Biography
Yeom Hye-ran is a South Korean actress known for her versatile performances in film, television, and theater. She started her career in theater before transitioning to on-screen roles, making her film debut in 2003. Yeom Hye-ran gained widespread recognition for her supporting roles in hit dramas like Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016), When the Camellia Blooms (2019), and The Uncanny Counter (2020–2023).
Her performance in The Glory (2022–2023) earned her critical acclaim and a Best Supporting Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards. She also starred in the Netflix series Mask Girl (2024). With her expressive acting and strong screen presence, Yeom Hye-ran continues to be a beloved figure in the South Korean entertainment industry.
Profile
- Name: Yeom Hye-ran
- Birth name: Yeom Hye-ran (염혜란)
- Birthday: October 30, 1976
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Height: 168 cm
Career
Yeom Hye-ran’s professional journey commenced in 1999 when she joined the Yeonwoo Theater Company. She made her stage debut in 2000 with the play “Teacher Choi.” Demonstrating a profound commitment to theater, she co-founded the Theater Company Iru in 2004 alongside director Son Ki-ho and actress Woo Mi-hwa. This endeavor underscored her dedication to the craft and her desire to create impactful theatrical works.
Yeom Hye-ran’s screen debut occurred in 2003 with a role in Bong Joon-ho’s critically acclaimed film “Memories of Murder.” Her transition to the screen was seamless, and she quickly became known for her versatility and depth in supporting roles. She appeared in notable television dramas such as “Dear My Friends” (2016), where she portrayed Soon-yeong, an adopted daughter grappling with domestic violence, and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” (2016), taking on the role of Ji Yeon-sook, a villainous aunt. Her performances in these series were lauded for their authenticity and emotional resonance.
In 2019, Yeom Hye-ran’s portrayal of Hong Ja-young, a sophisticated divorce lawyer in “When the Camellia Blooms,” garnered significant acclaim. Her character’s confidence and complexity resonated with audiences, earning her the Best Supporting Actress Award at the KBS Drama Awards and the Best Couple Award alongside co-star Oh Jung-se. She continued to captivate viewers with her role as Choo Mae-ok in “The Uncanny Counter” (2020–2023), a character with powerful healing abilities, which led to her winning the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Yeom Hye-ran’s first leading role in a feature film came with “Blacklight” (2021), where she played Yeong-nam, a single mother caring for her comatose husband. Her nuanced performance received critical acclaim, earning her the Best Actress Award at the 21st Jeonju International Film Festival. In 2022, she starred in the Netflix series “The Glory,” portraying Kang Hyeon-nam, a housekeeper seeking revenge against her abusive husband, further showcasing her range and depth as an actress.
In 2023, Yeom Hye-ran appeared in “The Uncanny Counter 2” and “Mask Girl.” She continued to solidify her peak career by taking on significant roles in highly popular productions. In 2024, she won the Best Supporting Actress award in the TV category at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards and received the Presidential Commendation at the 15th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards.
In 2025, she played the role of Jeon Gwang-rye, the mother of Aesun, in “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” a Netflix original series. Once again, she demonstrated her scene-stealing presence, particularly in the first episode, where her powerful acting captivated viewers and significantly enhanced the drama’s immersion.
Throughout her career, Yeom Hye-ran has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her craft, continually evolving as an artist and earning recognition for her compelling performances across various mediums.
At the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards held on May 5, 2025, Yeom Hye-ran won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Jeon Gwang-rae in When Life Gives You Tangerines.
One of the most touching moments at the 2025 Baeksang Arts Awards came when Yeom Hye-ran took the stage to accept her Best Supporting Actress award. Cameras captured her The Glory co-star, Song Hye-kyo, with teary eyes and a proud smile — a quiet but powerful show of support. The heartfelt exchange quickly went viral on forums like Naver and DC Inside, with netizens dubbing it “K-Drama’s Golden Friendship.”
Personal Life
Early Life
Yeom Hye-ran was born into a farming family, with her mother working as a rice vendor at the market. Initially, she aspired to become a Korean language teacher, which led her to enroll in the Department of Korean Literature at Seoul Women’s University. However, during her time there, she developed a passion for acting after joining the university’s theater club.
Relationships
In 2005, Yeom Hye-ran tied the knot with her husband, who is not part of the entertainment industry. The couple later welcomed a daughter in 2012. Following the birth of her child, Yeom Hye-ran took a temporary hiatus from acting to focus on her family and motherhood before eventually making a return to the screen.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Yeom Hye-ran’s estimated net worth is believed to be between 1 million and 2 million dollars. This wealth has been accumulated over the years through her successful career in the entertainment industry, where she has worked extensively as a film and television actress, as well as a stage performer.
Filmography
Films
- Memories of Murder (2003)
- Secret Sunshine (2007)
- 71: Into the Fire (2010)
- All About My Wife (2012)
- I Can Speak (2017)
- Innocent Witness (2019)
- Black Light (2021)
Television Series
- Dear My Friends (2016)
- Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017)
- The Most Beautiful Goodbye (2017)
- Life (2018)
- When the Camellia Blooms (2019)
- Chocolate (2019–2020)
- The Uncanny Counter (2020–2023)
- The Glory (2022–2023)
- Mask Girl (2024)
Web series
- Love Cells (2014)
- Juvenile Justice (2022)
- The Glory (2022 – 2023)
- Mask Girl (2023)
- When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025)
Television show
- My Name is Gabriel (2024)
Fun Facts
- Yeom Hye-ran has credited her unique appearance as one of the reasons she has been able to sustain a steady acting career.
- When she made her film debut in “Memories of Murder,” she found it difficult to focus on the movie because she was anxiously waiting for her own scenes to appear.
- She does not use social media, including Instagram.
- Due to her frequent appearances in Netflix productions alongside actor Park Hae-soo, she has been humorously nicknamed the “Netflix Public Official.”
- She finds the Jeolla dialect more comfortable than standard Korean.
- Despite being in her 40s, she frequently portrays characters older than her actual age, often even playing grandmothers.
- Yeom Hye-ran bears a striking resemblance to actress Jung Yi-rang. She is also said to resemble musical director Kim Moon-jung and actress Shim So-young.
- She shared a close bond with the late actress Park Ji-ah, visiting and caring for her during her illness.
- Tailored role in The Glory: Screenwriter Kim Eun-sook wrote the role of Kang Hyeon-nam in The Glory specifically with Yeom in mind — she was the first and only choice.
