Kim Sun Young
Info
🙂 Native Name: 김선영
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Female
🎂 Born: April 10, 1976
🏠 Birth Place: Yeongdeok-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Aries
📏 Height: 5’6″ (167.64 cm)
💍 Spouse: Lee Seung-won (married in 2013)
👶 Children: One daughter with Lee Seung-won
Biography
Kim Sun-young, born on April 10, 1976, in Yeongdeok-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, is a distinguished actress recognized for her versatility across theater, film, and television. She developed a passion for acting during her high school years at Yeongdeok Girls’ High School and pursued this interest further by studying Philosophy at Hallym University from 1995 to 1999. Her acting career commenced in 1995 with the play “After the Play is Over,” and she was an active member of The Little Mythical Troupe from 1999 to 2005.
Transitioning to the screen, Kim made her film debut in 2005 with “She’s on Duty” and entered television in 2014 with a role in the MBC drama series “Hotel King.” She gained widespread acclaim for her performances in popular dramas such as “Reply 1988” (2015), “Because This Is My First Life” (2017), and “Crash Landing on You” (2019–2020). Her portrayal in “Crash Landing on You” earned her the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2020.
In addition to her television success, Kim has delivered notable performances in films like “Communications and Lies” (2015), for which she received the Best Supporting Actress award at both the Chunsa Film Art Awards and the Wildflower Film Awards. Her role in “Three Sisters” (2020) further showcased her talent, earning her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2021.
On the personal front, Kim married director Lee Seung-won in 2013, and together they have one daughter. Throughout her career, Kim Sun-young has been celebrated for her ability to embody a diverse range of characters, solidifying her status as one of South Korea’s most respected actresses.
Hobbies
- Cooking: Kim Sun-young enjoys experimenting with traditional Korean dishes and often shares her culinary creations with family and friends.
- Reading: She loves immersing herself in books, particularly novels and biographies about influential women.
- Gardening: Tending to her small home garden is one of her favorite ways to relax and connect with nature.
- Painting: Kim finds joy in painting abstract art, a creative outlet she picked up during downtime between projects.
- Yoga: Practicing yoga helps her maintain a balanced lifestyle and reduces stress.
Interests
- Theater Arts: Despite her success on screen, Kim Sun-young remains deeply passionate about stage performances and supports local theater productions.
- Travel: She loves exploring different cultures and cuisines, especially in European countries.
- Charity Work: Kim actively participates in charitable events, focusing on education for underprivileged children.
- Music: A fan of classical and jazz music, she enjoys attending live performances whenever possible.
- Korean History: She has a keen interest in Korea’s historical figures and often integrates this into her acting research.
Facts
- Award-Winner: She has won multiple awards, including a Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Late Bloomer: Kim transitioned to television relatively late in her career but quickly gained widespread recognition.
- Family-Oriented: She is married to director Lee Seung-won and enjoys spending quality time with their daughter.
- Multifaceted Talent: Before acting, she considered a career in philosophy or teaching.
- Stage Background: Her acting roots are in theater, where she honed her craft for nearly a decade before transitioning to the screen.
Secrets
- Shy Off-Camera: Despite her confident on-screen persona, Kim is known to be shy in real-life social settings.
- Self-Taught Skills: She taught herself painting as a therapeutic activity during a stressful time in her career.
- Behind-the-Scenes Cook: She is known to cook for the cast and crew on set, surprising many with her culinary skills.
- Keeps a Journal: Kim has maintained a personal journal for years, using it to reflect on her personal and professional growth.
- Fear of Rejection: Early in her career, she almost quit acting due to fears of not being accepted by audiences.
Funny Things
- Prankster on Set: Kim is known for playing harmless pranks on her co-stars to lighten the mood during long shoots.
- Clumsy Moments: She often jokes about her tendency to trip over props on set, even in serious scenes.
- Impersonations: She can hilariously impersonate her fellow actors, which always draws laughter during interviews.
- Childhood Nickname: Her family called her “Little Tornado” due to her energetic nature as a child.
- Spontaneous Dance: She once broke into a funny dance routine during a live interview when asked about her hobbies.
Fears
- Public Speaking: Despite her acting experience, Kim finds public speaking in non-acting contexts intimidating.
- Height Phobia: She is afraid of heights and avoids roles or scenes requiring stunts involving tall structures.
- Losing Privacy: Kim values her private life deeply and fears the invasive nature of fame.
- Disappointing Fans: She often worries about not meeting the high expectations of her loyal fanbase.
- Natural Disasters: Having experienced an earthquake once, she has a lingering fear of natural calamities.
News
Best Actress Award at the 20th Asian Film Festival (April 2023): Kim Sun-young received the Best Actress Award for her role in “Dream Palace” at the 20th Asian Film Festival held in Rome, Italy. She is the second Korean actress to receive this honor, following Ko Doo-sim in 2021.
Emotional Disclosure About Typecasting (July 2023): In an interview, Kim Sun-young expressed her concerns about being typecast into “ahjumma” (middle-aged woman) roles following her performances in “When the Camellia Blooms” and “Crash Landing on You.” She revealed that the lack of diverse roles led her to a slight depression, as she yearned for more complex and substantial characters.
Candid Revelation on Talk Show (June 2023): During an appearance on the talk show “Problem Child in House,” Kim Sun-young humorously attributed her shoulder ailments to her large chest, a candid admission that surprised fellow guests and showcased her straightforward personality.
Best Supporting Actress at the 59th Grand Bell Awards (November 2023): Kim Sun-young won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in “Concrete Utopia” at the 59th Grand Bell Awards. This recognition came shortly after she publicly discussed her struggles with being typecast, marking a significant achievement in her career.
Advocacy for Diverse Roles (July 2023): In a heartfelt discussion, Kim Sun-young shared her passion for acting and her desire to take on more varied and challenging roles beyond the stereotypical middle-aged characters, highlighting her commitment to her craft and her pursuit of artistic growth.
TV Drama
Movies
Music / OST
Kim Sun-young is a distinguished South Korean musical theater actress renowned for her powerful vocals and compelling stage presence. She has portrayed leading roles in several acclaimed productions, showcasing her versatility and depth as a performer.
Notable Roles:
Elisabeth in “Elisabeth” (2012): Kim’s portrayal of Empress Elisabeth of Austria was lauded for her unique character interpretation and emotional depth, solidifying her status in the musical theater scene.
Elphaba in “Wicked” (2014): In March 2014, Kim was selected to play Elphaba, the green-skinned witch, in the Korean production of “Wicked.” Her performance was praised for its intensity and vocal prowess, contributing to the show’s success in Seoul.
Solo Concert “The Queen’s Love Letter” (2015): Demonstrating her musical versatility, Kim held a solo concert in May 2015 at the LG Arts Center in Seoul. The concert featured a diverse repertoire, including musical theater numbers and popular songs by artists such as Cho Yong-pil and Lee Seung-hwan.
Throughout her career, Kim Sun-young has been celebrated for her ability to convey complex emotions through song, making significant contributions to the richness of South Korea’s musical theater landscape.
Gallery
