Kim Hye Soo
Info
🙂 Native Name: Kim Hye Soo
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Female
🎂 Born: September 5, 1970
🏠 Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Virgo
📏 Height: 170 cm (5’7″)
💍 Spouse: Not married
👶 Children: None
Biography
Kim Hye Soo is one of South Korea’s most celebrated and versatile actresses, with a career spanning over three decades. Born on September 5, 1970, she made her acting debut at the age of 16 in the 1986 film Ggambo. Her early roles quickly established her as a rising star, and she soon became known for her strong on-screen presence and ability to portray complex characters. Over the years, she has played a variety of roles, ranging from historical figures to modern, powerful women in both television dramas and films.
In 1993, Kim’s performance in First Love brought her immense popularity, making the show one of the highest-rated Korean dramas of all time. Her bold role choices, such as in Tazza: The High Rollers (2006) and Villain and Widow (2010), highlighted her fearless approach to acting. Her iconic role in Signal (2016), as detective Cha Soo Hyun, further solidified her place in Korean drama history, earning her critical acclaim and numerous awards.
Kim Hye Soo is also known for her strong advocacy for women’s rights and equality. She often speaks out on social issues, and her roles often reflect her commitment to portraying powerful, independent women. In Juvenile Justice (2022), she portrayed Judge Shim Eun Seok, a strict and principled character who deals with juvenile crime. The series received global attention on Netflix and showcased Kim’s exceptional talent in tackling challenging roles with depth and nuance.
Throughout her career, Kim has received numerous accolades, including multiple Baeksang Arts Awards, proving her ability to dominate both television and film. Her recent portrayal of Queen Im Hwa Ryung in Under the Queen’s Umbrella (2022) once again captivated audiences, further proving her unmatched talent and versatility. Kim Hye Soo continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry, admired not only for her acting skills but also for her passion for making a difference through her art.
Hobbies
- Art Collecting: Kim Hye Soo has a well-known love for collecting art, particularly modern and contemporary pieces. She often visits galleries and exhibitions in her free time.
- Photography: She enjoys taking photographs as a way of capturing memories and expressing herself creatively. Her photography skills have improved over time, and she treats it as a serious hobby.
- Reading: Kim is an avid reader, frequently immersing herself in a variety of genres, from fiction to biographies. She finds inspiration for her roles through books.
- Traveling: Whenever she has time off, Kim loves to explore new places. She appreciates the cultural experiences and inspiration that traveling offers her.
- Yoga: To maintain her mental and physical health, Kim practices yoga regularly. It helps her stay centered despite her busy schedule.
Interests
- Film and Cinematography: Beyond acting, Kim has an interest in the technical aspects of filmmaking. She enjoys learning about directing, cinematography, and production techniques.
- Women’s Rights Advocacy: Kim is passionate about women’s rights and frequently participates in discussions and movements aimed at gender equality in South Korea.
- Fashion: With her bold and sophisticated fashion choices, Kim is considered a fashion icon. She enjoys exploring new trends and often takes part in fashion shows and events.
- Theater Arts: Even though she is primarily a film and TV actress, Kim has a deep love for theater and enjoys the raw and immediate connection it provides with the audience.
- Cooking: Kim has expressed her love for cooking simple but delicious meals, especially when she’s at home relaxing. She enjoys experimenting with new recipes.
Facts
- First Debut: Kim Hye Soo debuted at the age of 16 in the movie Ggambo (1986), which set her on the path to stardom.
- Highly Educated: She holds a bachelor’s degree in Film and Theater from Dongguk University and a master’s degree from Sungkyunkwan University, showing her dedication to both her craft and academics.
- Multi-Award Winner: Kim has received numerous awards, including several prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards for Best Actress in both films and TV dramas.
- Fearless Role Choices: Known for her bold choices, Kim often plays strong, unconventional women, such as her role as a detective in Signal and a judge in Juvenile Justice.
