Few K-drama rises have been as swift—or as sudden—as Ji Soo’s. The actor, who shot to fame in hit dramas like Strong Girl Bong-soon and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, saw his career derailed by bullying allegations in March 2021. Today, after a hiatus, military service, and a relocation to the Philippines, he’s quietly rebuilding. Here’s the full timeline and what we actually know.
Born: March 30, 1993 ·
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea ·
Known for: Strong Girl Bong-soon, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo ·
Status: Currently based in the Philippines ·
Notable incident: Bullying allegations in 2021
Quick snapshot
- Ji Soo faced bullying accusations in 2021 (GMA Network)
- He issued a handwritten apology (Vice)
- He moved to the Philippines and signed with Sparkle GMA in 2024 (Wikipedia)
- Exact nature of the allegations
- Current relationship status
- Whether he will return to South Korean entertainment
- Whether the allegations were fully resolved legally
- His long-term plans in the Philippines
- March 2021: Allegations emerge, apology issued
- October 2021: Enlists in military
- 2023-2024: Relocates to Philippines, signs with local agency
- Continued acting in Philippine productions
- Possible return to South Korea (spotted in Seoul April 2025)
Six key facts paint the full picture of Ji Soo’s profile and trajectory.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Ji-soo |
| Profession | Actor |
| Date of Birth | March 30, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Seoul, South Korea |
| Current Residence | Philippines |
| Years Active | 2014–present |
Why did Ji Soo stop acting?
What bullying allegations were made against Ji Soo?
- An anonymous online post in March 2021 accused Ji Soo of school violence during his middle school years (GMA Network).
- The accuser claimed Ji Soo bullied a classmate from 2006 to 2008, including forcing classmates to hand over gift vouchers and shooting BB guns at students (Vice).
- Additional reports included allegations of sexual harassment (Yahoo News Singapore).
The implication: the accusations were broad and severe enough to trigger an immediate career freeze.
How did Ji Soo respond?
- Ji Soo released a handwritten apology on March 4, 2021, acknowledging there was “no excuse for his past misdeeds” (Vice).
- His agency KeyEast terminated his contract shortly after (Times of India).
- He was removed from the drama River Where the Moon Rises (Allkpop).
The trade-off: a swift apology couldn’t stop the professional fallout—contracts were cut, roles recast, and the actor effectively went dark.
Ji Soo’s response was immediate and apologetic, but in South Korea’s unforgiving celebrity culture, an apology alone rarely stops the damage. The contract termination was the industry’s signal that the trust was broken.
The pattern: a single apology could not undo the reputational damage, and the actor lost his foothold in Korean entertainment within weeks.
What happened to Ji Soo?
Timeline of the scandal
- March 2021: Allegations surface; Ji Soo apologizes in handwriting (GMA Network).
- October 2021: Ji Soo enlists in the South Korean military for mandatory service (Times of India).
- October 2023: Completes military discharge (Allkpop).
- 2024: Relocates to the Philippines; signs with Sparkle, GMA Network’s talent agency, on August 28, 2024 (Wikipedia).
The pattern: military service provided a natural pause, but the real pivot was geographical—the Philippines offered a fresh start.
Why did Ji Soo move to the Philippines?
- After his discharge, Ji Soo reportedly moved to the Philippines, where he resumed acting in local productions (Wikipedia).
- He signed with Sparkle, the talent agency of GMA Network, and made guest appearances in shows like Black Rider and Abot-Kamay na Pangarap (Daily Tribune).
- He also starred in the Philippine film Mujigae (Wikipedia).
The catch: leaving Korea meant leaving behind his established fanbase, but it also meant a second chance in a market where his past was less known.
Where is Ji Soo now?
What is Ji Soo doing in the Philippines?
- As of 2024, Ji Soo is based in the Philippines and actively working in local television and film (Wikipedia).
- He appeared in GMA’s action drama Black Rider and had a recurring role in the medical drama Abot-Kamay na Pangarap (Daily Tribune).
- He shared a Philippines-related career update in June 2025 (TenAsia).
Is Ji Soo still acting?
- Yes. Despite the hiatus, he resumed acting in the Philippines in 2024 and continues to take on roles (Wikipedia).
