Kim Hee-sun
Encyclopedia
Kim Hee-sun is a South Korea
n actress from Seoul
who has been acting in Korean TV dramas and films for over a decade.
Kim debuted on TV as a year 11 student and later majored in Drama at Chung-Ang University
. Since then she has acted in many TV dramas, becoming well known in South Korea
.
In recent years, Kim has also gradually built up a career in film, beginning in 1997 with Repechage
opposite Jang Dong-gun
. Director Lee Kwang-hoon subsequently put her in his next film, Ghost in Love
in 1999. Kim's most high-profile role to date has been in the big-budget martial arts fantasy Bichunmoo
, shot in China and released in the summer of 2000. She played the daughter of a Mongolian general in love with her childhood sweetheart. Although criticised for her acting in the film, it gave her more local and international exposure than any of her other films. The film cemented her position as one of Korea's leading actress not only in her home country, but also in mainland China
, Hong Kong
, Taiwan
and throughout South-east Asia.
In late 2001, Kim took on a completely different kind of role, cutting her hair short and starring as an animator in Wanee and Junah. Although her acting in this film drew a favorable response from critics, the film itself was a flop at the box office. Kim is currently living in Seoul and is still popular as a model and presenter. She is renowned within the industry for her longevity as an actress. In 2003 she co-starred with Shin Ha-kyun
in the film A Man Who Went to Mars by Kim Jung-kwon, the director of Ditto. She is popularly known as the "first beauty of South Korea". In 2005, she starred alongside Jackie Chan
as a Korean Princess in The Myth. During this film she learned to speak Mandarin.
Through acting and promotional work (such as for Samsung
), Kim now has an income of some USD 7 million. It is rumoured that her next move will be to try to break into the Japan
ese market.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n actress from Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
who has been acting in Korean TV dramas and films for over a decade.
Kim debuted on TV as a year 11 student and later majored in Drama at Chung-Ang University
Chung-Ang University
The Chung-Ang University is a private comprehensive institution in South Korea, located over two campuses in Seoul and Anseong. It was founded subsequent to liberation from Japanese colonial rule for the benefit of the nation and advancement of civilization, with the educational philosophy of...
. Since then she has acted in many TV dramas, becoming well known in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
.
In recent years, Kim has also gradually built up a career in film, beginning in 1997 with Repechage
Repechage
Repechage is a practice amongst ladder competitions that allows participants that failed to meet qualifying standards by a small margin to continue to the next round.- Types of repechage :...
opposite Jang Dong-gun
Jang Dong-gun
-Early life:Spending his childhood in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, he later went on to the Korea National University of Arts, dropping out before obtaining a degree.-Career:Jang Dong-gun first entered the entertainment world in a talent contest in 1992...
. Director Lee Kwang-hoon subsequently put her in his next film, Ghost in Love
Ghost in Love
Ghost in Love is a 1999 South Korean film written by Li Hong-zhou and directed by Lee Kwang Hoon. The film stars Kim Hee-sun in the title role as the girlfriend of a man she suspects of cheating on her...
in 1999. Kim's most high-profile role to date has been in the big-budget martial arts fantasy Bichunmoo
Bichunmoo
Bichunmoo is a South Korean martial arts film written and directed by Kim Young-jun featuring Kim Hee-sun and Shin Hyun-june. Originally released in 2000, it was at the time the most expensive film in Korean history ....
, shot in China and released in the summer of 2000. She played the daughter of a Mongolian general in love with her childhood sweetheart. Although criticised for her acting in the film, it gave her more local and international exposure than any of her other films. The film cemented her position as one of Korea's leading actress not only in her home country, but also in mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and throughout South-east Asia.
In late 2001, Kim took on a completely different kind of role, cutting her hair short and starring as an animator in Wanee and Junah. Although her acting in this film drew a favorable response from critics, the film itself was a flop at the box office. Kim is currently living in Seoul and is still popular as a model and presenter. She is renowned within the industry for her longevity as an actress. In 2003 she co-starred with Shin Ha-kyun
Shin Ha-kyun
Shin Ha-kyun is a South Korean actor. He first trained as a stage actor at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, before transitioning to film and gaining national fame with his role as a North Korean soldier in Joint Security Area...
in the film A Man Who Went to Mars by Kim Jung-kwon, the director of Ditto. She is popularly known as the "first beauty of South Korea". In 2005, she starred alongside Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
as a Korean Princess in The Myth. During this film she learned to speak Mandarin.