- Longevity: Kim Hye Soo has maintained her popularity and success for over 30 years, a remarkable achievement in the entertainment industry.
Secrets
- Private Love Life: Kim Hye Soo keeps her personal life very private. Despite being linked to actor Yoo Hae Jin in the past, she rarely discusses her relationships publicly.
- Shy Off-Screen: Despite her confident and bold on-screen persona, Kim is known to be quite shy in real life, especially around people she doesn’t know well.
- Philanthropy: She quietly donates to causes she cares about, including scholarships for underprivileged students, without seeking media attention.
- Self-Critical: Kim is known to be her own harshest critic. She often watches her own performances multiple times to evaluate where she can improve.
- Introverted Nature: Although she plays extroverted and dynamic characters, Kim identifies as more introverted and enjoys spending time alone or with close friends.
Funny Things
- Sense of Humor: Kim is known for her witty and dry sense of humor. She often makes jokes in interviews, catching fans and reporters off-guard with her sharp comebacks.
- Quirky Fashion: Despite being a fashion icon, Kim has a playful side to her style. She once showed up at an event in oversized glasses and a cartoon-themed outfit, showing her humorous side.
- Playful on Set: Co-stars often mention that Kim likes to lighten the mood on set by playing small pranks or cracking jokes, especially during long shoots.
- Laughing at Herself: Kim has admitted that she sometimes laughs at her old movie or drama performances, especially when she looks back at her early work.
- Impressions: She has a talent for doing impressions of other actors, particularly during interviews or on variety shows, where she mimics them with humor and charm.
Fears
- Fear of Failure: Despite her success, Kim has admitted in interviews that she still fears failing or not meeting her own high expectations with each new role.
- Aging: Kim has spoken openly about her concerns with aging in an industry that tends to favor youth, though she embraces her age with grace.
- Letting Fans Down: Kim feels a deep sense of responsibility toward her fans and fears that one day she might disappoint them with a performance.
- Loneliness: Although she enjoys being single, Kim has hinted that she sometimes fears growing old without a life partner or family by her side.
- Injury on Set: Due to the physically demanding nature of some of her roles, Kim worries about suffering an injury while filming action sequences or stunts.
News
Global Success of Juvenile Justice (2022): Kim Hye Soo starred as Judge Shim Eun Seok in Juvenile Justice, a Netflix series that gained international attention for its portrayal of the juvenile justice system in South Korea. Her powerful performance was widely praised, contributing to the show’s global popularity on Netflix’s Top 10 charts.
Award-Winning Performance in Signal (2016): Kim Hye Soo’s role as Detective Cha Soo Hyun in the critically acclaimed drama Signal earned her several prestigious awards, including the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actress in Television. This role solidified her status as one of South Korea’s top actors.
Her Advocacy for Women’s Rights: Kim Hye Soo is known for speaking out on women’s rights and gender equality in South Korea. She frequently discusses these issues in interviews, aligning her public image with strong female roles in both television and film. She is considered a feminist icon in the Korean entertainment industry.
Recognition at the Baeksang Arts Awards (2020): Kim Hye Soo was honored at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards for her role in the film Default (2018), where she portrayed a strong-willed financial analyst. The film was a box office hit and earned her another nomination for Best Actress.
Longevity in the Entertainment Industry: With over 35 years in the industry, Kim Hye Soo continues to maintain her relevance through her versatility and strong work ethic. Despite being in the industry since the 1980s, she still takes on challenging and diverse roles, from period dramas to contemporary thrillers.
TV Shows
Music / OST
Kim’s focus has remained on acting, where she has achieved immense success in both films and television dramas, earning critical acclaim for her versatile roles. She is celebrated for her performances in works such as The Thieves, Signal, and Hyena. Unlike some of her peers who have branched into singing or idol careers, Kim Hye Soo’s professional legacy remains firmly within the realm of acting.
Gallery
