Kim Yoo-jung

Kim Yoo-jung

Kim in November 2023

Born September 22, 1999 (age 24)

Seongdong District, Seoul, South Korea

Education Goyang High School of Arts

Occupation Actress

Years active 2003–present

Agent Awesome ENT[1]

Korean name
 Hangul 김유정

Hanja 金裕貞

Revised Romanization Gim Yu-jeong

McCune–Reischauer Kim Yujŏng

Website Official website

Kim Yoo-jung (Korean: 김유정; born September 22, 1999) is a South Korean actress.
She debuted as a model for a confectionery brand at the age of four.[2] After her acting
debut in 2003, she became one of the most in-demand child actresses in Korea. She
gained public attention for starring in television series Dong Yi (2010), Moon Embracing
the Sun (2012), May Queen (2012), Golden Rainbow (2013), Secret Door (2014)
and Angry Mom (2015). She also starred in the films Commitment (2013), Thread of
Lies (2014), and Circle of Atonement (2015). She hosted music show Inkigayo from
November 2014 to April 2016.
She took on her first leading role in historical romance drama Love in the
Moonlight (2016) and starred in romantic comedy film Because I Love You (2017),
television drama Clean with Passion for Now (2018), Backstreet Rookie (2020), mystery
thriller film The 8th Night (2021), historical fantasy romance drama Lovers of the Red
Sky (2021), teen romance film 20th Century Girl (2022), and fantasy romance My
Demon (2023–2024).
Kim has been nicknamed "Nation's Little Sister" after playing various child roles and
"Sageuk fairy" after taking roles in several acclaimed historical dramas in her career.[3]
[4]
She also gained the nicknames "Nation's First Love" and "Global First Love" following
her well-loved performance in 20th Century Girl.[5][6] In 2017, she ranked 8th
on Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list, the youngest to be included in the Top 10 at the
age of 17.[7]
Early life and education[edit]
Kim was born in Seongdong District, Seoul, South Korea on September 22, 1999[8][unreliable
source?]
as the youngest of three siblings.[9] Her older sister, Kim Yeon-jung, debuted as an
actress in 2017.[10]
Kim attended Goyang High School of Arts and graduated in January 2018.[11] Kim
deferred taking the national College Scholastic Ability Test in 2017, and instead decided
to focus on her acting career.[12][13]
Career[edit]
2003–2011: Beginnings as a child actress[edit]
 Kim in July 2010
After Kim's acting debut when she was 4, she quickly became one of the most in-
demand child actresses in Korea.[14] By the time she was a fifth grader, Kim had already
appeared in 13 TV dramas and 15 movies.
In 2008, she received her first acting award as "Best Child Actress" for action-adventure
series Iljimae and historical drama Painter of the Wind.[15] This was followed by
acclaimed performances in Dong Yi (2010) and Flames of Desire (2010).[16] Grudge: The
Revolt of Gumiho (2010) marked Kim's first major role that wasn't the childhood
counterpart of the female protagonist.[17][18][19]
2012–2014: Rising popularity[edit]
She rose to popularity in 2012 when she starred in the fantasy-period drama Moon
Embracing the Sun, which reunited Kim with Grudge: The Revolt of Gumiho costar Lee
Tae-ri and Iljimae costar Yeo Jin-goo.[20][21] Moon surpassed 40% ratings and gained
