So Ji-sub's (소지섭) latest K-drama, Doctor Lawyer, continues to generate buzz. Since its premiere, viewership ratings have steadily climbed, surpassing the 20% mark by its fourth episode and establishing it as one of the year's biggest dark horses in the K-drama market.
Throughout his long career, So Ji-sub has maintained an almost spotless public image, known for his private personal life and steady demeanor, earning him widespread affection from female audiences. When he announced his marriage to former announcer Cho Eun-jung (조은정) in 2020, many Korean media outlets reported with headlines like "One less 'Korean public asset'" or "A public asset officially taken off the market," reflecting how deeply ingrained his nickname as a "Korean public asset" is among fans.
So Ji-sub amassed immense popularity through classic works such as I'm Sorry, I Love You, What Happened in Bali, and Master's Sun, earning him the moniker "walking pheromone." Before publicly acknowledging his relationship with Cho Eun-jung, he rarely had dating rumors and never publicly confirmed any past relationships. Recently, a post on the Korean forum theqoo discussing "the co-star with the best chemistry with So Ji-sub" unexpectedly reignited an old rumor involving him and actress Kim Hyun-joo (김현주).
The original poster compiled a list of So Ji-sub's leading ladies over the years, including Lim Soo-jung (임수정) (I'm Sorry, I Love You), Ha Ji-won (하지원) (What Happened in Bali), Gong Hyo-jin (공효진) (Master's Sun), Han Ji-min (한지민) (Cain and Abel), Kim Hyun-joo (Glass Slippers), and Shin Min-a (신민아) (Oh My Venus). While many netizens chose Lim Soo-jung or Gong Hyo-jin due to their classic dramas, seeing Kim Hyun-joo prompted many to exclaim, "They really were a perfect match!"
Reportedly, So Ji-sub and Kim Hyun-joo first met in 1998 while working on the drama I Love You Bear (반달곰 내 사랑), when both were newcomers to the entertainment industry. The dating rumors truly began after they co-starred in Glass Slippers in 2002. They played lovers in the drama, and their interactions, both on and off-screen, were natural. They also frequently attended public events together, leading Korean media to capture them privately on multiple occasions, fueling widespread speculation about their romance.
For several years afterward, the rumors about the two never ceased, with some media even suggesting they had been quietly dating for many years. However, both of their agencies consistently denied the claims. Kim Hyun-joo herself once publicly stated, "So Ji-sub is one of my best friends," and frequently praised his acting, emphasizing that they had always been mutually respectful colleagues.
However, claims that the two dated for 14 years, or broke up due to parental opposition and religious differences, have never been confirmed by the individuals involved or mainstream Korean media. These remain largely long-standing rumors within the entertainment industry. So Ji-sub himself once mentioned in an interview, "After the rumors with Kim Hyun-joo, things became awkward, so we gradually lost touch." This is currently the only representative statement from So Ji-sub regarding these rumors.
Their paths officially crossed in 2018 when So Ji-sub was promoting his film Be With You, co-starring Son Ye-jin (손예진), and was interviewed by Cho Eun-jung, then an announcer for SBS's One Night of TV Entertainment. Interestingly, So Ji-sub, who had been in the industry for 24 years at that point, showed a rare nervousness when facing Cho Eun-jung. Before the official interview, he was hesitant to make eye contact and even asked staff, "Where should I look?" appearing quite shy.
During the interview, Cho Eun-jung asked about his views on love, to which So Ji-sub shyly replied, "I'm not very good at aegyo (cute displays of affection). Rather than being in front, I prefer to take care of someone from behind." Cho Eun-jung frequently nodded and smiled, and their natural interactions led many netizens to later comment that there was already a "romantic atmosphere" between them at the time.
So Ji-sub later shared that after the interview, Cho Eun-jung's image kept replaying in his mind. He then bravely sought her contact information through a friend and met her again a month later at a gathering with mutual friends. He confessed, "That was the first time my heart fluttered in a long time. I felt that if I didn't contact her, I would regret it for the rest of my life." His sincere confession surprised many.
In 2019, So Ji-sub's relationship with Cho Eun-jung, who is 17 years his junior, was revealed. His agency confirmed that the two had been dating for about a year, making Cho Eun-jung the only person So Ji-sub has publicly acknowledged dating since his debut. The following April, they officially registered their marriage, embarking on a quiet yet sweet love story that culminated in a happy ending.
