Jang Dong Joo, the 31-year-old South Korean actor who walked away from acting in May 2026 after a phone hacking and blackmail case left him with billions of won in debt, is now quietly auditioning for overseas projects with Hollywood in his sights. According to Star News on September 29, the actor has been taking part in confidential auditions for foreign productions and building a local network in the United States.
The development comes just four months after Jang announced his retirement, citing the daily pressure of debt collection. Since then, he has reinvented himself as a TikTok live creator and a company CEO. Now he is adding global acting ambitions to that list.
Jang Dong Joo Is Secretly Auditioning for Hollywood Projects
Jang Dong Joo has been in contact with multiple foreign production companies and industry insiders as he lays the groundwork for a potential Hollywood debut. Star News reported on September 29 that the actor recently participated in secret auditions for overseas film and TV projects.
His English fluency and familiarity with Western culture come from childhood years spent studying in Auckland, New Zealand, and Minnesota, USA. He has also been hosting TikTok live broadcasts in English to connect directly with international fans.
Why Jang Dong Joo Retired in May 2026
Jang Dong Joo announced his retirement from acting in May 2026 after revealing that a phone hacking and blackmail incident had left him roughly 4 billion KRW (about $2.89 million) in debt. He said he had repaid over 3 billion won but still owed between 700 million and 800 million won.
The financial strain made it impossible for him to continue normal acting work, he explained. He left his agency without prior consultation and later posted a graphic video that appeared to show him injuring himself, which drew widespread concern. He deleted his social media account shortly after.
“Out of about 4 billion KRW in debt, I have paid off over 3 billion KRW, and there is currently about 700 to 800 million KRW remaining.” — Jang Dong Joo
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How Jang Dong Joo Is Rebuilding: TikTok Earnings and Business
After stepping back from acting, Jang Dong Joo turned to TikTok live broadcasts and signed with live content company Universe Label in July 2026. He reportedly earns between 30 million and 40 million KRW per month (roughly $21,600 to $28,800) from the platform, averaging about 1 million won per day.
He also leads Woosun Group, where he serves as CEO. The company has subsidiaries including Woosun Investment, Woosun Stay, and Calling Art Center. On September 21, Jang told Star News that Woosun Group is preparing a mid- to long-term growth strategy ahead of a potential initial public offering (IPO).
Jang Dong Joo’s Acting Career and Background
Born in 1994, Jang Dong Joo began his career in 2012 with a role in the theatrical production A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He made his screen debut in 2017 with minor roles in School 2017 and Criminal Minds.
His filmography includes dramas such as Mr. Temporary (2019), Let Me Be Your Knight (2021), Trigger (2025), and No Tail To Tell (2026), along with films like Honest Candidate (2019), Count (2023), and Handsome Guys (2023).
He studied business management under his father, Jang Myung Cheon, chairman of World General Construction, and has maintained a long interest in corporate growth and investment alongside his acting work.
What Is Woosun Group?
Woosun Group is the company Jang Dong Joo leads as CEO. It operates across multiple sectors, with subsidiaries in investment, hospitality, and arts. Jang has said the group is expanding its portfolio to include content, entertainment, academies, agencies, and space business.
The company is now a key part of his two-track strategy: running domestic business operations while pursuing global entertainment opportunities.
Also Read: Kim Ji Won Says No One Recognizes Her on the Subway
For more updates on Korean stars making international moves, keep reading VvipTimes.
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