Lee Jong-hwa (actor) explained

Lee Jong-hwa
Birth Name:Lee Jong-hwa
Birth Date:15 February 1994
Birth Place:Busan, South Korea
Other Names:Jota
Education:Dong Ji High School
Agent:King Kong by Starship
Module:
Embed:yes
Instrument:vocals
Years Active:2014–present
Associated Acts:Madtown
Module2:
Child:yes
Korean name
Hangul:이종화
Rr:I Jong-hwa
Mr:Yi Chonghwa

Lee Jong-hwa (born February 15, 1994), also known as Jota, is a South Korean actor, singer and model. He is a former member of South Korean boy group Madtown.[1]

Early life

In high school, Lee planned to become a professional judo competitor. However, an ankle injury ended that dream and he decided to pursue a career in entertainment instead.[2]

In 2013, he was a backup dancer in Lee Hyori's "Bad Girls" music video and promotions.

Career

Lee debuted with the South Korean boy group Madtown in October 2014, under his stage name Jota. In December 2015, he auditioned for Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education, where he was chosen for judo and was announced as the new ace due to his professional judo skills. He won many matches with experienced judo players. In early January 2016, it was confirmed that he would be a cast member of the Law of the Jungle in Tonga.[3] In May 2016, he joined the fourth season of We Got Married, appearing alongside model Kim Jin-kyung.[4]

In 2017, Madtown disbanded.[5] In October 2018, it was announced that he signed an exclusive contract with King Kong by Starship to promote as an actor under his real name.[1]

Filmography

Variety show

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015-2016Let's Go! Dream Team Season 2Fixed memberJota won 2nd place in the episode 259,1st place in 267,278,317,329
Cool Kiz on the BlockCast memberJudo (Episodes 131–143, 168, 170)
Volleyball (Episodes 146–163)
Wrestling (Episodes 166–167)
2016Law of the Jungle in TongaCast memberEpisodes 203–207
We Got MarriedCast memberwith Kim Jin-kyung (Episodes 321–350)
Real MenCast memberManly Men Special
King of Mask SingerContestantas "Sexy Brain Scarecrow" (Episode 85)
2017Idol Acting Competition – I'm an ActorMain castEpisode 1–12
2018Law of the Jungle in MexicoCast memberEpisodes 314 - 320

Drama

Year Title RoleNotes
2016 Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo Choi Tae-hoonCameo (Episodes 1, 15)
2019 Touch Your Heart Lee Jong-hwaIntern Jong-hwa (Episodes 8)
2019 Lee Sung WooCameo (Episodes 7, 8)

Awards and nominations

YearAwardNominated workCategoryResult
2016SBS Entertainment AwardsLaw of the Jungle in TongaBromance Best Couple Award (with Seo Kang-joon)
MBC Entertainment AwardsWe Got MarriedBest couple (with Kim Jin-kyung)

Notes and References

  1. News: 매드타운 조타→이종화, 킹콩과 전속계약…'연기 활동 시작' [공식입장]]. October 9, 2018. Naver. OSEN. ko. October 9, 2018. January 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230113062031/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0003878893. live.
  2. Web site: MADTOWN's Jota Recognized For His Judo Skills | KpopStarz. 2016-06-19. 2016-05-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20160511225203/http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/266591/20160116/madtown-jota-judo.htm. live.
  3. Web site: 'Laws of the Jungle in Tonga' confirms its full lineup . 2016-06-11 . 2016-06-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160605141726/http://www.allkpop.com/article/2016/01/laws-of-the-jungle-in-tonga-confirms-its-full-lineup . live .
  4. Web site: Who is the mystery husband to model Kim Jin Kyung on 'We Got Married'? . 2016-06-11 . 2016-05-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160529202755/http://www.allkpop.com/article/2016/05/who-is-the-mystery-husband-to-model-kim-jin-kyung-on-we-got-married . live .
  5. News: '더 유닛' 매드타운 출신 대원 "이건과 향후 행보 얘기 중" . Ten Asia . 2018-04-02 . 2019-08-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190809132933/http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/1437103 . dead .