"national drama" status. For her good portrayal of the young protagonist, she was
nominated for the Best New Actress in the 48th Baeksang Arts Awards and she won
Best Young Actress Award in the 1st K-Drama Star Awards and 2012 MBC Drama
Awards. She followed this with a well-received turn in May Queen (2012)[20] and a
supporting role in the 2013 film Commitment,[22] and family drama Golden
Rainbow (2013).[23]
In 2014, Kim's performance as a teenage bully in Thread of Lies drew critical acclaim
and she was nominated for the Best New Actress in Blue Dragon Film Awards.[24] She
next played a traditional funeral singer (or "gok-bi") in the single-episode Drama
Special anthology,[25] and was cast in the horror mystery Room 731, an English-language
graduate thesis film by USC filmmaker Kim Young-min.[26] This was followed by a
starring role in the period drama Secret Door.[27] Kim also began hosting music
show Inkigayo in November 2014 and left the show in April 2016.[28]
2015–2022: Transition to lead roles[edit]
 Kim at a fan-signing event for Love in the Moonlightin
October 2016
In 2015, she starred in the television series Angry Mom which tackled bullying and
school violence.[29] The same year, she reprised her role as a cat-turned-woman in Love
Cells, a two-season web series adapted from the webtoon of the same title and played
a murderer's daughter in the thriller film Circle of Atonement.[30][31]
In August 2016, Kim starred in her first adult leading role in the
youth historical drama Love in the Moonlight as Hong Ra-on - a girl who was raised as a
boy and eventually became a eunuch of Crown Prince of Joseon, played by Park Bo-
gum.[32] A domestic hit, Moonlight achieved peak audience rating of 23.3% and its
popularity was referred to as "Moonlight Syndrome".[33][34][35] Kim won "Excellence Award,
Actress in a Mid-length Drama" for portraying Moonlight's cross-dressing heroine at
the 30th KBS Drama Awards.[36][37]
In 2017, she starred with Cha Tae-hyun in the romantic-comedy film Because I Love
You.[38] Kim also had her first overseas fan meeting tour with Taipei, Taiwan as the first
stop, at ATT Show Box on February 4, 2017.[39]
In 2018, Kim starred in the romantic-comedy drama Clean with Passion for Now, based
on the webtoon of the same name. She played an employee at a cleaning company
who doesn't care about dirtiness.[40]
In 2020, Kim was cast in the romantic-comedy drama, Backstreet Rookie, alongside Ji
Chang-wook, based on a webtoon of the same name and played the role of a former
high school troublemaker who becomes a part-time employee at a convenience store.
[41]
The actress is said to be attending action school in order to perform her own stunts
and the production staff stated, "Kim has been working hard on fight scenes and wire
action for her role as Jung Saet-byul. Please anticipate the unique transformation that
Kim will undergo."[42]
During the 2020 SBS Drama Awards held on December 31, 2020, Kim was chosen to
be the main host together with Shin Dong-yup.[43] At the same event, Kim was awarded
Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Fantasy/Romance Drama for her great
portrayal of her role as Jung Saet-byul in the series Backstreet Rookie.[44]

