Biography
Kim So-yeon is a prominent South Korean actress known for her powerful screen presence, emotional range, and ability to transform into a wide variety of characters across genres. She began her acting career as a teenager, quickly gaining attention for her mature poise and talent. Kim’s breakout role came in the 2000 television drama “All About Eve,” where she portrayed a manipulative anchorwoman, earning critical acclaim and solidifying her status in the industry.
In 2009, she starred in the espionage series “IRIS,” playing a North Korean spy, which showcased her ability to handle complex characters. Her role in the 2010 romantic comedy “Prosecutor Princess” further demonstrated her range, portraying a fashion-forward prosecutor. Kim So-yeon continued to take on diverse roles, including parts in “Happy Home” (2016) and the highly successful series “The Penthouse: War in Life” (2020–2021), where she played a renowned soprano and school director. Her performance in “The Penthouse” earned her the Best Actress award at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards and the Grand Prize at the 2021 SBS Drama Awards.
Beyond her acting career, Kim So-yeon married fellow actor Lee Sang-woo in June 2017. Throughout her career, Kim So-yeon has been recognized for her dedication to her craft and her ability to bring depth to a wide array of characters.
Profile
- Name: Kim So-yeon
- Birth name: Kim So-yeon
- Birthday: November 2, 1980
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Height: 167 cm
- Instagram: @sysysy1102
- Twitter: N/A
Career
Kim So-yeon began her acting career in 1994 with the SBS drama “Dinosaur Teacher.” Although she debuted in supporting roles, her mature appearance quickly set her apart, allowing her to take on leading roles early. At just 15, she was already portraying characters in their 20s and even became the face of adult cosmetics brands.
The heavy makeup trends of the 1990s often made her appear older than her peers, but in an ironic twist, she’s now praised for looking younger than her age—earning the nickname “baby face.” Growing up as the youngest of three sisters, she tried to keep up with her older siblings, which shaped her mature personality. As a result, even adults often mistook her for someone older, leading to amusing and sometimes awkward situations.
Her film debut in “Change,” where she played a high school girl possessed by a male spirit, was a hit among teenagers and boosted her confidence. By 1997, she solidified her presence in the industry as the main MC of Popular Songs Best 50. She continued building her career through sitcoms and dramas like “Soonpoong Clinic,” “Winners,” and “I Love You, I Love You,” where her line “I’m going to see Yoseob oppa~” became widely quoted. Although “We Saw a Little Lost Bird” underperformed, she rebounded with Madness, acting alongside rising stars like Won Bin and Bae Doona.
Despite early success, KimSo-yeon struggled with a fixed public image. That changed in 2000 with “All About Eve,” where her portrayal of the ambitious and cunning Heo Young-mi was a major breakthrough. While the role earned her praise, it also attracted anti-fans. In 2001, she worked to shed the villain label through roles in “Mom and Sister” and “Sunlight Upon Me,” where she held her own against veteran actors and demonstrated her versatility. Throughout this period, her interviews revealed a consistent personality, suggesting that public criticism was more about perception than reality.
In the mid-2000s, her career faced challenges. Projects like “Human Market” and ‘Autumn Shower’ underperformed, and attempts to enter the Chinese market fell short. She was offered mostly villain roles, which she declined, resulting in a three-year hiatus before returning in 2008 with “Gourmet.”
Her true comeback arrived in 2009 with “IRIS,” where she impressed audiences with her fierce action scenes and revamped image. She then reconnected with the public through variety shows like “Happy Together” and “Gag Concert,” revealing her easygoing and humorous side. In 2010, she earned further acclaim in “Prosecutor Princess,” displaying both charm and emotional depth.
Her growing popularity was bolstered by appearances on shows like “We Got Married,” “Real Men,” and “King of Mask Singer.” While filming “Happy Home,” she developed a relationship with co-star Lee Sang-woo, and the two married in 2017. That same year, she returned to variety with “SNL Korea” and made several memorable cameos.
In 2019, she starred in “Mother of Mine,” earning praise for her emotional performance and securing another acting award. Despite earlier setbacks, she steadily rebuilt her career with talent, perseverance, and authenticity.
