Kim Ji-won

Kim Ji-won (; born October 19, 1992) is a South Korean actress. She gained recognition through her roles in the television series The Heirs and Descendants of the Sun (2016), both written by Kim Eun-sook. She later established herself in leading roles in Fight for My Way (2017), Arthdal Chronicles (2019), My Liberation Notes (2022), and Queen of Tears (2024), the latter of which became tvN's highest-rated series at the time. These roles contributed to her prominence as a hallyu figure.

Early life and education Kim Ji-won was born on October 19, 1992, in Geumcheon District, Seoul, South Korea, as the younger of two daughters. She developed an interest in acting during elementary school and participated in school plays. During middle school, she played the piano at church and participated in Christmas performances. She has stated that she is a Christian.

During her first year of middle school, Kim spent nearly a year in Chicago, Illinois, United States, living with maternal relatives. After returning to South Korea, she was required to repeat a school year before re-enrolling. She later left formal education and passed the General Educational Development (GED) examination before entering high school. In 2008, while still a trainee, she worked as a keyboardist and backing vocalist for Younha and appeared in the music video for the song "Gossip Boy". She was initially set to debut as a singer under the stage name "JessicaK", but ultimately chose acting instead. She later appeared in the musical drama What's Up. In 2012, Kim starred in the high school series To the Beautiful You, and portrayed a kidnapped student in the horror anthology film Horror Stories.

2013–2016: Breakthrough

In 2013, Kim appeared in the KBS Drama Special Waiting for Love. She also starred in Horror Stories 2, portraying a student involved in black magic. That year, she played an heiress in the teen drama The Heirs, written by Kim Eun-sook. The series achieved over one billion views on Youku, contributing to increased recognition for her role. Kim received the New Star Award at the 2013 SBS Drama Awards for her performance.

In 2014, Kim portrayed a high school student and webtoon artist in the crime thriller Gap-dong. She also appeared in a supporting role in the KBS Drama Special The Reason I'm Getting Married. In December, she signed a contract with King Kong Entertainment.

In 2015, Kim starred in the romance web series One Sunny Day, portraying a woman who meets a stranger while traveling to Jeju Island. Later that year, she made a cameo appearance in the tvN drama Hidden Identity as the girlfriend of Kim Bum's character.

In 2016, Kim reunited with writer Kim Eun-sook in the KBS2 military romance drama Descendants of the Sun, playing an army surgeon. She won the Excellence Award at the 2016 KBS Drama Awards and the Best Supporting Actress award at the 5th APAN Star Awards for her performance. The series recorded peak viewership ratings of 38.8% and won the Grand Prize – Television at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards. Its international popularity increased Kim's overseas visibility. That year, she co-hosted the 2016 KBS Drama Awards with Park Bo-gum and Jun Hyun-moo.

2017–2023: Leading roles

In 2017, Kim starred in her first leading role in KBS2's romantic comedy drama Fight for My Way, portraying Choi Ae-ra, a department store information desk employee aspiring to become an announcer, alongside Park Seo-joon. The series was noted for its portrayal of young adults facing career challenges and concluded with ratings of 13.8%. Kim won the Excellence Award at the 2017 KBS Drama Awards for her performance.

In 2018, Kim appeared in the period comedy-mystery film Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead, playing a woman with memory loss involved in an investigation. That same year, Kim and her Descendants of the Sun co-star Jin Goo made cameo appearances in the historical drama Mr. Sunshine.

In 2019, Kim starred in the historical fantasy drama Arthdal Chronicles as Tanya, the spiritual leader and successor of the Wahan tribe's priesthood. The drama served as a reunion with Song Joong-ki, following their appearance in the 2016 series Descendants of the Sun. In December, Kim's contract with King Kong Entertainment expired, and she chose not to renew it.

In February 2020, Kim signed with Salt Entertainment. Later that year, she starred in the romance web series Lovestruck in the City, portraying Lee Eun-oh, a woman living under a false identity who becomes involved in a complex urban romance. For the role, Kim underwent surfing training and overcame her childhood aquaphobia.

