Actor · South Korea
Kim Rae Won
김래원
Kim Rae Won turned to acting after a basketball injury, gaining attention in Rooftop Room Cat and Sunflower before starring in Punch, Doctors, The Prison and L.U.C.A.: The Beginning across a career spanning two decades.
Biography
Kim Rae Won, born on March 19, 1981, in Gangneung, South Korea, is a distinguished actor known for his versatility and emotive performances. He initially aimed for a career in professional basketball, but a severe injury in high school led him to switch paths to acting. His journey into the entertainment industry began with small roles in television dramas in the late 1990s. He gained early recognition in the 2003 drama Rooftop Room Cat, where his charming portrayal of a carefree young man in a romantic comedy drew significant attention and established him as a leading actor in Korean dramas.
Kim Rae Won's career took a more serious turn in 2006 when he starred in Which Star Are You From?, followed by his critically acclaimed performance in Sunflower (2006). His role as a reformed gangster trying to live a peaceful life in Sunflower was praised for its emotional depth and intensity, proving Kim’s ability to take on diverse roles beyond romantic leads. This movie is still regarded as one of his most iconic performances.
In the 2010s, Kim Rae Won continued to build his career, starring in notable dramas such as Punch (2014) and Doctors (2016). In Punch, he played a determined prosecutor battling a terminal illness while seeking justice, showcasing his ability to handle complex and intense characters. Doctors saw him return to the romantic drama genre, and his chemistry with co-star Park Shin Hye helped make it one of the top-rated dramas of the year.
Kim Rae Won's more recent projects include The Prison (2017) and L.U.C.A.: The Beginning (2021), where he ventured into action and thriller genres, continuing to show his versatility. With a career spanning over two decades, Kim Rae Won remains a respected figure in Korean cinema and television, known for his dedication to his craft and his ability to evoke deep emotions in his performances. Fans continue to anticipate his future projects as he consistently evolves as an actor.
Profile data
- Stage name
- Kim Rae Won
- Native name
- 김래원
- Nationality
- South Korean
- Gender
- Male
- Date of birth
- 19 March 1981
- Age
- 45
- Birthplace
- Gangneung, Gangwon Province, South Korea
- Zodiac
- Pisces
- Chinese zodiac
- Rooster
- Height
- 183 cm (6'0")
- Elementary
- Noam Elementary School (노암초등학교)
- Middle school
- Gwangshin Middle School (광신중학교)
- High school
- Namgang High School (남강고등학교)
- University
- Chung-Ang University (Department of Theater and Film)
- Agency
- Whale Company
- Portrait source
- TMDB API
- Rights holder
- TMDB / respective copyright holder
- Usage basis
- Editorial use via TMDB API, non-commercial reference
- Metadata source
- TMDB, Wikipedia, and other sources cited in the record
- Last updated
- 29 September 2026
- Editor
- Claude (AI content review)
About Kim Rae Won
Hobbies
- Fishing – Kim Rae Won enjoys fishing in his free time and has mentioned in interviews that it helps him relax. He often shares fishing trips with close friends.
- Golf – He is an avid golfer, frequently playing the sport during his off time. He’s even participated in celebrity golf tournaments.
- Cooking – Kim Rae Won enjoys cooking, particularly Korean dishes. He finds it therapeutic and often cooks for family and friends.
- Playing Video Games – He has shared in interviews that playing video games is a favorite pastime, especially after long days of filming.
- Traveling – Exploring new places is something he enjoys whenever he gets a break from his busy schedule, especially traveling to quiet and scenic locations.
Interests
- Cinematography – Beyond acting, Kim Rae Won has a deep interest in cinematography and directing, often expressing a desire to learn more about behind-the-scenes work in film production.
- Human Psychology – He has a keen interest in understanding human behavior, which helps him develop more authentic characters in his acting roles.
- Action Films – In recent years, he has shown a growing interest in action films, especially after working on projects like L.U.C.A.: The Beginning.
- Environmental Conservation – Kim Rae Won is known for his concern about environmental issues and actively promotes awareness about the importance of nature preservation.
- Martial Arts – To stay fit and prepare for his action roles, Kim Rae Won practices martial arts, particularly for roles that demand high physical performance.
Facts
- Basketball Dreams – Before becoming an actor, Kim Rae Won dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player but had to give up due to an injury during high school.
- Acting Debut – He made his acting debut in the drama Me Too, Flower! in 1997, but his breakthrough came with the popular romantic comedy Rooftop Room Cat in 2003.
- Fluent in Japanese – He learned Japanese for his role in the drama Love Story in Harvard (2004) and remains fluent in the language.
- Military Service – Kim Rae Won fulfilled his mandatory service as a social-service worker (사회복무요원) rather than active duty; his exact enlistment and discharge dates are not publicly confirmed.
- Award-Winning Actor – He has received multiple honors over his career, including the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best New Actor (2000) and Top Excellence Awards at the SBS Drama Awards for A Thousand Days' Promise (2011) and Doctors (2016).
Funny moments
- Clumsy in Real Life – Despite his suave on-screen image, Kim Rae Won has admitted to being clumsy in real life, often tripping or dropping things on set, which his co-stars find amusing.
- Fear of Ghosts – In interviews, he has jokingly mentioned that he has a fear of ghosts and paranormal activities, something his colleagues tease him about.
- Awkward Dancer – Kim Rae Won has admitted that dancing is not one of his strong suits. His awkward dance moves on variety shows have provided some light-hearted moments for his fans.
- Fan Interactions – He is known for his shy and sometimes awkward interactions with fans, especially during fan meetings, despite his confident on-screen persona.
- Habit of Losing Things – His co-stars have teased him about how often he loses his belongings, particularly his phone, during filming or while traveling.
Fears and dislikes
- Height – Like many others, Kim Rae Won has expressed discomfort with heights, which has made some of his action scenes in tall buildings or cliff-side settings challenging.
- Public Speaking – Despite being in the spotlight for years, Kim Rae Won has a fear of public speaking and often feels nervous before delivering speeches at award ceremonies or public events.
- Failure – He has mentioned in interviews that he fears failure, both in his professional and personal life, which drives him to continually improve his craft.
- Disappointing Fans – Kim Rae Won takes his career seriously and fears disappointing his loyal fanbase, which is why he is known for his dedication and hard work.
- Health Issues – Like many actors, he fears health-related issues that could impact his ability to perform demanding physical roles in action films and dramas.
Kim Rae Won shows and movies
Main roles 2 titles
Supporting roles 1 title
Guest appearances 1 title
Other credits 3 titles
Frequently worked with
Counted from shared credits across the database, most shared titles first.
