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Kim Seon-ho
South Korean actor (born 1986) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Kim Seon-ho (Korean: 김선호, IPA: [kim ˈsʰɘ(ː)nβo̞]; born May 8, 1986) is a South Korean actor. He is widely recognized for his breakthrough role Han Ji-pyeong from Start-Up (2020) and solidified his prominence with his role as Hong Du-sik in the romantic comedy Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021). For the latter, he was named Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year.
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Kim began his acting career as a theater actor in Daehangno in 2009, gaining recognition through his stage performances and earning the nickname "theater idol". He made his television debut in Good Manager (2017) and later that year won two acting awards for his role in Two Cops (2017). In 2023, Kim made his film debut in the action thriller The Childe, winning several Best New Actor awards. In addition to his screen roles, he continues to perform in stage productions.
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Early life and education
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Kim Seon-ho was born on May 8, 1986 in Seongbuk District, Seoul, South Korea.[2][3] An only child, his given name, "Seon-ho" (Korean: 선호; Hanja: 宣虎), means "benevolent tiger".[1] Growing up in Bongcheon-dong,[4] he was a timid and introverted child, traits he attributed to a traumatic event during the second grade of elementary school.[2] A robber broke into his house, his mother was stabbed, and he narrowly escaped by hiding under his bed. In his third year of high school, the influence of a friend led him to enroll in an acting academy, where he gradually began to overcome his trauma through acting.[1][5][6][7]
Encouraged by his acting teacher, a graduate of the Seoul Institute of the Arts, he decided to pursue higher education in acting.[2] With both moral and financial support from his parents, he successfully gained admission to the Department of Broadcasting and Entertainment at the same institution in 2005.[5][7][8] His cohort included peers such as Lee Si-eon from the same department, alongside Lee Dong-hwi, and Kwon Hyuk-soo from the Theater Department.[9] Throughout his studies, Kim concentrated primarily on theater classes,[9] and further honed his acting abilities through active participation in stage productions, including My Town, The Seagull, and Chunpung's Wife,[10][11] as a member of the campus theater club, Theatrical Art Research Society.[A][4]
In 2007, he began his conscription, initially serving as a drill instructor at the Nonsan Army Training Center before transitioning to a role as a public service worker. His experience as an instructor improved his pronunciation and enunciation, while managing and counseling diverse individuals as a public service worker improved his communication skills and fostered a more outgoing personality. He noted that these varied life experiences opened new possibilities for him as an actor. Overall, his time in the military was transformative, significantly broadening his worldview.[4][9][12]
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Career
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2009–2016: Beginnings in theatre
Kim's first professional stage role was in the open-run production of New Boeing Boeing in 2009,[2] an adaptation of the French play of the same name,[13] a role he reprised in 2013 and 2014.[14][15] After graduating with his bachelor's degree in 2011,[4] Kim started his career as a theater actor, leveraging the stage experience he gained as a student at the Seoul Institute of the Arts to audition for new roles.[16] In 2012, he portrayed Dr. Watson in the play Sherlock: The Secret of Birlstone, a korean adaptation Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel The Valley of Fear, written and directed by Han Jae-hyeok.[17][18] In December 2013, he took on the leading role in the play Words I Couldn't Say for 7 Years, written and directed by Park Jung-in, at Daehangno Moonlight Theater.[19] The following year, Kim reprised his role with performances at the Figaro Art Hall in Jung-Gu, Ulsan,[20] followed by shows in Daejeon[21] and Busan.[22]
In autumn of 2014, Kim was triple-cast in season 10 Rooftop House Cat, winning the lead role of Lee Kyung-min after competing against 200 candidates.[4] He was recast for seasons 11 and 12.[23] In 2015, he secured another title role in Purpose of Love.[24][25] Both plays were produced by Aligator Theater Company, with Rooftop House Cat continue to maintain its status as popular open-run romantic comedies in Daehangno, akin to Off-Broadway.[26][27]
