Actor Jung Il-woo made a deep impression on fans throughout 2025, appearing on both the small and big screens. He received particular acclaim for his role as Lee Ji-hyuk, a cool yet humorous character in the KBS2 weekend drama 'Glorious Days.' The drama, which began airing in August, is currently doing well, with Jung Il-woo earning praise for his sensitive portrayal of the multifaceted character's inner self. His acting transformation was sufficient to satisfy the public's expectations of his return to the small screen after a long absence. He also demonstrated his passion for acting by appearing on stage in the 2024 play 'Kiss of the Spider Woman.'
Jung Il-woo also announced a new leap forward by signing an exclusive contract with J1 International Company in November 2024. Despite health challenges, including wrist arthritis from a car accident he had early in his career and a cerebral aneurysm diagnosed in 2013, he has continued his acting career and maintained consistent self-care. His efforts have deeply touched fans, fueling their enthusiasm for his acting endeavors.
Jung Il-woo's activities in 2025 were not limited to dramas. He made a special appearance in the Korean-Vietnamese joint film 'Going to Abandon Mom,' leaving a lasting impression. The film was a huge success, breaking even in Vietnam within three days of its release and topping the box office for 15 consecutive days. It also received much attention in both countries after its release in Korea on November 5. His performance, which left a strong impression despite his brief appearance, contributed to the film's success.
In addition, Jung Il-woo was active in the cultural arts field. He presented a special collaboration project called 'Universe Within Us' with artist Lee Da-rae from the developmental disability artist agency 'Disability,' and this work was unveiled at the '2025 CANVAS Art Fair,' adding great significance. He also contributed to promoting the beauty of Hanbok by participating as a runway model in the '2025 Hanbok Shop' opening ceremony Hanbok fashion show and is leading the way in informing the world of the value of Taekwondo by being appointed as the ambassador of Kukkiwon. These multifaceted activities are demonstrating a positive influence in the cultural arts world, beyond his presence as an actor.
Jung Il-woo did not neglect communication with his fans amid his busy schedule. He recently had a successful solo fan meeting in Japan and spent meaningful time with overseas fans. He is also actively participating in social contributions by consistently practicing sharing activities as a public relations ambassador for the Korean Red Cross. In December 2024, he also showed that he cares about the safety of his fans by warning them about voice phishing scams, claiming to be him. These sincere actions are giving fans even more trust and becoming the driving force behind supporting his activities.
As the KBS2 weekend drama 'Glorious Days,' in which he is currently appearing, is being broadcast with stable viewership ratings and favorable reviews, and the film 'Going to Abandon Mom' is also receiving a positive response both at home and abroad, 2025 will be recorded as a very meaningful year for Jung Il-woo. His versatile activities are expected to continue in 2026. In fact, he was nominated for the '2026 Korea First Brand Awards' in the categories of 'Most Anticipated Male Actor (Drama) Domestic' and 'Most Anticipated Film Actor Vietnam,' proving his global popularity.
In addition to acting, Jung Il-woo is steadily expanding his influence by consistently working in various fields such as culture, arts, and social contribution. These wide-ranging activities show that he is establishing himself as a cultural icon beyond being just an actor. We look forward to seeing what new appearances he will make to the public in the future. We look forward to 2026 for actor Jung Il-woo, who will show deeper acting and diverse charms through his constant challenges and growth.
A1: Actor Jung Il-woo is starring as Lee Ji-hyuk, the lead role in the KBS2 weekend drama 'Glorious Days,' which began airing in August 2025.
A2: Yes, he made a special appearance in the Korean-Vietnamese joint film 'Going to Abandon Mom.' The film was a great success in Vietnam and was released in Korea on November 5, 2025.
A3: He is actively participating in cultural arts and social contribution activities such as the collaborative project 'Universe Within Us' with developmental disability artists, the '2025 Hanbok Shop' fashion show model, and the Kukkiwon public relations ambassador.
A4: Specific future projects have not been announced yet, in addition to the drama he is currently appearing in and the released film, but he is expected to be active in the future, as he has been nominated for the '2026 Korea First Brand Awards'.
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