In an industry where fame is fleeting and careers can vanish overnight, Kim So-hyun has defied the odds. Debuting as a child actress, she’s grown into one of South Korea’s most respected leading women—gracefully navigating a transition that has ended many promising careers.
With nearly two decades of work behind her, she’s earned her place through consistent talent, careful project choices, and a reputation for quiet professionalism. Her rise isn’t marked by flashy breakthroughs, but by a steady climb built on credibility and skill.
Biography
Name: Kim So-hyun
Birth Name: Kim So-hyun (김소현)
Birthday: June 4, 1999
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Height: 165 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Instagram: @wow_kimsohyun
Twitter: @hellokimsohyun
Fun Facts
- Kim So-hyun did not receive any formal acting training before becoming an actress. However, after passing her first audition, she began taking acting lessons from Ahn Hyuk-mo, a theater actor who also taught Jo In-sung, Jun Ji-hyun, and Jang Hyuk.
- She enjoyed reading and even won a writing contest in elementary school.
- She once said she wanted to be an actress who could be described as “a cool person.” She believes that if she lives that way, her acting will naturally become cooler as well.
- She prefers her sweet and sour pork with the sauce poured on.
- She has a slightly bent big toe, a physical trait not many people know about.
- She has a Maltese dog named Mongsook — originally she considered “Mong” for its soft sound, but changed it to “Mongsook” for uniqueness.
- During the filming of Missing You, she had her first-ever kiss scene with Yeo Jin-goo.
- Though she was born in Australia, she moved to Korea at age 4 and remembers little of her time abroad. Her first memorable overseas trip was to Thailand for a Pocari Sweat commercial, followed by visits to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and more.
- While filming Pure Love, she was the only minor and couldn’t join cast drinking parties, which made her feel lonely.
- She considers Son Ye-jin her role model and even said so publicly for years.
- She revealed she has never dated. If she ever gets a boyfriend, she wants to walk in the snow or view cherry blossoms together.
- She once said that “continuing to act without giving up” was the best decision of her life.
- She said she has no male friends. Even though she went to a co-ed middle school, she found it hard to become close with boys. On set, she often worked with older male actors and got used to them, but still has no close male peers. She once said she didn’t even know Yeo Jin-goo’s phone number, despite being close in age and working together.
- On July 18, 2019, while filming The Tale of Nokdu, she fell off a horse and suffered minor injuries.
- Since 2021, she has been living on her own. She enjoys drinking alone, with her alcohol limit being about two bottles of soju.
- She eventually dropped out of university — not for any dramatic reason, but simply because she had used up all her leave of absence.
Career
The Debut: A Star is Born
Kim So-hyun’s entry into the entertainment industry was swift and decisive. She made her official acting debut in 2006, at the tender age of seven, with a supporting role in the Drama City special “Ten Minute Minor”. From that point on, her filmography began to expand at a remarkable pace. She took on a series of child roles in productions like
A Happy Woman (2007), Que Sera Sera (2007), and Bread, Love and Dreams (2010). Her talent was immediately apparent, and in 2010 she signed a management contract with SidusHQ. That same year, she made her big-screen debut in the film
Man of Vendetta, securing the pivotal role of a kidnapped daughter after beating out 500 other hopefuls in a highly competitive audition process.
The “Queen of Child Actresses”: The Breakout Years
The year 2012 marked a defining moment in Kim So-hyun’s career, catapulting her from a promising child actor to one of the most acclaimed young talents in Korean television. That year, she delivered two standout performances that not only showcased her extraordinary range but also earned her national recognition.
In Moon Embracing the Sun, she portrayed the young antagonist Yoon Bo-kyung a rare, complex villain role for a child actress. With her ability to express jealousy, ambition, and inner conflict, she impressed critics and viewers alike, ultimately winning “Best Child Actress” at the 2012 MBC Drama Awards. The performance laid the foundation for her later title as the “Goddess of Sageuk.”
Later that same year, she stunned audiences again in Missing You as Lee Soo-yeon, a young girl facing trauma and social stigma. Her emotionally raw performance, particularly alongside Yeo Jin-goo, struck a chord with viewers and earned her another “Best Young Actress” award at the 1st K-Drama Star Awards. These two roles marked Kim’s transformation from child actor to a serious artist with lasting impact.
The Crucial Transition: A Masterclass in Duality
The shift from child actor to adult lead is one of the most challenging in the industry, often marked by typecasting or a decline in popularity. Kim So-hyun, however, navigated this transition with strategic brilliance, frequently taking on dual roles that highlighted her versatility and depth. These choices weren’t accidental—they were a clear message that she was ready to carry a narrative as more than just a younger version of another character.
This tactic first appeared in dramas like Rooftop Prince and became more defined in the 2014 thriller Reset, where she portrayed both a deceased first love and a present-day high school student. But her breakout as a bona fide lead came in Who Are You: School 2015, where she tackled the challenge of playing twin sisters with opposite personalities—the shy, bullied Eun-bi and the confident Eun-byul.
