Oh Ji-ho: Taxi Show 2010

Oh Ji-ho:  Early days in Seoul

Driver:  Zio, when did you move to Seoul?

Zio:  I was born in Mokpo and lived there until I was 17.  After that, I enrolled in Anyang University, south of Seoul. 

Driver:  Do you have any special memories of your college days?

Zio:  When I first arrived in Seoul, I spoke with an accent that seemed strange to others.  On top of that, someone told me that people from Mokpo are notorious for using foul language and consume fish only.  Then there was this obnoxious chap who insulted me several times until I lost my cool and punched him one day.

Driver:  Then what happened?

Zio:  Nothing occurred at first because he just walked away.   However, soon after I sat down in class, a big belligerent-looking guy tapped on my shoulder and demanded if I had punched his friend. 

Driver:  Did he scare the daylights out of you?

Zio:  Yes, very much indeed, but I quickly put on an innocent face and appeared real puzzled.  Then I mustered all my courage and confidently declared that I did not hit anybody, so he left.  After that, I asked my classmate who the burly guy was …..I was still feeling shaky inside, I must admit.  Subsequently, it was confirmed that he was the strongest guy at college and nobody ever messed with him.  Phew!  I can still see him in my mind’s eye.  What a scary experience … hahaha!

 

Driver: Zio, when did you become interested in acting?

Zio:  Ever since high school, when I first saw Andy Lau in an action movie…..he was speeding on a motorcycle with a cigarette in his mouth….I thought that was real cool!  I started watching a lot of movies when I first arrived in Seoul.

Driver:  What about your grades?

Zio:  I was performing well at first ….within the top five in class!

Driver:  How high is your IQ?

Zio:  I have an IQ of 135!

Driver:  Everybody in your family has higher IQ than you!

Zio:  Hahaha! 

Driver:  Zio, you not only possess a high IQ, but you are also good at mental mathematics.

Zio:  Right, hahaha!

 

Driver:  What else did you do as an aspiring actor in Seoul?

Zio:  I worked part-time at a video store.

Driver:  Let’s visit your old workplace.

Zio:  Really?!

 

Oh ji-ho:  Part-time shop assistant

 

Driver:  Zio, is that the video store where you once worked?

Zio:  Yes, let’s go inside.

Driver:  There are many comic books in this store too.

Zio:  This store has a large collection of adult movies.  Customers used to ask me for advice and I would carefully select for them after inquiring about their taste and preference… hahhaha!

Driver:  Zio, I don’t have any experience in adult movies, so can you recommend one for me?

Zio:  Certainly, do you have any special theme in mind?

Driver:  No, I just want to gain some experience.

Zio (gingerly pulls out a video):  Oh, I believe this one will be most suitable for you as starters…hahaha!

Driver:  Business must be pretty good here since you’re such a handsome shop assistant!

Zio:  Yes, sales had definitely increased after I started working here!

 

Driver:  Zio, you must have watched a lot of movies while working here.

Zio (pointing at the screen):  Look, the computer records are still here …. I had watched more than 700 movies ....about two a day.

Driver:  Ah…this was the place where Zio started dreaming of becoming a successful actor someday!

Zio:  Hahaha!

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Ji-ho - through a friend's eyes

Oh Ji-ho through a friend’s eyes

One of the first friends whom Zio met when he first arrived in Seoul is Jo Yeon-woo, the cake shop employee in the 2000 ‘La Belle,’ which happens to be Zio’s debut movie.

Zio had his first magazine shoot with Yeon-woo.  He admires Yeon-woo’s personality, adding that his friend is passionate about almost everything.

Yeon-woo, on the the hand, admitted that Zio always looks so elegant that he feels somewhat shabby whenever the handsome friend is around.  In terms of looks and appearance, he no longer wants to compete with Zio anymore.

Yeon-woo commented that Zio has a warm personality.  Although he may appear reserved and assertive to some people, Zio is actually a very kind-hearted and direct person besides being a very approachable and interesting individual.   

The two actors met about 14 years ago at a dance club.  Zio was standing at a corner when Yeon-woo first took notice of him.  He assumed that Zio was a model because he is very tall.  Nevertheless, when Zio did not walk over to say hello to him, Yeon-woo changed his mind and concluded that he must be a sports personality. 

Furthermore, Yeon-woo revealed that Zio has a penchant for beautiful glassware and state-of-the-art cooking utensils; hence, he usually takes a long time to make up his mind before purchasing any.

Finally, both actors enjoy bowling whenever they have free time.  They are members of Club 300 – Zio explained that the number does not represent 300 soldiers, but a good bowling score.  

