Song Ji Hyo debuted around 2001 as a cover girl for the renowned Kiki teen magazine and a model for some music videos. After that, she started her journey to become an actress.
She tried out for the movie Whispering Stairs (2003) and landed a lead role in it. Her raw skill was widely valued and it led her to get a nomination for best new actress.
Following her success, she took a temporary break from acting until she was offered a role in the famous drama series Princess Hour (2006). The series turned into an uber hit domestically and internationally.
In 2010, her big breakthrough came with the TV show Running Man. She was cast as one of the regular members. The show also turned into a massive hit both domestically and internationally.
A year later, she joined the cast of the drama series Gye Baek, which allowed her to win an award at the MBC Drama Awards. Besides Korea, she was also active in China.
She was featured in a Chinese movie titled 708090 (2016) alongside Taiwanese singer and actor Kenji Wu. Super Express (2016) was another Chinese movie that made her very famous in China.
Read also: Nam Ji Hyun – Biography, Profile, Trivia, Family & Life Story
Profile
- Real Name: Cheon Soo Yeon (천수연)
- Stage Name: Song Ji Hyo (송지효)
- Also Known as: –
- Nickname: Ji Hyo (지효)
- Birthday: August 15, 1981
- Birthplace: Pohang, North Gyeongsang, South Korea
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Nationality: South Korean
- Height: 168 cm (5’6”)
- Weight: –
- Blood Type: A
- Religion: Buddhism
- Professions: Actress, Model
- Education: Ilsan International Convention High School, Hwagye Middle School, Seoul Sinhak Elementary School, Kyungmoon University (Tax and Accounting)
- Hobbies: Reading Webtoons, web-surfing
- Parents: Park Gwi Ja (Mother)
- Sibling: Cheon Seong Moon (Brother)
- Boyfriend: Baek Chang Ju (2012 – 2015)
- Facebook: 송지효
- Twitter: –
- Instagram: @my_songjihyo
- TikTok: @official.songjihyo
- YouTube: –
Facts
- Ji Hyo’s birth name is Cheon Seong Im, but she changed it later to Cheon Soo Yeon.
- She thinks her birth name sounds countrified.
- Ji Hyo has a younger brother and a younger sister.
- Her mother, Park Gwi Ja, was a national swimming athlete.
- She was a long jump athlete at school.
- Ji Hyo had always been famous for being pretty even during middle school.
- She was scouted by entertainment management when she was in high school.
- Initially, her parents were against the idea of her becoming an artist.
- She first debuted as a model and graced the cover of local teen magazine Kiki.
- Ji Hyo used to work part-time in a cafe before receiving a casting offer.
- She managed to land a lead role for her acting debut.
- Ji Hyo has an honest, easygoing, and genuine on-screen persona.
- Fans named her Ace Ji Hyo, Mong Ji Hyo, and Song Ji Yok during the running of the TV show Running Man (2010).
- She is close friends with a lot of fellow actors such as Lee Sung Min, Lee Sang Yeob, Lee
- Dong Wook, Byun Yo Han, and Hong Jong Hyun.
- Ji Hyo has represented more than 50 brands throughout her career as an actress and a model.
- She is known to have great motoric nerves.
- Ji Hyo is good at sports and a massive fan of the wakeboard.
- She has a skin scuba certificate.
- Ji Hyo is afraid of zombies, bugs, and her mother.
- She can drink up to four bottles of soju.
- Ji Hyo is a fan of the mint choco flavor.
- Her brother, Cheon Seong Moon, is also an actor.
- She cannot handle spicy food.
- Ji Hyo is a considerate person and does not like to make a fuss.
- She likes the romance genre better than horror.
- Ji Hyo said she would rather eat spicy seafood noodles than black bean noodles.
- She picks kimchi stew over soybean paste stew
- Between malatang and hotpot, she likes malatang the best.
- She enjoys winter rather than summer.
- Ji Hyo likes SUVs more than sedans.
- She said the cons of being older is that she has to lose stamina.
- Ji Hyo revealed she will not get married until she meets someone who can change her for the better.
- She is good at dancing.
- Ji Hyo is a sleepyhead. She can sleep anywhere and anytime.
- Her parents have always been overprotective and she was raised in a strict household.
- Her ideal type is a man with a cool voice.
