NOW I would be doing Choi Ji Woo a great injustice if I do not say anything about her after writing a fairly long piece on Bae Yong Joon.
Ji Woo is the girl who cries almost non-stop in Winter Sonata. She's also the one who makes more than a few men break down in tears, too. Some women are born with a face that breaks men's hearts and make them sob like babies. Ji Woo is one who belongs to that special club.
This Korean actress, who I admit is NOT stunning beautiful but terribly sweet, is currently one of the most popular actresses in Korea and Japan.
In fact, I suspect more popular in Japan than in her own fatherland. The Japanese are quite taken up by her and have nicknamed her "Princess Ji Woo".
Besides being an actress, she's also a model. I believe she was a model before she became an actress. Standing at 5ft 8in, she's the perfect height for modelling assignments. I was told that to be a supermodel, a lady needs to be at least 5ft 9in. But for Ji Woo, it doesn't matter because in Asia, she's more well known than Tyra Banks or Gisele Bundchen or both of them combined.
Only this year, in the Christian Dior's Timeless Beauty Award, 100 movie critics selected her as South Korea's most beautiful actress. Well, she got my vote as well, not that she needed that extra vote anyway.
This Korean siren was born Choe Mi-hyang on June 11, 1975, in Gyeonggi Paju, South Korea. She changed her name to Choi Ji Woo when she entered the world of movies. I am sure everybody agrees with me that her new name is easier to pronounce than Mi-hyang, which honestly sounds like another one of those instant noodles in the supermarket.
Her original name Mi-hyang lasted only until 1995 when she starred in War and Love. From that time onwards, she was known as Ji Woo. Perhaps her fortune teller or geomancer advised her to adopt this name of stellar quality.
However, her fame didn't catch fire until she appeared in First Love (Chot Sarang) in 1997. Her popularity truly went on the fast track when she co-starred with Bae Yong Joon in Winter Sonata. As the girl who only loves one man right to the end, even if he returns as a different person, her Winter Sonata persona endeared her to audiences throughout Southeast Asia.
Asians are basically quite conservative in family values and traditions, so as Yu-jin in Winter Sonata, her personality resonated with the mindset of the middle class, regardless of which country they originate from. Japan went ga-ga over Ji Woo after it was shown on Japanese TV. They called her the Asian princess.
It was also reported that when Winter Sonata was screened weekly in Japan, about 20 per cent of Japan's TV population stayed glued to their televisions. Actually, I suspect that the fact Ji Woo also looks a little Japanese helps to boost her image in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Since 1995, Ji Woo has been winning awards almost every year except 1996 and 1997. I don't know what happened in those two years, perhaps her fans suffered a memory lapse but the subsequent years saw her winning awards like the Korean Isabelle Adjani Award (1995), MBC Great Female Performer Award (2000) to KBS Best Actress Award (2002) and Golden Films Award for Most Popular Actress (2003).
The list of her achievements must have made all the other Korean actresses permanently green with envy. I bet a few of them don't have nice things to say about her. Just joking!
Weighing in at 50kg (110lb), her vital statistics are 33-23-34. Frankly, I don't know where people get anatomy facts like that but obviously Ji Woo has some really dedicated fans. But then, vital statistics changed with every two Baskin Robbins tubs you take in a single seating.
To be on the safe side, I am not saying Ji Woo consumes Baskin Robbins because she certainly hasn't told me anything like that! Please, I cross my heart.
If you like to know, she's also a Roman Catholic like her screen pal, Bae Yong Joon (that heart throb of thousands, remember?).
The other two TV drama series which she is famous for are Beautiful Days (2001) and Stairway to Heaven (2003/04). Recently, I saw her in that movie Now and Forever. One of those tear-jerkers that is a must-see for many who has romance in their hearts.
Her other film is Everybody Has Secrets (2004). She made a cameo appearance in The Shadowless Sword. On learning this little fact, I now realise why I didn't recognise her in that movie because I had seen it.
