Zo In-sung (, born July 28, 1981), previously known as Cho In-sung, and occasionally referred to as Jo In-sung, is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading roles in the television series Something Happened in Bali (2004), Spring Day (2005), That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013), It's Okay, That's Love (2014), and Moving (2023). In film, he is known for his roles in The Classic (2003), A Dirty Carnival (2006), A Frozen Flower (2008), The King (2017), The Great Battle (2018), and Escape from Mogadishu (2021). He also starred in the reality show Unexpected Business (2021–2024).
Early life and education Zo In-sung was born and raised in Gangdong District, Seoul. He studied modeling and events management at Chunnam Techno University. He later enrolled as a Theater and Film major at Dongguk University, but was expelled in 2007 due to inadequate class attendance.
Career 1998–2002: Beginnings and rise to fame Zo made his entertainment debut in 1998 as a model for clothing brand Ziozia. He began his acting career in 1999 through the MBC sitcom Jump and, in 2000, starred in the teen drama School 3 and in the second season of the sitcom Nonstop.
Zo first drew notice with a supporting role in the 2001 television drama Piano, co-starring Go Soo and Kim Ha-neul. He was then cast in his first drama leading role in 2002, as an illiterate actor in Shoot for the Stars opposite Jeon Do-yeon. The same year, he made his film debut in the movie Public Toilet. He also starred in several music videos of popular boy band g.o.d, a fellow SidusHQ artiste at that time, and was directed by actor Jung Woo-sung.
2003–2008: Mainstream popularity In 2003, Zo starred in three romantic films, most notably Kwak Jae-yong's The Classic, with Son Ye-jin and Cho Seung-woo.
In 2004, he returned to television in the melodrama Something Happened in Bali, alongside Ha Ji-won and So Ji-sub. Something Happened was a huge success, with its final episode reaching a peak rating of 39.7%. Zo won Best Actor awards at both the Baeksang Arts Awards and SBS Drama Awards.
In 2005, he starred opposite Go Hyun-jung in her comeback drama Spring Day, a remake of the Japanese drama Heaven's Coin.
Zo collaborated with renowned director Yoo Ha in his next two films: 2006's A Dirty Carnival, in which he played a charismatic small-time gangster who seeks a happier life, and 2008's A Frozen Flower, a Goryeo-period film where his royal bodyguard character is caught in a love triangle between the king and the queen.
2009–2012: Enlistment
On April 7, 2009, Zo enlisted for his two-year mandatory military service; he reportedly wanted to join the Air Force to follow in the footsteps of his father, who served as a non-commissioned officer. He served 25 months in the Air Force and the Air Force military band, and was discharged on May 4, 2011.
Upon the expiry of his contract with talent agency SidusHQ, Zo joined IOK Company in March 2012.
2013–present: Return to television and international recognition In 2013, he co-starred in the melodrama That Winter, the Wind Blows alongside Song Hye-kyo, a remake of the Japanese drama . The drama placed number one in its time slot during most of its run, and Zo and Song were praised for their performances. A year later, Zo reunited with That Winter'''s teleplay writer and director in SBS's medical melodrama It's Okay, That's Love opposite Gong Hyo-jin. Zo won the Daesang (Grand Prize), the highest honor for television at the APAN Star Awards.
In 2016, Zo was chosen as the ambassador of the National Tax Service alongside Choi Ji-woo.
In 2017, Zo starred in the crime thriller The King alongside Jung Woo-sung, directed by The Face Reader director Han Jae-rim. In 2018, he starred in the historical film The Great Battle''.
In March 2025, Zo decided not to renew his exclusive contract with IOK Company after 13 years. On March 4, it was reported that he will establish a new company with Cha Tae-hyun, which was later named as Basecamp Company.
Other works Endorsements In 2001, Zo earned title best male rookie for CF model. In 2002, Zo ranked first among male celebrity as "the celebrity who is likely to appear the most in CF this year". In 2004, he paired with Lee Yeon-hee as advertising model for Fujifilm FinePix digital camera. In 2006, Zo was model of LG Electronics TROMM washing machine. In 2007, he became face of Amore Pacific's 'Laneige Homme'. In 2008, he was paired with Han Hyo-joo to advertise the coffee brand Maxim.
After being discharged from the military in 2011, Zo reclaimed his CF King title. He was selected as a brand advertising model for SK Telesis 'W'. He signed with as a model for kimchi refrigerator "Dimchae" and LG Whisen air conditioner. Zo also signed contracts with food and beverage such as Outback Steakhouse, Cass Beer, and Woongjin Foods. In 2014, he went to Himalaya to film for an outdoor clothing brand. He was with the brand for five years from 2011 to 2016. In 2016, Angel-in-us wanted to shoot women's hearts with Zo as the model. In the following year, Zo became model for the bedding product brand Evezary. Zo signed with Asahi Beer in 2018. In 2019, Zo signed as an advertising model of food brand Ottogi.
In 2020, Zo was paired with Han Ji-min to advertise Onyu Pharmaceutical, a health food brand. In February 2021, IOK Company announced that Zo became the exclusive model of Ranking Chicken Com. Ranking Chicken Com is an online platform that provides a service that allows consumers to compare and buy various chicken breast brands. In September, Zo was signed as ambassador for a luxury shopping platform, Catch Fashion. In the end of 2021, Zo re-signed as an advertising model of food brand Ottogi. It was announced on January 15, 2022, that the sales of dumpling jumped 167% compared to the same month of the previous year, recording the highest monthly sales since its launch. Ottogi released new 'XO dumplings' advertisement featuring actor Zo in the winter, the peak season for frozen dumplings.
