Kim So-yeon

Kim So-yeon

Kim So-yeon in 2021

Born November 2, 1980 (age 43)

Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South

Korea[1]

Education Dongguk University (Theater and Film)

Occupation Actress

Years active 1994–present

Agent J Wide Company

Lee Sang-woo
Spouse

(m. 2017)

Korean name

Hangul 김소연
 Hanja 金素姸

Revised Gim So-yeon

Romanization

McCune–Reischauer Kim Soyŏn

Kim So-yeon (born November 2, 1980) is a South Korean actress. She is best known
for starring in a number of well-known television dramas, notably All About
Eve (2000), Iris (2009), Prosecutor Princess (2010), Happy Home (2016), and The
Penthouse: War in Life (2020–2021).
Career[edit]
When she was 14, Kim So-yeon entered the Miss Binggrae beauty pageant without her
parents' approval. She had no makeup, so she used a marker pen as her eyeliner and
ended up winning the top prize thus launching her entertainment career.[2] She debuted
with a role in the SBS Drama Dinosaur Teacher, and continued to star in popular TV
shows such as Reporting for Duty (1996) and Soonpoong Clinic (1998). She also
hosted the music program Inkigayo and appeared in numerous commercials, becoming
the first Korean teen star to earn more than ₩100 million from commercial modeling.
[2]
Because of her preternaturally mature looks and poise, she was often cast in older
roles notably as a manipulative, villainous, anchorwoman in All About Eve, which drew a
peak viewership rating of 45.2% when it aired in 2000.[3]
However, being typecast as prim, cold-hearted characters had a negative effect on
Kim's career, and her fame went downhill in the mid-2000s. Her attempt to crossover to
China via Hong Kong director Tsui Hark's wuxia film Seven Swords (in which she
played a Joseon noblewoman-turned-slave) and the Chinese dramas Just Like a
Beautiful Flying Butterfly[4] and Anhui Merchants[5] also proved unsuccessful.[6][7] Kim took
a break for three years, questioning whether she wanted to continue being an actress.
[8]
She returned to television in 2008 with Gourmet (adapted from Huh Young-
man's titular manhwa).[9]
A year later, Kim's career saw a resurgence with the 2009 high-budget series Iris.[10]
[9]
She cut her trademark long hair and worked hard on her action scenes in order to look
convincing in her role as a North Korean spy, drawing praise for her portrayal of a tough
woman conflicted about her loyalty to her country and her love for a South Korean
agent.[11][12] Kim later reprised the role in the re-edited cut Iris: The Movie, the series' spin-
off Athena: Goddess of War (2010) and sequel Iris II (2013).[13] [failed verification]
Kim was cast in the leading role in romantic comedy Prosecutor Princess in 2010 and
showcased her versatility by playing a Legally Blonde-inspired newbie district attorney
who's initially more interested in shopping and dating, yet surprises her colleagues with
her intelligence and learns to strive for justice.[14][15][16] Kim said that the cheerful,
unpredictable character was similar to her own real-life personality.[17][18][19] Later in the
year, she played a rigid doctor in sports drama Dr. Champ.[20]
In 2012, Kim appeared on the big screen as a royal barista embroiled in a plot to
assassinate Emperor Gojong in Gabi, adapted from the historical fiction novel by Kim
Takhwan.[21][22] She spent months studying the Russian language and coffee brewing
even before shooting began.[23] Gabi was Kim's first Korean feature film in 15 years,
since Change in 1997.[2][24][25] This was followed by another period drama The Great Seer,
where she played a healer in Goryeo.[26]
Kim reunited with Prosecutor Princess screenwriter So Hyun-kyung in Two
Weeks (2013), in the role of a prosecutor who teams up with a fugitive to bring down a
corrupt politician and her gangster henchman.[8][27] In 2014, she played a fashion
merchandiser who falls for her much younger childhood friend in I Need Romance 3.[28][29]
[30]
Kim then appeared in the "Female Soldier Special" of military boot camp reality
show Real Men.[31]
In 2015, she starred in her second cable series Beating Again, about a businessman
who falls for his secretary after he gets a heart transplant.[32] Kim also joined the fourth
season of We Got Married, pairing up with Kwak Si-yang.[33]
In 2016, Kim starred MBC's weekend drama Happy Home, playing a mother who has
lost her son in an accident.[34]
In March 2018, Kim left her previous agency Namoo Actors and signed an exclusive
contract with J Wide Company on April 3, 2018.[35] She was then cast in SBS weekend
drama Secret Mother.[36][37]
In March 2019, Kim returned to small screen with the KBS weekend drama Mother of
Mine.[38][39]
In 2020, she starred in the SBS TV series The Penthouse: War in Life,[40] playing the role
of a wicked but famous soprano and musical school director.[41] Kim compared the role to
her famous villain role in All About Eve 20 years earlier, commenting "The goal for this
drama is that when people think of a female villain, they think of Cheon Seo-jin, just like
how Heo Young-mi was remembered."[42] The series drew a peak viewership rating of
28.8% nationwide,[43] and was renewed for 2 more seasons,[44] where Kim reprised her
role. Additionally, Kim won the Award for Best Actress – Television at the 57th
Baeksang Arts Awards and the Grand Prize (Daesang) at 2021 SBS Drama Awards.
In 2023, Kim made a special appearance in the SBS drama Taxi Driver 2 playing the
role of the organization's first deluxe taxi driver.[45]
Personal life[edit]
Kim married actor Lee Sang-woo in June 2017.[46] Their romantic relationship started in
2016. The pair met on the set of MBC's weekend drama Happy Home.
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.

