On the morning of April 7, fans across Asia erupted with joy at the news of So Ji Sub marrying his girlfriend Cho Eun Jung.
In a heartfelt letter to his fans, the “Glass Slipper” star expressed: “Today, I have just started a new life with my partner… This is one of the most important decisions of my life that I took too long to make.”
After years of waiting, fans of So Ji Sub finally witnessed his joyous day. The once charming bachelor is no longer a highly sought-after single gentleman but has now become “the flower with an owner”.
It can be said that to reach the happiness of today, So Ji Sub has undergone a long journey, during which there were times when people thought he would remain single forever.
From a Poor Boy to a Heartthrob
Few know that So Ji Sub had a difficult childhood. His parents divorced when Ji Sub was in high school, and his mother had to work multiple jobs to support her children, rent a house, and pay off debts.
Therefore, from a young age, the “Glass Slipper” star nurtured a dream of becoming successful so he could help his mother ease the burdens on her shoulders.
After graduating high school, So Ji Sub passed the entrance exam for a sports university and was determined to become an international swimmer.
Thanks to his relentless efforts, he won a national swimming medal and was an official member of the South Korean handball team. However, in 1995, by chance, Ji Sub ventured into modeling and shifted his focus to the arts.
A year later, So Ji Sub made his screen debut with a guest role in the sitcom “Three Guys and Three Girls”. However, during the early years of his career, his path was not covered in roses.
Now a “dream man”, back then, So Ji Sub was not highly regarded for his looks. Standing at 1.82 meters with a muscular physique, his single eyelids were seen as a drawback at that time.
People said that with his less attractive single eyelids, Ji Sub would never achieve success in an entertainment industry filled with handsome stars. “I once asked my mother why I was so ugly, and there were times I seriously considered eyelid surgery, but in the end, I didn’t do anything,” the actor sadly shared.
Nevertheless, So Ji Sub remained determined to stick with the profession. Eventually, success smiled upon him when the drama “Glass Slipper” aired and became a sensation across Asia. The show catapulted young stars like Kim Hyun Joo, Kim Ji Ho, Han Jae Suk, and So Ji Sub to fame.
Notably, So Ji Sub captured the hearts of audiences as the rebellious, passionate Park Chul Woong, who was willing to sacrifice everything for love. The heartbreaking death of Chul Woong on the way to his wedding made this character unforgettable for fans.
Following the success of “Glass Slipper”, So Ji Sub was continuously offered leading roles in a series of hit productions such as “Something Happened in Bali”, “I’m Sorry, I Love You”, and “The Sun of My Master”… Among them, his most notable role at the age of 43 was Cha Moo Hyuk in “I’m Sorry, I Love You”. Thanks to this role, he received five individual acting awards.
Thus, So Ji Sub strode along the peak of glory thanks to his talent, charm, and a scandal-free life. Now, he is no longer that young actor with single eyelids who was once criticized but has become the perfect gentleman, the “dream man” who makes countless girls’ hearts skip a beat.
A Massive Fortune, the “Real Estate Tycoon” of Kbiz
Now at 43, So Ji Sub remains one of the highest-paid actors in the South Korean entertainment industry.
For each episode, he typically earns around $67,100 (1.6 billion VND), a dream figure for any Kbiz actor. Thanks to this, the star of “Glass Slipper” currently owns a vast fortune.
Since 2009, So Ji Sub has also established his own entertainment company, 51K, and officially became a boss. His company not only invests in producing many dramas for major South Korean channels such as KBS, MBC, SBS, and foreign films but also established a book and magazine publishing house.
Thanks to his talent and illustrious fame, So Ji Sub is also a highly sought-after advertising superstar. He is the ambassador for many men’s fashion, cosmetics, and electronics brands… Each of his advertising contracts is worth at least 650 million won per year (approximately 12.5 billion VND).
Additionally, So Ji Sub has a talent for writing. He has released four books, including “So Ji-sub’s Road” (2010), which became a bestseller in South Korea just ten days after its release.
Alongside his artistic endeavors, So Ji Sub has ventured into business and achieved significant success. Currently, he owns a thriving chain of coffee shops.
His successful career has brought So Ji Sub a fortune that many dream of. The “Glass Slipper” star owns a plethora of expensive real estate and is dubbed the underground real estate tycoon of Kbiz.
At the end of 2019, So Ji Sub caused a stir when he listed a building in the “golden land” of Gangnam for 31.7 billion won (around 617 billion VND). After this deal, he pocketed a profit of up to 47 billion VND.
He then purchased an apartment in the most upscale area of Seoul – Hannamdong, Yongsan District for 6.1 billion won (120 billion VND). According to South Korean media, this could likely be where So Ji Sub builds a home with his beautiful MC wife Cho Eun Jung.
A Sweet Love Story with the Top Beauty of the “League of Legends”
Despite being the dream man of countless girls, So Ji Sub had been “walking alone” in love for many years. He shared: “I can’t date recklessly. I hope to meet someone who will be with me for life. If I meet the right person, I will get married.”
And then, the girl who captured the heart of this charming actor finally appeared. On a beautiful day in 2018, So Ji Sub met the love of his life, the beautiful broadcaster Cho Eun Jung.
At that time, Eun Jung was an MC for a television show where Ji Sub was a guest. From their first meeting, the “Glass Slipper” star was captivated by the sweet beauty and intelligence of the beauty named Cho, while Cho Eun Jung was also “smitten” by the charm of the handsome actor.
From then on, they frequently kept in touch, went out to eat, met friends, and then their feelings blossomed without them realizing it. Their love story flowed sweetly and smoothly until one day So Ji Sub wanted to publicly acknowledge his woman to the world.
“I have met a special girl. She is always by my side, helping me stay calm and supporting me wholeheartedly,” Ji Sub wrote about Eun Jung in a letter to his fans.
Cho Eun Jung is 17 years younger than So Ji Sub, possessing stunning beauty and fame that rivals that of Kbiz’s top beauties. The wife of the actor is the girl who once made Faker “suffer from love”.
While still a student, Cho Eun Jung was the host of LOL Champions Korea – the most exciting “League of Legends” tournament in the world.
During her three years in this position, she became extremely popular and was referred to as the “L.O.L goddess” – the Goddess of League of Legends. Many gamers even expressed their affection for the beauty live on television.
However, in 2016, Cho Eun Jung left this position to focus on graduating from university. A year later, she joined SBS and quickly found success in her new role.
With her outstanding beauty and impressive resume, the top beauty of “League of Legends” is considered a perfect match for So Ji Sub. Therefore, after So Ji Sub announced their marriage on April 7, both received a shower of blessings from fans.
It is known that So Ji Sub and Cho Eun Jung will not have a grand wedding but will only hold a cozy dinner celebration with family. On this special occasion, the couple also donated 50 million won (approximately 960 million VND) to the non-governmental organization Good Neighbors to help underprivileged children.