Cho Yeo-jeong

Cho Yeo-jeong is a South Korean actress who has built a celebrated career spanning film and television since the late 1990s. Born in Seoul, she first gained prominence as an advertising model before transitioning to acting with notable roles in domestic productions like The Happy Life and The Servant. Her international profile skyrocketed following her portrayal of Mrs. Park in Bong Joon-ho's historic film Parasite, a performance that earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award and helped the movie become the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Today, Cho remains a leading figure in the Korean entertainment industry, balancing high-profile cinema with popular streaming series. She recently starred in the Netflix drama Please Take Care of My Refrigerator and participated in press events for Lee Chang-dong's Possible Love. Despite her global recognition, she maintains a grounded public presence, often sharing insights into her disciplined lifestyle and professional dedication with fans through social media and interviews. [edit]

Cho Yeo-jeong began her journey in the spotlight at just sixteen years old when she entered the world of advertising modeling in 1997. This early start provided her with financial stability and exposure while she pursued formal education in the performing arts. She enrolled at Chung-Ang University, where she studied in the Department of Theater and Film, graduating with a degree that solidified her technical foundation for a serious acting career. Her time in university allowed her to refine her craft alongside peers who would also become staples of the Korean cultural scene.

Before achieving widespread fame, Cho spent years building her resume in the domestic market. She appeared in various commercials and small-scale projects throughout the early 2000s, honing her ability to convey emotion without dialogue. Her film debut came in 2004 with The Happy Life, a project that tested her range as a young actress. By 2010, she had secured a significant role in the period drama The Servant, playing a courtesan known for her wit and resilience. These early performances established her reputation as a versatile talent capable of handling complex historical characters, setting the stage for her eventual breakthrough in the coming decade. [edit]

The trajectory of Cho Yeo-jeong's career shifted dramatically in 2019 with her casting in Bong Joon-ho's Parasite. As Mrs. Park, the oblivious wife of a tech billionaire, she delivered a nuanced performance that became central to the film's critique of class disparity. The movie premiered at Cannes to critical acclaim and went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Cho shared the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, marking her entry into the global spotlight.

Following this monumental success, she continued to dominate the Korean screen with leading roles in major productions. She headlined the web drama Woman of 9.9 Billion from 2019 to 2020, showcasing her comedic timing and dramatic depth. In 2020, she starred in the romantic comedy-drama Cheat on Me If You Can, which further cemented her status as a bankable lead. Her work extended to thrillers with the 2023 release of Murderer Report and the 2026 Netflix series Please Take Care of My Refrigerator. In 2026, she also joined the cast of Possible Love, a project selected by South Korea as its submission for the 2027 Oscars, ensuring her continued relevance in prestigious cinema. [edit]

Cho Yeo-jeong cultivates an image of elegant sophistication mixed with approachable warmth. She is frequently praised for her ability to portray wealthy, sophisticated characters who hide underlying complexity or vulnerability. Her fashion sense often mirrors her on-screen roles, favoring chic, minimalist styles that highlight her stature. In recent years, she has become known for her candid discussions about her strict lifestyle choices, particularly her diet, which contrasts sharply with the glamorous roles she plays.

Her social media presence is curated to show behind-the-scenes moments and personal updates rather than staged publicity shots. This transparency has endeared her to fans who appreciate her authenticity. Media outlets often describe her as a professional who brings a quiet intensity to every set, regardless of the genre. Whether playing a wealthy housewife or a modern office worker, she maintains a distinct presence that commands attention without overpowering her co-stars. [edit]

According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, Cho Yeo-jeong holds the position of the 50th most famous person in South Korea, a ranking that has shifted slightly from the previous cycle. She also stands as the 22nd most famous person in Dramas, holding steady in her category. These placements reflect her sustained influence across both film and television sectors in 2026.

Unlike K-pop idols, Cho does not have a centralized, organized fandom name. Her supporters are an organic collective of cinephiles and drama enthusiasts who follow her work naturally. Fan campaigns often revolve around streaming pushes for her films and birthday tributes on social media, but there is no official fan club structure. The lack of a structured fandom highlights how her stardom is driven by the sheer quality of her performances and her ability to embody complex, elegant characters in high-profile black comedies and dramas. [edit]

A persistent legend surrounds Cho Yeo-jeong's extreme discipline regarding her diet and physical fitness. In an August 2026 interview on the YouTube channel PDC, she revealed that she adheres to a strict regimen year-round. One widely circulated story claims she once ate donuts while trembling from hunger and immediately performed 200 burpees as punishment for breaking her dietary rules. Another anecdote suggests she eats noodles only twice a year to maintain her youthful appearance at age forty-five.

Another piece of trivia involves her co-star Ha Seok-jin from the 2026 series Please Take Care of My Refrigerator. Fans noticed that both actors share the number '0210' in their social media handles and birth dates, creating a narrative of fate among viewers. Additionally, Cho is known for her distinctive laugh, which she described in an interview as shaking when she eats jajangmyeon due to her strict diet. These quirks add a layer of humanizing detail to her polished public image. [edit]

Cho Yeo-jeong was married to actor Kim Jae-cheol starting in 2015 after dating for several years. The couple remained together for nearly a decade, during which they did not have any children. Their marriage ended in divorce proceedings that were officially confirmed in late July 2026, marking a significant shift in her personal life. Prior to her marriage to Kim, there are no widely publicized or confirmed long-term relationships reported in credible sources; her early career was primarily focused on modeling and acting.

She grew up in Seoul and attended Chung-Ang University, where she met many future colleagues in the theater and film community. While she keeps her private life relatively low-key compared to her public work, she has occasionally shared glimpses of her daily routine and family values in interviews. Following her divorce, she has maintained a focus on her career and personal well-being, living independently in Seoul. [edit]

Bong Joon-ho, Ha Seok-jin, Kim Jae-cheol, Lee Chang-dong, Song Kang-ho. [edit]

Cho Yeo-jeong's primary public relationship was her marriage to fellow actor Kim Jae-cheol. The couple wed in 2015 after dating for several years, bringing together two prominent figures in the Korean entertainment industry. They had no children together during their marriage. The union lasted nearly a decade until divorce proceedings were officially confirmed in late July 2026, marking a significant shift in her personal life.

There are no widely publicized or confirmed long-term relationships reported prior to her marriage to Kim. Her early career years were largely dedicated to modeling and acting, leaving little room for public romance. As of August 2026, Cho Yeo-jeong is legally divorced and currently single. There are no current reports of a new partner, and she appears to be focusing on her career and personal growth following the end of her marriage. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Cho Yeo-jeong's net worth at approximately $4.8 million USD. This figure reflects her earnings from over two decades of work in the entertainment industry, encompassing film salaries, television contracts, and lucrative endorsement deals. Her wealth stems primarily from acting fees for major films like Parasite and recent streaming series such as Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.

Endorsements play a significant role in her income, particularly in the fashion and beauty sectors where her elegant image aligns perfectly with brand aesthetics. She owns real estate in Seoul, though specific property values remain private. Over recent years, her net worth has grown steadily as she transitioned from supporting roles to leading parts in high-budget productions. The success of Parasite likely boosted her residual income and negotiation power for subsequent projects, contributing to the current valuation of her assets. [edit]

Cho Yeo-jeong received widespread critical acclaim for her role in Parasite, winning the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in 2020. She also took home the Blue Dragon Film Award and the Grand Bell Award for Best Supporting Actress for the same film. Additionally, she was honored with the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Supporting Actress (Film) in 2020. These accolades recognized her contribution to one of the most successful films in Korean history. [edit]