- Her net worth is around $12 million.
Read also: Lee Chung Ah – Biography, Profile, Trivia, Family & Life Story
Movies
- Intruder (2020), as Kang Yoo Jin
- Unstoppable (2018), as Kim Ji Soo
- What a Man Wants (2018), as Mi Young
- Super Express (2016), as Maggie
- 708090 (2016), as Duan Yu Rong
- New World (2013), as Lee Shin Woo
- Maritime Police Marco (2013), as Lulu
- Code Name: Jackal (2012), as Bong Min Jung
- Late Blossom (2011), as Kim Yeon Ah
- A Frozen Flower (2008), as Queen No Guk
- Sex is Zero 2 (2007), as Lee Kyung Ah
- Some (2004), as Seo Yoo Jin
- Wishing Stairs (2003), as Yoon Jin Sung
Drama Series
- Sh**ting Stars (tvN | 2022), as Song Ji Hee
- Witch’s Diner (TVING | 2021), as Jo Hee Ra
- Was It Love (JTBC | 2020), as Noh Ae Jung
- Lovely Horribly (KBS2 | 2018), as Oh Eul Soon
- 29gram (Naver TV Cast | 2017), as Yeon Yoo Jin
- Drama Stage – Chief B and the Love Letter (tvN | 2017), as Bang Ga Yeong
- Entourage (tvN | 2016), as self
- Listen To Love (JTBC | 2016), as Jeong Soo Yeon
- Ex-Girlfriends’ Club (tvN | 2015), as Kim Soo Jin
- A Girl Who Sees Smells (SBS | 2015), as TV Show Running Man MC
- Emergency Couple (tvN | 2014), as Oh Jin Hee
- The Fugitive of Jo Seon (KBS2 | 2013), as Hong Da In
- Gye Baek (MBC | 2011), as Eun Ko
- Detectives in Trouble (KBS2 | 2011), as Jo Min Joo
- Jumong (MBC | 2006), as Lady Ye So Ya
- Princess Hours (MBC | 2006), as Min Hyo Rin
- Age of Innocence (SBS | 2002), as Min Jung
TV Shows
- Turkids on the Block Season 2 (YouTube | 2022), as a guest
- PUBG Bootcamp (YouTube | 2022), as a regular member
- Outrun by Running Man (Disney+ | 2021), as a regular member
- Gym Jong Kook (YouTube | 2021), as a guest
- Busted 3 (Netflix | 2021), as a guest
- Problem Child in House (KBS2 | 2018), as a guest
- Pajama Friends (Lifetime | 2018), as the main host
- Song Ji Hyo’s Beautiful Life (On Style | 2018), as the main host
- Amazing Saturday (tvN | 2018), as a guest
- I Am Jyo Unnie (On Style | 2017), as the main host
- Song Ji Hyo’s Beauty View (On Style | 2017), as the main host
- My Little Old Boy (SBS | 2016), as a guest
- Abnormal Summit: Season 2 (JTBC | 2016), as a guest
- Go Fridge: Season 2 (ZJTV | 2016), as a guest
- Keep Running: Season 4 (ZRTG | 2016), as a guest
- We Are In Love: Season 2 (JSTV | 2016), as a regular member
- Knowing Bros (JTBC | 2015), as a guest
- Keep Running: Season 1 (ZRTG | 2014), as a guest
- Running Man (SBS | 2010), as a regular member
- TV Entertainment Tonight (SBS | 2010), as the host
- Strong Heart (SBS | 2009), as a guest
- Family Outing: Season 1 (SBS | 2008), as a guest
- Happy Together: Season 3 (KBS2 | 2007), as a guest
- Inkigayo (SBS | 2007), as the main host
- Gag Concert (KBS2 | 1999), as a guest
Music Video Appearances
- Lonely Night (2016) – Gary feat. Gaeko
- Winter Song (2013) – Freestyle
- Be Happy (2012) – Young Jee and Lee Kyu Hoon
- In Heaven (2011) – JYJ
- 별 거 아니야 (2011) – Young Jee
- Don’t Listen To This Song (2010) – Young Jee
- 믿을 수 없는 말 (2006) – Stay
- And I Love You (2001) – Lee Soo Young
- Just Say Goodbye (2001) – JTL
Awards
- 2021 Asia Artist Awards – Popularity Award (Actress) – Song Ji Hyo
- 2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Award – Multitainer (Female) – Song Ji Hyo
- 2020 SBS Entertainment Awards – Golden Content Award – Running Man
