Gong Min Jung is the perfect example of an artist who knew what she wanted to do with her life from the get-go and worked hard to get it. The 35-year-old actress, who is now slowly becoming a favorite among some of South Korea's most popular K-dramas and films, knew early in middle school that she wanted to act for a living. She followed her dream by graduating with a degree in Film from Konkuk University and building her portfolio by working on independent films and theatre projects at the start of her career.
Now, she is among the many promising stars gaining attention for her strong performances in supporting roles. Are you a fan of Min Jung? Here are some shows where you can watch her colorful performances!
Early projects
1. Kim Ji Young; Born 1982 (2019)
Who else is in it: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu Mi
The movie is based on a novel of the same name by Cho Nam Joo. Min Jung plays the role of Eun Young, the older sister of the main character Ji Young who suffers from episodic dissociative identity disorders in the story. Ji Young starts to talk and act like her mother and sister throughout the film as she tries to navigate life as a 30-something mother. Fun fact: Min Jung is actually younger than Yu Mi in real life despite taking an older role in the film!
2. Sweet Munchies (2020)
Who else is in it: Jung Il Woo, Lee Hak Joo, Kang Ji Young
Min Jung plays the character of Yoo Sung Eun in this drama about a chef (Park Jin Sung) trying to fork out money for his father's medical bills. She is a freelance broadcasting scriptwriter who had relations with an assistant director involved with Kim Ah Jin, a television assistant director who serves as the doorway for Jin Sung to get a role in a cooking show after lying about his sexual orientation.
3. Zombie Crush: Heyri (2020)
Who else is in it: Seo Jin, Bae So Eun
This K-zombie indie comedy film made waves at the 24th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival where Min Jung won the Fantastic Best Actor Special Mention Award for her role as Jin Seon, one of the three friends trying to survive the invasion of the undead. Unlike other zombie films produced in South Korea such as Train To Busan which highlights sociopolitical themes, Zombie Crush: Heyri is more of a laidback commentary that more or less pokes fun at the zombie genre.
Recent projects
4. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Who else is in it: Kim Seon Ho, Shin Min Ah, Lee Sang Yi
Min Jung's most popular work so far is the 2021 slice-of-life romance series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. Min Jung played the character of Pyo Mi Seon, a dental hygienist who is also Hye Jin's best friend in the show. Her performance with Kang Hyung Seok's character Eun Chol in the show caught the hearts of many viewers because of their undeniable chemistry together.
5. Little Women (2022)
Who else is in it: Kim Go Eun, Nam Ji Hyun, Park Ji Hu
South Korea's take on Louisa May Alcott's novel of the same name includes Min Jung in their solid lineup. Here, she plays the role of Choi Ma Ri, a reporter who takes a special interest in the mysterious case of Oh In Kyung played by Nam Ji Hyun. The series, though based on the premise of the original novel, actually follows the story of three close sisters who unexpectedly stumbles upon a windfall that turns them from poor paupers to being the richest family in South Korea.
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