Earlier this year, Korean actor Kim Ji Soo signed with his new agency, Sparkle, a talent agency in the Philippines, officially shifting his career to the Southeast Asian country. Since then, the 31-year-old has appeared in several local shows and most recently was featured on the popular Filipino talk show, Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.
His First Role at 22
In the one-on-one with interviewer Boy Abunda, Ji Soo, known for hit K-dramas like Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Strong Girl Bong Soon, shared how he started in Korea. He revealed that he went through many auditions and took acting classes before landing his first role at 22 in the 2015 K-drama Angry Mom. He admitted that the Korean entertainment industry is very tough, but at the same time, he enjoyed it. “When I was 19, I trained at JYP Entertainment for six months. I did acting, singing, and even dance classes. I got my first role in 2015. I love my job, but it’s very tough—there’s always a lot of pressure to do well.”
Ji Soo Acting Hiatus and Comeback
The seasoned talk show host brought up Ji Soo’s hiatus, asking about his break from showbiz and how it felt to make a comeback in the Philippines. The actor said, “I’m just really grateful and excited to show a new side, a new version of myself. It’s very exciting.” When asked why he chose the Philippines, Ji Soo said, “I had a great experience here before, had a fan meeting here, and have friends here… I love the culture, and the industry here is growing. I wanted to be part of it.”
Kim Ji Soo faced a major setback in South Korea when he was involved in serious bullying allegations in 2021. Following the scandal, Ji Soo terminated his contract with KeyEast and proceeded with his mandatory military enlistment. Three years later, the actor has said the allegations were resolved. While he previously apologized for wrongdoings, he emphasized that some rumors, such as sexual allegations, were proven false.
Now, Ji Soo is embracing a fresh start and learning Tagalog. He’s currently starring in the Philippine afternoon drama Abot Kamay ng Pangarap where he plays a doctor. He also stars in the movie Mujigae coming out on October 9, 2024.
Photo: actor_jisoo / Instagram
