Acting
Jul 26, 1996
South Korea
Jung Yong-ju
Acting
Biography
ung Yong-joo (정용주; born July 27, 1996) is a versatile South Korean actor known for his compelling character transformations across a wide spectrum of genres, from youth dramas to historical comedy and noir. He began expanding his career into film and streaming, quickly establishing him as a "hidden gem" due to his stable acting tone and exceptional ability to completely dissolve into distinct roles. He is highly praised for his dynamic range and the captivating sense of realism he brings to his characters. He showcased his talent for lighthearted, unique portrayals in the youth drama The History of Dorks and the historical comedy Flower That Blooms at Night (2024), where he played the loyal, yet humorously clumsy, military officer Bi-chan. His performance as Ryu Han-woo in Motel California (2025) was particularly noted for his natural, witty use of improvisation, earning him a reputation as a "laugh-maker." Demonstrating his darker side, Jung delivered a chilling performance as the prisoner Kim Ji-young in the hit series Death's Game (2023). Critics highlighted his stunning visual transformation, shifting seamlessly from a seemingly innocent demeanor to a cold, murderous glare, providing one of the series' most shocking twists. His dramatic work extends to independent cinema, where his performance as the desperate victim Nam Jin in the short film Intercession earned him an invitation to the Arizona International Film Festival. He was praised for his immersive expression of the character's despair, pain, and fear. He continues to build a strong presence in the industry, including his role as Hyun-guk in the Netflix series You and Everything Else (2025), consistently enriching projects with his realistic character interpretation and solidifying his position as a highly anticipated talent.
Feature Films (4)
To Yoon-seo, an interviewer for the City Hall periodical, human warmth is like the humid and unpleasant midsummer heat. One day, she gets into a scuffle with a young deliveryman, Soo-chan. Afterwards, they meet again by chance at an interview...
Adulting at Eighteen
Yeon-gyu is a teenage boy who wants to escape his hometown where violence is commonly enacted among neighbors. He only hopes to have a peaceful life with his mother. However, the world never allows him to have a dream nor hope for life. When Yeon-gyu needs a hand from grown-ups, Chi-geon, a thug of the town, offers a favor. The simple favor leads Yeon-gyu to explore the world of Chi-geon. It ironically results Yeon-gyu gradually falling into Chi-geon's life. Grasping hope to run away from where he is, he struggles between the border. Can he escape from the town at the end?
Hopeless
A job seeking dreamer Yong-jun works part-time at his parents' lunch box house. Yeo-reum lives only to support for hearing-impaired swimmer sister. One day, Yong-jun meets Yeo-reum while delivering lunch boxes and falls in love at the first sight. Yeo-reum slowly opens her heart to warm-hearted Yong-jun.
Hear Me: Our Summer
So-ra dreams of being an idol star; Kyung-ho dreams of becoming a boxing champion. So-ra & Kyung-ho went to a gym for different reasons. So-ra needed to be in shape to be an idol star, but Kyung-ho needed a place to make money and train himself. They become closer through sharing their different dreams and stories.
Dieter Fighter
Television & Series (15)
When a judicial apprentice goes behind bars while on an undercover job, he plays the hand he’s dealt to survive prison and get his payback.
Insider
In a time when dreams seem out of reach, a teen fencer pursues big ambitions and meets a hardworking young man who seeks to rebuild his life.
Twenty Five Twenty One
Cho Yeo Hwa has been a widow for 15 years. Her in-laws are the most prestigious noble family in the kingdom. During the day, she leads the life of a widow devoted entirely to her dead husband's memory and rarely ventures outside the gate of her home. At night, Yeo Hwa dons the mask of Hero, who secretly jumps over the surrounding wall to save the helpless.
Knight Flower
A woman with a unique upbringing in a motel in the countryside leaves her hometown at 20 to pursue her career in Seoul. Twelve years later though, she returns home to heal her heart and experiences twists and turns as she reunites with her first love, a now eligible bachelor and veterinarian.
Motel California
A fantasy story about a man who accidentally gets drawn into a fictional world inside of a horror novel.
