Cho Yeo-jeong

Cho Yeo-jeong (Korean조여정; born February 10, 1981) is a South Korean actress. She is best known internationally for her role in the film Parasite (2019), which won four Academy Awards and became the first non-English language film to win the award for Best Picture.[1]

Cho Yeo-jeong
Cho in 2019
Born (1981-02-10) February 10, 1981 (age 43)
Other namesJo Yeo-jeong
Cho Yeo-jung
EducationDongguk University
OccupationActress
Years active1997–present
AgentHigh Entertainment
Korean name
Hangul
조여정
Revised RomanizationJo Yeo-jeong
McCune–ReischauerCho Yŏjŏng

Cho is also known for her roles in the films The Servant (2010), The Concubine (2012), and Obsessed (2014), as well as the television series I Need Romance (2011), Lovers of Haeundae (2012), Divorce Lawyer in Love (2015), Woman of 9.9 Billion (2019–2020), and Cheat on Me If You Can (2020–2021).

Life and career

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Cho Yeo-jeong was born in Seoul, South Korea. She debuted as a CeCi Magazine cover girl at the age of 16 in 1997, and began actively acting in 1999. Despite appearing in drama series, music videos, and TV commercials afterwards, she remained obscure. During this period, she was also unhappy with the limited roles being offered to her.[2][3]

Then Cho rose to the spotlight in 2010 by starring as the ambitious Joseon woman of lower class in the erotic period drama The Servant.[4] The R-rated movie, which was a newly adapted and tragic version of Korea's famous folktale The Story of Chunhyang, had been turned down by a number of actresses because it contained too many sex scenes. Cho, however, took advantage of the opportunity and it turned out to be a huge stepping stone in her career.[5][6] Upon the release of the film, Cho successfully escaped being "another pretty face" in Korea's entertainment scene.[2][3]

In 2011, Cho starred in hit cable series I Need Romance, a sexually frank and funny comedy about a group of single thirty-something girlfriends navigating the dating scene in Seoul, which boasted stylish and slick production values.

Few would have expected her to star in another period drama that required full nudity, as doing so may have stigmatized her in Korea's film industry. Despite the collective concerns expressed by local media that she was "going nude too often," in 2012 the actress chose another period thriller with explicit sex scenes.[7] She had admired the work of director Kim Dae-seung and wanted to work with him, so after reading his latest script, she pursued being cast as the complex titular character of The Concubine.[8] Despite the hype, the film was critically praised. In an interview for the film, Cho said that most of all, she wants to be seen as an adventurous and intriguing actress.[2][3][9]

In the 2012 romantic comedy series Lovers of Haeundae, Cho played the bright and cheerful daughter of a Busan gangster, who falls in love with the amnesiac undercover prosecutor living with them.[10] A year later, Cho's book Healing Beauty was published, containing tips and advice on health and beauty, based on the know-how she's amassed as an actress over her 16-year career.[11]

In 2013, Cho became involved in a publicized contract dispute when she signed a new contract with Bom Entertainment while her contract with Didim531 was still in effect.[12] The Korea Entertainment Management Association suggested that Cho avoid working with both agencies, and she joined Neos Entertainment in 2014.[13]

Cho starred in two movies in 2014. She reunited with director Kim Dae-woo (The Servant) in another erotic period film, this time set during the Vietnam War, titled Obsessed.[14] She also played an abducted wife in The Target, a remake of French action-thriller Point Blank.[15][16]

In 2015, Cho starred in the sex comedy Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies, which she said made her realize "how gratifying it is to see people laughing because of me." She said further, "Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies is the first film I've done in a long time whose story focuses on women. I hope that, building on the success of this film, more films featuring women's voices and experiences are made."[17]

Cho started in her first television series of 2020, Cheat on Me If You Can since Woman of 9.9 Billion in 2019.

Filmography

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Film

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YearTitleRole
2002A Perfect MatchMin-ah
2006Vampire Cop RickyYeon-hee
2010The ServantChun-hyang
2012The ConcubineShin Hwa-yeon
2014The TargetJung Hee-joo
ObsessedLee Sook-jin
2015Casa Amor: Exclusive for LadiesBaek Bo-hee
2019ParasiteChoi Yeon-gyo / Mrs. Park
TBAHidden FaceSu-yeon[18]
The InterviewSeon-ju[19]

Television series

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YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1999How Am I?
Last War
You Don't Know My MindYang Mi-ri
2000Roll of Thunder
2002The Rustic PeriodAe-ran
Royal Story: Jang Hui-binRoyal Consort 'Gwiin' Kim
2003South of the SunNoh Hye-in
A Problem at My Younger Brother's HouseOh Dan-bi
2004Terms of EndearmentNa Ae-ri
I'm From ChosunLee Han-sol
2006So In LoveLee Sun-joo
2008War of Money: The OriginalChoi Ji-in
2009The Road HomeJang Mi-ryung
Hometown Legends "Myo-jeong's Pearl"So-won
2011I Need RomanceSunwoo In-young[20]
2012Lovers of HaeundaeGo So-ra[10]
2015Divorce Lawyer in LoveGo Cheok-hee
2016BabysitterLee Sang-won's wife
Love in the MoonlightCameo (episode 1)
2017Ms. PerfectLee Eun-hee[21]
2019Beautiful WorldSeo Eun-joo[22]
Woman of 9.9 BillionJeong Seo-yeon[23]
2020–2021Cheat on Me If You CanKang Yeo-ju novel writer[24]
2021High ClassSong Yeo-uol[25]
2022Behind Every StarHerselfCameo[26]

