Ji Chang Wook’s Popularity Reportedly Declined Due to ‘Poor’ Selection of Dramas
Ji Chang Wook stars in multiple projects this 2022, but reports say that his fame seemed to be weakening since he returned from the military.
It can be recalled that the South Korean heartthrob was officially discharged from the military in April 2019. During the mandatory enlistment, he served in the Army's 5th Artillery Brigade and was appointed as a Platoon Leader, and eventually got promoted to Corporal.
After two years, he had his first project since the military for the mystery rom-com "Melting Me Softly" opposite Won jin An.
From then on, viewers continue to see Ji Chang Wook on the small screen with various K-dramas. However, there are concerns regarding his decreasing popularity after failing to land a smash hit K-drama.
Did Ji Chang Wook's Popularity Get Affected Because of His Recent Projects?
In a report by a media outlet, the article highlighted the actor's previous and current dramas and their struggle to keep up with the viewership ratings.
Naming a few, "Melting Me Softly" and his latest series KBS2's "If You Wish Upon Me," scored a one-percent viewership rating.
Meanwhile, his 2020 K-drama "Backstreet Rookie," opposite Kim Yoo Jung, faced criticism for allegedly airing provocative and inappropriate scenes that are against television regulations.
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Ji Chang Wook, Choi Sung Eun, Hwang In Yeop
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As for the Netflix series "The Sound of Magic," the webtoon-based K-drama also failed to achieve more than what viewers were expecting.
With this, the outlet cited that Ji Chang Wook's drama lineup has been affecting his popularity status for failing to achieve any remarkable results since he was officially discharged from the military.
It can be recalled that the actor skyrocketed to fame in K-dramaland after joining the cast of the 2010 series "Smile, Dong Hae'' where he took the role of Carl Laker and Dong Hae.
Interestingly, this is also where he received an "Excellence Award, Actor in a Daily Drama" at the KBS Drama Awards.
It was then followed by his first historical series "Warrior Baek Dong Soo" where he won the "New Star Award" at the SBS Drama Awards.
5 Dramas Starring Actor Ji Chang Wook If You Still Experience The "Backstreet Rookie" hangover
With his versatility and outstanding acting skills, viewers were captivated by Ji Chang Wook's role in "Empress Ki" along with Ha Ji Won, followed by another hit K-drama "Healer" with Park Min Young and "Money Heist Korea" star Yoo Ji Tae.
What's Next for Ji Chang Wook?
Currently, the beloved South Korean heartthrob is headlining the cast of the life drama series "If You Wish Upon Me," alongside Girls' Generation Sooyoung and veteran actor Sung Dong Il.
Ahead of the drama's premiere, Ji Chang Wook revealed that he felt really emotional upon reading the script, saying he "was touched by the sad yet warm script."
Besides the life drama series, the actor is also set to star in an upcoming action crime K-drama "The Worst Evil" and will work alongside "Squid Game" actor Wi Ha Joon.
On top of it, viewers will also see a reunion between Ji Chang Wook and the rest of the cast of "The Sound of Magic" for the upcoming variety show "Young Actors' Retreat."
The group will be joined by the cast of "Itaewon Class" and "Love in the Moonlight."