Kim at the BIFF Asia Star Awards in October 2022

In December 2020, Kim was confirmed as the female lead role in the historical-fantasy
drama Lovers of the Red Sky adapted from the novel written by Jung Eun-gwol. The
drama premiered in August 2021 on SBS TV[45] and Kim played the titular role of Hong
Chun-gi, the Joseon dynasty's only female painter, alongside Ahn Hyo-seop as Ha
Ram, a blind astrologer.[46] The series reunited Kim with director Jang Tae-yoo after 13
years since Painter of the Wind (2008) where Kim played the childhood counterpart of
the protagonist.[47]
In 2021, Kim appeared in the mystery thriller Netflix film The 8th Night in the role of an
enigmatic psychic.[48][49] In December 2021, she made a cameo appearance in the final
episode of Coupang Play's television series One Ordinary Day.[50] At the end of 2021,
Kim hosted 2021 SBS Drama Awards with Shin Dong-yup for the second year in a row,
receiving Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Genre/Fantasy Drama and
winning Best Couple Award with Ahn Hyo-seop for the drama Lovers of the Red Sky at
the same event.[51][52][53]
In 2022, Kim reunited with the director and cast members of Love in the Moonlight in
the TVING travel entertainment program Young Actors' Retreat.[54] The same year, she
appeared in the Netflix film 20th Century Girl playing the title role as 17-year-old Na Bo-
ra in 1999.[55][56]
2023: Stage debut[edit]
 Shakespeare in Love cast at the press conference on
February 7, 2023 (L-R): Kim Yoo-jung, Jung So-min and Chae Soo-bin.
Kim made her theatrical stage debut in January 2023, taking part in Kim Dong-yeon's
play Shakespeare in Love, adapted from the 1998 film of the same name.[57] She played
the role of Viola de Lesseps, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, who disguises herself
as a man named Thomas Kent to become a theater actress, which was taboo for
women at the time.[58] The play received favorable reviews and Kim's performance was
praised by the critics and the audience.[59][60][61] In March, she made a special appearance
in Jason Kim's film My Heart Puppy as Ah-min, a disabled girl who looks after
abandoned dogs.[62] In January 2023, she was cast in the upcoming SBS television
series My Demon where she portrayed Do Do-hee, a chaebol heiress. The series was
released in November 2023.[63] In 2024, Kim is set to make a special appearance in the
Netflix Original series Chicken Nugget. Portraying the character Choi Min-ah, the
daughter of a company president, she becomes embroiled in a comedic mishap when
she mistakenly believes a new machine is designed to alleviate her fatigue and
accidentally turns into a chicken nugget.[64][65]
Personal life[edit]
In February 2018, it was revealed that Kim was diagnosed with dysfunctions of the
thyroid gland and would take a break from acting.[66]
Philanthropy[edit]
On August 26, 2010, Kim joined the "Kiss of Love" campaign which sold products
produced by Seoul Social Welfare Community Chest of Korea using celebrities lip
marks, autographs, and caricatures to support the self-reliance and child education of
low-income families.[67] In December 2010, Kim and 33 other Sidus HQ's actors
participated to showcase the beauty of Korea under the theme of Hanbok in a Love
Sharing Hanbok Calendar event; proceeds from the sales were donated to Korea
Compassion.[68]
On February 2, 2012, Kim and many other actors, opinion leaders, and models took part
in a photography exhibition held by Kolon Sport for its 2012 S/S Collection; modeling
fees were donated to serve neighbors in need.[69][70] On April 20, Kim gave out t-shirts
designed by popular designer Kathleen Kye to participate on smart donation culture
held by Samsung Electronics while releasing its smart TV on 'Insight Exhibition' to
support Hanbit School for the Blind's students to continue to show their talents,[71]
[72]
meanwhile the donated clothes were delivered to neighbors in need.[73] On May 5, Kim
and Yeo Jin-goo did good deeds and donated their voices to the documentary narration
of 'New Life to Children'—Sookhyun's Picture Diary, a live broadcast on MBC's special
program for children with rare incurable diseases, which airs on the Children's Day.[74][75][76]
Kim auctioned an iPhone case to a charity auction held by Gyeonggi
Province and Daum's portal site titled Infinite Care Campaign Auction for Neighborhood
Love from January 9 to 16, 2013. Proceeds from the auction event were used for needy
neighbors in Gyeonggi Province.[77][78][unreliable source?] On November 23, Kim's attractive pictorials
were revealed of her volunteer work, participating in fashion magazine Elle's signature
charity project Share Happiness. It is a special charity collaboration project consisting of
Elle's paper donations, stars' photo talent donations, and brand's relief fund. Donations
collected under the name of Share Happiness were to be donated in full to help women
and children in need in the society.[79]
On August 21, 2014, Kim participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge, a fundraising
campaign by US ALS Association to develop treatments for "ALS" - also known as Lou
Gehrig's disease - and to help patients. As well as taking an ice water shower, she
made a donation to the ALS Association.[80] On October 8, Kim and other top stars
representing South Korea donated their time by participating in the recording of the
campaign song "Talk About Love" to encourage citizens to participate and join forces to
rescue climate refugees in Tanzania and Malawi, Africa dying due to the effects of
climate change. This project was jointly planned and supervised by Environment TV, an
international relief organization.[81]
On June 1, 2015, it was confirmed that Kim intended to donate all of her earnings as the
voice of Jun-hee for MBC's Human Documentary Love "Jin-sil Eomma II - Hwan-hee
and Jun-hee's Adolescence" to Samhyewon, a Child Welfare Center. In 2014 she had
established a relationship with the charity by donating snacks.[82] In December 2015,
actors Lee Ki-woo, Hong Jong-hyun and Kim stepped forward to help their neighbors
have a warm winter. The three donated 5,600 briquettes and delivering briquettes
directly to Baeksa Village in Junggyebon-dong, Nowon-gu.[83] On June 7, 2018, Kim was
selected for the Ice Bucket Challenge again, but instead donated ₩2,000,000 to the
fund and ₩100,000 won to the construction fund of Lou Gehrig Care Hospital, citing
health (hypothyroidism) reasons. Kim tried to convey her true feelings in a handwritten
letter, and exerted a good influence to pay a lot of attention after the construction of the
Lou Gehrig Care Hospital.[84][85][86]

