Biography
Who is Kim You-jung?
Early life and education
Kim You-jung was born in Seoul, South Korea, on September 22, 1999. She grew up as the youngest of three siblings in her family. Her older sister, Kim Yeon-jung, later pursued acting as well, debuting in the industry in 2017.
During her school years, Kim attended Daehwa Elementary School and later studied at Goyang High School of Arts, graduating in January 2018. She chose to defer taking the national College Scholastic Ability Test in 2017 to concentrate fully on her acting career.
Beginnings as a child actress
Kim entered the entertainment industry at the age of four by working as a model for a confectionery brand. She quickly transitioned into acting and became one of the most sought-after child performers in South Korea. By the time she reached the fifth grade, she had already appeared in numerous television dramas and films.
In 2008, Kim earned her first acting recognition by winning Best Child Actress for her work in the action-adventure series Iljimae and the historical drama Painter of the Wind. She continued taking on prominent roles in television projects such as Dong Yi, Flames of Desire, and Grudge: The Revolt of Gumiho during 2010.
Transition to leading roles
Kim achieved widespread popularity in 2012 by starring in the fantasy-period drama Moon Embracing the Sun, which attained big domestic ratings. Her strong performance earned her multiple nominations and awards, establishing her as a rising young star in the television industry. She followed this success with roles in May Queen, Golden Rainbow, and the film Commitment.
In 2016, Kim secured her first adult leading role in the youth historical drama Love in the Moonlight, playing the cross-dressing heroine Hong Ra-on. The series became a major domestic hit and earned her an Excellence Award at the KBS Drama Awards as well as a Baeksang Arts Award for popularity.
Recent career and theater
In the following years, Kim starred in several well-known television and film projects, including the romantic comedy Backstreet Rookie, the historical fantasy Lovers of the Red Sky, and the Netflix teen romance film 20th Century Girl. She also expanded her work into theater by making her stage debut in January 2023 as Viola de Lesseps in a production of Shakespeare in Love.
Kim continued taking on diverse characters, starring as a chaebol heiress in the series My Demon and portraying a sociopath in the thriller series Dear X. Her performances brought her international recognition, including the Busan International Actors Award at the Busan International Film Festival.
Birthday and age
Kim You-jung was born on September 22, 1999, which makes Kim 27 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Kim shares the date with 37 other famous people.
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