Ji Woo's academic career began in Pusan Soo Young Elementary School. She progressed to Soo Young Girls High School and then to Dukmoon Girls High and Pusan Girls University and finally to Hanyang University where she majored in film and theatre.
During her free time, she likes to window shop and watch videos. Not exactly the most startling and mind stimulating activities but it is most relaxing for her.
To those who are close to her, her nicknames are kkamchigi (cutie), tokkaengi (rabbit). That doesn't mean that you and I can start addressing her as such. That would be pretty rude, and we Asian men have manners!
I am going to take my probe into her personal life one step further by divulging her blood type as A. It's not important but it's on a "need-to-know" basis. By the way, did I tell you that my blood type is also A?
In South Korea, Ji Woo has even gone "mobile". That means you can download her picture into your cellphone as a screensaver. I don't know if that service is available in Malaysia but if you have the right connections, anything can happen.
In the meantime, Choi Ji Woo rules the screens, whether it be TV screen or cinema screen. I don't think Malaysians in general think she's that hot but there's no doubt about her immense popularity in Japan.
Right now, she's on my A-List. Poor child, she doesn't know that splendid fact yet.
Ji Woo, I really admire your acting especially in the Stairway to Heaven. Your lovely face and the adorable looks really make you an "idola".
choi ji woo, 1 love to see you acting with actor Kwong Sang and any actors because you are beautiful and acting nicely and almost perfect.
She looks a lot like this friend I have and her sister. I always thought she looked quite Korean. Not Japanese. I always viewed Japanese typical celebrity beauty ideal as darker skinned, dark black, thick eyebrows, small face, crooked tooth or teeth (that is supposedly cute and endearing in their culture), large eyes (compliments to their surgeon), small cute nose and tiny mouth, with hair bleached and cut in a very modern fashion (kind of mullet style but in a more current fashionable way), with a very trendy but cute fashion with an almost unnatural but cute 5 year old voice and mannerisms.
Choi Ji woo's face is quintissential Korean. Look at Korean old ancient drawings.. Even they kind of look like her. haha. Lee Young Ae too.
But I don't think either of them are all that beautiful.. I've seen better korean girls around. Unfortunately Korea is split up into two nations.. Most of our fairer counterparts was always rumored to live north since ancient times. ( I guess they are fairer in skin color because of the climate there).
Japanese are usually darker, hairier and shorter because they are mostly a mixed product of the dark, hairy, stoutly built native Japanese indians. If you see pale skin Japanese.. that's the Korean blood in them.
It's been proven by DNA and historians on both sides. Plus it's logical/common sense geographically and if you know anything about anthropology too.
quote: who I admit is NOT stunning beautiful but terribly sweet
i do think she is stunning beautiful, I just needed one single look at that face and am forever her fan. u just have to stop and look at her if that's not stunning... i dunno what is.
thank you for your piece on Choi was fun to read. :)
I also love Choi Ji Woo especially in her roles in Stairway to Heaven and Winter Sonata I would love to meet her in person!!!!!!
she's very beautiful and true she is the Korea's timeless beauty
She's gorgeous, talented &
charitable. Perfect for being awarded the timeless
beauty award. Stairway to
Heaven is my favorite drama. She & Kwon Sang Woo were great together.
i love her too
choi ji woo has captured my heart ever since i saw her in winter sonata...
her beauty is a classic, sophisticated one...
one look at her and she'll definitely grow inside you...
u r my favourite actress.
I wanna u to be my sister.
i love u more than i can say.
i love your movies i wathched every single one of them you should be a couple with kwong sang woo
like in stair way to heaven
ji woo is a very charming woman.I became her instant fan when I saw her in Winter Sonata with Bae Yong Jun.They make a lovely couple.All the more when she was paired with the very handsome Kwon Sang Woo in Stairway to Heaven.Wow!They also have what we call chemistry.Only very few pairs have chemistry in korean movies aside fro BYJ and CJW and KSW and again CJW and that is the team of Song Hye Kyo and Rain and Song Hye Kyo and Won Bin.
she's a babe!