Through acting and promotional work (such as for Samsung
Samsung
The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea...
), Kim now has an income of some USD 7 million. It is rumoured that her next move will be to try to break into the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese market.
Filmography
- 2011 The Warring StatesThe Warring StatesThe Warring States is a 2011 Chinese film directed by Chen Jin. The story takes place during the Warring States Period, but is only very loosely based on the actual history...
- 2006 Smile AgainSmile AgainThis page is about the 2006 show. For the currently running 2010 show, see Smile Again .Smile Again is a 2006 South Korean drama television show.-Synopsis:...
(SBS) - 2005 The Myth
- 2005 Sad Love StorySad Love StorySad Love Story, romanized as Seulpeun Yeonga, and also known as Sad Sonata is a Korean romantic drama, which ran from January 5, 2005 to March 17, 2005. It was distributed by MBC, which ran episodes on Wednesdays and Thursdays every week until the show's completion...
(MBC) - 2003 My Fair Lady (SBS)
- 2003 A Man Who Went to Mars
- 2001 Wanee & JunahWanee & JunahWanee & Junah is a 2001 South Korean film directed by Kim Yong-gyun....
- 2000 BichunmooBichunmooBichunmoo is a South Korean martial arts film written and directed by Kim Young-jun featuring Kim Hee-sun and Shin Hyun-june. Originally released in 2000, it was at the time the most expensive film in Korean history ....
- 1999 Calla
- 1999 Ghost in LoveGhost in LoveGhost in Love is a 1999 South Korean film written by Li Hong-zhou and directed by Lee Kwang Hoon. The film stars Kim Hee-sun in the title role as the girlfriend of a man she suspects of cheating on her...
- 1999 Goodbye My LoveGoodbye My LoveGoodbye My Love was a South Korean TV drama series that ran with 16 episodes in 1999.- Storyline :Ahn Jae-Wook stars as Min-Soo, an aspiring businessman who once saved the life of his friend Ki-Tae . Afterwards, Ki-Tae's wealthy father hires Min-Soo to keep Ki-Tae out of trouble...
(MBC) - 1999 Sun Flower (MBC)
- 1999 Tomato (SBS)
- 1998 Wedding Dress (KBS)
- 1998 To the end of the world (MBC)
- 1998 Mister Q (SBS)
- 1997 Repechage
- 1997 Propose The Color White (KBS)
- 1996 Faraway Country Sauna Guys (KBS)
- 1995 The Son of the Wind (KBS)
- 1994 The tale of Chun Hyang
- 1994 SBS Agatha Christie (SBS)
Awards
- 2001 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
Most Popular Actress - 2001 Jun. Honorary Ambassador, Community Chest of Korea
- 2000 Dec. Chung Yong Film Awards "Popularity Award"
- 2000 Dec. SBS Drama Awards "Popularity Award"
- 2000 Mar. Paeksang Arts AwardsPaekSang Arts AwardsPaekSang Arts Awards, also known as BaekSang Arts Awards, is an awards ceremony held annually by IS PLUS Corp, since 1965. It is to honour outstanding achievements in the South Korean entertainment industry and to garner public attention upon the best in Korean films and dramas...
"TV Popularity Award" - 1999 Mar. Honorary Ambassador of Goodwill to France
- 1998 Dec. SBS Drama Awards "Grand Prize" Receive
- 1998 Dec. MBC Drama Awards "Popularity Award"
- 1997 Dec. KBS Drama Awards "Popularity Award"
- 1996 Mar. Paeksang Arts Awards "New TV Actress Award"
- 1996 Dec. KBS Drama Awards "Top Excellence Award"
- 1995 Dec. Performance Awards "Budding Actress Award"