Ju Ji Hoon has received the Prime Minister’s Commendation at the 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards.
The 16th annual ceremony, held on Thursday at the National Theater’s Haeoreum Theater, was hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Korea Creative Content Agency. Regarded as South Korea’s highest government honor in the entertainment sector, the event celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to popular culture and the arts. Ju’s recognition underscores his enduring influence and excellence across film and television.
In his acceptance speech, he expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying he was deeply honored to stand alongside his esteemed colleagues in the field of popular culture and arts and that the recognition motivates him to reach even greater heights in his future work. Since debuting in the 2006 MBC drama Goong, Ju has built an impressive career defined by range and depth. His filmography includes acclaimed performances in Unofficial Operation, Ambush Murder, Undercover Agent, and Good Friends, along with hit dramas such as Disney+’s The Illuminated Shop, tvN’s Jirisan, and SBS’s Hyena. His standout roles in the record-breaking Along with the Gods franchise and the globally successful Netflix series Kingdom have solidified his international reputation as a leading figure in Korean entertainment.
Most recently, he achieved global success with Netflix’s Severe Trauma Center, which debuted at No. 1 in the platform’s global non-English TV show rankings. Currently, he is filming the highly anticipated Disney+ series The Remarried Empress, set for release in 2026, reaffirming his status as one of South Korea’s most sought-after actors.