Choi Ji Woo is my favourite korean actress, she is not just beauiful but a very refine actress.
HI Choi Ji woo . You are so Beautifull
She has the most beautifull eyes I've never seen ever!... is she for real? ... maybe is just an angel waiting for her wings....
perhaps she'll never read this comment but ... well...ehmm I am from Peru, and there aren`t a lot of Asian dramas or movies .... but one day I saw "Stairway to Heaven", and I started to love her as Jung Seo... she's so sweet and funny ...is'nt she ???!!!
That's why im here posting this ... i hope you will enjoy it ... My best wishes from Peru ... [WilL]!
hey lows.. i want to learned more about your stories and your movies because it's so sad and I want to learn about love too.. it's nice meeting you guys.. keep in touch.
Thanks.
send me the other photos please
I liked her when I first saw her in "Beatiful Day" then in "winter sonata". What's the latest about her, is she married already? what her latest project? I have not heard about her even in KBS or Arirang. Please keep us updated about her. Thank you and more power.
u are the best......miss u so much........
I really like you, choi ji woo. You are very special. I cannot forget you
First of all, compliment to all. Secondly, I would like to compliment the beauty of this young actress called Choi Ji Woo. The first time I laid my eyes on her, I knew she would be my favourite asian actress. She is beautiful in her own way. She is sweet and stunningly cute when she smiles. Her eyes and her lips are truly Korean. The beauty and essence of Korean is in every part of her. I disagree with the thought of she looks like a Japanese woman. She is far different than that. I wonder who would be the lucky guy to win her heart.
She is the queen of tears. I saw her first in Winter Sonata, but i didnīt like her character in this serie, because i found it so boring. Then i saw her in Beautiful Days with Lee Byung Hun ...wwoooow they were so good. The storyline, their acting skills, their chemistry and esp. their kisses ....that all were so good, that i wish they would be a real couple. I love them ...
Stairway to heaven : iīm sorry to say is not my favourit.
The other serie is Honesty with RUY SI WON (he played Sun-Tae in beautiful days).
Her latest serie in coop. Japanese Actor is: RONDO (is good too).
Her next project is AIR CITY (is still on filming).
thatīs all what i know about CJW.
KS, 20.Apr.,2007
enough for me u r the best & the most beautiful actress but u need to change your characters in drama
I don't understand why the people always compare Choi Ji Woo to other actresses. They always say that her drama were all crying & the same. What would she do if that's what she was told to do & act. You have to follow the director. You should watch Everybody has a Secret.
There's no crying on that & it's so funny. Rondo didn't have much crying also. She's a very versatile actress & very beautiful that's why she was voted the 2006 Korea's Timeless Acting Beauty.
Those people should watch her modeling, CF & photo-
shoots & you'll see how beautiful & sexy she is. Her appearance in the dramas were different because she's supposed to be either sick or poor, so they undermake-up her.
Ji Woo is also a very good Chrisitian in real life, very charitable.
Choi Ji Woo is not a Roman Catholic. She is a Christian.
She's very religious, is even involved in Bible studies (saw an article about it).
During an "Air City" interview, she indicated that she's ready to get married when Mr. Right comes. I'm hoping Kwon Sang Woo will be Mr. Right.
He's also a Christian & have a very nice complexion like Choi Ji Woo (they are both spokes-
model for international skin products.)
They had great chemistry in Stairway to Heaven. So many similiarities. They look good together. I'm really hoping they ended up together.
you look nice and beautiful i love you
Can someone update me whether she has any real-life boyfriend or any one of the actor is her best friends?