Later, Kim expanded his repertoire with darker roles in limited-run plays by Aligator Theater Company. In 2015, he auditioned for the role of Austin in the Korean revival of Sam Shepard's True West, directed by Oh Man-seok. He was triple-cast as Austin with Lee Hyun-wook and Moon Sung-il,[10][28] alternately acting with Jeon Seok-ho, Kim Jun-won, and Lee Dae-il, who played Lee, Austin's older brother. According to Interpark, the play ranked first for theater ticket sales at the same time as ticket sales were opened.[29] Also in 2015, he played Valentin in Korean revival of Manuel Puig's play Kiss of the Spider Woman at the Art One Theater, Seoul, directed by Moon Sam-hwa.[30]
In 2016, Kim auditioned for multiple roles in Theater Ganda's production of John Cariani's Almost, Maine, securing a spot despite a 200 to 1 competition rate and performed as part of second team starting in April.[31] He also appeared in two back-to-back plays with Aligator Theater Company, reprising his role as Austin in Korean encore of Sam Shepard's play True West Return.[32] Later that year, he appeared in the revival Patrick Marber's acclaimed play Closer, directed by Roh Deok, alongside Bae Seong-woo, Seo Hyun-woo, Kim So-jin, and Park So-dam.[33] In November, he joined Park Dong-wook's Voice of Millennium, produced by Space to Create[B] and directed by Park Seon-hee, which ran at Dongsoong Art Center.[34][35] His rising prominence in Daehangno earned him the nickname "theater idol".[36] In his year-end review, critic Huh Yun-seon acknowledged Kim as an actor with great potential, highlighting his explosive energy on stage.[37]
2017–2019: Television debut
Kim made his screen debut in early 2017 with a supporting role in the KBS2 office drama Good Manager. He landed the part of Seon Sang-tae, the youngest employee in the accounting department,[2] after auditioning at the suggestion of producer Lee Eun-jin who watched his performance in the play Closer.[7] In his next project, the KBS2 youth drama Strongest Deliveryman, he landed his first leading role on screen. He starred alongside Go Kyung-pyo, Chae Soo-bin, and Go Won-hee. Initially auditioning for a supporting role as a deliveryman, he was cast as the second male lead, Oh Jin-kyu, by director Jeon Woo-sung.[7] Both roles earned him a nomination for Best New Actor Award at the 2017 KBS Drama Awards.[38]
Later in 2017, Kim starred opposite Jo Jung-suk and Lee Hye-ri in MBC action comedy Two Cops as a sly conman Gong Su-chang. Although he originally auditioned for a supporting role, director Oh Hyun-jong upgraded him to second lead.[39] For his performance, Kim received the New Actor Award and the Excellence Actor Award at the 2017 MBC Drama Awards.[40] While the drama was still airing, he reprised his role onstage as Valentin in an encore performance of Kiss of the Spider Woman.[41]
In 2018, Kim portrayed a lead role in MBC's four-episode drama You Drive Me Crazy, opposite Lee Yoo-young, as painter Kim Rae-wan. The drama aired May 7–8, and both actors were praised for their chemistry. It also topped portal site search rankings before and after broadcast.[42][43] In July, he made a brief cameo appearance as Go Won-hee's character ex boyfriend in her next drama Your House Helper, directed by Jeon Woo-sung.[44] From April, he also filmed his first pre-produced historical drama 100 Days My Prince. In the series he portrayed Jung Jae-yoon, a genius yangban with prosopagnosia, who has a low rank due to his status as the illegitimate son of a concubine.[45][46] Airing on tvN from September 10 to October 30, 2018, the drama peaked at 14.412% viewership, making it one of the highest-rated series in Korean cable television history.[47] On Good Data's TV Drama Buzz-worthiness, the series ranked second for four weeks post-premiere, then first for three weeks from the second week of October. Kim also entered the Top 10 TV Drama TV Performer Buzz-worthiness, peaking at sixth in mid-October and ranking seventh and eighth in subsequent weeks.[48]
In September, Kim signed an exclusive contract with S.A.L.T. Entertainment[49] after leaving Aligator Theater Company.[50] That same year, in November, he made a special appearance in the KBS2 drama Feel Good to Die, made possible by his connection with director Lee Eun-jin from their time working together on Good Manager.[51]
In March 2019, Kim played an aspiring singer in the JTBC comedy series Welcome to Waikiki 2.[11] He joined the new cast members Shin Hyun-soo, Ahn So-hee, Moon Ga-young, and Kim Ye-won. Additionally, Lee Yi-kyung from season 1 also joined the second season.[52] Later in October 2019, Kim starred in the tvN investigative crime drama Catch the Ghost opposite veteran actress Moon Geun-young. He portrayed Go Ji-seok, a third-year detective and head of Investigation Unit 1 at the Wangsimni Subway Police Station. After joining the violent crimes unit following his graduation from the police academy, he had to adjust his career when his mother was diagnosed with dementia, making him her sole guardian. This role marked his second leading role in a full-length series following Welcome to Waikiki 2.[6][53]
