Jung began his career in theater, then was most active in Korean cinema in the 1980s, with leading roles in Late Autumn (1982), Jung-kwang's Nonsense (1986), and A Top Knot on Montmartre (1987).

As he grew older, Jung appeared more frequently in television, notably in The Last Station (1987), Three Kim Generation (1998), Winter Sonata (2002), Rustic Period (2002), Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin (2004) and Freedom Fighter, Lee Hoe-young (2010).

He participated in the National High School Male and Female Student Theater Competition with a play called 'Sunrise' and he won the Best Acting Award.

Yoo gave Jung a full scholarship on the condition that he work as a stage manager in Dongnang Repertoire Theater Company.

[5] He embarked on his acting journey from the ground up, learning from esteemed theater figures like Lee Ho-jae and Jeon Moo-song.

In the early 1970s, facing financial struggles, Jung decided to enlist in the military before completing his education and was deployed to the Vietnam War.

[4][6] Despite having some money from his time in Vietnam, Jung couldn't resume his studies due to the challenging circumstances his family faced.

"[3] Jung made his small screen debut in 1978 with the KBS drama "Wild Geese," where he showcased his acting talent.

Then in 1982, he flew to the United States to pursue his passion for acting and enrolled at the renowned Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, Los Angeles.

[9] Determined to finance his education, he took on a range of jobs, including working as a nighttime building cleaner, to support his acting studies.

The local media, The Irish Times, published an article on the top right of the front page, stating, "The wait was worthwhile for the arrival of Godot from the East.

[1] In 2003 Jung acted the role of Edward Damson, famous English playwright, in the Korean premiere of Peter Shaffer's The Gift of the Gorgon.

[1][2] In June 2009, Jung reprise the role of Edward Damson, famous English playwright, in the Korean encore of Peter Shaffer's The Gift of the Gorgon.

It became a hot topic with a total running time of 7 hours, and received a standing ovation from the audience for 20 minutes without a break.

[14] Also in 2021, Jung acted as Simeon Cheney in Pascal Quignard's first play In the Garden We Loved, winner of the 2018 Deauville 'Book and Music Award', based on the novel with the same name.

Jeong, a former 70s singer who had retired in the United States after her manager's unfortunate demise from leukemia, became a significant presence in Jung's life.