I saw in one of the topic in Google, that some of her male friends are Ryu Shi Won, Ahn Jae Wook, Kwon Sang Woo & Lee Byung Hun. There are some more, but I could not remember the names. Bae Yong Joon used to be one of her male friends, but he's not on the last list I read.
needless to say, she is the best actresss that i luv very much,she is really a beauty
she is good in acting
oh my god she is my favorite actress in stairways to heaven and kwong sang woo is dame fine ass hell in here
your so..so... beautiful, sexy and simple.i like you very...very much
Wow! choi ji woo, have this perfect beauty that no one could ever imagine.
WHERE IS YOUR LOCATION IN ATLANTA GA? PLEASE E MAIL ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN.
Wish U peaceful
both in the novel are seen both very well charming by as they act and serious but pretty that in the real life both esten together I congratulate them
I saw a clip of CJW & KSW in YouTube titled "I Know" by Jenny Judith. They sure look perfect together. I think they were the best drama couple, most romantic, most compatible & both very very good looking. Perfect chemistry also. I just hope they get together real soon in another drama or in the movies. The entertain -ment industry should put drama couples who had been successful ly accepted by the audience like CJW & KSW, CJW & BYJ & LDH & LDW. I'm watching Air City right now because of CJW. It could had been perfect if KSW be the leading man. I like the storyline.
most of iranian people like your film but I realy love you
hi.......
you're so cute....
i like your acting....
you're so great.........mwuah
I love Ji Woo so much. Hope her happy in true life forever
I love her smile and acting.
And her tears.
Because she is my favourite actress.
Hai,I'm from Malaysia too.You can download Choi Ji-woo's screensaver...You've got the same blood type with CJW.I've the same one with Bae yong-jun...He's RH+O and I'm O...Just the O...I've make Bae Yong-jun my best actor and Choi Ji-woo as my best actress.Love them in Winter Sonata and First Love...
Among all the korean actress I've seen, Ji Woo is the top among all. But sadly, she dont have much movie recently.
I know that her new movie is coming out and I just cant wait to watch it. I hope she can just act in every korean movie that is available.
Those other new actresses not only not pretty enough but also makes the whole movie become boring. Seems like short of actress to act in a movie where they just simply choose one, no matter ugly or pretty.
i really love the way she act on her teledrama,TEFFANY.
she is very good actress and also as a model...she is very talented person with a sweet face...love u ji woo
Hello, janice (winter sonata) and judy( stairway to heaven. These are my two favorites among your TV series.I'm surprised that we are born the same year, same month and same day. Just curious, of the 2 of us had the same personality- della from Philippines.
When I watched Winter Sonata, I really like choi and think about her from that time to now. She's an angel. After that I go to find her movies, and I got first love, love, beautiful days, and stairway to heaven. I'm looking for air city. I can tell I'm her big fan. I think about her all day. My wish is to get e-mail from her.
Choi, can you make my dream come true. Love you
I like Choi Ji Woo so much because she is a best actor.
JW sis!love yrs new drama AC best.i'll suport u 4ever.Fighting!love u!
choi ji woo is one of my favorite actresses..many of my friends are telling me that I am her black version coz u know...I REALLY LOOK LIKE HER!!!.well see me na lng in person.....to prove my point!!!!
for my choi ji woo is the best actress worldwide and because I am of peru and mayoria here it wants much to him and she to returned popular by her performances from Korean novels and for my the a gained with her own effort and also by his beauty so that for my it is pretty a super model and also his character and was not wanted that she has been changing it to novels by thus for much emotion and wanted that she works in all the Korean novels and that also Peru dresses.... I WANT MUCH CHOI TO YOU JI WOO
she is so pretty. love her
love this korean princess
I watched a lot of your dramas & movies & you always look perfect (beautiful, sophisticated, intelligent, elegant, simple, etc.)
A very good actress, too. I watched some Korean dramas & movies & I found you to be the best one proven by your many awards. I enjoyed your latest drama "Air City" & I hope there'll be "Air City 2,3, 4, etc.
I'll support you always. I hope & pray that you'll find your "Mr. Right" soon.
