Cheon Soo-yeon (born Cheon Seong-im on August 15, 1981), professionally known by her stage name Song Ji-hyo, is a South Korean actress and model. Song is one of the regular cast members of the South Korean variety show Running Man since 2010, which brought her international recognition. She was a cover model for Kiki Magazine before she made her acting debut in the feature film Wishing Stairs (2003), the third installment in the Whispering Corridors film series. She made her television debut in the romantic comedy Princess Hours (2006) and the historical Jumong (2006). Song then received wider recognition for her roles in the film A Frozen Flower (2008), New World (2013), the TV series Emergency Couple (2014) and Was It Love? (2020), and her first-ever film released after the start of the pandemic COVID-19 since March 2020 in South Korea, Intruder (2020), which received a positive response from moviegoers even though it was released during the pandemic.
Early life
Song Ji-hyo was born as Cheon Seong-im on August 15, 1981, in Pohang, North Gyeongsang. Her mother swam competitively for South Korea. She has a younger sister and a younger brother, Cheon Seong-moon, an actor. Song dreamed of becoming an actress during her high school years after watching Park Shin-yang in the 1998 South Korean film, Promise. She graduated with a degree in tax accounting from Kyungmoon University (now Kookje College). Before entering the acting industry, Song was cast while working a part-time job at a cafe.[1]
Song made her feature film debut in Wishing Stairs (2003), the third installment of the horror Whispering Corridors film series, after beating out 3000 actors in an audition.[3] Then she was nominated for the Best New Actress at the 24th Blue Dragon Film Awards for her performance in the film. She starred in the crime thriller Some (2004), where she played a reporter.[4]
2006–2009: Rising popularity
Song made her television debut in the romantic comedy, Princess Hours (2006), where she played a ballet dancer who dreams to be a ballerina.[5][6] The series became hit across Asia, contributing to the Korean Wave. In the same year, she played the role of Lady Ye So-ya, the first wife of Jumong and the mother of King Yuri in the historical television series Jumong (2006).[7] The series was a commercial hit, receiving the highest viewership ratings of all the Korean dramas that aired in 2006. Song experienced a rise in popularity and was nominated for Best New Actress in the TV category at the 43rd Baeksang Arts Awards for her performance.[8]
The following year, Song starred as a swimming champion who has a painful past in the comedy film Sex Is Zero 2 (2007), the sequel to Sex Is Zero (2002) opposite Im Chang-jung.[9] She also co-hosted SBS' music show Inkigayo, with Heechul of Super Junior from November 11, 2007, to May 4, 2008.[10] Song then portrayed the role of Queen in Yoo Ha's film A Frozen Flower (2008), alongside Jo In-sung and Joo Jin-mo. The film became one of the highest-grossing films of 2008, and led to increased recognition for Song. She later commented about the film and her nude scenes, "When I decided to do this film, nudity was not the central issue. How much I expose is not important to me; I thought without that scene, it would be difficult to portray the subtle changes in emotion. What mattered to me at the time was working on my facial expressions apart from the posture that the director wanted me to convey".[11]
Song has been a member of the urban action variety show Running Man since 2010. She was requested to join by PD Kim Joo-hyung or also known as Myeok PD, whom she worked with while hosting Inkigayo. She appeared in the show as a guest from episode 2 to episode 5 then became a regular member in episode 6.[12]
After her contract ended with Namoo Actors, Song signed with C-JeS Entertainment in early 2011 and appeared in Choo Chang-min's film Late Blossom (2011). The film is based on the comic I Love You by web cartoonist Kang Full.[13] She reunited with Jumong co-star Song Il-gook in the police procedural television series Detectives in Trouble (2011) where she played a role as a reporter.[14] Later in the year, she starred in the historical television series Gyebaek (2011) as the Queen of King Uija.[15] In November, she was appointed as promotional ambassador for the Ministry of Education along with label-mates JYJ.[16] Song then co-starred alongside Kim Jae-joong of JYJ in the action comedy Code Name: Jackal (2012) where she played a clumsy assassin.[17][18]
Song took on the leading role in the medical romantic comedy television series Emergency Couple (2014) co-starring Choi Jin-hyuk, playing a divorced medical intern who encounters her ex-husband of an ugly divorce at an emergency room.[22][23] Song also collaborated with NBA in a collaboration titled "NBA X Song Ji Hyo", which she released her own cap series called "CHO.2".[24]
In 2015, Song starred in the romantic comedy series Ex-Girlfriends' Club opposite Byun Yo-han as a film producer.[25] She also featured and appeared in Taiwanese singer and actor Kenji Wu's music video "You Are So Cute".[26]
Song, January 18, 2017.
