Kim Jae Wook
Info
🙂 Native Name: 김재욱
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: April 2, 1983
🏠 Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Aries
📏 Height: 183 cm (6’00”)
💍 Spouse: Not married
👶 Children: None
Biography
Kim Jae Wook, born on April 2, 1983, in Seoul, South Korea, began his journey into the entertainment industry with an interest in music before acting took the spotlight. Raised in Japan for much of his childhood due to his family’s relocation, he returned to South Korea as a teenager. His fluency in Japanese has since set him apart, and his early experiences abroad have influenced his creative perspective, which he initially channeled through music. His love for rock and alternative genres led him to form the indie rock band “Walrus,” where he not only performed but explored his artistic identity outside of acting.
Kim’s acting debut came in 2002 with a small role in the hit South Korean drama Ruler of Your Own World, where he quickly made a lasting impression. His big break arrived in 2007 when he starred as a charming barista in Coffee Prince, a role that captivated audiences and established him as a heartthrob in the Korean entertainment world. Known for his brooding charisma and distinct fashion sense, Kim Jae Wook continued to make headlines, becoming an in-demand actor who could embody both romantic and dark characters. His portrayal in Antique (2008), where he played a gay character struggling with past trauma, showcased his commitment to complex, challenging roles.
In the following years, Kim took on roles that showcased his range, including his chilling portrayal of a psychopath in Voice (2017), which highlighted his versatility and received critical acclaim. Kim Jae Wook continued to delve into multifaceted characters, starring in the 2019 romantic comedy Her Private Life alongside Park Min Young. This role as a stoic yet warm art gallery director added a layer of charm to his repertoire, making him a favorite in the romance genre. His performance not only won him a new wave of fans but also solidified his position as one of South Korea’s leading actors.
Off the screen, Kim Jae Wook remains somewhat of an enigma, preferring to keep his personal life private. While fans remain curious about his relationships and life beyond the camera, he has focused on nurturing his acting career and occasionally returning to his roots in music. With a career that spans two decades, Kim Jae Wook continues to bring intensity and depth to every character, marking him as an actor who can captivate audiences across genres. His journey, defined by artistic exploration and a dedication to his craft, makes him a standout figure in Korean entertainment.
Hobbies
Music and Guitar Playing: Kim Jae Wook has a deep-rooted passion for music, especially rock and alternative genres. He even formed an indie rock band called “Walrus,” where he plays the guitar and occasionally sings, enjoying his creative outlet away from acting.
Photography: He often captures moments through his lens, showing a particular interest in black-and-white photography. His shots reflect his appreciation for art and detail, portraying a quiet, introspective side.
Reading: Known for his intellectual depth, Kim enjoys reading in his free time, particularly philosophy and classic literature, which provide him with inspiration and insight for his roles.
Cooking: Kim Jae Wook has mentioned his love for cooking, especially trying out new recipes and experimenting with different ingredients. This hobby serves as a form of relaxation for him after busy shooting schedules.
Traveling: Raised partly in Japan, Kim developed a curiosity for other cultures and enjoys exploring new places whenever his schedule allows. He often incorporates these experiences into his art and character portrayal.
Interests
Fashion and Style: Known for his impeccable style, Kim has a strong interest in fashion. He frequently collaborates with designers and is recognized for his distinct, trendsetting look both on and off the screen.
Art: His role as an art gallery director in Her Private Life reflects his real-life interest in art. He enjoys visiting galleries and museums, often drawing creative inspiration from contemporary and modern art pieces.
Film Directing and Production: Besides acting, Kim Jae Wook has expressed an interest in exploring the production side of films. He hopes to one day direct or produce, where he can fully apply his artistic vision.
Cultural Exploration: Given his bilingualism in Korean and Japanese, he has a fascination with language and culture. He appreciates diverse cultures and languages, often incorporating his observations into his characters.
Environmental Conservation: Kim Jae Wook has shown a strong interest in environmental issues and conservation, advocating for sustainability and environmentally friendly practices in his personal life.
Facts
Multilingual Talent: Kim Jae Wook is fluent in both Korean and Japanese, due to his childhood years spent in Japan, which has enhanced his versatility as an actor, allowing him to take on diverse roles.
Model-Turned-Actor: Before his acting career took off, Kim Jae Wook began as a model. His striking features and unique sense of style quickly made him popular in fashion circles.
Band Member of Walrus: Aside from his acting career, he is part of the indie band Walrus, where he fulfills his passion for music, often performing at intimate venues with fans.
Art School Graduate: Kim studied at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, where he initially focused on music before finding his calling in acting. His background in the arts remains integral to his craft.
Low-Profile Private Life: Unlike many celebrities, Kim keeps his personal life private and rarely shares details publicly, adding to his enigmatic charm and maintaining a mysterious persona.
Secrets
Introverted Nature: Despite his charismatic on-screen presence, Kim Jae Wook is known to be an introvert who enjoys solitude and quiet activities like reading and photography.