Kim at '2019 Pink Run' Seoul Competition

In April 2019, Kim made donations to help residents in affected areas caused by the
first-ever large forest fire in Gangwon Province.[87][88] On October 13, Kim made donations
to '2019 Pink Run' Seoul Competition – a running event raising awareness of breast
cancer. The full participation fee was donated to the Korea Breast Health Foundation, to
be used to support breast cancer patients' surgery and breast cancer screening.[89] On
October 27, ChildFund Korea revealed that Kim has become the 229th patron of the
Green Noble Club, which is composed of individuals who have donated a large sum of
at least ₩100,000,000 (approximately $88,511). Kim, who became the youngest
member to have joined the club, continued to quietly make donations under a different
name since her debut, has donated money to help low-income children in need due to
COVID-19, and the remainder was used to fund sick children's medical expenses.[90]
On October 1, 2021, Kim donated 30 million won to support children at risk of crime
victims through the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation. This donation was made on
the occasion of Kim's birthday. The donation was be used as an emergency subsidy for
living expenses, medical expenses and housing expenses so that children at risk of
crime victims can recover their health and boast healthy and brightness.[91]
On February 13, 2024, Kim donated ₩100 million to the Korea Pediatric Cancer
Foundationto to treat children suffering from childhood cancer, leukemia, and rare and
intractable diseases.[92]
Filmography[edit]
Main article: Kim Yoo-jung filmography

Discography[edit]
List of singles, showing year released, and name of the album

Title Year Album

"The Most Beautiful Christmas In My Life" 2005 Non-album single

(with Lee Byung-joon)

"I Love So Much"[93] Love Cells OST

2014
"We're Happy"[94][unreliable source?] Non-album single

"Together as One"[95] Hooxi, The

2016
(with various artists) Beginning
"Your Night, Your Star, Your Moon"[96] 2021 Dingo Record
(with Giriboy)

Ambassadorship[edit]
Year Title Notes Ref.

Korea Association of Children's adoptive parents

2004 [97]

Ambassador

Cheong Wa Dae Children's newspaper Ambassador [98]

2010
Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) Child [99]

Ambassador

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Youth

with Lee Tae-ri [100]

Ambassador
2012

Gyeonggi Anti-Child Abuse Ambassador [101]

The 58th Memorial Day Big Tree National Love South Korean President Park Geun-
2013 [102]

badge hye award

Seoul Tourism Ambassador with Jang Hyuk [103]

2014
9th Conference of the Korean Volunteer [104]

Ambassador

2015 6th Korea Sharing Festival with Oh Ji-ho [105]

Endorsements[edit]
After making her debut in an advertisement for Crown Confectionery in 2003, Kim
appeared in a number of commercials for a variety of brands as a child actress.[106] In
2012, following her appearance in Moon Embracing the Sun, she became an
advertising model for Domino's Pizza with Kim Soo-hyun,[107] appeared in a washing
machine advertisement for Samsung Electronics with Han Ga-in,[108] became the face of
a dairy product by Seoul Milk with Yeo Jin-goo[109] and featured in a video game
commercial for Nintendo 3DS with Kim So-hyun.[110]
In 2017, Kim became the brand model for South Korean sportswear
manufacturer, FILA, and promoted the brand till 2022.[111][112][113][114] In 2018, she became a
brand model for cosmetics brand Laneige.[115] In 2021, she was selected as an
advertising model for Alcon contact lenses[116] and Torretta – a water/ion supplement
drink by Coca-Cola.[117][118] In January 2022, Kim featured in a 7-minute-long commercial
video named Dark Farm for Laneige's Radian-C Cream, which recorded 1.45 million
views within 10 days of its release.[119][120] The same year, she became an advertising
model for Hana Bank.[121] In August 2022, BBQ announced that Kim would be its new
brand endorser.[122] In August 2023, Nordisk, a Danish premium outdoor brand chose
Kim as one of its model along with Ryu Jun-yeol and Choi Woo-sik.[123] In November
2023, she was selected as brand ambassador of Couronne, a women's luxury handbag
brand.[124] In December 2023, she was appointed as an exclusive model for the English
academy brand Adot English Academy and their online version Adot On.[125][126]
Awards and nominations[edit]
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Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Award
Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
ceremony

