Park Ji-hoon has carved a unique path in the South Korean entertainment landscape, transitioning seamlessly from a beloved child actor to a viral K-pop sensation and, most recently, a critically acclaimed actor. His journey, marked by iconic moments, consistent artistic output, and a carefully managed public persona, showcases a versatile talent who continues to evolve and captivate audiences across music and screen.
Biography
- Name: Park Ji-hoon
- Birth Name: Park Ji-hoon (박지훈)
- Birthday: May 29, 1999
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Height: 173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
- Instagram: @0529.jihoon.ig
- Twitter: @Park_Jihoon_twt
Fun Facts
Regarding His Career
- He was active as a child actor, participating in 4 broadcasts, 1 musical, 1 CF and 1 movie.
- He was a trainee at Maroo Entertainment as well as SM and Fantagio.
- He ended PD101 on the 2nd rank with a total of 1,136,014 votes and got to debut in Wanna One.
- His lowest ranking in Produce 101 was 3rd place.
- In 2018, Park Ji-hoon served as a special ambassador for Chung-Ang University’s 100th anniversary.
Image
- Before debuting, he coined the phrase “Save you in my heart,” which became a national catchphrase, appearing in ads, variety shows, and even parodied by other idols. He’s known as the “Wink Master” and once gave a wink tutorial on V LIVE, leading to widespread coverage.
- He was known as the “aegyo” (cute act) and adorable member in Wanna One, though he executed aegyo tastefully and often appeared shy afterward, which fans found endearing.
- Despite his gentle image, Ji-hoon is highly athletic. His thick thighs were often noted as the source of his strength.
Liking
- He dislikes broccoli.
- His favorite color is black, although he often wore pink after receiving a pink training suit during Produce 101 Season 2 as a reward. Though initially flustered by the color, fans praised how well it suited him, and he embraced it.
- Ji-hoon loves stuffed animals and often hugs them to sleep.
- A self-proclaimed gaming enthusiast, Ji-hoon spends his free time gaming and always packs a laptop for overnight trips. He rarely gets photographed during breaks because he’s usually indoors playing League of Legends or PUBG. He later joined a “League” idol clan with members like BTS’s Jin and B.A.P’s Youngjae.
- He enjoys iced Americano year-round, regardless of the season.
- Jihoon likes dogs.
Others
- His chicken mukbang on Wanna One GO went viral, especially for his ability to cleanly eat all the meat off the bones.
- Park Ji-hoon cited BTS’s V as his role model in his Produce 101 application, admiring his expressive facial acting on stage. He even mimicked V’s expression from “Fire” on Happy Together 3. Ji-hoon was visibly starstruck when he finally met V in person at a year-end music show.
- He treats younger members sweetly but often teases older ones.
- Though Ji-hoon’s fashion sense has been teased in the past, fans later appreciated how his visuals made up for any styling missteps.
Career
The Nation’s “Wink Boy”: Conquering Produce 101
In 2017, Park Ji-hoon, representing Maroo Entertainment, entered the second season of Mnet’s highly popular reality competition series, Produce 101. His rise to prominence was remarkably swift. Even before the show officially began airing, Park went viral following the broadcast of the contestants’ introductory “It’s Me (Pick Me)” performance on M Countdown. A perfectly timed wink captured during the performance earned him the instant moniker “wink boy”, catapulting him into the public consciousness.
This initial visual impact was quickly followed by another viral moment, this time self-created. Park’s aegyo (cute display) catchphrase, “Nae maeum soge jeojang” (내 마음 속에 저장), translating to “Save you in my heart,” accompanied by a signature hand gesture, became a cultural phenomenon. The phrase trended extensively on social media, was adopted by numerous celebrities, and utilized by various companies in their marketing campaigns. Its impact was so significant that the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) later named it the best catchphrase of 2017. The rapid success generated by the “wink” and the “jeojang” catchphrase illustrates the power of memorable, easily replicable visual and verbal hooks in the high-stakes environment of survival shows. These elements allowed Park to forge an immediate, strong connection with the audience, demonstrating a potency that can sometimes surpass formal performance evaluations within the show’s narrative.