On November 5, 2019, Kim joined the cast of the fourth season of the KBS2 reality show 2 Days & 1 Night;[54] and received the Rookie Award at the 2020 KBS Entertainment Awards for his work on the show.[55] In his final project of 2019, Kim appeared in the play Memory in dream [sic]. Kim performed a total of 33 shows, all sold-out, attracting approximately 4,700 theater audiences.[56]
2020–2022: Breakthrough roles
In March 2020, Kim made a special appearance in the MBC drama Find Me in Your Memory, which served as a reunion with Two Cops director Oh Hyun-jong and actress Moon Ga-young from Welcome to Waikiki 2.[57] Later that year, his career gained significant momentum with his role as Han Ji-pyeong in Start-Up. The drama, written by Park Hye-ryun and directed by Oh Chung-hwan, aired concurrently tvN and Netflix from October 17 to December 6, 2020, starring Kim alongside Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kang Han-na and Kim Hae-sook.[58]
As Han Ji-pyeong, a successful venture capitalist who rose from a challenging childhood as an aging out youth,[C] Kim's performance received positive reviews, significantly boosting his domestic and international recognition.[58][59] During the broadcast, he ranked in Good Data's Top 10 Actor Buzz-worthiness for six consecutive weeks, peaking at third place in mid-November.[60] That same month, he topped the Korean Business Research Institute's Actor Brand Reputation ranking.[61] His portrayal earned him the Most Popular Actor Award at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards, where he was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor – Television. He subsequently featured in the 2021 Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list.[62] Furthermore, Han Ji-pyeong was celebrated as one of the Characters of the Year at the 2021 Seoul International Drama Awards (as part of "Avenger of Korean Drama 2020").[63] The Beautiful Foundation[D] praised the character for challenging media stereotypes surrounding aging out youth,[C] leading the organization to send handwritten letters and gifts to Studio Dragon and Kim, noting that, "Kim Seon-ho has brought the character to life with his excellent acting."[66] In 2022, Han Ji-pyeong secured second place in the foundation's "Eighteen Adults Award", which recognizes the best aging-out youth character in Korean drama.[67]
In early 2021, Kim made a special appearance in the JTBC drama Run On, reuniting with director Lee Jae-hoon, who also directed Good Manager.[68] He then returned to the theater with Jang Jin's two-hander play Ice, where he portrayed Detective Lee Jong-ryeol, who seeks to incriminate a young man in a murder case. The play ran at S Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, from January 8 to March 21, 2021. It was reported that all of Kim's performances sold out on the same day as ticket sales opened.[69] He and actor Jung Woong-in reprised their roles for a special encore performance of Ice on May 16 at the Seongnam Arts Center, as part of the "2021 Play Ten Thousand Won Series".[70][71] Earlier, on his birthday, May 8, Kim teamed-up with Epitone Project to release the single "Reason" as a gift for his fans, also contributing to the lyrics as a co-writer. This marked his second collaboration with Epitone Project, having previously appeared in one of their music videos.[72]
In August 2021, Kim returned as the leading man in tvN romantic comedy series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, starring alongside Shin Min-a.[73] He took on the role of Hong Du-sik (Hong Banjang/Chief Hong), a multi-skilled handyman in the seaside village of Gongjin. To prepare for this role, he learned how to surf and make coffee as a barista.[74] He also practiced playing the guitar in order to perform "Old Love" by Lee Moon-sae in the drama.[75] The series aired concurrently tvN and Netflix from September to October, drawing a substantial audience both domestically and internationally. With peak ratings of 13.322%, it became one of the highest-rated series in Korean cable television history. Furthermore, it ranked among Netflix's most-watched non-English shows, spending 16 weeks on the non-English Top 10 list and reaching the Top 10 in over 20 countries.[76] It also remained on the global Top 10 for more than two months after its finale.[77][78]
Kim's performance garnered positive feedback from both audiences and critics. Matt O'Neill noted that the on-screen chemistry between Shin Min-a and Kim "is akin to that of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman."[79] He secured first place in Good Data's "Drama Performer Buzzworthiness" list from the fourth week of August to the fourth week of September, and ranked second in the fifth week of September 2021.[80] In September 2021, Kim topped the Korean Business Research Institute's brand reputation ranking index.[81] In 2021 Gallup Korea's year-end poll, he was named Television Actor of the Year.[82] He later won the Outstanding Actor Award in 2022 Seoul Drama Awards.[83]
