Kim Yoo-jung facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kim Yoo-jung
Kim in November 2023
Born	(1999-09-22) September 22, 1999 (age 25) Seongdong District, Seoul, South Korea
Education	Goyang High School of Arts
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2003–present
Agent	Awesome ENT
Korean name
Hangul	김유정
Hanja	金裕貞
Revised Romanization	Gim Yujeong
McCune–Reischauer	Kim Yujŏng
Signature

Kim Yoo-jung (Hangul: 김유정; born September 22, 1999) is a famous South Korean actress. She started her career as a model for a candy brand when she was only four years old. After her first acting role in 2003, she quickly became one of the most popular child actresses in Korea.

She became well-known for her roles in TV shows like Dong Yi (2010), Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), and Angry Mom (2015). She also appeared in movies such as Commitment (2013) and Thread of Lies (2014). From 2014 to 2016, she was a host for the music show Inkigayo.

Later, Kim Yoo-jung took on her first main role in the historical drama Love in the Moonlight (2016). She continued to star in popular shows and films like Clean with Passion for Now (2018), Backstreet Rookie (2020), Lovers of the Red Sky (2021), and the movie 20th Century Girl (2022). Her recent work includes the fantasy romance My Demon (2023–2024).

People have given Kim Yoo-jung several fun nicknames. She's called "Nation's Little Sister" because of her many child roles. She's also known as "Sageuk fairy" for her amazing performances in historical dramas. After her role in 20th Century Girl, she earned the nicknames "Nation's First Love" and "Global First Love." In 2017, at just 17 years old, she was ranked 8th on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list, making her the youngest person to be in the Top 10.

Early Life and School Days

Kim Yoo-jung was born in Seongdong District, Seoul, South Korea, on September 22, 1999. She is the youngest of three children. Her older sister, Kim Yeon-jung, also became an actress in 2017.

Kim went to Goyang High School of Arts and finished school in January 2018. She decided to focus on her acting career instead of taking the national College Scholastic Ability Test in 2017.

Kim Yoo-jung's Acting Journey

Starting as a Child Actress (2003–2011)

Kim Yoo-jung in July 2010

Kim Yoo-jung started acting when she was four years old. She quickly became one of the most sought-after child actresses in Korea. By the time she was in fifth grade, she had already appeared in 13 TV dramas and 15 movies!

In 2008, she won her first acting award for "Best Child Actress." This was for her roles in the action-adventure series Iljimae and the historical drama Painter of the Wind. She also gave great performances in Dong Yi (2010) and Flames of Desire (2010). Her role in Grudge: The Revolt of Gumiho (2010) was special. It was her first big role where she wasn't just playing the younger version of the main character.

Becoming More Popular (2012–2014)

Kim Yoo-jung became even more popular in 2012. She starred in the fantasy historical drama Moon Embracing the Sun. This show brought her back together with actors Lee Tae-ri and Yeo Jin-goo. Moon Embracing the Sun was a huge hit, with over 40% of viewers tuning in. It became known as a "national drama."

For her excellent acting as the young main character, she was nominated for a Best New Actress award. She also won the Best Young Actress Award at the 1st K-Drama Star Awards and the 2012 MBC Drama Awards. After this, she had a well-liked role in May Queen (2012) and a supporting role in the movie Commitment (2013). She also appeared in the family drama Golden Rainbow (2013).

In 2014, Kim's acting as a teenage bully in Thread of Lies received praise from critics. She then played a traditional funeral singer in a special TV episode. She also starred in the horror mystery Room 731. After that, she had a main role in the historical drama Secret Door. Kim also started hosting the music show Inkigayo in November 2014, leaving the show in April 2016.

Taking on Lead Roles (2015–2022)

Kim Yoo-jung at a fan event for Love in the Moonlight in October 2016

In 2015, she starred in the TV series Angry Mom, which talked about bullying and violence in schools. That same year, she played a cat-turned-woman in Love Cells, a two-season web series. She also played a murderer's daughter in the thriller film Circle of Atonement.

In August 2016, Kim took on her first main adult role in the historical drama Love in the Moonlight. She played Hong Ra-on, a girl raised as a boy who becomes a eunuch for the Crown Prince of Joseon. The show was a big success in Korea, with audience ratings reaching 23.3%. Its popularity was even called "Moonlight Syndrome." Kim won an "Excellence Award" for her role in Moonlight at the 30th KBS Drama Awards.

In 2017, she starred with Cha Tae-hyun in the romantic-comedy film Because I Love You. Kim also had her first fan meeting tour outside of Korea, starting in Taipei, Taiwan, in February 2017.

In 2018, Kim starred in the romantic-comedy drama Clean with Passion for Now. This show was based on a popular webtoon. She played a character who works at a cleaning company but doesn't care about being messy.

In 2020, Kim was cast in the romantic-comedy drama Backstreet Rookie with Ji Chang-wook. This show was also based on a webtoon. She played a former high school troublemaker who works part-time at a convenience store. Kim even trained at an action school to do her own stunts for the role!

Kim was also the main host for the 2020 SBS Drama Awards in December 2020. At the same event, she won an "Excellence Award" for her role in Backstreet Rookie.