Fueled by this immense popularity, Park Ji-hoon consistently ranked high throughout the competition. He was revealed as the #1 trainee after the first episode’s votes were tallied and never dropped below 3rd place in subsequent rankings. While some online discussions debated the amount of screentime he received relative to his rank or Mnet’s editing choices, which sometimes focused heavily on his aegyo , he notably avoided any “evil editing” or significant negative portrayals. Some accounts suggest he was perceived as being particularly careful and guarded due to the constant presence of cameras, perhaps aware of the scrutiny that came with his high ranking. Maintaining such a high rank consistently, however, indicates that viewers found substance beyond the initial viral moments. His ability to translate the early hype generated by the wink and catchphrase into a stable, dedicated fanbase throughout the competition points to a successful connection with the audience based on his performances, skills, and personality revealed during the show’s run.
Ultimately, Park Ji-hoon finished the competition in second place, securing his position as a member of the final 11-member project boy group, Wanna One.
Shining Bright: The Wanna One Era (2017-2019)
Wanna One, the project group born from the intense competition of Produce 101 Season 2, officially debuted on August 7, 2017, under YMC Entertainment (later managed by Swing Entertainment). The group comprised the top eleven finalists: Kang Daniel, Park Ji-hoon, Lee Dae-hwi, Kim Jae-hwan, Ong Seong-wu, Park Woo-jin, Lai Kuan-lin, Yoon Ji-sung, Hwang Min-hyun, Bae Jin-young, and Ha Sung-woon. They quickly became one of South Korea’s most popular and commercially successful boy groups during their active period.
Within the dynamic structure of the eleven-member group, Park Ji-hoon’s official positions were Sub Vocalist, Lead Dancer, and Sub Rapper. This required him to contribute specific skills to the group’s performances, balancing these responsibilities with the distinct “Wink Boy” and “Jeojang” image that had defined his individual popularity during Produce 101. This balancing act is a common challenge for survival show group members who enter with significant pre-debut recognition, needing to fulfill group roles while meeting the expectations tied to their established persona.
Wanna One’s journey as a project group concluded as planned. Their contracts officially ended on December 31, 2018. The group bid farewell to their massive fanbase, known as Wannables, with a final, sold-out four-day concert series titled ‘Therefore’, held from January 24 to 27, 2019, at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. The Wanna One period, though finite, provided Park Ji-hoon with invaluable stage experience, immense industry exposure, and a deeply loyal fanbase (MAYs), creating a formidable foundation for the next stage of his career as both a solo musician and an actor.
Stepping Out Solo: Forging a Musical Identity
Following Wanna One’s disbandment, Park Ji-hoon swiftly transitioned into his solo career under Maroo Entertainment. Before his official music debut, he embarked on his first solo Asia fan meeting tour, ‘First Edition’, kicking off in Seoul on February 9, 2019, signaling his readiness to connect with his dedicated fanbase, MAYs, as an individual artist.
His official solo music debut arrived on March 26, 2019, with the release of his first mini-album (EP), O’Clock, featuring the lead single “L.O.V.E.”. The debut was met with immediate success, a testament to the strong foundation built during his time in Wanna One. The EP O’Clock achieved impressive first-day sales, setting a Hanteo Chart record for a male solo artist at the time , and peaked at number 2 on the Gaon Album Chart, selling over 109,000 copies. The title track “L.O.V.E.” secured him his first-ever solo music show win on KBS’s Music Bank on April 5, 2019.
Park maintained a consistent musical output over the following years, demonstrating a strong commitment to his singing career alongside his acting pursuits. He released his second EP, 360, with its title track of the same name in December 2019. His third EP, The W, led by the single “Wing,” followed in May 2020. In November 2020, he released his first full-length studio album, Message, featuring the title track “Gotcha”. He capped off the year with his first online solo concert, also titled “Message,” on December 13, 2020.