In late 2021, Kim began filming his debut feature film, The Childe.[84] After the first script reading on December 3, 2021,[85] principal photography officially started on December 10.[86] For overseas scenes, Kim traveled to Thailand on March 31, 2022.[87] In addition to his film work, Kim's agency announced his return to the theater in May 2022, with the third installment of "The 9th Best Plays Festival",[E] the Korean premiere of David Greig's play Touching the Void. This play recounts the true survival story of British mountain climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates. Kim was triple-cast in the role of Joe Simpson with Shin Sung-min and Lee Hwi-jong. Directed by Kim Dong-yeon, the play ran at Art One Theater in Daehangno from July to September 2022.[89] Reports from Interpark indicated that tickets for Kim's performances in the 250-seat theater were completely sold out.[90][91] He later donated the full amount of his theater fee to a disaster relief organization.[92] For his performance, Kim received the OBS Hot Icon Award in December 2022[93] and a nomination for Best Theater Actor Award at Interpark Golden Ticket Awards in April 2023.[92]
2023–2024: Film debut, theater work, and return to television
In 2023, Kim filmed two projects. On January 2, Acemaker Movieworks announced the start of principal photography for the neo-noir action film The Tyrant, marking Kim's second collaboration with director Park Hoon-jung and Kim Kang-woo, and his first with Cha Seung-won.[94] By June, Kim completed the script reading and began filming the streaming series Mangnaein (lit. In the Net), co-directed by Kim Jee-woon and Park Bo-ram.[95] Co-produced by Yong Film, Anthology Studio, and SK Global Entertainment, the series is an adaptation of Chan Ho-kei's crime novel Second Sister.[96]
Kim made his feature film debut in the noir film The Childe, portraying Gwigongja (lit. nobleman), an eccentric killer-for-hire. As requested by director Park Hoon-jung, Kim based his character's motif on Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange.[97] His preparation included two months of English practice[98] and extensive action training, including firearms handling.[99] He performed most of his own stunts, including a jump from an overpass, despite his acrophobia.[100] The film was released in theaters in South Korea, Taiwan, and Indonesia on June 21, 2023, followed by a worldwide release.[101][102] The performance garnered positive reviews, with critic Peter Marsh writing that it exhibited "self-effacing irreverence".[103] He won the New Actor Awards at both the Buil Film Awards[104] and the 59th Grand Bell Awards.[105] At the 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards in December 2023, he was nominated in the New Actor Award category[106] and also received the Chung Chung Won Popular Star Award.[107] The following year, he was nominated for Most Popular Actor[108] and Best New Actor at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards.[109]
In winter 2023, Kim reprised his role as an aspiring photographer in the adaptation of the play Memory in Dream [sic], which was renamed Realise Happiness.[110] His character, originally named Eden, was localized to Korean as Kim Woo-jin. On October 20, 2023, Content Haap announced that Kim would be triple-cast in this role alongside Lee Dong-ha, and Ahn Woo-yeon. The cast included Kim Seul-gi and Kim Na-young as Lee Eun-soo; Im Chul-soo, Lee Si-hyung, and Choi Jeong-heon as Jeong Ji-yong; as well as Lee Ji-hae, and Oh Se-mi as Seo Tae-young, with alternating performances among the cast members.[111] The play ran from December 5, 2023, to February 18, 2024, with all of Kim's episodes selling out, affirming his box-office draw.[112][113]
An exclusive report released on February 23, 2024, stating that Kim would be reunited with his Welcome to Waikiki 2 co-star, Moon Ga-young, to appear in the music video for Daesung's single "Falling Slowly".[114] Directed by Hong Jong-chan,[115] the video was released on March 5, 2024, following the release of teaser images on February 26.[116] On February 28, 2024, it was reported that Kim would appear as a special guest on Season 2 of Mukbo Brothers, marking his return to variety television and reuniting with former 2 Days & 1 Night co-star Moon Se-yoon. Prior to this, he was seen in Thailand with Moon and fellow host Kim Jun-hyun. The show premiered on March 25 on E Channel and SBS Plus,[117] with Kim featured in the first four episodes, which documented a 3-day, 2-night trip to Chiang Mai and Chiang Dao. During the trip, the trio toured a palace in traditional attire, sampled local cuisine, visited night markets, and interacted with elephants and their keeper Sangduen "Lek" Chailert at the Elephant Nature Park.[118] In their final day, Kim and Kim Jun-hyun had lunch with Thai celebrities Mawin Thaweephon and Piyawadee Maleenont.[119]