APAN Star Moon Embracing the

2012 Best Young Actress Won [127]

Awards Sun

Love in the
2016 Best New Actress Won [128]

Moonlight

Excellence Award, Actress in a

2021 Backstreet Rookie Nominated [129]

Miniseries

[130]
2023 Popular Actress Award Kim Yoo-jung Pending
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Award
Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
ceremony

Most Popular Actress Nominated [131]

Asia Artist Love in the

2016
Awards Moonlight
Best Icon Award, Drama Won [132]

Asia Star Awards 2022 Face of Asia Kim Yoo-jung Won [133]

Moon Embracing the

2012 Best New Actress – Television Nominated
Sun
Baeksang Arts
Awards
Love in the
2017 Most Popular Actress (TV) Won [134]

Moonlight

Blue Dragon Film

2014 Best New Actress Thread of Lies Nominated
Awards

Best Fashionista – Beauty

2016 Nominated [135]

Category
Fashionista
Kim Yoo-jung
Awards
Best Fashionista – Red Carpet
2017 Nominated [136]

Category

Grand Bell
2006 Best New Actress All for Love Nominated
Awards
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Award
Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
ceremony

Herald Donga TV
2012 Style Icon Rookie Kim Yoo-jung Won [137]

Lifestyle Awards

Best Young Actress Won [138]

Grudge: The Revolt

of Gumiho
Netizen Award, Actress Nominated
2010

Kim Yoo-
jung (with Seo Shin-ae)
Best Couple Award Nominated
Grudge: The Revolt
of Gumiho

Best Actress in a Drama Special: The

2014 Nominated
One-Act/Special Drama Dirge Singer

KBS Drama Top Excellence Award, Actress Nominated

Awards

Excellence Award, Actress in a

Won
Mid-length Drama
Love in the
Moonlight
Best New Actress Nominated
2016 [139]

Netizen Award, Actress Nominated

Kim Yoo-
jung (with Park Bo-
Best Couple Award gum) Won
Love in the
Moonlight
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Award
Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
ceremony

Korea Drama Moon Embracing the

2012 Best Young Actress Nominated
Awards Sun

Dong Yi, Flames of

2010 Won [140]

Desire
Best Young Actress
Moon Embracing the
Won [141]

Sun, May Queen

Moon Embracing the

Popularity Award Nominated
Sun
2012
MBC Drama
Awards
Kim Yoo-
jung (with Yeo Jin-goo)
Best Couple Award Nominated
Moon Embracing the
Sun

Popularity Award, Actress Nominated

2015 Angry Mom
Top 10 Stars Award Won [142]

Mnet 20's Choice

2012 20's Upcoming 20's Nominated
Awards
Moon Embracing the
Sun
2012 Best Child Actress Won [143]

Pierson Movie
Festival
2014 Trend Choice Best Actress Kim Yoo-jung Won [144]
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Award
Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
ceremony

Iljimae, Painter of
2008 Best Young Actress Won [15]

the Wind

2014 New Star Award Secret Door Won [145]

Excellence Award, Actress in a

Miniseries Fantasy/Romance Backstreet Rookie Won [146]

Drama

2020
Kim Yoo-
Best Couple Award jung (with Ji Chang- Nominated [147]
wook)
Backstreet Rookie

SBS Drama Kim Yoo-

Awards jung (with Ahn Hyo-
Best Couple Award seop) Won [148][52]

Lovers of the Red

Sky
2021

Top Excellence Award, Actress

Lovers of the Red
in a Miniseries Genre/Fantasy Won [53]

Sky
Drama

Top Excellence Award, Actress

in a Miniseries My Demon Won [149]

Romance/Comedy Drama
2023
Kim Yoo-
Best Couple Award jung (with Song Kang) Won [150]

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

Award
Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
ceremony

Style Icon Asia Awesome Teen Award Won [151]

2016 Kim Yoo-jung

Yahoo! Asia Buzz
Top Buzz Star: Female Won [152]

Awards

Listicles[edit]

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

Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.

Forbes 2017 Korea Power Celebrity 40 8th [153]

2016 Gallup Korea's Actor of the Year 4th [154]

Gallup Korea
2021 Gallup Korea's Actor of the Year 17th [155]

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Yoo-jung