Ji Hoon Bang is a South Korean IFBB Classic Physique pro who turned one home-country victory into a trip to the Mr. Olympia stage. 🇰🇷
Long before the Olympia, Korean fans knew him simply as “Baki” — the bodybuilder whose physique drew comparisons to the anime fighter Baki Hanma.
His verified record is short but real: one pro win, one Olympia appearance, and a top-six finish at the Arnold Classic.
Before turning pro, Bang studied physical education at Chung-Ang University and completed his military service. He made his competitive debut in 2017, winning three domestic competitions that same year.
📋 Ji Hoon Bang Quick Facts
| Full Name | Bang Ji-hoon (competes as Ji Hoon Bang / Jihoon Bang) |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Division | Classic Physique |
| Nickname | “Baki” |
| Pro Card | Won his class at the 2020 Amateur Olympia Korea (NPC Worldwide pro qualifier) |
| Pro Debut | 2021 Asia Grand Prix — 2nd place |
| Pro Wins | 1 (2023 World of Monsterzym 8 Korea Pro) |
| Mr. Olympia Appearances | 1 (2024 — tied 16th) |
| Arnold Classic | 6th place, 2025 (Columbus) |
| Date of Birth | Not published |
| Height | Not published |
| Competition Weight | Not published |
| @frame_92_baki | |
| Status (2026) | No pro appearances since February 2025; no retirement announced |
👤 Who Is Ji Hoon Bang?
Bang Ji-hoon is a Classic Physique professional from South Korea, listed on IFBB Pro League scorecards as Ji Hoon Bang or Jihoon Bang.
He built his name at home first, winning Korean amateur titles before earning his pro card at the 2020 Amateur Olympia Korea.
Mainstream fame followed in 2023, when he appeared as a contestant on the first season of Netflix’s Physical: 100. 📺
The show introduced his dense, anime-like musculature to a global audience — and the “Baki” nickname stuck.
🏆 The Pro Card: Amateur Olympia Korea 2020
Bang’s breakthrough came at the 2020 NPC Worldwide Amateur Olympia Korea, a pro-qualifier event.
He won Classic Physique Class C at that show, and by the following season he was on an IFBB Pro League stage.
It was a fast rise for an athlete who, according to Korean profile coverage, had only started competing in 2017, beginning in Men’s Physique before moving into Classic Physique.
🚀 Pro Debut Years: 2021–2022
Bang made his pro debut at the 2021 Asia Grand Prix in Korea — and nearly won it, placing second behind Seonghwan Kim.
On the Men’s Physique side of that same show, Bong Seok Choi took first place, making it a strong weekend for Korean bodybuilding.
Later in 2021, Bang placed fifth in Classic Physique at the Monsterzym Pro.
In July 2022, he returned to the Asia Grand Prix — billed that year as the Korea Pro — and finished fourth, behind winner Jaepil Song in a ten-man lineup. Seonghun Park placed third in that same contest.
🥇 2023: The Win That Changed Everything
On November 12, 2023, Bang won the Classic Physique title at the World of Monsterzym 8 Korea Pro, beating a 21-man field. Seonghun Park finished second.
It remains the only pro victory of his career — and the most important one, because it qualified him for the 2024 Mr. Olympia. 🎟️
Three weeks later, he closed his season at the District of Taiwan Pro, placing sixth in a contest won by Jaehun Park.
🌎 2024: The Olympia Debut
In October 2024, Bang stepped onto the biggest stage in bodybuilding: the Classic Physique Olympia in Las Vegas.
He finished in a tie for 16th place in a huge field, in the contest where Chris Bumstead won his sixth and final title before retiring.
A tied-16th finish is not a headline placing, but for a pro with a single win, simply standing on that stage was the achievement.
💪 2025: Top Six at the Arnold Classic
Bang opened 2025 with the best result of his career against elite opposition: sixth place in Classic Physique at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio, on February 28, 2025.
Mike Sommerfeld won the show, and Wesley Vissers — the defending champion — placed fifth, one spot ahead of Bang.
One win, one Olympia, one Arnold top six — Bang’s record is short, but every line of it was earned on a major stage.
📅 Ji Hoon Bang in 2026: Quiet Since the Arnold
Bang has not appeared on an IFBB Pro League stage since the 2025 Arnold Classic.
He was not on the scorecards for the major Korean pro shows of 2025 or 2026, including the AGP Korea Pro and the Monsterzym pro events, and he did not compete at the 2025 or 2026 Olympia.
No retirement announcement has been made, so his status is best described as inactive — a pro with an Olympia appearance on his record who has yet to confirm his next move.
📊 Verified Contest Record
| Year | Contest | Division | Placing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Amateur Olympia Korea (pro qualifier) | Classic Physique, Class C | 1st |
| 2021 | Asia Grand Prix Pro | Classic Physique | 2nd |
| 2021 | Monsterzym Pro | Classic Physique | 5th |
| 2022 | Asia Grand Prix / Korea Pro | Classic Physique | 4th |
| 2023 | World of Monsterzym 8 Korea Pro | Classic Physique | 1st 🏆 |
| 2023 | District of Taiwan Pro | Classic Physique | 6th |
| 2024 | Mr. Olympia | Classic Physique | 16th (tied) |
| 2025 | Arnold Classic (Columbus) | Classic Physique | 6th |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ji Hoon Bang?
Ji Hoon Bang (Bang Ji-hoon) is a South Korean IFBB Classic Physique pro. He won the 2023 World of Monsterzym 8 Korea Pro, competed at the 2024 Mr. Olympia, and placed sixth at the 2025 Arnold Classic.
Why is Ji Hoon Bang called “Baki”?
Fans compare his physique to Baki Hanma, the hero of the Baki anime and manga series. Bang leans into the nickname himself — his Instagram handle is @frame_92_baki.
Was Ji Hoon Bang on Physical: 100?
Yes. He was a contestant on the first season of Netflix’s Physical: 100 in 2023, where he competed as part of Team 6.
How many pro wins does Ji Hoon Bang have?
One. He won the Classic Physique title at the 2023 World of Monsterzym 8 Korea Pro, which qualified him for the 2024 Mr. Olympia.
What is Ji Hoon Bang’s Olympia record?
He has one Olympia appearance: the 2024 Classic Physique Olympia, where he finished in a tie for 16th place.
Is Ji Hoon Bang still competing in 2026?
He has not competed on the pro stage since February 2025 and has announced no retirement. As of late 2026, he is inactive, with no confirmed return date.
🏁 Final Word
Ji Hoon Bang’s story is not about a long trophy list — it is about a Korean amateur who won his way onto the two biggest stages in his sport.
A pro card in 2020, a breakthrough win in 2023, an Olympia debut in 2024 and an Arnold Classic top six in 2025: that is a career most Classic Physique pros would sign for.
Whether he returns to chase a second Olympia appearance is the one question his record still leaves open. ⏳