Kim's activities continued with a surprise appearance at the Japan premiere of The Childe on April 8, 2024, joining Korean-culture journalist Masayuki Furuya for a stage greeting attended by around 600 people in Tokyo. Coinciding with the film's release on April 12, an exhibition showcasing the costumes worn by Kim in the film was launched in two locations: Marunouchi Piccadilly, Shinjuku, Tokyo, and Namba Parks Cinema in Osaka.[120] During this period, Kim also released "Miracle", a digital single dedicated to his fans on April 30. He co-wrote the song with lyricist Kim Ji-hyang, with composition by Seo Jeong-jin, Gold Doo-hyun, and Keeproots. The song, which was made available on various online music platforms,[121] was first performed live during his tour[F] in Bangkok in February 2024, followed by performances in Osaka, Tokyo, Manila, Seoul,[123] and Jakarta.[124]
The Tyrant, which premiered on Disney+ on August 14, 2024, marked both Kim's and director Park Hoon-jung's first streaming series. Originally developed as a film, it was reformatted into a four-part series, as announced by Disney+ on February 19, 2024.[125] Promotional activities featuring Kim alongside co-stars Cha Seung-won, Kim Kang-woo, and Jo Yoon-su, were held in July and August ahead of the release.[126] In the series, Kim portrays Director Choe, the youngest head of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, overseeing a clandestine unit running the Tyrant Program. To prepare for this role, he drew inspiration from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Peaky Blinders,[127] practiced for three months to convincingly portray smoking, and lost seven kilograms to authentically portray his character's haggard look.[128] The performance was met with favorable review, with critic Carmen Chin highlighting Kim's "aloof yet grounded charisma that feels incredibly natural."[129] Kim received nominations for the Popular Male Actor Award[130] and Best Male Actor in a Short Film/Web Drama at the 2024 APAN Star Awards,[131] and won Outstanding Asian Star at the 2025 Seoul International Drama Awards.[132]
2025–present: Streaming series and agency changes
Principal photography for the Hong Sisters' upcoming series Can This Love Be Translated?, directed by Yoo Young-eun, concluded on February 5, 2025.[133] Filming began in June 2024[134] and took place in various locations in South Korea, Japan, Canada, and Italy.[135] In his romantic comedy comeback, Kim stars as Joo Ho-jin, a multilingual interpreter whose life becomes intertwined with top actress Cha Mu-hee (Go Youn-jung). The casting of Kim, Go, Sota Fukushi, Lee Yi-dam and Choi Woo-sung, was officially confirmed by Netflix on June 27, 2024, along with the release of script reading images. The series is slated for a fourth-quarter 2025 premiere.[136]
In February 2025, Kim became a free agent,[137] and the following month, signed an exclusive contract with agency Fantagio.[138] In March 2025, Kim made a special appearance in writer Lim Sang-choon's Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines, as Park Chung-seop, the love interest and later husband of Yang Geum-myeong (portrayed by IU).[139] Director Kim Won-seok noted that while Park Chung-seop becomes significant later in the series, he is not central to the main narrative.[140] Nonetheless, his appearance generated considerable buzz; he ranked tenth in Good Data's "TV-OTT Drama Performer Buzzworthiness" list in the third week of March, rising to third place in the fourth week.[141] His wedding scene sparked the "Kim Seon-ho Smile Challenge" in China, gaining over 170 million views on Douyin and 1 million likes on Xiaohongshu.[142] A TikTok edit featuring Ariana Grande's song "Supernatural" went viral with over 22 million views and more than 2 million likes, amplifying the challenge worldwide[143] and prompting Grande to share a compilation of the challenges on her social media.[144]
Kim reunites with Bae Suzy in the upcoming streaming series Portraits of Delusion, directed by Han Jae-rim and adapted from Hongjacga's manhwa titled Delusion. On May 23, 2025, Disney+ confirmed the casting and released photos from the script reading. Filming began in the same month, with the drama set to premiere in 2026.[145] In June 2025, SLL revealed that the crime mystery series Unfriend, where Kim is the lead alongside Park Gyu-young, would be released in 2025 as a TVING original.[146] On September 11, 2025, Fantagio confirmed that Kim will return to the stage in 2026 with the play Secret Passage, an adaptation of the original work by playwright Tomohiro Maekawa. Directed by Min Sae-rom, Kim will be taking on multiple roles in this play.[147]
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Other ventures
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Endorsements
