produce 101 Season 2 (2017)
The Show That Changed Everything
In 2017, a seventeen-year-old Park Ji-hoon stepped in front of the cameras of Mnet’s Produce 101 Season 2. In 2017, Park gained national recognition by participating in the reality competition series Produce 101 Season 2, representing Maroo Entertainment. He finished in second place, securing a spot in the project boy group Wanna One.
His charm was undeniable, his vocals were polished, and his presence on stage was magnetic. Audiences voted for him in record numbers.
Wanna One: A Historic Boy Group
Wanna One debuted on August 7, 2017, and achieved significant commercial success until their disbandment on January 27, 2019.
The group released several chart-topping albums and singles from 2017 to 2019, achieving both critical and commercial success, with six Korean top-five singles.
Wanna One was not simply popular. They were a cultural phenomenon, sold out arenas, and dominated charts. They gave Park Ji-hoon his first taste of true global stardom.
Additionally, Wanna One disbanded on December 31, 2018, and officially completed activities after their sold-out four-day final concert. Park Ji-hoon had reached the mountaintop. Now he had to decide what came next.
Solo Music Career: Building His Own Sound
Debut EP: O’Clock (March 2019)
With the conclusion of the group activities in January 2019, Park began his solo career with EP O’Clock in March 2019.
On March 26, 2019, Park Ji Hoon released his solo debut EP, O’Clock, accompanied by the title track “L.O.V.E.” He took his first win with “L.O.V.E” on KBS Music Bank on April 5, 2019.
It was a confident debut. It signaled immediately that Park Ji-hoon was not content to ride on Wanna One’s momentum alone.
Growing Discography (2019–2023)
Park Ji-hoon released music consistently throughout this period. Each release refined his artistic identity. His discography expanded rapidly:
360 was the second mini album by Park Ji-hoon, released on December 4, 2019, with “360” serving as the title track. The W was the third mini album, released on May 26, 2020, with “Wing” as the title track. Message was the first full-length studio album, released on November 4, 2020, with “Gotcha” as the title track.
Furthermore, Call U Up was released on March 4, 2021, and features Lee Hi. It was his first major collaboration and demonstrated his growing confidence as a solo artist.
He continued releasing music from 2021 to 2023, including My Collection (2021), Hot & Cold (2021), The Answer (2022), and his seventh EP, Blank or Black (2023).
Agency Change: YY Entertainment (2024)
On February 29, 2024, news outlet Osen reported that Park Jihoon would not be renewing his contract with Maroo Entertainment. On May 28, SPOTV News reported that he signed with YY Entertainment. YY Entertainment officially announced Park Jihoon as their new artist on August 5.
This move marked a new creative chapter. It also coincided with a period of explosive growth in his acting career.
Return to Music: Re:flect (April 2026)
Singer-actor Park Ji-hoon returned to the music scene on April 29, 2026, with his first release in three years, “Re:flect,” through YY Entertainment.
‘RE:FLECT’ captures a reflective journey — revisiting past moments and emotions to better understand the present self. Rather than simple nostalgia, the album presents a deeper narrative of growth, exploring lingering memories and unfamiliar feelings through Park Ji-hoon’s delicate perspective.
The album contains three tracks — the lead single “Bodyelse,” the upbeat “Watercolor,” and the pop ballad “I Can’t Hold Your Hand Anymore.”
The title track “Bodyelse” is a mid-tempo pop dance song that blends dreamy synthesizers with emotional guitar riffs. It portrays the realization that an unexplainable feeling within everyday life ultimately leads back to “you,” highlighted by a catchy yet soothing chorus.
Before his album release, the singer held a fan meeting titled “Always, in the Same Place” in Seoul on April 25 and 26.
Acting Career: From Idol to Award-Winning Actor
First Steps on Screen (2006–2021)
Park Ji-hoon’s acting roots go deep. Beyond musicals as a child, he appeared in the MBC drama Jumong (2006–07) as a young soldier. He continued taking small roles throughout his training years.
His first notable adult acting role came in Love Revolution (2020), a web drama that introduced him to a new generation of viewers. Then in 2021, he starred in At a Distance, Spring Is Green — a drama that earned him his first major acting nominations, including a KBS Drama Awards Best New Actor nod.
The Career-Defining Role: Weak Hero Class 1 (2022)
Known for his “piercingly honest gaze and disciplined emotional control,” Park reached a historic career peak with the 2022–2024 global sensation Weak Hero Class 1. His visceral portrayal of Yeon Si-eun, a brilliant but lonely student fighting against violence, sparked a worldwide syndrome.
It earned him the Best New Actor award at the Blue Dragon Series Awards. He also won Best New Actor at the 14th Korea Drama Awards. The role was a revelation. It proved that the shy idol persona was only one dimension of a far deeper performer.
Love Song for Illusion (2024)
He further showcased his breathtaking versatility in the 2024–2025 fantasy-epic Love Song for Illusion, masterfully delivering a challenging dual-role performance.
In Love Song for Illusion, he played dual roles as Prince Hyeon and Ak-hee across 16 episodes. This double performance demanded emotional and physical precision. He won the Excellence Award for Actor in a Miniseries at the KBS Drama Awards in December 2024.