His musical journey continued through 2021 and beyond with a steady stream of EPs: My Collection (“Gallery”) in August 2021 , Hot&Cold (“Serious”) in October 2021 , The Answer (“Nitro”) in October 2022 , and Blank or Black (“Blank Effect”) in April 2023.
A Commanding Presence: The Actor Returns
Park Ji-hoon’s return to acting following Wanna One’s disbandment was less a new venture and more a homecoming, resuming a career path he had started as a child. His extensive background in musicals and dramas likely provided a solid technical foundation and comfort on set, enabling him to tackle significant roles relatively quickly.
His first major role as an adult actor came in 2019 with the JTBC historical drama “Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency,” where he played the fashionable and charming matchmaker Go Young-soo. His performance was well-received, earning positive reviews and topping drama cast hot topic rankings for consecutive weeks during its airing.
He stepped into his first lead role in 2020 with the KakaoTV web drama “Love Revolution,” adapted from a popular webtoon. Playing the affectionate and extroverted high school student Gong Joo-young, Park captured the nuances of teenage first love and friendship. The drama proved highly popular, with early episodes quickly surpassing one million views, and garnered praise for his acting. He also contributed the song “Midnight” to the drama’s soundtrack.
In 2021, he took on another lead role in the KBS2 college drama “At a Distance, Spring Is Green,” portraying Yeo Jun, a wealthy and popular student hiding inner turmoil. This role earned him a Best New Actor nomination at the 2021 KBS Drama Awards , and he again participated in the OST with the track “Talk to me”.
A significant turning point in his acting career came in 2022 with the Wavve original web series “Weak Hero Class 1.” His portrayal of Yeon Si-eun, a quiet, academically gifted student who uses his intelligence and unexpected ferocity to fight back against bullies, received widespread critical acclaim. The role marked a major milestone, showcasing a drastically different, intense side to his acting capabilities and shattering any lingering “cute idol” stereotypes. Park himself spoke about connecting with Si-eun’s loneliness, drawing from his own experiences during his early trainee days. His performance earned him the Best New Actor awards at both the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards (2023) and the 14th Korea Drama Awards (2023). The series was a hit, and anticipation for a second season remains high.
Continuing his momentum, Park Ji-hoon took on a challenging dual role in the 2024 fantasy historical drama “Love Song for Illusion,” playing both Crown Prince Sajo Hyun and his conflicted alter ego, Ak-hee. His performance garnered favorable reviews and earned him the Excellence Award for Best Actor in a Mini Series at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards. Also in 2024, he made his big-screen debut in the film “Audrey” as Kang Ki-hoon. His next film project is listed as “Man Who Lives with the King” (2025).
Personal Life
Early Life
Park Ji-hoon was born in Masan, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Though hailing from Gyeongsang Province, his family relocated to Seoul when he was seven years old, the city where his entertainment career would eventually blossom. His early education reflects a strong inclination towards the performing arts. He graduated from the National Middle School of Traditional Arts, where he specialized in musical theatre, laying a formal groundwork for his future endeavors. He later attended the prestigious School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA), graduating with a major in Broadcasting Arts in January 2018. Following his high school graduation, Park was accepted into Chung-Ang University’s Department of Theater, furthering his academic pursuit of the craft.
Long before his idol days, Park Ji-hoon was a familiar face as a child actor and advertisement model. His acting debut came through musical theatre, with roles in notable productions like Peter Pan (2007–2009), The Harmonium in My Memory (2010), and Radio Star (2010–2011). He also secured minor roles in several popular television dramas, including the historical epic Jumong (2006–2007), The King and I (2007–2008, playing a eunuch), the sitcom Kimchi Cheese Smile (2007–2008), and Iljimae (2008). His early television exposure wasn’t limited to dramas; he appeared on SS501’s reality show SS501 SOS in 2006, though his face was obscured, and participated in KM Idol War alongside Big Bang in 2007.