 

Oh Ji-ho - Tidbits

Oh Ji-ho: Willing to be a husband who cooks

During one of his interviews in Singapore, handsome South Korean actor Oh Ji-ho revealed that he is willing to cook for his wife if he gets married, which implies that he is interested in home economics besides acting and playing baseball. He also has a keen interest in cooking utensils.

The masculine actor admitted that he enjoys eating and can eat a lot at one go. One of his favourite Singaporean recipes revolves around the stingray.

Zio, like many Koreans, prefers hot and spicy food. His favourite dish at home is kimchi. In 2010, he set up an online kimchi business with three friends, and sales have been extremely good. Together, they also set up a shop selling hot and spicy pizzas. Zio elaborated that they prefer to use hot sauce to season their pizzas. He added that whenever he is free, he will go to the shop to improve his pizza-making ability.

Zio smilingly admitted that his mother has taught him how to cook kimchi stew. While he is rather proud of his culinary skills, his mother insists that he still has room for improvement.

A highly eligible bachelor at present, Zio regretted that he rarely has time to prepare meals at home. He indicated that he hopes to cook for his fans someday. They have been very supportive of him all along and he truly appreciates their love.

Zio revealed that when he gets married in future, he will cook for his wife regardless of whether she knows how to cook or not.

Often known as ‘Korea’s Tom Cruise’and sometimes ‘Malaysia Prince,’ Zio is famous for his gorgeous tanned looks and statuesque body. Besides his heart-warming roles and friendly demeanour, his dazzling warm smile has undoubtedly melted many a woman’s heart.

Finally, Zio keeps fit by jogging, doing yoga, and swimming. He also plays baseball regularly besides being an iron man.

 

Oh Ji-ho: Waiting is a beautiful thing to do

Unlike the ‘flower boys’ from his country, Oh Ji-ho is not only famed for his ruggedly handsome looks, but also his firm handshake and personable characteristics.

 

During one of his trips to Singapore, Zio revealed that he had encountered a lot of hardship as an aspiring actor. Besides being severely criticised for his lack of acting ability in his debut movie ‘La Belle,’ he was also rejected by many producers because of his buttery looks and Mokpo accent. During some auditions, he was asked to stop after saying barely one or two lines.

 

After his first two movies were released, Zio stopped acting for a while to reflect on his future. He would wake up at nine in the morning to go to the park to rehearse his lines. After brunch, he would attend acting classes. He also watched movies frequently to learn new techniques.

 

After struggling for six months, Zio eventually regained his confidence in acting. To his dismay, he realised that some of his fans had forgotten all about him. Further, he had to survive on a shoestring budget while competing with numerous others to get a decent role. Zio admitted that he was so deep in the red once that he even stopped smoking!

 

Despite the trials and tribulations, Zio persisted because he is confident that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that every cloud has a silver lining. He strongly believes that aspiring actors must have patience, optimism, and determination to cope with rejection and disappointment. To Zio, waiting for the right role is a beautiful thing to do. He is right.

 

 

Oh Ji-ho: Working with child actors

Strikingly handsome South Korean actor Oh Ji-ho has won many a heart for his touching paternal roles. In ‘Couple or Trouble,’ he plays a maintenance man who pinches and scraps to support three young nephews. In ‘Single Dad in Love,’ he has to work long unearthly hours because his little son has a brain tumour. In ‘Queen of Housewives,’ he has to get a job real soon because his little daughter complains that her room is too small to accommodate him. Finally, in ‘The Slave Hunters,’ he has to risk his life to protect a young prince.

 

Although he likes children and is confident that he can become a good father in future, Zio sometimes feels ‘envious’ of his young co-stars. Whenever the cute youngsters are around, Zio feels neglected because most of the cast members and filming crew, especially the women, will be pampering the adorable little ones instead of him!

Finally, Zio would like to have a daughter and two sons if he gets married. He prefers to have a daughter first, most probably because his eldest sister always looks out for him!

 

Oh Ji-ho: How to be a happy individual

When praised for his winsome looks and easy elegance, popular South Korean actor Oh Ji-ho admitted that he usually selects clothes that reflect his own personality and taste. As for his wholesome appearance, he laughingly said that he owes it to his beloved parents, besides exercising on a regular basis.

 

Zio reiterated that he became an actor because he is passionate about acting and has aspired to become one since he was young. He has always wanted to excel in acting even though he was more well-known as a model in the early years of his career. Although he was rejected at one audition after another at the beginning, he has never given up hope on acting.

 

Zio observed that many actors are constantly under public scrutiny, often severely criticized on the Internet. He added that unfair or derogatory remarks can adversely affect those in the acting profession.

 

To cope with negative attitudes, he tries to be happy with himself. He believes the only way for him to adequately face life is to work hard and wear a smile always. Besides regular exercise and adopting a cheerful attitude, Zio recommends traveling as an alternative way to reduce stress.