Her next major breakthrough came with “The Penthouse” (2020–2021), where she took on her first villain role in two decades. Her performance as Cheon Seo-jin became a sensation, with the “Mazepa piano scene” hailed as one of K-drama’s most iconic moments. While she narrowly missed the 2020 Grand Prize, she went on to win Best Actress at the 2021 Baeksang Awards and eventually clinched the SBS Daesang—27 years after her debut.
Throughout the three seasons of “The Penthouse,” Kim So-yeon’s performance remained a highlight, despite the drama’s controversial and exaggerated plot. Off-screen, she actively appeared on variety shows, using humor and sincerity to counterbalance her intense character and connect with a wider audience.
In 2023, she returned to the screen as the powerful and emotionally layered Ryu Hong-joo in “Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938.” Then in 2024, she embraced a gentler role as Han Jung-sook in “A Virtuous Business,” offering fans a refreshing contrast to her recent intense portrayals.
Personal Life
Early Life
Kim So-yeon’s conception dream was of her father bringing home some seeds, which her mother then planted. When she watered them, a tree quickly grew and bloomed with white magnolias. Her mother said the flowers were so beautiful that she was entranced, staring at them until she woke up. Because of the dream, they suspected the baby would be a girl. However, when Kim So-yeon was born, her father was deeply disappointed. Already the father of two daughters, he had been secretly hoping that this time it would be a boy. When another daughter was born, shattering his hopes, he initially didn’t even want to look at baby Kim So-yeon.
From a young age, her mother emphasized the importance of greeting people properly, so saying hello became second nature to her. It eventually became a habit to greet anyone she recognized, and she never found it difficult. Perhaps this helped build the reputation she now has as one of the kindest and most well-mannered actresses in the industry.
She also spent a lot of time alone during her childhood. Since both of her parents were working, she was often left by herself in their large home. The age gap between her and her older sisters was significant, so she couldn’t really play with them either. After her sisters went off to school, she would play alone in front of a mirror in an empty house. Because of this, she became very introverted and was considered unusually mature for her age.
The turning point for shy and reserved Kim So-yeon came in fourth grade at Cheongdam Elementary School, when she met a homeroom teacher who changed her life. The teacher made her go to the front of the class and give presentations all the time, helping her become more confident and outgoing. Thanks to the teacher’s support, she was even elected class president and vice president in fifth grade, developing leadership skills along the way.
Having dreamed of becoming an actress since childhood, Kim So-yeon was drawn to acting after hearing that winners of beauty contests could receive free tuition for acting classes. Tempted by the offer, she entered a competition and won second place, marking the start of her acting journey. Just two weeks after enrolling in an acting academy, she received a request to assist in a drama as a supporting cast member. But during filming, she was spotted by a director and cast directly into a leading role. She was only in her second year of middle school at the time.
Back then, she had to manage everything on her own without her parents’ help—carrying her makeup box alone, taking intercity buses to Yeouido, learning makeup techniques by herself, and wearing her older sister’s clothes to look the part. It was a lonely and challenging life as a young actress, but it laid the foundation for the career she would go on to build.
Marriage
For much of her career, Kim So-yeon kept her dating life private, gaining a reputation for being focused and professional. Despite working with numerous leading men and building strong on-screen chemistry with many co-stars, she was rarely linked to any public relationships in the early years of her career. Her clean image and quiet personal life added to her mystique, making fans even more curious about her romantic side.
That changed in 2016, when she met actor Lee Sang-woo on the set of the MBC weekend drama “Happy Home.” The two played a married couple in the drama, and their chemistry extended beyond the screen. As filming progressed, they developed a genuine connection and began dating shortly after the series wrapped. Their relationship was officially confirmed by both agencies in September 2016, delighting fans who supported the couple’s natural and mature romance.
