Actor Jang Dong-joo, who was hailed as a "good samaritan" for catching a drunk hit-and-run driver and who recently caused concern with a sudden disappearance episode, has taken a new starting line.
Jang Dong-joo debuted in 2017 through KBS2 "School 2017." Crossing many plays, drama, and films, he left a strong impression with his performance as Kim Han-soo, a teen suspect wrongfully accused in a murder case, in OCN "Mr. 기간제" in 2019.
Since debuting in 2017, Jang Dong-joo has been active in dramas such as "Criminal Minds," "Revenge Is Back," "I will be your night," and "Trigger," and in films such as "Honest Candidate," "Count," and "Handsome Guys." He also appeared in plays such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Chuncheon There," and DAY6's music video "Shoot Me," showing notable activity across many fields.
In particular, Jang Dong-joo also drew attention as a "good samaritan." In 2021, after witnessing a drunk driving hit-and-run in which a motorcycle from a Chinese restaurant was struck and the driver fled, he directly captured the perpetrator, drawing public attention. As this good deed story became known, Jang Dong-joo was noted as a "good samaritan actor."
Last March, Jang Dong-joo announced a new start by signing an exclusive contract with Nexus ENM, the agency to which actors such as Song Ji-hyo belong, and recently he caused concern by suddenly disappearing after leaving only a post reading "sorry" on his social media account. At the time, his agency explained, "We have confirmed his whereabouts and it is not a bad situation," and the post left by Jang Dong-joo was deleted.
Because the background of the apology was not specifically disclosed, various speculations circulated in some quarters. However, it was resolved as a harmless episode without major problems.
About a month after the sudden disappearance episode, on the 17th, OSEN reporting found that Jang Dong-joo decided to terminate his exclusive contract with Nexus ENM. Jang Dong-joo said, "The exclusive contract with the agency was amicably concluded. I thank the Nexus ENM officials who worked with me. I plan to continue activities in a new environment and have kept discussions open with various partners."
Meanwhile, Jang Dong-joo will appear in SBS's new drama "From today I am human" scheduled to premiere at 10 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2026. The drama also stars Ro Mon and Kim Hye-yoon.
[OSEN]