Variety show

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YearTitleNotesRef.
1997Ppo Ppo Ppo (Kiss Kiss Kiss)Host[27]
200121st Century CommitteeCast member
Fairyland GgumdongsanHost
2003SoulmatesCast member
2008We Got Married - Season 1paired with Lee Hwi-jae
2010Girls on Top - Season 2Host
Fox's ButlerCast member
2011O'live Beauty On-AirHost
2012Saturday Night Live Korea
2013Law of the Jungle in Caribbean/Maya JungleCast member
2019Surfing House[28]
2021Saturday Night Live KoreaHost (Episode 5)[29]

Music videos

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YearSongArtist(s)Role
2011"Even Now" ( 난 좋아)Sung Si-kyungLead Actress
2019"Fever"J. Y. Park feat. Superbee & BibiMain Actress

Ambassadorship

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YearTitleRef.
2021Korean seafood export ambassador[30]

Musical theatre

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YearTitleRole
2005GreaseSandy

Discography

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YearSong titleArtistNotes
2011"Aegyo (Charm)"Jo Yeo-jeong and Kim Jeong-hoonTrack from
I Need Romance OST
"Winter Story"Jo Yeo-jeong, Park Si-hoo,
Park Si-yeon, Nam Gyu-ri,
Jo Dal-hwan, Ryohei Otani,
Choi Sung-joon and Jung Woo-jin
Eyagi Entertainment
Christmas 2011 single

Book

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YearTitlePublisherISBN
2013Healing Beauty[31]Paper BookISBN 9788997148295

Awards and nominations

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YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2010Bucheon International Fantastic Film FestivalFantasia AwardWon
Grand Bell AwardsBest ActressThe ServantNominated
Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest New ActressNominated
Popular Star AwardWon
Korea Best Dresser Swan AwardsBest Dressed, Movie Actress categoryWon
2011Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Actress (Film)The ServantNominated
Korea Drama AwardsSpecial Award for Cable TVI Need RomanceNominated
Style Icon AwardsSIA's DiscoveryWon
2012Buil Film AwardsBest ActressThe ConcubineNominated
KBS Drama AwardsExcellence Award, Actress in a MiniseriesLovers of HaeundaeNominated
Netizen Award, ActressNominated
Best Couple Award with Kim Kang-wooNominated
2013SBS Entertainment AwardsPopularity AwardLaw of the Jungle in Caribbean/Maya JungleWon
2014Buil Film AwardsBest Supporting ActressObsessedNominated
Korean Association of Film Critics AwardsWon
Grand Bell AwardsNominated
Blue Dragon Film AwardsNominated
2015KOFRA Film AwardsWon
Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Supporting ActressNominated
SBS Drama AwardsExcellence Award, Actress in a MiniseriesDivorce Lawyer in LoveNominated
2016KBS Drama AwardsBest Actress in a One-Act/Special/Short DramaBabysitterWon
2017KBS Drama AwardsExcellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length DramaPerfect WifeWon
Netizen Award, ActressNominated
2019KBS Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActressWoman of 9.9 BillionWon[32]
Excellence Award, Actress in a MiniseriesNominated
Netizen Award, ActressNominated
Chunsa Film Art AwardsBest Actress ParasiteWon[33]
Blue Dragon Film AwardsWon[34][35]
Buil Film AwardsNominated[36]
New Mexico Film CriticsBest Supporting ActressWon[37]
IndieWire Critics Poll15th place[38]
Chicago Film Critics Association AwardsNominated[39][40]
2020Critics Choice AwardsBest Acting EnsembleNominated[41]
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureWon[42]
Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Actress – FilmNominated[43]
KBS Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActressCheat on Me If You CanNominated
Excellence Award, Actress in a MiniseriesWon
Netizen Award, ActressNominated
Best Couple Award with Go JunWon
2021APAN Star AwardsTop Excellence Award, Actress in a MiniseriesWoman of 9.9 BillionNominated

Listicles

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Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
PublisherYearListiclePlacementRef.
Forbes2020Korea Power Celebrity 4030th[44]
The Screen20192009–2019 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies43rd[45]

References

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  2. ^ a b c Lee, Claire (May 23, 2012). "Actress returns in another racy period thriller". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Lim, Ju-ri (May 29, 2012). "Cho Yeo-jeong keeps it steamy in The Concubine". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  4. ^ "Jo Yeo-jeong Hits Box-Office Gold with Daring Part". The Chosun Ilbo. June 12, 2010. Archived from the original on November 25, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
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