In 2016, Song was cast alongside Taiwanese actor Chen Bolin in the reality variety show We Are In Love, the Chinese version of We Got Married.[27] Song then starred in two Chinese films, the romantic drama 708090 opposite Kenji Wu and the action comedy Super Express.[28][29] She then made her small-screen comeback, starring in the remake of a Japanese television series Listen to Love co-starring Lee Sun-kyun.[30] In December, Song signed with the management agency, My Company, after ending her contract with C-JeS Entertainment.[31][32][33]
In 2017, Song co-hosted the beauty program Song Ji-hyo's Beauty View with Gong Myung.[34]
She next starred in the web series 29gram[35] and acted in the one-act drama Chief B and the Love Letter co-starring Jo Woo-jin.[36] Song produced and launched her first own reality program I Am Jyo Unnie in December 2017.[37]
On February 2, 2021, Song was confirmed as the female lead for TVING web series The Witch's Diner which premiered in 2021.[49]
In October 2022, Song signed with Uzurocks Entertainment,[50] she terminated her contract due to a delay in payment in April 2023.[51] On October 13, 2023, Song signed with Nexus E&M.[52]
Personal life
Song revealed on a May 2017 episode of Running Man that she had changed her birth name from "Cheon Seong-im" to "Cheon Soo-yeon" because "a lot of people recognize it nowadays".[53][54]
On April 5, 2006, Song signed an exclusive contract with Enprani to advertise their cosmetics brand Natural Bee. The contract was worth ₩250 million which was considered unprecedented treatment for a newcomer.[56] A representative revealed that Song was chosen due to her "ability to express a variety of emotions from an intelligent image to cute feelings".[57]
On May 2, 2017, Song was selected as the muse for Shinsegae's premium cosmetic brand, Vidivici. A representative revealed that Song was chosen for her "eight colors of charm, from a natural and fresh image to a luxurious and elegant atmosphere" that represented the brand's various images.[58]
On December 13, 2021, Song was announced as an endorsement model for Nexus Pharma's Glutanex in Indonesia, Thailand, and Philippines.[59]
Other ventures
Collaborations
In 2014, it was announced that Song Ji Hyo was working with the NBA to release her own cap series called "CHO.2" in a collaboration called, "NBA X Song Ji Hyo." "CHO.2" stands for two Chinese characters that sum up her motto "to never lose the original heart so that you will do everything."[60]
On April 30, 2016, Song Jihyo walked her First-Ever fashion runway With Hong Jonghyun as the main models of the Hallyu collaboration fashion show "Very Korean," which featured Korean designer brands like katiacho sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for Cultural Exchange which was held in Beijing, China.[61]
Impact and influence
Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) acknowledged that Song Ji-hyo not only demonstrated her influence and her popularity throughout Asia, but also her significant role in the spread of Hallyu's commercial success. On May 10, KOTRA conducted a survey with a report titled '2018 Asian Regional Marketing Indicator Research', for residents and businessmen in 9 Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Singapore). She took first place in five questions: Famous Korean Person I Want to Meet in Person, Korean Figure Who Represents Technological Korea, Korean Figure Who Most Close Resembles My Type, Korean Figure Who Represents Quality Korean Products, and Korean Figure Who Reminds Me of Korean Products I Want To Buy.[62][63] She was selected as the best Hallyu star in Southeast Asia.[64]
Song have been cited as a role model for volleyball athlete Sara Hong,[65] actress Park Eun-woo,[66] actress Seo Jin-young,[67] and Japanese model's Sato Moeka.[68]UNB's Euijin,[69] actor Lee Tae-hwan[70] and Olympic figure skater Cha Jun-hwan[71] mentioned her as an ideal type.
