Jun Ji-hyun is the South Korean actress who turned one romantic comedy role into a cultural moment that still shapes how the world sees Korean cinema.
She was born on October 30, 1981 (44 years old) in the Gangnam District of Seoul, South Korea.
She works mainly in Korean films and television, and is also known across the globe by her stage name Gianna Jun.
Jun became a name in every Asian household with My Sassy Girl (2001), a performance that earned her the lasting title “Nation’s First Love”. She went on to lead big screen hits like Il Mare (2000), The Thieves (2012), and Assassination (2015).
On television, she ruled living rooms with My Love from the Star (2013 to 2014) and The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016 to 2017). For her acting, she has won two Best Actress trophies at the Grand Bell Awards and a Grand Prize (Daesang) at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Quick Facts of Jun Ji-hyun
| Full Name | Jun Ji-hyun (Gianna Jun) |
| Birth Name | Wang Ji-hyun |
| Profession | Actress and Model |
| Age | 44 years old |
| Date of Birth | October 30, 1981 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Scorpio |
| Birthplace | Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea |
| Current Address | Seoul, South Korea |
| Gender | Female |
Jun Ji-hyun Early Life and Education
Jun Ji-hyun was born as Wang Ji-hyun in the Gangnam District of Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in a close family with an older brother who is five years senior to her.
As a young girl, her dream had nothing to do with the screen. She wanted to become a flight attendant, drawn to the poise of the profession, but she quietly let go of that plan after one aeroplane journey changed her mind.
It was her mother, along with her mother’s friends, who first saw something in her. Impressed by her striking height and slim frame, they encouraged her to try modelling. That gentle push shaped everything that followed.
At the age of 16, she followed a senior from her high school into the industry and began modelling for Ecole Magazine in 1997.
Education
Jun Ji-hyun spent her entire school life in Seoul’s Gangnam area. She began her studies at Eonbuk Elementary School, then moved on to Eonju Middle School, and later attended Jinseon Girls’ High School.
In 2000, she joined Dongguk University, one of South Korea’s most respected institutions, where she enrolled in the Department of Theatre and Film. She completed her bachelor’s degree there in 2004.
Her academic journey did not stop with graduation. In 2011, she returned to Dongguk University and enrolled at its Graduate School of Digital Media and Contents, going on to earn a master’s degree.
| School | Eonbuk Elementary School;Eonju Middle School ;Jinseon Girls’ High School, Seoul |
| Alma Mater | Dongguk University |
| Highest Qualification | Master’s Degree (Digital Media and Contents) |
Jun Ji-hyun Personal Life
Jun Ji-hyun has always kept her family life quiet and away from the noise of the film world. Even at the peak of her fame, she has chosen to protect the people closest to her.
Husband
Jun Ji-hyun is married to Choi Joon-hyuk, a banker and finance executive rather than a man from the film industry. The two were childhood friends and neighbours who once attended the same elementary school, before losing touch and reconnecting as adults around 2010 through a mutual acquaintance.
They dated for about two years before getting married on April 13, 2012, at the Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, central Seoul. More than 600 guests attended the ceremony, and the couple donated the gift money from the wedding to charity.
Choi Joon-hyuk comes from a prominent family in Korean fashion. He is the son of fashion designer Lee Jung-woo and the grandson of the celebrated hanbok designer Lee Young-hee. Away from that legacy, he built his own path in finance and is widely reported to head Alpha Asset Management after earlier working with a major American bank.
Children
The couple has two sons. Their first son, Choi Won-woo, was born on February 10, 2016, and their second son, Choi Pyeong-woo, arrived on January 26, 2018.
Jun Ji-hyun has always been fiercely protective about her children. She keeps them away from the spotlight and rarely speaks about them in public, hoping to give them as normal a childhood as possible.
Parents
Jun Ji-hyun was born as the younger of two children in her family. Her name, Wang Ji-hyun, was chosen by her father and carries the meaning of living wisely and kindly.
Father
Her father is Wang Jeong-cheo, a businessman who often travelled abroad for work during her early years.
Mother
Her mother is Muk Chang-ae. It was she, along with her friends, who first encouraged a young Jun to step into modelling.