Kim So-yeon and Lee Sang-woo were praised for their low-key and respectful relationship, often attending events together with modest affection and avoiding unnecessary media attention. They tied the knot on June 9, 2017, in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends. The couple has since been regarded as one of the most grounded and enduring couples in the Korean entertainment industry. Even after marriage, they’ve maintained a loving, supportive partnership, occasionally appearing on variety shows or interviews together, where they share heartwarming glimpses into their married life.
Friendships
Among celebrities, Kim So-yeon is especially well-known for her close friendship with the members of S.E.S., particularly Bada, who is now a musical actress. The two became close when they met on a radio program at the age of 20, and have remained best friends ever since. In private, they have shared meaningful moments together, such as singing at each other’s weddings and attending family events. Thanks to this long-standing bond, Bada even made a cameo appearance in “The Penthouse 2.”
Kim So-yeon is also close to Eugene, another S.E.S. member who played her on-screen rival Oh Yoon-hee in “The Penthouse.” Their real-life friendship added depth to their performances, especially given their shared history and respect for each other.
Kim So-yeon was also known to be very close to the late actress Lee Eun-joo. She stayed at the memorial altar with Bada during Lee Eun-joo’s funeral, grieving by her side until the very end.
Net Worth
Kim So-yeon has accumulated significant wealth through her extensive career in television dramas and endorsements. As of 2021, her net worth was estimated to be approximately $10 million. This figure reflects her earnings from notable roles in series such as “All About Eve,” “IRIS,” “Prosecutor Princess,” and “The Penthouse.” Additionally, her income is supplemented by endorsements for brands like Cellcure, Oligio, JMW Korea, and Celex Milk Ceramide.
Filmography
Film
- Boss (1996)
- Change (1997)
- Seven Swords (2005)
- Iris: The Movie (2010)
- Gabi (2012)
- Love Forecast (2015)
- It’s Alright (Short Film) (2022)
Television Series
- Dinosaur Teacher (1994)
- City Men and Women (1996)
- Yes Sir (1997)
- Yesterday (1997)
- Soonpoong Clinic (1998)
- I Love You, I Love You (1998)
- We Saw a Little Lost Bird (1999)
- Mom and Sister (2000)
- All About Eve (2000)
- Sunlight Upon Me (2002)
- Trio (2002)
- Just Like a Beautiful Flying Butterfly (2004)
- Shining Days (2004)
- New Human Market (2004)
- Autumn Shower (2005)
- Anhui Merchants (2007)
- Gourmet (2008)
- Iris (2009)
- Prosecutor Princess (2010)
- Dr. Champ (2010)
- Athena: Goddess of War (2010)
- The Great Seer (2012)
- Two Weeks (2013)
- I Need Romance 3 (2014)
- Beating Again (2015)
- Happy Home (2016)
- 20th Century Boy and Girl (2017)
- Secret Mother (2018)
- Mother of Mine (2019)
- The Penthouse: War in Life (2020–2021)
- Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 (2023)
- A Virtuous Business (2024)
Web series
- High-End Crush (2015)
Facts
- According to Kim So-yeon, she was never really interested in studying, so she considers it a relief that she chose to become an actress early on. Even though she had a hard time dealing with antis, she said that it would have been a disaster if she hadn’t started acting at a young age.
- She is known as the pioneer and representative celebrity who uses the so-called “ahjumma tone” (zoomma-che), a humorous, exaggerated way of speaking associated with middle-aged women.
- She is known to have very poor physical strength and motor skills, often jokingly called “glass-bodied.”
- She has a blue rose tattoo on her lower back, which she got impulsively while in Singapore.
- She has a dimple on her left cheek that appears when she smiles.
- In the past, she had piercings in her second earlobe and inner conch, but now seems to only wear earrings on her main lobes.
- Some people say she resembles French actress Isabelle Adjani.
- She has a habit of touching her chin with her thumb and index finger when flustered or excited.
- To immerse herself in her roles, she writes a fictional autobiography for her characters before starting a project.
- During her time at Dongguk University, she was one of the “Four Heavenly Queens of Dongguk” in the early 2000s, along with Jun Ji-hyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, and So Yoo-jin. She was considered one of the top 1–2 students in terms of looks, figure, and talent.