- 2020 IZE Magazine – Rediscovery Award – Intruder
- 2020 Asia Artist Awards – Popularity Award (Actress) – Song Ji Hyo
- 2019 Asia Artist Awards – Most Popular Actress – Song Ji Hyo
- 2017 Mapo Tax Office – Model Taxpayer Award – Song Ji Hyo
- 2016 JTBC Awards – Impressive Performances Chosen by Viewers – Listen to Love
- 2016 Sina Weibo Night Awards – Best Trans-Boundary Female Artist – Song Ji Hyo
- 2016 Soompi Awards – Best Actress of the Year – Ex-Girlfriends’ Club
- 2016 YinYueTai V Chart Awards – The Best Cooperation of The Year – You are So Cute
- 2015 Drama Fever Awards – Best Actress of the Year – Emergency Couple
- 2015 Drama Fever Awards – Boldest Moment – Emergency Couple
- 2015 SBS Entertainment Awards – Top Excellence Award in Variety – Running Man
- 2014 Drama Fever Awards – Best Kiss – Running Man
- 2013 NATE Awards – Best Couple – Running Man
- 2013 SBS Entertainment Awards – Top Excellence Female Award – Running Man
- 2011 MBC Drama Awards – Producer’s Award – Gye Baek
- 2011 SBS Entertainment Awards – Excellence Award in Variety – Running Man
- 2010 SBS Entertainment Awards – Special Award in Variety – Running Man
Nominations
- 2021 SBS Entertainment Awards – Best Couple Award – Running Man
- 2020 Metro Best K-drama Awards – People’s Choice (Best Couple) – Was It Love
- 2020 Metro Best K-drama Awards – People’s Choice (Best Kiss) – Was It Love
- 2020 Metro Best K-drama Awards – People’s Choice (Best Actress) – Was It Love
- 2018 KBS Drama Awards – Excellence Award (Actress in a Miniseries) – Lovely Horribly
- 2018 KBS Drama Awards – Netizen Award (Actress) – Lovely Horribly
- 2018 KBS Drama Awards – Best Couple Award – Lovely Horribly
- 2015 Drama Fever Awards – Best Couple Award – Emergency Couple
- 2014 Drama Fever Awards – Best Couple Not Meant To Be – Running Man
- 2013 Macau International Movie Festival – Best Supporting Actress – 708090
- 2013 Baeksang Arts Awards – Most Popular Actress (Television) – Gye Baek
- 2013 Baeksang Arts Awards – Most Popular Actress in a Film – New World
- 2013 KBS Drama Awards – Excellence Actress Award in a Mid-Length Drama – The Fugitive of Jo Seon
- 2013 SBS Entertainment Awards – Best Couple – Running Man
- 2013 KBS Drama Awards – Netizen Award – The Fugitive of Jo Seon
- 2012 Baeksang Arts Awards – Most Popular Actress (Television) – Gye Baek
- 2012 Baeksang Arts Awards – Best Female Entertainer – Running Man
- 2011 Mnet 20’s Choice Awards – Hot Variety Star – Running Man
- 2011 SBS Entertainment Awards – Netizen’s Popularity Award – Running Man
- 2011 KBS Drama Awards – Excellence Actress Award in a Miniseries – Detectives in Trouble
- 2011 MBC Drama Awards – Excellence Actress Award in a Miniseries – Gye Baek
- 2011 KBS Drama Awards – Netizen Award (Actress) – Detectives in Trouble
- 2009 Baeksang Arts Awards – Most Popular Actress (Film) – A Frozen Flower
- 2009 Chunsa Film Art Awards – Best New Actress – A Frozen Flower
- 2008 Baeksang Arts Awards – Most Popular Actress (Film) – Sex Is Zero 2
- 2007 Baeksang Arts Awards – Best New Actress (Television) – Jumong
- 2003 Blue Dragon Film Awards – Best New Actress – Wishpering Stairs
Song Ji Hyo is a multitalented actress and model of good reputation who shines both in and outside of Korea. It is no wonder that she is considered one of the best entertainers in Korea.