Biography
Zo was born and raised in Cheonho-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea. He debuted in 1998 as a fashion model for Ziozia, and started his acting career by taking a role in daytime sitcom Nonstop 2. He majored in Performing Arts at Chunnam Science College and then later at Dongguk University. However, he was dismissed due to inadequate class attendance.
He was cast in his first TV drama, Piano, co-starring Ko Soo as his stepbrother. He then gained acclaim for his portrayal of an illiterate actor in Shoot for the Stars. After which he starred in film The Classic, with Son Ye-jin.
In 2004, he returned to television in What Happened in Bali, with Ha Ji-won and So Ji-sub. Aside from its high ratings, the drama netted Jo a Best Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards, and several more trophies from the SBS Drama Awards, even minor ones like Best Kiss and Best Tears. In 2005, he starred opposite Go Hyun-jung in her comeback drama Spring Days.
He collaborated with renowned director Yoo Ha in his next two films: 2006's A Dirty Carnival, in which he plays a charismatic small-time gangster who seeks a happier life; and 2008's A Frozen Flower, a period film where he's caught in a love triangle between the king and the queen.
Jo appeared in two episodes of the MBC TV comedy variety show Infinite Challenge on March 15 and 22, 2008. These episodes were about wrestling training in order to encourage South Korean national team before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
On April 7, 2009, Zo enlisted for his two-year mandatory military service; he reportedly wanted to join the Air Force following his father, who served as a non-commissioned officer. He served 25 months in the Air Force and Air Force military band at Osan Air Force headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi and was discharged on May 4, 2011.
In February 2012, upon the expiry of his contract with SidusHQ, Zo joined IOK Company in March, which also manages his friend, actress Go Hyun-jung. In October, Zo paired up with actress Song Hye-kyo to film his first television series in seven years, titled That Winter, The Wind Blows. It is a remake of 2002 Japanese drama Ai Nante Irane Yo, Natsu ("I Don't Need Love, Summer"), which was previously adapted into a 2006 film Love Me Not.
Read more about this topic: Zo In Sung
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