1997 Change Ko Eun-bi

2005 Seven Swords Luzhu/Green Pearl [6]

2007 The Pictures Photographer Short film

Iris: The
2010 Kim Seon-hwa [47]

Movie

2012 Gabi Tanya [21]

2015 Love Forecast Kang Joon-soo's ex-girlfriend 1 Cameo

TVING Shorts
2022 It's Alright [48]

Film

Television series[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Dinosaur Teacher

1994
Hye-ri (Kwon Il-ryung's
Daughters of a Rich Family
daughter)

Drama Game – Min-woo vs. Min-

woo
1995

Drama Game – Their Summer

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

You Can't Stop Mom Eldest daughter

Drama Game – Come Back Home Park Mi-kyung

City Men and Women Yoo Won-hee

1996 1.5

Reporting for Duty Woo Ji-soo

Open Your Heart Jung Yoo-kyung

Seven Spoons Hye-joo

Because of Love

KBS Drama Special – Christmas

in May
1997
Yesterday Lee Seung-hye

Friday Night Theater "On Her

First Night"

1998 Soonpoong Clinic Oh So-yeon

I Love You, I Love You Lee Soon-young

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Winners Kim Seo-joo

Sunday Best "Pickpocket by

Kim Ji-hyun
Name"

1999
We Saw a Little Lost Bird Seo Ga-hee

Ad Madness Lee Ye-rin

All About Eve Heo Young-mi [3]

2000
Noh Seung-ri / Jang Yoo-
Mom and Sister
kyung

Sunlight Upon Me Kim Yeon-woo

2002
Trio Choi Seo-young

2004 Human Market Hong Si-yeon

2004
Just Like a Beautiful Flying
Jin Zhi Xiu
Butterfly

2005 Autumn Shower Lee Kyu-eun [49][50]

2007 Anhui Merchants Hu Yu Ling

2008 Gourmet Yoon Joo-hee [9]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

2009 Iris Kim Seon-hwa [10]

Prosecutor Princess Ma Hye-ri [14][15][16]

Dr. Champ Kim Yeon-woo [20]

2010

Cameo (Episode 17
Athena: Goddess of War Kim Seon-hwa
& 19)

2012 The Great Seer Hae-in [26]

Iris II: New Generation Kim Seon-hwa Cameo (Episode 20)

2013
Two Weeks Park Jae-kyung [27]

2014 I Need Romance 3 Shin Joo-yeon [28]

2015 Beating Again Kim Soon-jung [32]

One More Happy Ending Divorced woman Cameo (Episode 1)

2016
Happy Home Bong Hae-ryung [34]

2017 Children of the 20th Century Director Kim Cameo

2018 Secret Mother Kim Lisa [36]

2019 Mother of Mine Kang Mi-ri [38]

 Year Title Role Notes Ref.

2020–
The Penthouse: War in Life Cheon Seo-jin Season 1–3 [40]

2021

Taxi Driver 2 the first deluxe taxi driver Cameo (Episode 16) [51]

2023 Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 Ryu Hong-Joo [52]

The Escape of the Seven Ryu Hong-Joo Cameo [53]

Web series[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

High-End
2015 Entertainment news anchor Cameo
Crush

Television shows[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

1997 Inkigayo (Popular Music) Best 50

1998–
Inkigayo (Popular Music) Host
2000

2009 KBS Drama Awards

Real Men: Female Soldier Special -

2014 [31]

Season 1
Cast
member
2015 We Got Married - Season 4 [33]
 Year Title Role Notes Ref.