Her performance was widely praised for its subtlety and emotional depth, with critics applauding how she differentiated the characters through expression, posture, and tone rather than dialogue alone. The role not only marked her successful transition into adult roles but also won her multiple awards, including “Star of the Year” at the Korea Drama Awards and multiple honors at the KBS Drama Awards.
Reigning as the “Goddess of Sageuk”: A Modern Queen of Historical Drama
Building on her early success in historical dramas, Kim So-hyun returned to the genre as a leading actress and quickly earned the title “Goddess of Sageuk.” Her performances brought a fresh vitality to period pieces, blending youthful energy with emotional depth.
In The Tale of Nokdu (2019), she charmed audiences as Dong Dong-joo, a spirited gisaeng-in-training with a sharp tongue and a hidden soft side. While the spotlight often centered on Jang Dong-yoon’s cross-dressing prince, Kim’s portrayal stood out for its humor, warmth, and chemistry with her co-star—earning them a “Best Couple Award” and her an Excellence Award at the KBS Drama Awards.
Her defining sageuk role came in River Where the Moon Rises (2021), where she played the dual role of Princess Pyeonggang and assassin Yeom Ga-jin. The part demanded intensity, grace, and physical strength—all of which Kim delivered in spades. Critics praised her fierce yet vulnerable portrayal of a warrior princess fighting for power and identity. The performance earned her major accolades, including the Top Excellence Award at KBS and a Baeksang Arts Award nomination for Best Actress—making her one of the youngest to receive such recognition.
Global Recognition: Pioneering with Netflix
Kim So-hyun’s career is deeply intertwined with the global rise of Korean entertainment, particularly through her role in Netflix’s Love Alarm (2019–2021). As one of Netflix’s first commissioned Korean originals, the series placed Kim at the forefront of the platform’s K-content expansion. She starred as Kim Jo-jo, a resilient high school student coping with love, trauma, and the pressures of a world where a mobile app alerts users if someone nearby has romantic feelings for them.
The show was a global success, quickly renewed for a second season and ranking as the 6th most-watched Korean drama on Netflix in 2021. This exposure introduced Kim So-hyun to a massive international audience and cemented her image as a next-generation Hallyu star, bridging her strong domestic reputation with a growing global fanbase.
Personal Life
Early Life
Kim So-hyun’s story begins with a transnational footnote that adds a unique layer to her identity. She was born on June 4, 1999, in Australia, but her connection to the country was brief. In 2003, at the age of four, her family relocated to South Korea, where she would be raised and build her life and career. Her family life, while largely private, includes a younger brother. A significant and formative event in her early life was the passing of her father when she was just nine years old, a personal hardship that she navigated while her public career was already beginning to take shape.
As her presence in the acting world grew more demanding, Kim So-hyun faced a crossroads that many young performers encounter: the challenge of balancing a rigorous professional schedule with a traditional education. Her solution was a testament to her maturity and focus. For her secondary education, she opted for homeschooling, a deliberate choice she made to ensure she would not have to compromise either her studies or her burgeoning career.
This decision was not a retreat from the world but a strategic move to engage more deeply with her professional environment. In interviews, she has reflected on this period with clarity and no regrets, explaining that her primary place of learning was often the film set itself. The discipline required for self-directed study, combined with the experience of navigating the adult world of television production, likely fostered a sense of independence and accelerated her emotional and professional maturity. While her peers were in a conventional classroom, she was mastering complex scripts and delivering emotionally layered performances. This unique educational path culminated in her successfully passing her high school graduation exams in 2017. That same year, she was admitted to Hanyang University’s prestigious Department of Theatre through rolling admission, seamlessly transitioning into higher education while maintaining her status as one of the industry’s most sought-after young actresses.
A “Rivalry” of Friends: The Kim Yoo-jung Dynamic
Since their early days as two of the most prominent child actresses of their generation, Kim So-hyun and Kim Yoo-jung have been the subject of constant media comparison. Being the same age and often competing for similar roles, the press frequently framed their parallel careers as a rivalry. However, interviews with both actresses reveal a reality that is far more nuanced and supportive.
Kim So-hyun has openly admitted that the comparisons felt “uncomfortable” when she was younger, creating a sense of awkwardness. But as she matured, her perspective shifted. “Whenever I hear a comparison of Yoo Jung and me nowadays, I just go, whatever,” she stated in a 2018 interview, emphasizing that it no longer bothers her. She reframed their relationship not as one of rivals, but of colleagues who share a unique and special bond forged from their shared experience of growing up in the demanding entertainment industry. “People say we’re rivals but we’re colleagues. There’s this specialness because we’re the ones left after promoting together in our younger days,” she explained, adding that she feels concerned when she hears bad news about Kim Yoo-jung and sincerely wishes her well.