Siblings
Jun has an elder brother named Wang Sang-jin, who is five years older than her. He is reported to work in the sales division of Paris Croissant, the company behind the Paris Baguette bakery brand.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband | Choi Joon-hyuk |
| Children | Sons: Choi Won-woo & Choi Pyeong-woo |
| Parents | Father: Wang Jeong-cheo Mother: Muk Chang-ae |
| Siblings | Elder Brother: Wang Sang-jin |
Jun Ji-hyun Career
Jun Ji-hyun built her career from modelling into one of the most bankable names in Korean film and television. Across more than two decades, she has moved with ease between romance, action, fantasy, and thriller.
Modelling and Early Steps (1997 to 1999)
Jun entered the industry in 1997 as a cover model for the teen magazine Ecole. Her Samsung My Jet printer commercial soon turned her into a familiar face across the country.
She made her acting debut in the 1998 SBS drama Fascinate My Heart, sharing the screen with Park Shin-yang and Kim Nam-joo. She followed it in 1999 with the SBS series Happy Together.
Film Debut and Breakthrough (1999 to 2001)
Her film debut came with the romantic drama White Valentine (1999), opposite Park Shin-yang. The next year she led the melodrama Il Mare (2000) with Lee Jung-jae, a film later remade in Hollywood as The Lake House.
Everything changed with My Sassy Girl (2001), where she starred opposite Cha Tae-hyun. The romantic comedy became a pan Asian phenomenon and earned her the Best Actress trophy at the Grand Bell Awards.
Growing Range in the 2000s (2003 to 2008)
In 2003, she took on the psychological thriller The Uninvited with Park Shin-yang. She then played a spirited policewoman in the romance Windstruck (2004), opposite Jang Hyuk.
In 2006, she starred in the tragic romance Daisy, filmed in the Netherlands, alongside Jung Woo-sung and Lee Sung-jae. Two years later, she appeared in the touching drama A Man Who Was Superman (2008) with Hwang Jung-min.
Hollywood Chapter (2009 to 2011)
Jun stepped into international cinema with Blood: The Last Vampire (2009), an English-language action film where she played the sword-wielding heroine Saya. Her co-stars included Allison Miller, Liam Cunningham, and Koyuki.
In 2011, she featured in the period drama Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, based on Lisa See’s novel. She shared the screen with Chinese star Li Bingbing, along with Vivian Wu and Hugh Jackman.
Blockbuster Comeback (2012 to 2015)
Jun returned to Korean cinema in grand style with the heist blockbuster The Thieves (2012). The star-packed cast featured Kim Yoon-seok, Lee Jung-jae, Kim Hye-soo, Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Hae-sook, and Hong Kong actor Simon Yam.
In 2013, she played a North Korean embassy translator in the spy thriller The Berlin File, working with Ha Jung-woo, Han Suk-kyu, and Ryoo Seung-bum.
She then headlined the period action hit Assassination (2015) as a sharpshooter, alongside Lee Jung-jae, Ha Jung-woo, Oh Dal-su, and Cho Jin-woong.
Television Reign (2013 to 2017)
After 14 years away from the small screen, Jun made a spectacular return with the fantasy romance My Love from the Star (2013 to 2014). She played the glamorous actress Cheon Song-yi opposite Kim Soo-hyun, in a drama that swept across Asia.
She followed it with another giant hit, The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016 to 2017), playing a mermaid opposite Lee Min-ho. The series also featured Lee Hee-joon, Shin Hye-sun, and Na Young-hee.
Streaming Era (2019 to 2021)
Jun entered the streaming world with the Netflix zombie thriller Kingdom, making a striking appearance at the close of its second season in 2020. She then led the spin-off special Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021) with Park Byung-eun.
The same year, she headlined the tvN mystery drama Jirisan (2021), playing a veteran mountain ranger opposite Ju Ji-hoon and Go Min-si.
Recent Work (2025 to 2026)
In 2025, Jun returned with the Disney+ spy thriller Tempest, playing a diplomat and former UN ambassador. She starred opposite Kang Dong-won, with a cast that included John Cho, Lee Mi-sook, Park Hae-joon, and Kim Hae-sook.
In 2026, she made her big-screen comeback after 11 years with the action horror film Colony. She led the survival story as a biotechnology professor, alongside Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Kim Shin-rok, Shin Hyun-been, and Go Soo.
