Jung Young-joo (정영주) is a South Korean actress born on May 23, 1971. A graduate of the Seoul Institute of the Arts, she began her career in 1994. Known for her charisma and commanding presence, she has made a name for herself in theater, film, and television, where she frequently plays strong-willed women. She also teaches acting at Konkuk University.
After appearing in numerous supporting roles in series such as Signal, Jugglers, My Mister, The Fiery Priest, Move to Heaven, Business Proposal or From Now On, It's Showtime!, she has become a prominent figure in Korean productions thanks to her energy and versatility. She also appears in Connect, A Good Day to Be a Dog and Han River.
In 2024, she starred in several highly acclaimed projects. She played Park Bok-soon, Im Sol’s mother, in Lovely Runner, and then plays Im Cheong in Miss Night and Day. She also appears in A Virtuous Business, Good Partner and Tarot.
The year 2025 marks a new milestone with her first leading role in Holmes Salon, in which she plays Chu Gyeong-ja. She also joins the casts of When the Stars Gossip, playing the role of Gong Ryong's mother, Love, Take Two as village chief, and Villains, in which she plays Kang Sun, the main character's right-hand woman.
In 2026, Jung Young-joo continues this momentum with several new projects. She plays Cha Ju-ran, Se-gye’s eldest aunt, in My Royal Nemesis, Albani in The Remarried Empress and makes an appearance in The WONDERfools. That same year, she also returned to the stage, playing the role of Miss Liza Jane in the musical Hell's Kitchen.
On the big screen, she has appeared in numerous films, including Happy Together, Hot Blood, Road to Boston, Project Y and provides the voice for the character of Madame Morrible in the Korean versions of Wicked and Wicked: For Good. With a career spanning more than thirty years, Jung Young-joo is now one of South Korea's most renowned character actresses.