In 2021, Song was selected as one of the 200 actors to feature in the Korean actors 200 campaign, run by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). The goal of the methodical project is to select actors that best represent the present and future of Korean film and introducing them to film people overseas.[72][73]
^Park, Pan-seok (October 19, 2022). "송지효, 우쥬록스와 전속계약 체결..도전 아이콘 변신" [Song Ji-hyo signs an exclusive contract with Uzurocks... Transforms into a challenge icon] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Sae-rom (April 24, 2023). "송지효, 소속사 전속계약 해지...정산금 소송 예고" [Song Ji-hyo's exclusive contract with the agency was terminated...Notice of Settlement Litigation] (in Korean). Yonhap News TV. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kang, Seon-ae (October 13, 2023). "송지효, 새 소속사 찾았다...신생 넥서스이엔엠과 전속계약" [Song Ji-hyo found a new agency...Exclusive contract with new Nexus E&M] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Naver.
^Yoo, Soon-ho (November 14, 2005). "송지효, 천성임에서 효리까지..목표는 전도연" [Song Ji-hyo, from Seong-im Cheon to Hyori..The goal is Jeon Do-yeon] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, So-ra (April 6, 2006). "송지효, 엔프라니 화장품 CF 계약" [Song Ji-hyo, Enprani Cosmetics CF Contract] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^Ahn, Ji-seon (April 5, 2006). "송지효, '궁' 인기업고 엔프라니 억대 CF계약" [Song Ji-hyo, 'Gung' CF contract with popular company Enprani] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Han-na (May 2, 2017). "송지효, 비디비치 뮤즈로 발탁" [Song Ji-hyo selected as the muse of Vidivici] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang, Min-soo (December 22, 2021). "송지효, 숏컷도 미모甲...동남아 3국 '글루타넥스' 모델 발탁" [Song Ji-hyo, short cut is also beautiful...Selected as a model for 'Glutanex' in three Southeast Asian countries]. Single List (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
^Jeong Yu-na (November 29, 2023). "송지효, 영화 '만남의 집' 출연 확정..여자 교도관 役 "연기변신 기대" [공식]" [Song Ji-hyo confirmed to appear in the movie 'Meeting House'...as a female prison guard, "Expecting a transformation in acting" [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim Na-ra (April 8, 2022). "별똥별', 초특급 카메오의 향연 "박정민X송지효→김동욱X문가영 등 특별출연" [공식]" [Shooting Star', a feast of super special cameos "Park Jung-min X Song Ji-hyo → Kim Dong-wook X Moon Ga-young, etc. Special appearance" [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Oh, Hae-won (July 29, 2009). "2010 춘천 월드레저대회, 영화배우 송지효 홍보대사 위촉" [2010 Chuncheon World Leisure Competition, actress Song Ji-hyo appointed as a public relations ambassador] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Ji-hyuk (November 16, 2011). "JYJ-송지효, 교육과학기술부 온라인 홍보대사로 위촉" [JYJ-Song Ji-hyo appointed as online ambassador for Ministry of Education, Science and Technology]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
^"Previous Ambassadors". Korea Brand & Entertainment Expo. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency.
^AAA Special Reporting Team (December 2, 2021). "송지효 '3년 연속 AAA인기상 수상'[★포토]" [Song Ji-hyo 'Awarded the AAA Popularity Award for 3 consecutive years'[Photo]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021 – via Naver.
^조선일보 (August 13, 2020). "[제24회 청룡영화상] 신인 여우상 후보". 조선일보 (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
^"제1회 청룡시리즈어워즈 후보작" [1st Blue Dragon Series Awards Nominations]. Blue Dragon Series Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
^"백상예술대상 : 네이버 영화". movie.naver.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
^"백상예술대상 : 네이버 영화". movie.naver.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
^"백상예술대상 : 네이버 영화". movie.naver.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
^"백상예술대상 : 네이버 영화". movie.naver.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
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^Jo, Yoon-kyung (January 1, 2019). "[2018 KBS 연기대상] 최다니엘·장동건·백진희 미니시리즈 우수상 수상" [[2018 KBS Drama Awards] Daniel Choi, Donggun Jang, Jinhee Baek, Miniseries Excellence Award] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang Chang-hwan (December 28, 2011). SBS, '연예대상' 17개 수상 부문 발표 [SBS announces 17 award categories for 'Entertainment Awards']. Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 18, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
^Choi, Hyun-man (March 3, 2023). "배우 김수현·송지효 '모범 납세' 대통령 표창..."사회 공헌 활동도" [Actors Kim Soo-hyun and Song Ji-hyo receive a Presidential Commendation for 'Exemplary Tax Payment'... "Social Contribution Activities] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023 – via Naver.
External links
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