You absolutely look good with all your drama partners especially KSW, BYJ, JHS & LBH. Good luck guys. Who will be the lucky one?
As always you look great in Air City, beautiful, elegant & sophisticated & ofcourse good acting. I just hope there'll be more series on this drama very soon.
It's such a great drama. I hope you find your Mr. Right very soon. Who'll be the lucky guy? KSW? BYJ? LBH? SSH?
LJJ? LJW? or an outsider?
Good luck guys. God bless you JiWoo always.
i like choijiwoo very much hope n she made another series 2feder w/ BHL.i love them wat a perfect couple.hope in real life too...
hii....my aunty sayz ur beautiful and pretty same here and she said....that ur acting is very good 100%
and .......................wel thatz all my aunty sayz......
and me u
Hi my princess n all,i'm su from msia.I really love her. Hope that my princess and ksw together in real life. Love watching sth for 3 times.To cjw,you and ksw are great couple..Does anyone know about cjw personal life?Her love life..However princess i really love u and hopes that you will success in your life.
i,ve juz seen stairways 2 heaven n i found out that it was such an extremely amazing drama!..what a spectacular n fascinating movie to watch!-plus, the hero and heroine are idle 4 1 another...hehe
la novela es muy bonita y yo kisiera conocer a todos los protagonistas de escalera al cielo
hola choi ji woo eres linda como kisiera conocerte eres una buena actriz , seria capaz de irme a korea x conocerlos, tu y ahn jae wook harian bonita pareja , bye mandame msj , mi correo es sincerabella_26@hotmail.com
mi comentario es que es una famosa actora de coreana y la admiro mucho a choi ji woo y la quiero mucho como fuera una persona muy especial de corea y ademas es una de las famosas de nuestro planeta de la tierrra............................................y ademas es una mujer que lucha por su vida para llegar a esto....
ggeryyyt
YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!
I just read a review of this drama done by Suk Ting on SPC net Tv.
It's a great review, but I felt like he or she did quite a few of unfavorable comment about Ji Woo.
I just to remind him or her that Choi Ji Woo won the best actress award for this drama.
You have to be a good actress to win. An actress had to do what the director told her to.
I recently saw 3 MVs on this 1998 drama &
I liked Choi Ji Woo & Jang Dong Gun together. They both are very nice looking people.
I didn't see the drama & I could not locate it. But I heard from somebody that Choi Ji Woo's character was not the woman who ended up with Jang Dong Gun.
Is that true? Not fair, if it's true because the other woman is not pretty at all.
Nora, the K-drama series you were referring to is probably named "Love".
Yes, it was one of those TV dramas that Ji Woo didn't "get her man."
The woman whom Dong Gun finally chose in Love was the lead actress in Hotelier. She acted opposite Bae Yong Joon in that series.
eres una buena actriz choi ji woo como dice geraldine uno serie capaz de conocer corea del sur vale la pena conocerlos me gustaria tenerte de amiga soy de peru si deseas platicar conmigo agregame porfis mi msn es axel0152@hotmail.com mi nombre es miguel ojala el mismo elenco de escalera al cielo se vuelva a juntar y hagan una segunda parte de esta historia o sino otra produccion
i like cjw and ksw perhaps in future make them a new
movie together
You are very charming .
And your smile is so attractive.
JiWoo, you like a lotus flower under the moonlight.
JiWoo I love you very much and I'd like to meet you in person.I wish every happiness in your life
i love her acting in stairway in heaven. it's a very tearjerker!
i lov choi ji woo. hope she do another series 2geder w/ a good looking guy like BHL.LEEDONG GUN,LEEDONG WOO,KWON SUNG WON and SONG SUENG HUN.hope so..soon...
o God..how i wish ksw and cjw can make more dramas together in the future...you guys know what...ksw said that he loves woman with beautiful eyes and sweet...is he trying to say that he likes women sort of like cjw?
