Joo Ji Hoon

Joo Ji Hoon (or Ju Ji Hoon, born on May 16, 1982) is a popular model and actor from South Korea. He is well known for portraying Crown Prince Lee Shin in Princess Hours (Goong), which was his acting debut.
Before entering the entertainment industry, he studied at Tongwon College, majoring in e-Business. He was known as "Handy Man" in his school for his tall height of 6'2".

Joo started out as a model. In 2003, he went into modeling and advertised for brand names like Calvin Klein, Levi's and Reebok. He has won many awards for modelling.

2006: Breakthrough Success
Ji Hoon's debut drama was "Old Love," but it was Princess Hours that made him notable throughout Asia. In Princess Hours, also known as Goong, he portrayed Prince Shin, a cold-hearted prince who was forced to marry a regular town girl. He starred alongside former Baby V.O.X. member Yoon Eun Hye and UN member Kim Jeong Hoon. Fans of the manhwa initially protested the casting of Joo into the lead role, but the drama was successful. He won the MBC Drama Award for "Best New Actor." The success led to a spinoff, Goong S.

2007: The Devil
In 2007, Joo starred in the 2007 KBS drama The Devil, alongside popular actress Shin Min-a. In The Devil, he portrays a lawyer. He also cut his hair, which use to be rather shaggy, into a neat trim that framed his long face. He also lost 5 kg by eating only chicken and exercising three times a day. In March, The Devil was one of the three most highly anticipated dramas, along with The Thank You and Witch Amusement.
The actor was selected in 2007 to be the New Asian Star of 2007 at the 1st Astar TV Drama Awards which was held on March 30, 2007 at the COEX in Seoul. New Asian Stars have been chosen from Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. Astar TV said the six were chosen for their high recognition in their respective countries, their celebrity status, and potential to emerge as top Asian stars. Singer/Actor Kamenashi Kazuya was chosen among Japanese stars, while Fan Bing Bing represented China. Actor Wilson Chan was chosen among Taiwanese stars, actor Daniel Wu among Hong Kong stars and model/actress Patcharapa Chaichua among Thai stars.

2008: Antique
Antique is the debut movie of Ji Hoon. Joo Ji Hoon will play the part of the bakery owner, Kim Jae Wook will play the part of a genius pâtissier, young actor Yoo Ah In will play a boxing champion turned apprentice, Choi Ji Ho will portray a trouble making bodyguard, and they all come together to run the cake shop, ‘Antique.’ The movie is set to open in theaters on November 13, 2008.

2009: Drugs scandal
He was charged but was not arrested in April 25, 2009 on charges of illegal drug use, particularly Ecstasy and Ketamine. He claimed that he was "sorry" for what he did and is reflecting on it.
Kukinews claimed on April 26 that Ju told police, “I took drugs twice last year in March and April with these people, but I didn’t afterwards because of fear. [...] I’m deeply regretful and am reflecting on my actions.”
On the morning of June 23, Joo Ji-hoon appeared in court to receive his sentencing after pleading guilty to drug use of ecstasy and ketamine, and his fans can relax, since he got off pretty lightly.
His punishment is six months of jail with one year of probation (a suspended sentence) and 120 hours of community service, plus a penalty of 360,000 won (which is only approx US $280). That’s lighter than the one year and 440,000 won fine he had sought earlier this month. What this means is, he gets to suspend his six months of hard time while he is on probation for a year; if he remains clean (of any crime, not just drugs), the offense is essentially cleared and he doesn’t have to serve his initial sentence. To clarify: He is NOT going to jail — not yet, and if he’s clean for his probation, not ever.
The decision was explained, “The nature of the crime is by no means light. However, he has reflected deeply on the crime and has not taken any drugs since the time a year and two months ago. Also, many fans from within the country and from overseas have appealed for an appropriate handling of the matter and sent petitions.”
Joo’s lawyer explained, “Of course he must accept the price of his crime, but wrong information kept coming out and exaggerated him as a habitual user, and some of it was unfair.”
As for his partners in crime, actress and trafficker Yoon Seol-hee was given three years in jail, while model and financer Yeh Hak-young and the unidentified Mr./Ms. Jeon were both given two and a half years of jail, but with four years of suspended-sentence probation, plus two years of regular probation and 200 hours of community service.