Kim Ji-won Profile: From Scene Stealer to Protagonist – Outshining Song Hye Kyo and Park Shin Hye
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Who is Kim Ji-won?
- Real name: Kim Ji-won
- Stage name: Kim Ji-won
- Date of birth: 19 October 1992
- Nationality: Korean
- Instagram: @geewonii
Kim Ji-won was born on October 19, 1992 in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, South Korea. She has an older sister who is two years older than her.
It is known that Kim Ji-won actually trained to become a K-pop idol for over 3 years, after being discovered by an entertainment agency in middle school.
Among netizens and the public, Kim Ji-won is widely recognized for her natural beauty without traces of plastic surgery, to the point of being called a “little Kim Tae-hee.”
Career
Before his debut as an actor
With a pure and gorgeous appearance, Kim Ji Won attracted the attention of Lion Media when she was only in sixth grade. She was quickly discovered by this company. During her training days, she learned many skills, from singing to acting and dancing. She was first introduced to the public on the SBS music show Inkigayo, as a backing vocalist and then in Younha’s MV “Gossip Boy”. However, he failed to impress the audience then.
After many years of efforts without achieving significant results in the music industry, Kim Ji Won has changed direction. In 2010, she debuted as a model and appeared mainly in CF videos. Thanks to her stunning images in various CFs, she was remembered by the public as the “Oran C girl”, the “Lollipop girl” or the “little Kim Tae Hee”.
Kim Ji Won made her acting debut in “Mrs. Saigon,” however, the film failed to resonate. In 2011, he landed roles in the dramas “High Kick season 3”, “What’s Up?” and the film “Romantic Heaven”. Unfortunately, these projects failed to bring Kim Ji Won any successful roles. He debuted early compared to actors his age, but it took Kim Ji Won years to find a place in the industry.
After his debut as an actor
Kim Ji Won landed a leading role in the early days of her debut. However, she became famous thanks to supporting roles. In 2013, he received great attention from the public by starring in “The Heirs”. Playing the naughty rich girl Yoo Rachel, she impressed viewers with her stunning beauty, aura and acting. Kim Ji Won is also said to have stolen the spotlight from female lead Park Shin Hye. At the time, Kim Ji Won was only 21 years old, but from the moment she began her life as an apprentice until she finally became famous, the journey was not short.
After The Heirs, Kim Ji Won’s career still failed to reach its peak as she only starred in a few other projects that were not very successful. Her career only turned a new page when she participated in the hit film “Descendants of the Sun”, playing the supporting role of soldier medic Yoon Myung Ju. After this work, Kim Ji Won’s name really rose to the top of the Korean film industry. He has continuously taken part in famous works such as “Fight For My Way”, “Arthdal Chronicles” and, most recently, “My Liberation Notes”. Not all of her works become a hit, but Kim Ji Won has had the chance to try out different roles with different colors, which helps her ability to be more recognized by the public.
Press
Throughout his career, Kim Ji-won has earned his fair share of awards and nominations. Notable ones include being nominated for Best Actress at the 2023 Baeksang Arts Awards, winning Best Actress and Best Couple awards at the 2016 and 2017 KBS Drama Awards, and winning New Star Awards at the SBS Drama Awards.
Controversies
Kim Ji-won is known as a “scandal-free” actress, as she is well known for her stellar personality, never running into any personal controversy.
However, Kim Ji-won’s latest work, “Queen of Tears,” is currently under criticism for allegedly promoting the Starbucks coffee brand. It is known that Starbucks is the target of a boycott movement to show support for Palestine – which is experiencing a human crisis due to Israel’s attacks, so its promotion is considered tone deaf.
Furthermore, the popularity and explosive chemistry in “Queen of Tears” also leads to various dating rumors between Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun.
The actress was also involved in a rumor that she secretly married an A-list star, but this rumor was later cleared up.