CJW is so adorable. We love her smiles, hear tears...We hope she can find out a man she's looking for... We are waiting for seeing her new dramas, especially with Kwon Sang Woo... We love to see both of them in a new happy drama.
Can anyone update me with ji-woo latest news? Does she have any real-life boyfriend? Hope she has soon. She is so beautiful and the best actress that I have ever come across. Best of Luck to you ji-woo.
I love you more than you can imagine. I said goodbye to my girlfiend cos' there is no more room in my heart after you kick in.
a very versatile actress... she's so pretty... I wish she will have another project with BYJ... their chemistry together is the best... timeless like her beauty... though I like the KWS-CJW but for me, nothing beats BYJ-CJW. Maybe I have watched Winter Sonata first, which by the way, is my favorite Korean drama... =)
I love your action
I recently saw some clips of Choi Ji Woo & Lee Jin Wook in the 2007 Andre Kim's Fashion Show held in Seoul on 11/26/07.
They looked so great together. Their chemistry in Air City & in the fashion show were superb. Lee Jin Wook stated in an Air City interview that Ji Woo is very beautiful & elegant & Air City is Ji Woo City.
In the fashion show interview he stated that he was very nervous & his heart was pounding hard whenever he was with Ji Woo in the catwalk in the fashion show because she was very beautiful & elegant.
I think they were the best pairing in any Andre Kim's fashion shows. Hope they get together again in another project soon.
I like her very much.She is beautiful. She is the best actress I have ever seen.
hi
i've seen you in winter sonata and i really ilked it!!!
in fact i've always keep on watching it repeatedly....i cant resist it, it doesn't really make my day complete w/out playing it even for 1 episode only....but it was before (",).
i even more liking bae & ji woo bcoz they are both catholics, we have the same beliefs.....
God Bless Always!!! & good luck for your career (",)
ok...even she's not a roman catholic, still i really do admire her very much...as long as she has strong faith in the lord.
keep always smiling and God Bless (",)
I enjoyed watching your dramas 'Stairway in Heaven' and 'Winter Sonata', though I am sad that Jung-suh (Ji-woo's charecter in Stairway to Heaven) died and left her lover. I still wished that the ending was more happy.
Although I am not her fan, I still feel her acting skills are among the best, among all the korean actresses.
(cyrillic) Направо се побърках - не мога да спя, не мога да дишам, не мога да мисля - безнадеждно и отчаяно съм влюбен завинаги !
(cyrillic) Направо се побърках - не мога да спя, не мога да дишам, не мога да мисля - безнадеждно и отчаяно съм влюбен завинаги !
hi...im not from korea..i can not speak korean but i love kwon sang woo a lot ..no body van tell me how can i contact ith him...please help me...
i am her youngest fan i think (11) i luv her very much(from Philipines.
hope to see another film with bae yong joon they are both good
Hi, I love wathching WINTER SONATA the best it was the most wonderful drama that I ever watched and I fall in love with it.
I like the story and every time I watch it I cry and that makes my family thinks that I am out of my mind anyway I have to be honest with what I feel.
This drama encourage me to learn more about love because love is very unique in this world. So I have to tell everyone that winter sonata is the best but it is best if the two married in the end so I HOPE TO SEE MORE ABOUT IT.
I do not want the end of this drama to end like the stairway to heaven what I mean is eventhough that the two did not marry at the end I am so greatful that the Joon sang did not died.
I love the way this handsome guy looks like in the drama ACTUALLY I LIKE THE HAIR STYLE. This suit to be together in real life coz they seems good together.
May God help make my wish came true to let you two end up together like in the drama GOOD LUCK (tofa soifua).
I love your movies that I always watch *stair way to heaven* & *winter sonata*in this I love your hair style very much and I always go cut my hair to be the same with you.
Would mind if i ask you do you have boyfriend and I want to know about you. And I want to be always be your friend or young sister.
Can I? By the way , my name is Nang Kham Thiri Htun. 17 Years old . And I am a university student in Physics major.