Upcoming Project
Jun is set to headline the JTBC fantasy romantic comedy Human X Gumiho, expected in 2027. She will play a centuries-old gumiho who is also a top actress, opposite Ji Chang-wook, with Hwang In-yeop also joining the cast.
Jun Ji-hyun Filmography
Jun Ji-hyun Movies
| Year | Title | Role | IMDb |
| 1999 | White Valentine | Jung-min | 5.9 |
| 2000 | Il Mare | Kim Eun-joo | 7.5 |
| 2001 | My Sassy Girl | The Girl | 7.9 |
| 2003 | The Uninvited | Yeon | 5.7 |
| 2004 | Windstruck | Yeo Kyung-jin | 7.1 |
| 2006 | Daisy | Hye-young | 7.4 |
| 2008 | A Man Who Was Superman | Song Soo-jung | 7.2 |
| 2009 | Blood: The Last Vampire | Saya Otonashi | 5.3 |
| 2011 | Snow Flower and the Secret Fan | Sophia and Snow Flower | 6.1 |
| 2012 | The Thieves | Yenicall | 6.8 |
| 2013 | The Berlin File | Ryun Jung-hee | 6.6 |
| 2015 | Assassination | Ahn Ok-yun | 7.2 |
| 2026 | Colony | Kwon Se-jeong | 6.5 |
Jun Ji-hyun TV Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Platform | IMDb |
| 1998 | Steal My Heart | Ka-yeong | SBS Network | – |
| 1999 | Happy Together | Seo Yoon-joo | – | 6.6 |
| 2013 to 2014 | My Love from the Star | Cheon Song-yi | Netflix | 8.1 |
| 2016 to 2017 | The Legend of the Blue Sea | Sim Chung and Se-hwa | Rakuten Viki | 8.1 |
| 2020 | Kingdom (Season 2) | Ashin | Netflix | 8.3 |
| 2021 | Kingdom: Ashin of the North | Ashin | Netflix | 6.9 |
| 2021 | Mount Jiri | Seo Yi-kang | Prime Video / Rakuten Viki | 7.4 |
| 2025 | Tempest | Seo Mun-ju | Disney+ | 6.8 |
Jun Ji-hyun Upcoming Projects
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2027 | Human X Gumiho | Gu Ja-hong |
IMDb ratings and streaming platforms can change over time, so the figures above reflect current listings.
Jun Ji-hyun Awards and Achievements
Jun Ji-hyun has earned recognition across both film and television through her long career. Her biggest honours include two Best Actress wins at the Grand Bell Awards and the coveted Grand Prize at the Baeksang Arts Awards, along with strong recognition for her record-breaking dramas.
Her Major Wins
- Baeksang Arts Awards (1999): Won Best New Actress in Film for White Valentine (1999).
- SBS Drama Awards (1999): Won Best New Actress for Happy Together (1999).
- Grand Bell Awards (2002): Won Best Actress for My Sassy Girl (2001), and also received the Popularity Award.
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2014): Won the Grand Prize (Daesang) in Television for My Love from the Star (2013 to 2014).
- SBS Drama Awards (2014): Won the Grand Prize (Daesang) for My Love from the Star (2013 to 2014).
- Korea Broadcasting Awards (2014): Won Best Actress for My Love from the Star (2013 to 2014).
- APAN Star Awards (2014): Won the Hallyu Star Award for My Love from the Star (2013 to 2014).
- Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards (2015): Received the President’s Award for her contribution to Korean culture.
- Grand Bell Awards (2015): Won Best Actress for Assassination (2015).
- Max Movie Awards (2016): Won Best Actress for Assassination (2015).
Her Key Nominations
- Grand Bell Awards (2000): Nominated for Best Actress for Il Mare (2000).
- Grand Bell Awards (2006): Nominated for Best Actress for Daisy (2006).
- Blue Dragon Film Awards (2015): Nominated for Best Actress for Assassination (2015).
Jun Ji-hyun Controversies
Jun Ji-hyun has largely maintained a clean public image over her long career. The issues linked to her name have mostly come from online rumours and from reactions to her screen work rather than personal conduct.
