In 2003, Ju debuted as a model, in advertisements for clothing brands such as Calvin Klein, Levi's and Reebok. He won many awards for modeling. Before entering the entertainment industry, he studied at Tongwon College, majoring in e-Business.[citation needed]
Ju had various bit parts in television dramas, but it was in 2006's romantic comedy Princess Hours, based on the manhwaGoong, that he achieved breakthrough. The drama was a hit domestically with a peak rating of 28.3%, and internationally across Asia, catapulting Ju into Korean Wave stardom.[6][7] He won the Best New Actor award at the MBC Drama Awards along with his co-star Yoon Eun-hye.
In March 2007, Ju starred in KBS2's revenge drama Lucifer, opposite Uhm Tae-woong and Shin Min-a.[8] The same month, he received the New Asian Star award at the 1st Astar TV Drama Awards for his performance in Princess Hours and Lucifer.[9]
Ju made his film debut in China with Love Suspicion, a romantic thriller.[20] In 2014, Ju was paired up with Ji Sung and Lee Kwang-soo in Confession,[21] a neo-noir film that brutally explores the aftermath of three men's friendship after the death of one's mother.[22]
In 2015, Ju starred in the period film The Treacherous, reuniting him with the director of Antique and Naked Kitchen.[23] He then made his small screen comeback with SBS' melodrama Mask alongside Soo Ae.[24]
In 2018, Ju starred in the thriller films The Spy Gone North,[30][31] and Dark Figure of Crime.[32][33] Ju's performance in both films earned acclaim, and he won several Best Supporting Actor awards at film ceremonies for his performance in The Spy Gone North, and was nominated for Best Actor at the Blue Dragon Awards for Dark Figure of Crime.[34]
In 2019, Ju made a comeback to the small screen with two television series;[35] Netflix's zombie period drama Kingdom,[36][37] and MBC's fantasy legal drama Item.[38]
In 2020, Ju reprised his role in the second season of Kingdom,[39] and starred in the legal drama Hyena.[40]
In January 2021, Ju signed with new agency H& Entertainment.[41]
Later in August, Ju co-starred with fellow actor Lee Joon-gi in the military musical Voyage of Life. The musical, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, was co-produced by the Ministry of National Defense and Korea Musical Theatre Association. It ran from August 21 to 29 at the National Theater of Korea.[44][45] Ju was discharged on November 21, 2011.[46][47]
On April 27, 2009, Ju was arrested by Seoul Metropolitan Police on drug charges. He was arrested along with 15 people and an actress identified as Yoon on suspicion of supplying ecstasy.[48] On June 23, 2009, Ju pleaded guilty in court to drug use of ecstasy and ketamine. He was sentenced to six months of jail time, suspended for one year, 120 hours of community service, and a fine of ₩360,000. The judge explained, "The nature of the crime is by no means light. However, he has reflected deeply on the crime and has not taken any drugs since the time a year and two months ago. Also, many fans from within the country and from overseas have appealed for an appropriate handling of the matter and sent petitions." Ju's lawyer also stated, "Of course he must accept the price of his crime, but wrong information kept coming out and exaggerated him as a habitual user, and some of it was unfair."[49]
^"HWANG Jung-min Infiltrates YOON Jong-bin's DUKE". Korean Film Biz Zone. January 6, 2017. Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2017. North Korea Thriller Co-Stars LEE Sung-min, CHO Jin-woong & JU Ji-hoon
^Jeon Hyung-hwa (July 14, 2021). "[단독]주지훈·김남길·조우진·박성웅, '헌트' 특별출연 배우들 전원 음성 [종합]" [[Exclusive] Voice of all actors Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Nam-gil, Jo Woo-jin, Park Seong-woong, 'Hunt' special appearance [Comprehensive]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
^Kim Ji-hye (November 24, 2022). "주지훈, 흥신소 사장 됐다...영화 '젠틀맨'으로 스크린 컴백" [Joo Ji-hoon became the president of the Heungshinsa... Screen comeback with the movie 'Gentleman'] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Soo-young (January 12, 2023). "[2023 기대작③] 김성훈 감독 '피랍', "박력 있는 영화, 정지할 때도 과감하게"" [[2023 Anticipated Work③] Director Kim Seong-hoon's 'Kidnapped', "A powerful film, boldly even when stopped"]. Cine21 (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
^Ahn Eun-jae (September 8, 2022). "'지배종' 주지훈·한효주·이희준·이무생 출연...이수연 작가와 뭉친다" [Joo Ji-hoon, Han Hyo-joo, Lee Hee-jun, and Lee Moo-saeng to appear in 'Dominant Species'... Joining writer Lee Soo-yeon]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 9, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Son, Jin-ah (August 19, 2024). 주지훈·정유미, ‘사랑은 외나무다리에서’로 18년만 재회…올 하반기 방송[공식] [Ju Ji-hoon and Jung Yu-mi, reunited after 18 years with 'Love on a Single Log Bridge'…to be broadcast in the second half of this year [Official]] (in Korean). MK Sports. Retrieved August 30, 2024 – via Naver.
^Moon Ji-yeon (January 19, 2024). "[공식] 배우 김희원, 연출 도전→주지훈·박보영 합류..'조명가게' 디즈니+ 공개" [[Official] Actor Kim Hee-won takes on the challenge of directing → joins Joo Ji-hoon and Park Bo-young...'Light Shop' released on Disney+] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lee Min-ji (June 16, 2023). "넷플릭스 첫 의드 '중증외상센터' 주지훈→추영우 출연 확정 [공식]" [Netflix's first doctor 'severe trauma center' Joo Ji-hoon → Choo Young-woo confirmed to appear [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023 – via Naver.
^Jang Ah-reum (September 10, 2021). "[단독] 주지훈, '키스더유니버스'로 다큐 프리젠터 첫 도전" [[Exclusive] Ju Ji-hoon, first challenge as a documentary presenter with 'Kiss the Universe']. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021 – via Naver.
^Moon Ji-yeon (October 26, 2022). "[공식] 하정우·주지훈·최민호·여진구 로드 트립..'두발로 티켓팅' 내년 공개" [[Official] Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Choi Min-ho, Yeo Jin-goo Road Trip..'Ticketing with Two Feet' to be released next year]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved October 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^주지훈, 패션 사진 작가들이 뽑은 최고의 스타. inews24 (in Korean). December 27, 2005. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
^"주지훈 원기준, MBC연기대상 남자신인상 수상". Star News (in Korean). December 30, 2006. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
^Cho, Yeon-gyeong (April 5, 2019). 55회 백상예술대상 영화부문 최종 후보 공개. Is Plus (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
^Kim, Min-soo (April 23, 2019). 파워 셀럽 40인은 누구? [Who are the 40 power celebrities?]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Joins.
^Kim, Min-soo; Shin, Yoon-ae (April 23, 2020). 2020 포브스코리아 선정 파워 셀럽 40 [40 Power Celebrities selected by Forbes Korea 2020]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Joins.
^Park, Ji-hyun; Kim, Min-soo; Shin, Yoon-ae (April 23, 2021). 2021 포브스코리아 선정 파워 셀럽 40 [2021 Power Celebrity Selected by Forbes Korea 40]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Joins.
^"2009~2019 한국영화 배우 흥행 파워 11위~20위" [2009~2019 Korean movie actor box office power 11th to 20th]. thescreen.co.kr. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.