Biography
Who is Kim Seon-ho?
Early life and education
Kim Seon-ho was born on May 8, 1986, in Seongbuk District, Seoul, South Korea. His given name translates to benevolent tiger, and he grew up as an only child in Bongcheon-dong, a low-income neighborhood in Seoul. During his childhood, a home invasion left him with severe public anxiety and trauma, making it difficult for him to read aloud in school or feel comfortable when people stood behind him.
A visit to an acting academy during his third year of high school introduced him to the craft, and he found that acting helped him overcome his trauma. Encouraged by his teacher, Kim enrolled at the Seoul Institute of the Arts to study broadcasting and entertainment. While in college, he joined the campus theater club and participated in various student productions, eventually overcoming his stage fright and building confidence in his performance skills.
Stage career beginnings
In 2007, Kim began his mandatory military service, serving initially as a drill instructor at the Nonsan Army Training Center before working as a public service worker. He credited this period with improving his enunciation, communication skills, and overall worldview. Following his discharge, he made his professional stage debut in 2009 in the Daehakro theater district production of New Boeing Boeing.
Over the next several years, Kim established himself in the Daehakro theater scene, earning the moniker theater idol. He appeared in numerous stage productions including Sherlock: The Secret of Birlstone, Rooftop House Cat, True West, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. His strong stage presence and energetic performances brought him widespread recognition among theater audiences before he transitioned to screen acting.
Television and film success
Kim made his television debut in the 2017 KBS office drama Good Manager playing an accounting department employee. Later that year, he played the second lead in Strongest Deliveryman and Two Cops, winning two MBC Drama Awards for his performance in the latter. His first leading role came in the 2018 MBC drama special You Drive Me Crazy, followed by roles in 100 Days My Prince, Welcome to Waikiki 2, and Catch the Ghost.
He achieved a breakthrough role as Han Ji-pyeong in the 2020 television series Start-Up. He gained further attention for his starring role as Hong Du-sik in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha in 2021, for which Gallup Korea named him Television Actor of the Year. In 2023, he made his feature film debut starring in the action noir film The Childe, winning several Best New Actor awards for his performance.
Personal life and height
Kim Seon-ho stands at a height of 183 centimeters. Alongside his acting career in television and theater, he ventured into variety programming as a main cast member on the KBS show 2 Days & 1 Night from 2019 to 2021, winning the Rookie Award at the KBS Entertainment Awards. He has also worked as a brand model across South Korea and various other Asian countries.
Birthday and age
Kim Seon-ho was born on May 8, 1986, which makes Kim 40 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Kim shares the date with 60 other famous people.
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