Jun Ji-Hyun, a multifaceted and captivating actress, has earned widespread admiration and respect in her native South Korea. Her impressive array of accolades includes two Grand Bell Awards for Best Actress and a prestigious Baeksang Art Awards Daesang (Grand Prize) for Television. As a leading figure in the Hallyu entertainment industry, she has solidified her position as a top-tier star. Additionally, she is often referred to as one of "The Troika," alongside Kim Tae-Hee and Song Hye-Kyo, collectively known by the acronym "Tae-Hye-Ji."
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Jun Ji-Hyun's early life was marked by her mother and maternal friends' encouragement to pursue a career in modeling or acting due to her height and slender figure. Initially, she had aspirations to become a flight attendant, but after a single flight, she reconsidered. At the age of 16, she began her modeling career with Ecole Magazine in 1997, following in the footsteps of her high school senior classmate. On the advice of a producer, she made her acting debut in 1998, adopting the stage name Jun Ji-현.
Jun Ji-Hyun's cinematic debut came in the 1999 film White Valentine, followed by a role in Il Mare (2000),which proved to be a success. However, her breakout performance came in the 2001 romantic comedy My Sassy Girl, which earned her the Best Actress award at the Daejong Film Festival in 2002. The film's international success sparked a significant breakthrough for Korean cinema, becoming a massive sensation throughout Asia. This iconic role cemented her status as one of the top actresses of her generation, earning her the title "Nation's First Love." Even decades after the film's release, she continues to be associated with this label, further solidifying her enduring legacy.