Kim Yoo-jung has expressed similar sentiments, acknowledging that while comparisons can be a stimulant for development, she disliked it when it became too severe or created misunderstandings. She astutely noted that their different charms and acting styles are likely why they are compared so often. Their mutual respect and support for one another, as seen when their dramas
Bring It On, Ghost and Love in the Moonlight aired in the same period, paint a picture of a collegial friendship that has withstood the pressures of a media narrative intent on pitting them against each other.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Kim So‑hyun’s estimated net worth ranges between $3 million and $5 million, reflecting her steady success as a top-tier actress in South Korea.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Medium | Notes |
| 2006 | Drama City: Ten Minute, Minor | – | TV Series | Debut role |
| 2007 | A Happy Woman | young Lee Ji-yeon | TV Series | Child role |
| 2007 | Que Sera Sera | young Han Eun-soo | TV Series | Child role |
| 2008 | Korean Ghost Stories | Yeon-hwa | TV Series | Episode: “Baby, Let’s Go to Cheong Mountain” |
| 2008 | My Name Is Pity | young Jin-ha | Short Film | |
| 2008–2009 | Wife and Woman | Jo Je-ni | TV Series | |
| 2009 | Ja Myung Go | Myo-ri | TV Series | Child role |
| 2010 | Becoming a Billionaire | young Lee Shin-mi | TV Series | Child role |
| 2010 | Bread, Love and Dreams | young Gu Ja-rim | TV Series | Child role |
| 2010 | Man of Vendetta | Joo Hye-rin | Film | Film debut |
| 2011 | Sin of a Family | Jung Myung-hee | Film | |
| 2011 | Spy Papa | Soon-bok | Film | |
| 2011 | The Thorn Birds | young Seo Jung-eun | TV Series | Child role |
| 2011 | The Duo | young Geum-ok | TV Series | Child role |
| 2011–2012 | Padam Padam | young Jung Ji-na | TV Series | Child role |
| 2012 | Moon Embracing the Sun | young Yoon Bo-kyung | TV Series | Child role; Breakthrough role |
| 2012 | I Am the King | Sol-bi | Film | |
| 2012 | Rooftop Prince | young Hong Se-na / Hwa-yong | TV Series | Dual child role |
| 2012 | Love Again | Jung Yoo-ri | TV Series | |
| 2012 | Ma Boy | Jang Geu-rim | TV Series | First leading role |
| 2012–2013 | Missing You | young Lee Soo-yeon | TV Series | Child role; Critically acclaimed |
| 2013 | Iris II: New Generation | young Ji Soo-yeon | TV Series | Child role |
| 2013 | The Secret of Birth | young Jung Yi-hyun | TV Series | Child role |
| 2013 | I Can Hear Your Voice | young Jang Hye-sung | TV Series | Child role |
| 2013 | The Suspicious Housekeeper | Eun Han-gyul | TV Series | |
| 2013 | Killer Toon | young Mi-sook | Film | |
| 2014 | Triangle | young Shin-hye | TV Series | Child role |
| 2014 | Reset | Choi Seung-hee / Jo Eun-bi | TV Series | Dual role |
| 2014 | We All Cry Differently | Ryu Ji-hye | TV Series | Drama Special |
| 2015 | A Girl Who Sees Smells | Choi Eun-seol | TV Series | Cameo (Ep. 1-2, 5) |
| 2015 | Who Are You: School 2015 | Lee Eun-bi / Go Eun-byul | TV Series | Leading dual role |
| 2016 | Pure Love | Jung Soo-ok | Film | |
| 2016 | The Last Princess | teenage Princess Deokhye | Film | |
| 2016 | Page Turner | Yoon Yoo-seul | TV Series | Drama Special |
| 2016 | Nightmare High | Kang Ye-rim | Web Series | |
| 2016 | Bring It On, Ghost | Kim Hyun-ji | TV Series | Leading role |
| 2016–2017 | Guardian: The Lonely and Great God | Queen Sun-hee / Kim Sun | TV Series | Special appearance |
| 2017 | Your Name | Mitsuha Miyamizu | Film | Korean dubbing |
| 2017 | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask | Han Ga-eun | TV Series | Leading role |
| 2017 | While You Were Sleeping | Park So-yoon | TV Series | Cameo |
| 2018 | Radio Romance | Song Geu-rim | TV Series | Leading role |
| 2019 | The Tale of Nokdu | Dong Dong-joo / Eun-seo | TV Series | Leading role |
| 2019–2021 | Love Alarm | Kim Jo-jo | Web Series | Leading role (Seasons 1-2) |
| 2021 | River Where the Moon Rises | Princess Pyeonggang / Yeom Ga-jin | TV Series | Leading role |
| 2023 | My Lovely Liar | Mok Sol-hee | TV Series | Leading role |
| 2024 | Serendipity’s Embrace | Lee Hong-joo | TV Series | Leading role |
| 2025 | Good Boy | Ji Han-na | TV Series | Leading role |