Dream of Becoming a Filmmaker: While he hasn’t openly pursued it yet, Kim has a secret ambition to direct and produce films, where he could bring his artistic ideas to life from behind the camera.
Art Collector: Kim has a private collection of artwork he has been gathering over the years. He rarely discusses it but views art collecting as a personal and meaningful pursuit.
Secret Tattoos: While he doesn’t display them publicly, Kim reportedly has a few small tattoos that hold special significance to him, symbolizing meaningful moments or concepts.
Shy with Public Appearances: Although a public figure, he often feels uncomfortable with fame and large crowds, preferring intimate settings and smaller gatherings with close friends.
Funny Things
Accidental Fame as a Barista: His role in Coffee Prince was so convincing that fans believed he had barista skills in real life. Kim has joked about how he often gets asked to make coffee, despite not being a professional.
Forgetful of Minor Details: He once shared that he often forgets where he places his belongings, leading to funny situations on set as crew members help him find things.
Awkward Fan Moments: Kim has amusingly recounted times when fans mistook him for other actors, and he humbly played along to avoid embarrassment.
Funny Guitar Mishaps: During one of his performances with Walrus, he humorously admitted to messing up the chords but continued confidently, making fans laugh along with him.
Impromptu Dance Moves: Though he’s a musician, Kim jokes that he’s not the best dancer. He often breaks into funny, exaggerated dance moves to entertain fans or lighten the mood on set.
Fears
Fear of Losing Privacy: Kim Jae Wook values his private life immensely and fears losing the ability to live quietly outside his career due to the demands of fame.
Stage Fright: Despite being an actor and musician, Kim admits he feels nervous before live performances or fan events, where he faces large audiences in real-time.
Fear of Not Evolving: As an artist, he has a profound fear of stagnation, always pushing himself to grow and evolve rather than staying comfortable in familiar roles.
Heights: Kim has mentioned in interviews that he has a mild fear of heights, making certain filming scenes challenging when they involve high places.
Losing Creative Freedom: He deeply values his creative choices and fears being restricted by industry pressures, which is why he selectively chooses projects that align with his artistic vision.
News
Lead Role in “Crazy Love” (2022): Kim Jae Wook starred alongside Krystal in the romantic comedy-drama “Crazy Love,” portraying Noh Go Jin, a top math instructor who fakes amnesia to escape a murder threat.
Casting in Historical Drama “Tangeum” (2023): In 2023, Kim Jae Wook was cast in the historical romance drama “Tangeum,” playing Prince Han Pyeong, a royal uninterested in politics but deeply passionate about the arts.
Role in Thriller Series “Death’s Game” (2023): Kim Jae Wook took on the character Jung Gyu Chul, a mysterious painter, in the thriller fantasy series “Death’s Game,” which premiered in December 2023.
Positive Reception of “Her Private Life” (2019): His performance as Ryan Gold, an art gallery director, in the romantic comedy “Her Private Life” received widespread acclaim, solidifying his status as a leading man in the genre.
Return to Music with Band “Walrus”: Beyond acting, Kim Jae Wook continues to pursue his passion for music as a member of the indie rock band “Walrus,” showcasing his versatility as an artist.
TV Drama
Movies
Music / OST
Kim Jae Wook’s passion for music has been a consistent and significant part of his life, running parallel to his acting career. Known primarily as a successful actor in South Korea, he has equally devoted himself to music, specifically rock and alternative genres. His journey into music began long before he became an established actor. From an early age, Kim was drawn to music, developing a particular interest in guitar playing and live performances. This led him to create a personal outlet through music, despite his fame as an actor.
In 2011, Kim Jae Wook officially entered the music scene as the vocalist and guitarist of the indie rock band Walrus, named after the iconic song by The Beatles, “I Am the Walrus.” The band initially gained attention due to Kim’s popularity, but his dedication to authentic music helped establish Walrus as more than a celebrity-driven project. The band’s style draws from classic rock influences, blending it with a modern alternative twist, which has earned them a steady following. Kim’s unique voice and skill on the guitar have helped Walrus carve out a niche in the South Korean indie music scene, performing at intimate venues and select festivals across the country.
Walrus released their self-titled EP in 2011, marking Kim’s official debut in the music world. The album, containing tracks like “To Be” and “Seoul Witch,” showcased his versatility as an artist and his commitment to producing original, expressive music. The project, while not mainstream, was well-received by fans who appreciated the raw and introspective lyrics, as well as the band’s dedication to keeping the music authentic.
Beyond performing, Kim has expressed that music provides a creative escape from his acting career. He views it as a personal outlet where he can freely express emotions and ideas without the constraints of character portrayal. This dual focus allows him to balance his public persona with a more private, artistic side that music fans appreciate. Although his acting schedule often limits the band’s activities, Walrus continues to be an important part of his life, and he occasionally hints at plans for future releases and more performances.
Overall, Kim Jae Wook’s music career, though less publicized than his acting, reflects his dedication to artistic authenticity and passion for rock music. Through Walrus, he remains committed to exploring music as a form of expression, solidifying his reputation as a multi-talented artist in South Korea’s entertainment landscape.
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