Kim Jung-hyun (actor, born 1990)

1. Early life

Kim was born in Busan in South Korea. He majored in acting at the Korea National University of Arts.

2. Career

2.1. 2015: Beginnings

After having acted in several musical theatre plays, Kim made his silver screen debut in the film Overman, which premiered at the 2015 Busan International Film Festival.^[2] This earned him Best New Actor nominations at 25th Buil Film Awards and 22nd Chunsa Film Art Awards.

2.2. 2016–2018: Rising popularity

Kim made his small screen debut in 2016 and gained attention with his role as Gong Hyo-jin's younger brother in the romance comedy Don't Dare to Dream.^[3]

He then starred in historical drama The Rebel.^[4] The series was a critical and commercial success, and Kim won the Best New Actor award at the 2017 MBC Drama Awards.

The same year, he was cast in MBC's two-episode series, Binggoo, alongside Han Sun-hwa.^[5]

He also played the male lead in KBS2's teen drama School 2017 alongside Gugudan's Kim Se-jeong.^[6][7] The series was very popular among the youth leading to his increased popularity. Kim's portrayal of a troubled and rebellious student was praised by critics and audiences. The series earned him Best New Actor nominations at the 54th Baeksang Arts Awards, the 2017 KBS Drama Awards and the 1st The Seoul Awards.

Kim then featured in 4Men's Music Video Break Up In The Morning.

Later in the year Kim was cast in a lead role in KBS2 drama special Buzzcut Love.^[8]

In 2018, Kim starred in JTBC's youth series titled Welcome to Waikiki playing a cynical but kind-hearted movie director.^[9] The series was popular across Asia and solidified Kim's status as a versatile actor.

He then starred in the 4DX VR movie Stay With Me alongside Seo Yea-ji playing the role of an aspiring musician with stage fright.^[10] Kim lent his vocals to the OST of the movie titled Moonlight.

In July 2018, he starred in MBC melodrama Time alongside Girls' Generation's Seohyun, playing a chaebol whose time is running out due to his failing health.^[11] During the press conference for the drama, he was criticised for "answering questions unenthusiastically" and for refusing to link arms with his co-star Seohyun.^[12][13] He explained that it was because he was trying to stay in his character from the drama.^[13] He withdrew from the series halfway through its run, officially citing health reasons.^[14]

2.3. 2019–present: Comeback and international fame

Kim returned to television in December 2019 when he joined the tvN romance drama Crash Landing on You alongside Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin and Seo Ji-hye.^[15] It became the highest-rated tvN drama and the third-highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history. Kim's portrayal of Goo Seung-joon, former fiancé of Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) and eventual love interest to Seo Dan (Seo Ji-hye), received positive reviews from audiences. His character's name "Goo Seung-joon" went on to trend at No. 1 in Korea's realtime search rankings, which he later described in an interview as incredibly rewarding.^[16]

In May 2020, Kim made a cameo appearance in his Crash Landing on You co-star Seo Ji-hye's drama Dinner Mate playing the role of her long-term boyfriend.^[17]

On June 5, 2020, it was confirmed that Kim would lead tvN's fusion sageuk drama, Mr. Queen alongside Shin Hye-sun playing the role of King Cheoljong.^[18] The drama aired from December 2020 to February 2021. On February 15, 2021, Mr. Queen became the seventh-highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history and the fifth highest rated tvN drama on record.^[19] The Korea Times article praised Kim's complex portrayal of the two-faced King and noted that he "left a deep impression on viewers with a heavy presence that took the center of the play."^[20] Kim contributed his vocals to the soundtrack with the song Like the First Snow; for which he also wrote the lyrics.^[21]

In September 2021, Kim signed with Story J Company^[22] followed by movie and drama casting news in 2022.

In January 2022, his agency confirmed that he will appear as a Detective in an indie film called Se2cret.^[23]

In 2023, Kim returned to television with MBC's Kokdu: Season of Deity opposite actress Im Soo-hyang playing dual role of a Grim reaper and doctor.^[24] Kim received praise for 'Perfectly portraying two conflicting characters' through a variety of charms.^[25] He also lent his vocals to the opening theme song of the drama titled I am.^[26]

In March 2025, Kim officially parted ways with Story J Company after his exclusive contract expired, ending a four-year partnership that began in 2021.^[27]

In May 2025, Kim signed an exclusive contract with Management Seesun, a newly established agency that also manages his Mr. Queen co-stars Shin Hye-sun and Cha Chung-hwa, marking a new chapter in his career.^[28]

3. Personal life

3.1. Military enlistment

Kim completed his mandatory military service as an assistant in Gangwon Province's 3rd division when he was 21 years old.^[29]

4. Controversy

In April 2021, South Korean local tabloid Dispatch revealed alleged text messages between Kim and actress Seo Yea-ji and pointed out requests from Seo as the reason behind Kim's behaviour at the Time press conference.^[12] In response, Seo's agency, Gold Medalist, denied the claim that she was the reason behind Kim's behaviour and abrupt exit from the series.^[30] On April 14, he posted a personal handwritten apology.^[31]

On May 12, Kim's representative released a statement to announce the expiration of his contract with O& Entertainment and to address the actor's health condition while filming Time in 2018.^[32] Kim claimed that his agency had failed to fulfill their duty, and that he would take legal action against them for defamation and spreading false information.^[33] The same day, YTN revealed that they had obtained Kim's hospital records which showed that he was diagnosed with anxiety disorder, panic disorder, sleep disorder, and having depressive episodes.^[34] After the handwritten apology, he met Time director, Jang Jun-ho, who expressed his willingness to work with him again.^[35]

5. Filmography

5.1. Film

5.2. Television series

5.3. Music video appearances

6. Discography

6.1. Soundtrack appearances

7. Theatre

8. Awards and nominations