- Phone cloning by former agency (2009): Police found that Jun’s mobile phone had been illegally cloned. A private detective testified he had been hired by her then agency, SidusHQ, which police believed used it to monitor her activities. The agency denied the claims, and the case became a talking point about celebrity management practices.
- Divorce rumours (2021): A YouTube channel claimed that Jun and her husband, Choi Joon-hyuk, had been living apart and were heading for divorce. Her agency firmly denied the rumours as baseless and warned of legal action, while her husband playfully shut down the talk through a parody profile picture.
- Tempest backlash in China (2025): Her Disney+ series Tempest drew strong criticism from Chinese viewers, who objected to a line and a few scenes they felt portrayed China negatively. Several luxury brands paused promotional posts featuring her, though her agency said one campaign had been postponed before the show even aired. Some viewers also defended her, noting she was performing a fictional script.
Jun Ji-hyun Net Worth
Jun Ji-hyun’s exact net worth has not been officially declared, so the numbers available online are estimates. Even so, she is consistently ranked as the richest actress in South Korea.
Her net worth is estimated at around $110 million (approx. ₹915 crore) as of 2026. Her wealth comes from films, hit dramas, luxury brand endorsements, and a large real estate portfolio in Seoul.
Her fees have also climbed sharply over the years. For her 2025 series Tempest, she was reported to earn around ₩300 million to ₩400 million per episode, which is roughly $220,000 to $290,000 (approx. ₹1.8 crore to ₹2.4 crore).
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $110 million (approx. ₹915 crore) |
| Salary (Approx.) | $220,000 to $290,000 (approx. ₹1.8 crore to ₹2.4 crore) per episode |
Jun Ji-hyun Height, Weight and Physical Stats
| Height | In centimetres: 173 cm In meters: 1.73 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 55 kg In lbs: 121 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 33-24-34 inches |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Jun Ji-hyun Social media
Jun Ji-hyun is known for keeping a very private, low-profile online. She does not run personal public accounts, and her updates are shared through the official Instagram of her agency, PEACHY.
| Yet to be updated | |
| X | Yet to be updated |
| Yet to be updated |
Interesting Facts about Jun Ji-hyun
- She is counted as one of “The Troika” of Korean cinema, alongside Kim Tae-hee and Song Hye-kyo. The three are collectively nicknamed “Tae-Hye-Ji” in the Korean media.
- In 2011, she became the first Korean actress to be featured in the American edition of Vogue, photographed by the legendary Annie Leibovitz.
- Her advertising power is so strong that fans coined the term the “Jun Ji-hyun Effect”. Her drama My Love from the Star even sparked a chimaek (chicken and beer) craze and reportedly caused a shortage of a popular YSL lipstick.
- She is admired for her cooking skills and is known for bringing home cooked meals to her film sets. Veteran actress Lee Mi-sook has said she picked up recipes from her.
- For her Hollywood debut Blood: The Last Vampire, she trained for around three months in sword fighting and martial arts to play the action heroine Saya.
- In 2008, she launched her own denim line called Gianna by True Religion, her first celebrity fashion label.
- She is active in charity work, donating ₩100 million each to victims of the Sewol ferry disaster in 2014, to COVID-19 relief in 2020, and to those affected by the Uljin wildfire in 2022.
FAQs
How old is Jun Ji-hyun?
She is 44 years old. She was born on October 30, 1981, in Seoul, South Korea.
What is Jun Ji-hyun famous for?
She is best known for the film My Sassy Girl (2001) and the hit dramas My Love from the Star (2013 to 2014) and The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016 to 2017).
Who is the husband of Jun Ji-hyun?
She is married to Choi Joon-hyuk, a banker and finance executive. They tied the knot on April 13, 2012.
How many children does Jun Ji-hyun have?
She has two sons, Choi Won-woo, born in 2016, and Choi Pyeong-woo, born in 2018.
What is the real name of Jun Ji-hyun?
Her real name is Wang Ji-hyun. She is also known internationally as Gianna Jun.
Is Jun Ji-hyun the richest Korean actress?
Yes, she is widely ranked as the richest Korean actress, with an estimated net worth of around $110 million as of 2026.
What is the latest drama of Jun Ji-hyun?
Her latest work is the 2025 Disney+ series Tempest, followed by the 2026 film Colony. She will next appear in the drama Human X Gumiho.