Kim Yoo-jung at the BIFF Asia Star Awards in October 2022

In December 2020, Kim was confirmed as the female lead in the historical-fantasy drama Lovers of the Red Sky. This drama was based on a novel. It premiered in August 2021 on SBS TV. Kim played Hong Chun-gi, the only female painter in the Joseon dynasty. She starred alongside Ahn Hyo-seop, who played a blind astrologer. This series brought Kim back with director Jang Tae-yoo after 13 years, since they worked together on Painter of the Wind (2008).

In 2021, Kim appeared in the mystery thriller Netflix film The 8th Night. She played a mysterious psychic. In December 2021, she made a short appearance in the last episode of the TV series One Ordinary Day. At the end of 2021, Kim hosted the 2021 SBS Drama Awards again. She received a "Top Excellence Award" and won the "Best Couple Award" with Ahn Hyo-seop for Lovers of the Red Sky.

In 2022, Kim reunited with the director and cast members of Love in the Moonlight for a travel show called Young Actors' Retreat. That same year, she starred in the Netflix film 20th Century Girl. She played 17-year-old Na Bo-ra in the year 1999.

Making a Stage Debut (2023)

The cast of Shakespeare in Love at a press conference in February 2023. From left to right: Kim Yoo-jung, Jung So-min, and Chae Soo-bin.

Kim Yoo-jung performed on stage for the first time in January 2023. She was in the play Shakespeare in Love, which was based on the 1998 movie. She played Viola de Lesseps, a rich merchant's daughter. Viola pretends to be a man named Thomas Kent to become a theater actress, which was not allowed for women at that time. The play was well-received, and critics praised Kim's performance.

In March, she made a special appearance in the film My Heart Puppy. She played Ah-min, a girl with a disability who cares for abandoned dogs. In January 2023, she was cast in the TV series My Demon for SBS. She plays Do Do-hee, a rich heiress. The series was released in November 2023.

Health Update

In February 2018, it was announced that Kim Yoo-jung had issues with her thyroid gland. Because of this, she took a break from acting to focus on her health.

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

Kim Yoo-jung has always been active in helping others.

• In 2010, she joined the "Kiss of Love" campaign. This project sold items with celebrity autographs to help low-income families and support children's education.
• She also participated in a "Love Sharing Hanbok Calendar" event. The money from selling these calendars went to help those in need.
• In 2012, Kim took part in a photography exhibition. The money she earned from modeling was donated to help people.
• She also helped a smart donation project by Samsung Electronics. This project supported students at a school for the blind.
• On Children's Day, Kim and Yeo Jin-goo narrated a documentary. This helped children with rare diseases.

In 2013, Kim auctioned off an iPhone case to raise money for needy neighbors in Gyeonggi Province. She also participated in Elle magazine's charity project, "Share Happiness." The money collected helped women and children in need.

In 2014, Kim took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge to support patients with ALS. She also donated to the ALS Association. She recorded a campaign song called "Talk About Love" to help climate refugees in Africa.

In 2015, Kim donated her narration fees from a documentary to a Child Welfare Center. She also helped deliver coal briquettes to families in need during winter. In 2018, she donated money to the Ice Bucket Challenge fund and a hospital construction fund for health reasons, instead of doing the ice water shower. She wrote a heartfelt letter to show her support.

Kim Yoo-jung at the '2019 Pink Run' Seoul Competition in 2019

In April 2019, Kim donated to help people affected by a large forest fire in Gangwon Province. In October, she made donations at the '2019 Pink Run' Seoul Competition. This event raises awareness about breast cancer, and all fees go to support patients.

In October 2019, ChildFund Korea announced that Kim had become a "Green Noble Club" member. This club is for people who have donated a large amount of money (at least ₩100,000,000, which is about $88,511). Kim is the youngest member to join! She has quietly donated money since her debut. Her donations have helped low-income children during COVID-19 and covered medical costs for sick children.

On October 1, 2021, Kim donated 30 million won to help children who are at risk of becoming crime victims. This donation was made on her birthday. It helps provide emergency funds for living expenses, medical care, and housing to help these children recover.

Filmography

Discography

Ambassadorship

Endorsements (Advertisements)

Kim Yoo-jung has appeared in many advertisements throughout her career.

• She started in a commercial for Crown Confectionery in 2003.
• After her role in Moon Embracing the Sun in 2012, she became a model for Domino's Pizza with Kim Soo-hyun.
• She also appeared in ads for Samsung Electronics washing machines with Han Ga-in.
• She became the face of a dairy product by Seoul Milk with Yeo Jin-goo.
• She was featured in a video game commercial for Nintendo 3DS with Kim So-hyun.

In 2017, Kim became the model for the South Korean sportswear brand FILA until 2022. In 2018, she became a model for the cosmetics brand Laneige. In 2021, she was chosen for Alcon contact lenses and Torretta, a drink by Coca-Cola. In January 2022, Kim starred in a 7-minute commercial for Laneige's Radian-C Cream, which got 1.45 million views in just 10 days. That same year, she became a model for Hana Bank. In August 2022, BBQ announced Kim as its new brand endorser. In August 2023, Nordisk, an outdoor brand, chose Kim as a model. In November 2023, she became the brand ambassador for Couronne, a luxury handbag brand. In December 2023, she was appointed as a model for the English academy brand Adot English Academy.

Awards and Nominations

Listicles

See also

In Spanish: Kim Yoo-jung (actriz) para niños