Lee Jong-hwa (actor)
# Lee Jong-hwa (actor)

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.

## 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.

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. In May 2016, he joined the fourth season of We Got Married, appearing alongside model Kim Jin-kyung.

In 2017, Madtown disbanded. 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.

## Filmography

### Variety show

| Year | Title | Network | Role | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 2015-2016 | Let's Go! Dream Team Season 2 | KBS2 | Fixed member | Jota won 2nd place in the episode 259,1st place in 267,278,317,329 |
| 2015-2016 | Cool Kiz on the Block | KBS2 | Cast member | Judo (Episodes 131–143, 168, 170) Volleyball (Episodes 146–163) Wrestling (Episodes 166-167) |
| 2016 | Law of the Jungle in Tonga | SBS | Cast member | Episodes 203–207 |
| 2016 | We Got Married | MBC | Cast member | with Kim Jin-kyung (Episodes 321–350) |
| 2016 | Real Men (TV series) | MBC | Cast member | Manly Men Special |
| 2016 | King of Mask Singer | MBC | Contestant | as "Sexy Brain Scarecrow" (Episode 85) |
| 2017 | Idol Acting Competition – I'm an Actor | K Star | Main cast | Episode 1-12 |
| 2018 | Law of the Jungle in Mexico | SBS | Cast member | Episodes 314 - 320 |

### Drama

| Year | Title | Network | Role | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 2016 | Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo | MBC | Choi Tae-hoon | Cameo (Episodes 1, 15) |
| 2019 | Touch Your Heart | tvN | Lee Jong-hwa | Intern Jong-hwa (Episodes 8) |
| 2019 | The Running Mates: Human Rights | OCN | Lee Sung Woo | Cameo (Episodes 7, 8) |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 2016 | SBS Entertainment Awards | Law of the Jungle in Tonga | Bromance Best Couple Award (with Seo Kang-joon) | Nominated |
| 2016 | MBC Entertainment Awards | We Got Married | Best couple (with Kim Jin-kyung) | Nominated |