Following his significant career growth in 2020, Kim was chosen as the face of various brands in South Korea and Southeast Asia.[148][149] His endorsements have included clothing, electronics, cosmetics, food, e-commerce and more.[150] Some brands endorsed by Kim reported record sales in 2021;[151] this phenomenon has been labelled "The Kim Seon-Ho Effect", attributed to his rising influence both in South Korea and internationally.[152]
In May 2021, Kim appeared in a promotional video for the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit, South Korea's first environmental multilateral summit, which aimed to raise public interest in the event and to introduce practical ways to protect the Earth's environment in everyday life. In the video, released on Naver TV, KakaoTV and YouTube Channel of Korea Blue House, Kim introduced a solar panel support project in Africa initiated by a venture company.[153]
In fall 2022, Kim participated in a fan signing event for the Miima Mask brand held on November 12 in Gangnam, Seoul. Fans applied online in October, with 100 winners selected to attend.[154] In April 2023, he became the model for Korean sport brand Ballop.[155] The following month, he signed with the Thai kombucha brand Teacha and attended a special event in Bangkok on May 5 to meet the press and fans.[156] Later in May, Kim was appointed global ambassador for the Philippine fashion brand Bench and took part in a July 22 event in Manila that attracted over 6,000 fans. The clothing he modeled sold out, and his campaign became a trending topic on social media.[157]
In February 2024, NutriAsia's UFC announced a new line of Korean-inspired meal mixes with Kim as the endorser.[158] He also collaborated with UFC for his Color+Full Asia Tour in Manila on April 13.[159] In May 2024, he became the first brand presenter for Thai skincare brand Dr. Pong,[160] attending a meet-and-greet event in Bangkok on September 8.[161] By fall 2024, Kim was appointed ambassador for the SC Johnson. He represents SC Johnson's Mr. Muscle campaign in Malaysia and the Philippines,[162][163] as well as Duck in Thailand, inviting customers to participate in a contest for a trip to South Korea.[164]
Philanthropy
For three consecutive years, Kim has commemorated his birthday, which coincides with World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, by donating to the Korean Red Cross. This initiative supports aging out youth[C] a cause chosen by fans through voting on the allocation of proceeds from his fan-meeting.[G][168] In 2023, he donated ₩100 million, benefiting 146 aging-out youth by providing essential daily items, learning devices, exam fees, medical expenses, and improvements to living conditions, as well as funding a healing camp. In 2024, he donated an additional ₩100 million to support their preparations for self-reliance,[169][170] followed by a ₩50 million donation in 2025 for the same purpose.[171]
In addition to his birthday initiatives, Kim has made contributions in other areas, particularly in public health. He took part in the 2018 Ice Bucket Challenge, a fundraising campaign by the ALS Association aimed to build Korea's first Lou Gehrig's Disease Rehabilitation Hospital.[172] In January 2021, Kim donated ₩100 million to the Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation (KCLF).[H][174] In February 2022, it was revealed that Kim made another donation of ₩50 million to the KCLF[H] in mid-December 2021, a donation he initially asked to remain confidential.[175]
Kim also made contribution to disaster relief efforts. In September 2022, he donated his entire theater fee from Touching the Void through the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association[I] to support victims of Typhoon Hinnamnor.[177] In early 2025, Kim also donated ₩50 million to aid recovery from wildfires in the Yeongnam region.[171]
In the realm of charity collaborations, Kim partnered with Marcoroho[J] on the Happy Bean Special Funding Project in September 2021, which raised funds for improved living conditions for the elderly. Within three days of its launch on September 3, the fundraiser surpassed its goal by 3600%, raising over ₩100 million.[179] In November 2024, he, along with other celebrities, donated personal belongings to the Anseong Pyeonggang Princess Shelter Benefit Bazaar,[K] with proceeds designated for animal care at the shelter.[180]
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On October 17, 2021, a user who identified herself as the ex-girlfriend of "Actor K" (later revealed to be Kim) made allegations on a Korean internet forum that the actor had coerced her into getting an abortion while the two were dating.[181][182][183] On October 20, 2021, in light of his ex-girlfriend's claims, Kim issued a public apology through his agency.[182][183][184] As reports of the ex-girlfriend's claims spread, multiple advertisers halted campaigns that featured Kim, which according to Korea's Daily included popular international brands such as an American pizza restaurant chain and a Japanese camera brand.[181][182] Kim stepped down from the permanent cast of the KBS variety show 2 Days & 1 Night,[185] and subsequently withdrew from film projects Dog Days and Pretty Crazy.[186][187]
