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
Works	Full list
Korean name
Hangul	김유정
Hanja	金裕貞
RR	Gim Yujeong
MR	Kim Yujŏng
Signature

Kim Yoo-jung (Hangul: 김유정; born September 22, 1999) is a famous South Korean actress. She is well-known for her main roles in popular TV shows like Love in the Moonlight (2016), Lovers of the Red Sky (2021), and My Demon (2023–2024). She also starred in the movie 20th Century Girl (2022).

Kim started her career very young, at just four years old, as a model. After she began acting in 2003, she quickly became one of the most popular child actresses in South Korea. People know her from TV series such as Dong Yi (2010) and Moon Embracing the Sun (2012). She also hosted the music show Inkigayo for a while.

She earned nicknames like "Nation's Little Sister" because of her many child roles. She was also called "Sageuk Fairy" for her great acting in historical dramas. After her role in 20th Century Girl, she became known as "Nation's First Love." In 2017, she was one of the youngest people to be listed in Forbes Korea Power Celebrity Top 10.

Early life and education

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 entrance exam in 2017.

Career journey

Starting as a child actress (2003–2011)

Kim started acting at age four and quickly became a very busy child actress in Korea. By the time she was in fifth grade, she had already appeared in 13 TV dramas and 15 movies.

Kim in July 2010

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 continued to impress audiences in shows like Dong Yi (2010) and Flames of Desire (2010). Her role in Grudge: The Revolt of Gumiho (2010) was her first big part where she wasn't just playing the younger version of the main character.

Becoming a popular teen star (2012–2014)

Kim became even more popular in 2012 with the fantasy-period drama Moon Embracing the Sun. This show was a huge hit, with over 40% of viewers tuning in. Her performance as the young main character earned her nominations and awards, including the Best Young Actress Award. She then starred in May Queen (2012) and the film Commitment (2013).

Kim at the 2014 SBS Entertainment Awards in December 2014

In 2014, Kim received praise for her role as a teenage bully in the movie Thread of Lies. She was nominated for Best New Actress for this role. She also hosted the music show Inkigayo from November 2014 to April 2016.

Taking on main adult roles (2015–2021)

In 2015, Kim starred in the TV series Angry Mom, which talked about bullying in schools. The same year, she appeared 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 who pretends to be a boy and becomes a royal helper. The show was very popular, reaching high viewership ratings. Kim won an "Excellence Award" for her role in this drama.

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

In 2017, she starred in the romantic-comedy film Because I Love You. In 2018, Kim appeared in the romantic-comedy drama Clean with Passion for Now.

In 2020, Kim was cast in the romantic-comedy drama Backstreet Rookie. She played a former high school troublemaker who works at a convenience store. She even learned action stunts for the role. Kim also hosted the 2020 SBS Drama Awards and won an "Excellence Award" for her acting in Backstreet Rookie.

In December 2020, Kim was confirmed as the main actress in the historical-fantasy drama Lovers of the Red Sky. The drama started in August 2021. Kim played Hong Chun-gi, the only female painter in the Joseon dynasty. She also appeared in the Netflix film The 8th Night in 2021. At the end of 2021, Kim hosted the 2021 SBS Drama Awards again and won a "Top Excellence Award" and "Best Couple Award."

New adult roles and theater (2022–present)

In 2022, Kim joined the travel show Young Actors' Retreat with her co-stars from Love in the Moonlight. The same year, she starred in the Netflix film 20th Century Girl, playing a 17-year-old girl in 1999.

Kim at Busan International Film Festival in October 2022

Kim made her first appearance on a theater stage in January 2023. She performed in the play Shakespeare in Love. She played Viola de Lesseps, a girl who pretends to be a man to act in plays, which was not allowed for women back then. Her performance received great reviews. In March 2023, she made a special appearance in the film My Heart Puppy. In November 2023, she starred in the SBS TV series My Demon. In 2024, Kim made a special appearance in the Netflix series Chicken Nugget.

Personal life

In February 2018, it was shared that Kim needed to take a break from acting due to a health condition related to her thyroid gland.

Helping others

Kim Yoo-jung has been involved in many charity activities.

• In 2010, she joined the "Kiss of Love" campaign to help low-income families and support children's education.
• She also participated in a "Love Sharing Hanbok Calendar" event, where money from sales went to charity.
• In 2012, she took part in a photography exhibition where modeling fees were donated to people in need.
• She helped raise money for students at a school for the blind.
• On Children's Day, she and actor Yeo Jin-goo narrated a documentary to help children with rare diseases.
• In 2013, she auctioned an iPhone case to help people in need in Gyeonggi Province.
• She participated in Elle magazine's "Share Happiness" project, donating to women and children in need.
• In 2014, Kim joined the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness and funds for ALS. She also donated to the cause.
• She helped record a song called "Talk About Love" to encourage people to help climate refugees in Africa.
• In 2015, she donated all her earnings from narrating a documentary to a Child Welfare Center.
• She also helped deliver coal briquettes to families to help them stay warm in winter.
• In 2018, she donated money to a hospital construction fund for people with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Kim at Seoul Pink Run Competition in October 2019

• In April 2019, Kim donated to help people affected by a large forest fire in Gangwon Province.
• In October 2019, she donated to the "Pink Run" event, which raises awareness and funds for breast cancer patients.
• In October 2019, Kim became the youngest member of the Green Noble Club, a group of people who have donated a lot of money to ChildFund Korea. She has quietly donated to help children in need, including those affected by COVID-19.
• In October 2021, she donated 30 million won to help children who are victims of crime.
• In February 2024, Kim donated 100 million won to help children with cancer and rare diseases.
• In October 2024, it was found that Kim donated 100 million won to support elderly people and disabled children.
• In March 2025, Kim donated 80 million won to help with recovery efforts from wildfires in South Korea.

Filmography

Discography

Ambassadorship

Awards and nominations

Listicles

See also

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