Film Debut: Beautiful Audrey (2024)
In 2024, he made his big-screen debut in Beautiful Audrey, earning him Best New Actor at the Seoul International Film Awards. The transition from television to cinema was seamless. Furthermore, it signaled the next phase of his career.
Weak Hero Class 2 (2025)
Weak Hero Class 2 follows Si-eun as he transfers to a new school. Hoping to leave his past behind, he instead faces another wave of violence and even greater challenges.
Park returned to the role that first made him famous. However, this time he brought a more weathered, complex portrayal. He won Best Actor at the Daejeon Special FX Film Festival DFX OTT Awards in 2025 for his performance.
The King’s Warden (2026): A Landmark Film
Park starred as King Danjong, the central figure of the historical film The King’s Warden, directed by Jang Hang-jun.
Park Ji-hoon delivers a remarkable performance as Prince No-san/King Danjong in The King’s Warden. The King’s tragic journey ultimately ends in sorrow.
The results were extraordinary. He won the Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor – Film for The King’s Warden in 2026. He also won the Naver Popularity Award at the same ceremony. Additionally, he won Best New Actor – Film at the Director’s Cut Awards in 2026.
At the same award show, he was nominated for Best Actor, making him the youngest Best Actor nominee in Blue Dragon Series Awards history.
The Legend of the Kitchen Soldier (2026)
In 2026, he also played the lead role in the tvN drama The Legend of the Kitchen Soldier, which won Best Drama at the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards. Park played Kang Seong-jae. The drama was a critical and commercial success, further cementing his status as one of South Korea’s most in-demand actors.
Full Discography
Mini Albums & Studio Albums
| Year | Title | Lead Track | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | O’Clock | L.O.V.E | Solo debut EP |
| 2019 | 360 | 360 | Second EP |
| 2020 | The W | Wing | Third EP |
| 2020 | Message | Gotcha | Debut studio album |
| 2021 | My Collection | — | Fourth EP |
| 2021 | Hot & Cold | — | Fifth EP |
| 2022 | The Answer | — | Sixth EP |
| 2023 | Blank or Black | — | Seventh EP |
| 2026 | Re:flect | Bodyelse | First single album; YY Entertainment debut |
Key Digital Singles
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Call U Up | Feat. Lee Hi; UNIVERSE Music project |
| 2022 | Moon & Back | Digital single |
Full Filmography
Television Dramas
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | Jumong | Soldier (cameo) | Child acting debut |
| 2020 | Love Revolution | — | Web drama |
| 2021 | At a Distance, Spring Is Green | Yeo Joon | KBS Drama Awards nomination |
| 2022 | Remarriage & Desires | Client (cameo) | — |
| 2022–25 | Weak Hero Class 1 & 2 | Yeon Si-eun / Gray Yeon | Blue Dragon, Korea Drama Awards – Best New Actor |
| 2024 | Love Song for Illusion | Prince Hyeon / Ak-hee | Dual role; KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award |
| 2025 | Tastefully Yours | Actor (cameo) | Guest appearance |
| 2026 | The Legend of the Kitchen Soldier | Kang Seong-jae | Blue Dragon Series Award – Best Drama |
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Beautiful Audrey | Kang Ki-hoon | Film debut; Seoul International Film Awards – Best New Actor |
| 2026 | The King’s Warden | King Danjong | Baeksang Arts Awards – Best New Actor (Film) |
Awards and Nominations Highlights
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | KBS Drama Awards | Best New Actor | At a Distance, Spring Is Green | Nominated |
| 2021 | Korea First Brand Awards | Best Idol Actor | — | Won |
| 2023 | 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards | Best New Actor | Weak Hero Class 1 | Won |
| 2023 | 14th Korea Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Weak Hero Class 1 | Won |
| 2024 | Seoul International Film Awards | Best New Male Actor | Beautiful Audrey | Won |
| 2024 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award (Miniseries) | Love Song for Illusion | Won |
| 2025 | DFX OTT Awards | Best Actor | Weak Hero Class 2 | Won |
| 2025 | Fundex Awards | Popular Star Prize – K-Drama Actor | Weak Hero Class 2 | Won |
| 2026 | 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actor – Film | The King’s Warden | Won |
| 2026 | 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Naver Popularity Award – Male | Park Ji-hoon | Won |
| 2026 | Director’s Cut Awards | Best New Actor – Film | The King’s Warden | Won |
| 2026 | 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards | Best Actor (Nominated) | The Legend of the Kitchen Soldier | Nominated |
Personal Life: Private, Focused, and Driven
Park Ji-hoon keeps his personal life almost entirely private. He has never publicly confirmed a romantic relationship.
He is widely known for his intense work ethic. Park underwent a physical transformation for the historical film The King’s Warden, losing significant weight to embody the frail, historically tragic King Danjong convincingly.
His hobbies include music production, reading, and spending time with close friends. He interacts warmly with his fanbase — known as Jihoonies — through regular social media updates, fan meetings, and fan concerts. He held a fan meeting titled “Always, in the Same Place” in Seoul ahead of his Re:flect release in April 2026.