As "Nice to Meet You Squirrel"

2016 King of Mask Singer Contestant
(Episode 77)

Music videos appearances[edit]

Year Title Artist Ref.

1996 "Why Is the Sky" Lee Ji-hoon

1997 "Beautiful Goodbye" Jung Jae-wook

1998 "Endless Sorrow" Sa Joon

[citation needed]

"Classic"

2008 "Diary of a Day" KCM

"Fluttering"

Theater[edit]
Year Title Role Ref.

Hamle
2009 Ophelia [citation needed]

Ambassadorship[edit]
 Government Lottery Ambassador (2021–2023)[54]
Awards and nominations[edit]
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

2013 Excellence Award, Actress Two Weeks Won

2016 Happy Home Won

APAN Star Awards
Top Excellence Award,
Actress in a Serial Drama
The Penthouse:
2022 Nominated [55]

War in Life 2 and 3

Asia Model Awards 2011 Asia Special Award Kim Soo-yeon Won

2010 Iris Nominated

Baeksang Arts
Best Actress – Television
Awards
The Penthouse:
2021 Won [56]

War in Life

Blue Dragon Film

1998 Best New Actress Change Nominated
Awards

Brand of the Year Female Actress of the Year

2023 Kim So-yeon Won [57]

Awards (Drama)

Broadcast Advertising
2022 CF Star Award Won [58]

Festival
Kim So-yeon
Busan International
2013 Female Fashionista Award Won
Film Festival

[59]
Grimae Awards 2021 Best Actress The Penthouse: Won
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

War in Life

Herald-Donga TV
2013 Best Style Award Kim So-yeon Won [60]

Lifestyle Awards

Daughters of a
Rich Family
Drama Game
1995 Best Young Actress Minwoo vs. Won
Minwoo
What Summer of
Two Girls

KBS Drama Awards Popularity Award, Actress Won [61]

2009 Iris
Excellence Award, Actress in a
Nominated
Mid-length Drama

Excellence Award, Actress in a

2019 Mother of Mine Won [62]

Serial Drama

Korean Broadcasting The Penthouse:

2021 Popularity Award Nominated [63]

Awards War in Life 1,2

Korea Drama Awards 2016 Grand Prize (Daesang) Happy Home Won

Star of the Year Won

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

Korean Culture and

2012 Best Actress (Film) Gabi Won
Entertainment Awards

Viewer's Favorite Character

2000 All About Eve Won
(Actress)

Excellence Award, Actress in a

2013 Two Weeks Nominated
Miniseries

Grand Prize (Daesang) Nominated

MBC Drama Awards
Happy Home
Top Excellence Award,
Won
Actress in Serial Drama
2016

Kim So-
Best Couple Award yeon (with Lee Sang- Nominated [64]
woo)
Happy Home

MBC Entertainment Top Excellence Award for

2015 We Got Married Won
Awards Variety Show

Miss Binggrae
1994 Miss Binggrae June Kim So-yeon Won
Pageant

SBS Drama Awards 1994 Best Young Actress Dinosaur Teacher Won

1998 Popularity Award, Actress Soonpoong Clinic Won

Winners
I Love You, I Love
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

You

Best Supporting Actress in a

2008 Gourmet Won
Special Planning Drama

Prosecutor
Top 10 Stars Princess, Dr. Won [65]

Champ

Top Excellence Award,

2010
Actress in a Special Planning Dr. Champ Nominated
Drama

Excellence Award, Actress in a Prosecutor

Nominated
Drama Special Princess

Top Excellence Award,

2012 The Great Seer Nominated
Actress in a Drama Special

Excellence Award, Actress in a

2018 Secret Mother Won [66]

Daily/Weekend Drama

Top Excellence Award,

Actress in a Mid-Length Won [67]

Drama The Penthouse:

2020
War in Life

Nominated [68]

Grand Prize (Daesang)

2021 The Penthouse: Won [69]

War in Life 2 and 3

 Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

Top Excellence Award,

Actress in a Miniseries Nominated [70]

Genre/Fantasy Drama

Kim So-
yeon (with Um Ki-
Best Couple Award joon) Nominated [71]

The Penthouse:
War in Life 2 and 3

Outstanding Korean Actress Nominated [72][73]

Seoul International The Penthouse:

2021
Drama Awards War in Life
Best Actress Nominated [74]

Listicles[edit]

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement

Publishe Placemen
Year Listicle Ref.
r t

2021 24th [75]

Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40

2022 23rd [76]