Ji Hyun-woo Opens Up on 'Radio Star' About Why He's Not Dating: 'No Time Due to Intense Role Immersion'

Actor Ji Hyun-woo appeared on MBC's 'Radio Star' and candidly revealed why he is not currently in a relationship.

On the broadcast aired on the 12th, Ji Hyun-woo and Ivy, the lead actors of the musical 'Red Book,' were guests. Ji Hyun-woo, who debuted with the band 'The Nuts,' gained significant recognition for his role as a charming younger boyfriend in the KBS sitcom 'Old Miss Diary,' solidifying his acting career.

Recalling that period, Ji Hyun-woo said, "After 'Old Miss Diary,' I was busy juggling drama filming, music show hosting, and 'The Nuts' activities. I was looking at scripts in the car every day." He shared experiences working with top stars like Song Hye-kyo and Kim Tae-hee at the time, noting that he was so popular that fans coined the phrase 'Noona Instinct' among them.

However, Ji Hyun-woo now states he is fully immersed in his acting roles. He revealed that he is spending almost all his time in practice rooms for his musical comeback after 11 years. "Ivy is on her third musical, and the other actors are seasoned musical performers, so I have many shortcomings. I'm trying to make it second nature," he said humbly. Ivy further elaborated on Ji Hyun-woo's exceptional dedication, mentioning he even showed up for practice on days when the stage was being set up.

He explained his meticulous preparation process: "It's different from acting for cameras. It's been a while since I did a musical, so I practically lived in the practice room. Even on days when it wasn't my performance, I went to the practice room and learned from watching other actors."

Ivy emphasized Ji Hyun-woo's seriousness as an actor, stating, "He's incredibly passionate, to the point of being peculiar. Even on days without a practice schedule, he arrives earlier than the staff to practice. On days when his co-stars are performing, he practices in his own waiting room, doing his part at his designated time. He does this every day," highlighting his extraordinary effort and passion.

This acting passion was also evident during the filming of a movie with veteran actress Go Doo-shim, who is 33 years his senior. Ji Hyun-woo was so immersed in a kissing scene with Go Doo-shim that he requested an additional take from the director. When Ivy asked, "How early did you go to Jeju Island for filming?" Ji Hyun-woo replied, "I practically lived in Jeju Island during the shoot. I drove around by myself without a manager." Furthermore, his commitment to deeply understanding his roles, such as visiting the National Assembly Library for a detective role and observing KBS assistant directors for a PD role, left everyone in awe.

Upon hearing this, Kim Gura asked, "Wouldn't a girlfriend feel neglected if you get this immersed?" Ji Hyun-woo calmly responded, "When it gets like this, I just live without dating," which amused everyone in the studio.

Netizens reacted enthusiastically to Ji Hyun-woo's acting passion. Comments poured in supporting his effort and dedication, such as "He's truly become a professional actor," "This kind of passion is rare these days, it's amazing," and "I'll definitely go see the musical!"