Joo Jin-mo began his acting career in TV dramas and some minor roles in film. He was first cast as a lead in Dance Dance (1999), Korea's only dance film, for which he underwent extensive dance training. Although the film itself did not perform well, it leant Joo some publicity before he broke through with the box-office and critical hit Happy End. His role as a spurned lover in this psycho-drama attracted considerable notice in Korea, and the film itself also traveled to Hong Kong.