On October 20, 2021, Kim's ex-girlfriend issued a new statement revealing that Kim had apologised to her personally; she also stated that there had been misunderstandings between them and expressed remorse at causing unintentional damage.[188] On October 26, 2021, a South Korean media outlet published evidence challenging the accusations of Kim's ex-girlfriend, citing sources from close acquaintances of both parties; the report concluded that the decision to abort was mutual, that Kim had been supportive throughout the process, and that the pair had broken up the following year due to questionable circumstances involving the ex-girlfriend.[189][190] Following the new reports, seven companies resumed advertisements featuring Kim.[191][192] The production team of the film The Childe also announced their decision to retain Kim as a main cast member.[193][192]
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Filmography
Selected filmography
- Two Cops (2017)
- Start-Up (2020)
- Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
- The Childe (2023)
- The Tyrant (2024)
Discography
(edited).jpg)
Singles
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Theater
Theater play
Musical play and concert
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Accolades
Notes
- Theatrical Art Research Society (극예술 연구회 서울예술대학교) is drama club of the Seoul Institute of the Arts. Notable alumni of the club include actors Park Hee-soon, who was the club's former president and Im Won-hee.
- Space to Create is a theater company established by Ahn Hyuk-won and Jeon Seok-ho.
- Aging-out youth (aged-out orphan) is an orphan who reach the age of 18 years old and must leave the orphanage or foster care system to live independently.[165]
- Best Play Festival or Theater Heated Battle (Korean: 연극열전) is a biennial theater festival hosted by The Best Plays Inc. Established in 2007, The Best Plays Inc. emerged from the success of The 1st Best Plays Festival in 2004. Originally initiated by the Dongsoong Art Center Theatre Company, the festival marked a significant shift in Korean theater by highlighting young directors and popular stars. Its goals include producing outstanding Korean plays, supporting new plays and playwrights, and introducing exceptional works from around the world to inspire and enrich the Korean theater industry.[88]
- The donation came from Kim's fanmeeting proceeds. In late 2022, he held "One, Two, Three, Smile" Fanmeeting at Daeyang Hall, Sejong University, Seoul (Dec 10–11).[166] The 1st Asia Fan Meeting Tour began on January 22, 2023, in Manila, followed by Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and ended in Singapore, with 10 shows in eight cities and about 40,000 attendees.[167]
- The Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation (KCLF) originally began in 1991 as the Childhood Leukemia Supporters' Association, but was formally established as the Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation in 2000. It operates as a non-profit organization and is dedicated to offering social services to children diagnosed with leukemia. The foundation's primary goal is to ensure that these children receive proper medical treatment and can reintegrate into society in good health.[173]
- The Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association is a non-profit organization established in 1961. It was founded by newspaper companies, broadcasting companies, and social organizations to assist individuals affected by unforeseen disasters. Originally known as the "Korea Flood Damage Response Committee", it initially focused on providing financial aid for the victims of Typhoon Sarah in 1959. In 1964, the organization was renamed the "Korea Disaster Response Association" to expand its relief efforts and promote a culture of donation within society. In 2001, with the amendment of the Disaster Relief Act, The Hope Bridge Korea Korea Disaster Relief Association became the only relief organization in the country authorized by the government to raise and distribute donations for domestic natural disasters.[176]
- Marcoroho is a South Korean social lifestyle brand founded in 2015 that focuses on empowering marginalized communities, particularly elderly women. The company sells handcrafted products, such as jewelry and stationery, that are made by these women, aiming to provide them with financial stability and a sense of purpose.[178]
- The annual event was organized by the Blue Angel Volunteer Group and the abandoned dog volunteer group Himnaegae to support the Pyeonggang Princess Shelter.
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References
External links
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