Philanthropy According to a non-governmental organization MIRAL Welfare Foundation, Jo has generously donated 500 million won (almost 440 thousand dollars) to help the people in Tanzania. The foundation also stated that the donation was used to build Singida New Vision School located in central Tanzania.
Personal life In 2013, it was reported that Zo and Kim Min-hee have been in a relationship since earlier in the year. Both their agencies confirmed this. On September 24, 2014, Zo and Kim confirmed that they ended their year-and-a-half-long relationship.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2002 Public Toilet Cho Korea-Hong Kong joint film 2003 Madeleine Kang Ji-suk The Classic Oh Sang-min Love Impossible Kim Chul-soo 2006 A Dirty Carnival Kim Byung-doo 2008 A Frozen Flower Hong-rim 2017 The King Park Tae-soo Love Jo. Right Now Himself Cameo 2018 The Great Battle Yang Manch'un 2021 Escape from Mogadishu Kang Dae-jin 2023 Smugglers Sergeant Kwon 2026 Humint Manager Zo Hope Ko Sung-ki Possible Love Sang-woo
Television series Year Title Role Notes 1999 Jump 2000 School 3 Kim Seok-joo New Nonstop Zo In-sung Ep. 169, 177–468 2001 Drama City: "Love Me Tender" Joon-ho Drama City: "Like a Pure Comic" Kim Jung-hyun Piano Lee Kyung-ho 2002 Great Ambition young Lee Soo Cameo (episode 1) Shoot for the Stars Gu Sung-tae 2003 Hey Hey Hey Zo In-sung episode 39 2004 Something Happened in Bali Jung Jae-min 2005 Spring Day Go Eun-sup 2013 That Winter, the Wind Blows Oh Soo 2014 It's Okay, That's Love Jang Jae-yeol 2016 Dear My Friends Seo Yeon-ha Special appearance 2023MovingKim Doo-shik
Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2021–2023 Unexpected Business MC with Cha Tae-hyun – Season 1–3
Music video appearances Year Song Title Artist 2000 "She's Leaving Me" Shin Seung-hun "Now" Fin.K.L 2002 "Sad Love" g.o.d "You Don't Know" "Fool" 2012 "Love" Kim C
Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2013 Top Excellence Award, ActorThat Winter, the Wind Blows 2014 Grand Prize (Daesang)It's Okay, That's Love Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Baeksang Arts Awards 2002 Best New Actor – TelevisionPiano 2004 Best Actor – TelevisionSomething Happened in Bali "조인성, "스스로에게 거는 기대 채워야"" . Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). December 21, 2004. 2005 Most Popular Actor (TV)Spring Day 2007 Best Actor – FilmA Dirty Carnival 2015 Best Actor – TelevisionIt's Okay, That's Love Beautiful Artist Awards (Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation) 2023 Good People Artist Award Zo In-sung Blue Dragon Film Awards 2006Best Leading Actor A Dirty Carnival 2017The King Popular Star Award 2021Best Leading Actor Escape from Mogadishu 2023 Best Supporting ActorSmugglers Popular Star Award Buil Film Awards 2021 Star of the Year Escape from Mogadishu Busan International Film Festival 2007 Star Summit Asia – Curtain CallZo In-sung Esquire Man at His Best Awards 2014 Most Popular Overseas Artist Grand Bell Awards 2007 Best ActorA Dirty Carnival 2017 The King KBS Drama Awards 2000 Best Young ActorSchool 3 KCA Consumer Day Awards 2018Best ActorThe Great Battle Korea Advertisers' Association 2011 Good Model Award Zo In-sung Korea Advertising Festival 2007 Netizen's Choice for Best Male Model Korean Film Awards 2006Best ActorA Dirty Carnival Malaysia Golden Global Awards 2017The King Max Movie Awards 2007A Dirty Carnival "조인성, 김아중, '최고의 남녀 배우상' 수상" . Star News (in Korean). January 17, 2007. MBC Entertainment Awards 2001 Excellence Award, Actor in a Comedy / Sitcom New Nonstop Mnet 20's Choice Awards 2007 Best Actor A Dirty Carnival Most Photogenic Star Zo In-sung Best CF Star Motion Pictures Day Most Promising ActorA Dirty Carnival Premiere Rising Star Awards 2006 Best Actor Pyeongtaek Film Festival SBS Drama Awards 2001 New Star Award Piano 2002 Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning DramaShoot for the Stars Netizen Popularity Award Top 10 Stars 2004 Top Excellence Award, Actor Something Happened in Bali Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama Top 10 Stars 2005 Top Excellence Award, ActorSpring Day Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama Netizen Popularity Award Top 10 Stars 2013 SBS Special AwardThat Winter, the Wind Blows Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Top 10 Stars Best Couple Award (with Song Hye-kyo) 2014 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesIt's Okay, That's Love Top 10 Stars Best Couple Award (with Gong Hyo-jin) Sohu Fashion Awards2014 Fashion Idol of the Year Zo In-sung Style Icon Awards Style Icon of the Year Top 10 Style Icons tvN10 Awards 2016 Best Kiss Award (with Go Hyun-jung) Dear My Friends
State honors + Name of the country, organization, year presented, and the award given Country Organization Year Award South Korea Republic of Korea Air Force 2011 Honorary Citation from the Chief of Staff Savings Day 2012 Presidential Commendation Taxpayers' Day 2016 Presidential Commendation
Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Forbes 2015 Korea Power Celebrity 40 Gallup Korea2014Television Actor of the Year2018Film Actor of the Year20212023
References
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