So Ji-sub Reveals Heartfelt Reason for Rarely Discussing Wife Jo Eun-jung Publicly

The K-drama “A Killer's Paradox,” starring So Ji-sub (蘇志燮), has been a hot topic since its premiere. Viewership ratings steadily climbed, surpassing the 20% mark by its fourth episode and concluding with an impressive 23%. This strong performance made it one of the biggest dark horses in the K-drama market this year. In a recent interview following the drama's conclusion, So Ji-sub uncharacteristically spoke about his wife, Jo Eun-jung (趙銀政), who is 17 years his junior, revealing the true reason he rarely mentions her publicly. His warm remarks once again showcased his affectionate side as a devoted husband.

“A Killer's Paradox” aired its finale on the 25th. The action-noir drama follows Kim Bu-jang (played by So Ji-sub), an ordinary office worker who was once a secret agent. To rescue his kidnapped only daughter, he is forced to reveal his true identity, hidden for years, and confront a powerful dark force. So Ji-sub successfully carried the entire production with his sharp action sequences and nuanced portrayal of fatherly love.

When asked about his wife Jo Eun-jung’s reaction to “A Killer's Paradox,” So Ji-sub smiled and said, “Her first words to me were, ‘You worked hard,’ because there were really a lot of tiring shoots for this drama. She also thought it was very good and said many people around her were discussing it.”

However, So Ji-sub also admitted that he and his wife rarely discuss work at home. He then publicly revealed for the first time his reason for not wanting to talk much about his wife. He stated, “I want to talk about this for the first and last time. I want my wife to live her life under her own name.”

So Ji-sub further explained, “If she is constantly exposed to the media, over time she will only be labeled as ‘someone’s wife.’ I don’t want her to just become ‘So Ji-sub’s wife,’ and thinking about that makes me feel very sorry.”

He also revealed that many people still don't know that Jo Eun-jung is his wife, which is why he deliberately mentions her less often. “Although I’ve talked about it today, and the news will surely report it, this is my true feeling,” he said, expressing his thoughtfulness and appreciation for his wife in every word.

So Ji-sub officially registered his marriage with former announcer Jo Eun-jung, who is 17 years his junior, in 2020. Their relationship began when Jo Eun-jung was a reporter for SBS’s “Access Showbiz Tonight,” and she met So Ji-sub while interviewing him for his film “Be With You.” They later developed a romantic relationship.

The couple publicly confirmed their relationship in 2019 and officially registered their marriage the following year. They chose not to hold a grand wedding, instead donating 50 million Korean Won (approximately 1.13 million New Taiwan Dollars) to charity, starting their married life in a low-key yet meaningful way. They have maintained this discreet approach since their marriage.