- In April 2025, a TikTok video showed him back in South Korea, sparking speculation about a possible return to the Korean entertainment industry (KapanLagi).
Why this matters: Ji Soo is no longer on a permanent hiatus—he’s working, but the question is whether Korean networks will ever cast him again.
Ji Soo is acting again, but only in the Philippines. His career in Korea remains frozen. The April 2025 sighting in Seoul suggests he may test the waters, but no local projects have been announced.
The implication: his comeback remains partial until a Korean production takes the risk.
Who is the girlfriend of Ji Soo?
Is Ji Soo married?
- No verified public relationship or marriage has been confirmed for Ji Soo as of 2025.
- There are no credible reports of a girlfriend or spouse. The actor has kept his personal life private since the scandal.
The takeaway: any claims about a relationship are speculative. Ji Soo’s focus appears to be on career rebuilding, not romance.
When did Ji Soo come out?
What did Ji Soo reveal about himself?
- There is no verifiable “coming out” statement from Ji Soo. The question likely arises from confusion with the name “Jisoo” of BLACKPINK, or from fan speculation.
- No credible source reports any such revelation.
The pattern: search queries about “coming out” often stem from name similarity with BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, who is a female singer. The actor Ji Soo has not made any public statement on his sexual orientation.
Timeline signal
- March 30, 1993: Born in Seoul, South Korea
- 2014: Acting debut
- 2016-2017: Rise to fame with Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Strong Girl Bong-soon
- March 2021: Bullying allegations surface; handwritten apology
- October 2021: Enlists in military
- October 2023: Military discharge
- 2024: Relocates to Philippines; signs with Sparkle GMA
- 2025: Returns to South Korea for a visit; continues Philippine projects
The timeline shows a clear arc: rise, fall, reset, and cautious re-emergence in a new market.
Confirmed facts
- Ji Soo faced bullying allegations in 2021 (GMA Network)
- He wrote a public apology (Vice)
- He moved to the Philippines (Wikipedia)
- He appeared in the Philippine film Mujigae (Wikipedia)
- He signed with Sparkle GMA on August 28, 2024 (Wikipedia)
- He completed military service (October 2021–2023) (Times of India)
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of the allegations (multiple accounts, unverified)
- Current relationship status (no confirmed girlfriend or marriage)
- Whether he will return to South Korean entertainment
- Whether the allegations were fully resolved legally
- His long-term plans in the Philippines
- Whether Korean networks will ever recast him
Quotes & Perspectives
“I am truly sorry for the pain I caused. There is no excuse for my past misdeeds.”
— Ji Soo, handwritten apology, March 2021 (Vice)
“Kim Ji Soo has cleared up past allegations and is grateful for Filipino fans’ support.”
— ABS-CBN News report, 2024 (GMA Network)
For Ji Soo, the consequence of the 2021 scandal is clear: a career that once soared in Korea now operates in the Philippines. Without a formal exoneration or a major Korean comeback, his future in the Korean entertainment industry remains uncertain. The actor’s best bet is to continue building his reputation in Southeast Asia, where audiences are more forgiving, and hope that time—and consistent work—opens the door back home.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ji Soo the same person as BLACKPINK’s Jisoo?
No. Ji Soo (Kim Ji-soo) is a male actor. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo (Kim Ji-soo) is a female singer. They share the same romanized name but are different people.
What was Ji Soo’s first kdrama?
His first major role was in the 2014 web drama 4Men’s A Way, but his breakout was Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016).
Did Ji Soo apologize for bullying?
Yes, he issued a handwritten apology in March 2021, acknowledging his past mistakes (Vice).
Is Ji Soo active on Instagram?
Yes, his official Instagram account (@jisoo_actor) is active, though he posts infrequently.
What is Ji Soo’s latest project?
As of 2025, he appeared in the Philippine film Mujigae and had roles in GMA dramas Black Rider and Abot-Kamay na Pangarap (Daily Tribune).
How old is Ji Soo?
Born March 30, 1993, he is 32 years old as of 2025.
Does Ji Soo have children?
No evidence of children exists. He is unmarried and has no publicly known children.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Wire Hub, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.