As he entered his teenage years, Park Ji-hoon’s focus shifted towards the K-pop idol path. He began training under major agencies, first at SM Entertainment and later at Fantagio. While at Fantagio, he trained alongside members who would eventually form the group Astro. However, a knee injury prevented him from joining the final lineup, leading to his departure from the company. Subsequently, he found his place at Maroo Entertainment, the agency he would represent as he stepped onto one of the biggest stages of his career.
Wanna One Members’ Dynamic
Park Ji-hoon’s known to be particularly soft with Bae Jin-young, often letting himself be teased. Their “handsome duo” visuals made them a favorite pairing among fans, and their chemistry continued even after Wanna One disbanded.
He had a playful relationship with Lai Kuan-lin, which culminated in a famous on-air kiss after Kuan-lin joked he wanted one if he made the top 11. Ji-hoon helped Kuan-lin with Korean, and they matched well, even forming a duo during couple games on Wanna One GO. They both liked to sleep in cars and were known for their mutual laziness in downtime.
With Lee Dae-hwi, Ji-hoon formed a senior-junior bond after Dae-hwi transferred to the same arts high school. Dae-hwi picked Ji-hoon as the member he’d want to share a room with and noted Ji-hoon was great at playing along with jokes. Ji-hoon described Dae-hwi as affectionate and hard to handle—not because he was a burden, but because Dae-hwi liked being close to those he admired.
Ji-hoon also had a strong connection with Park Woo-jin. Both born in 1999, they started bonding during the Get Ugly performance evaluation. They later became the powerful duo “Punssodan.” Fans loved their dynamic, and they often showcased special choreographies together at fan meetings, including stage skits and energetic dance breaks.
With Ong Seong-wu, he often exchanged playful pranks. They were in the same Get Ugly team and frequently teased each other, even mimicking each other’s actions at fan events. Their antics became legendary within the fandom.
Remarkably, despite the intense spotlight that followed him since his Produce 101 days, Park Ji-hoon has managed to keep his private life, particularly any romantic relationships, largely out of the public domain.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Medium | Role | Notes |
| 2006–2007 | Jumong | TV Series | Child Role | |
| 2007 | The Stories of One Thousand People | TV Series | Cameo (Ep. 20) | |
| 2007–2008 | Kimchi Cheese Smile | TV Series | Child Role | |
| 2007–2008 | The King and I | TV Series | Eunuch (Child Role) | |
| 2008 | Iljimae | TV Series | Villager’s son (Child Role) | |
| 2011 | The Unlimited Show | TV Series | Cameo (Ep. 10–11) | |
| 2019 | Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency | TV Series | Go Young-soo | First adult role post-Wanna One |
| 2020 | Love Revolution | Web Series | Gong Joo-young | Lead Role; OST “Midnight” |
| 2021 | At a Distance, Spring Is Green | TV Series | Yeo Jun | Lead Role; OST “Talk to me”; Nom. – KBS Best New Actor |
| 2022 | Remarriage & Desires | Web Series | Choi Yoo-seon’s customer (Special App.) | |
| 2022 | Weak Hero Class 1 | Web Series | Yeon Si-eun | Lead Role; Won – Blue Dragon & Korea Drama Best New Actor |
| 2024 | Love Song for Illusion | TV Series | Sajo Hyun / Ak-hee | Lead Role (Dual Role); Won – KBS Excellence Award |
| 2024 | Audrey | Film | Kang Ki-hoon | Film Debut |
| 2025 | Man Who Lives with the King | Film | Previous King | |
| TBA | Bastard | Web Series | Sunwoo Jin | |
| TBA | Weak Hero Class 2 | Web Series | Yeon Si-eun | Lead Role; Announced |