In 2022, Kim starred in the slice-of-life drama My Liberation Notes, portraying Yeom Mi-jeong, an introverted office worker struggling to escape her monotonous life. She was nominated for Best Actress – Television at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards for her performance in the series. In June, Kim's contract with Salt Entertainment expired, and she chose not to renew it. In September, she signed with HighZium Studio.

2024–present: Continued success

In 2024, Kim starred in the tvN drama Queen of Tears as Hong Hae-in, a chaebol heiress. The series became the highest-rated tvN drama with a nationwide viewership of 24.9% for its finale. It also remained in Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English TV series rankings for 15 consecutive weeks. Kim received the Prime Minister's Commendation at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, Her aegyo scene in Fight for My Way gained attention on social media and inspired a dubbing challenge. Following her performance in Queen of Tears, several media outlets referred to her as "Queen of Romantic Comedy". Korean media have also described Kim as a prominent figure in the Korean Wave. Kim ranked third in Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year in both 2024 and 2025.

Other ventures Ambassadorship On February 8, 2025, Kim was selected as the ambassador for Orange Run 2025, a charity marathon festival held in collaboration with the Korea Welfare Service and Hanwha General Insurance to celebrate International Women's Day.

Endorsements

Kim began her advertising career in 2010 as an endorser for LG Electronics' Cyon Lollipop 2 alongside Bigbang. From 2014 to 2017, she served as a brand ambassador for the skincare brand Dr.G. In 2016, following her appearance in Descendants of the Sun, she was referred to by media outlets as the "CF Queen" after securing endorsement deals with more than ten brands. From 2017 to 2021, she served as a global ambassador for the skincare brand Mediheal.

In 2024, she became a brand ambassador for Bulgari, becoming its first Korean ambassador for jewelry, watches, and fragrance. She also served as a global ambassador for LG H&H's luxury cosmetics brand The Whoo, and was appointed brand ambassador for the jewelry brand Stonehenge and the Italian luxury outerwear brand Duvetica.

Philanthropy In February 2014, Kim participated in Vogue Girl'''s "Pink Wings" campaign, with proceeds donated to support low-income families. On November 29, 2016, she joined the Korean Committee for UNICEF's "We Action" child protection campaign. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim donated to World Share in February 2020 to support medical staff and patients at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital in Daegu. The following month, she served as a voice donor for MBC Radio's "Citizen Support Project" for people affected by the pandemic.

In June 2022, Kim volunteered for Big Issue, a magazine that supports people experiencing homelessness. In October 2024, she took part in W Korea'''s "Love Your W" breast cancer awareness campaign. On March 27, 2025, Kim donated to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association to aid victims of the 2025 South Korea wildfires.

On August 7, 2026, Kim Ji-won donated KRW 100 million to support ward environment improvements at Seoul National University Children's Hospital and medical expenses for low-income patients. The donation will be used to help reduce the financial burden of treatment for children with severe, rare, and intractable diseases and their families who travel from across South Korea, as well as to provide a safer and more comfortable environment for treatment.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2011 Romantic Heaven Choi Mi-mi TBA Detective Park Mi-ok Park Mi-ok

Web series Year Title Role 2014 One Sunny Day Kim Ji-ho 2010 "Lollipop Pt. 2" BigBang

Discography Singles Title Year Album "Pick a Star from the Sky" 2010 OranC Commercial "Over the Rainbow" 2012 High Kick: Revenge of the Short Legged OST

Accolades Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award Ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2016 Best Supporting Actress Descendants of the Sun 2024 Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Queen of Tears Asia Artist Awards 2016 Best Celebrity Award, Actress Kim Ji-won Baeksang Arts Awards 2023 Best Actress – Television My Liberation Notes Actress of the Year (Vietnam) Elle Style Awards 2016 Young Icon Award Kim Ji-won Fundex Awards 2024 Best Actress – Television Queen of Tears Global Film & Television Huading Awards 2023 Best Global Leading Actress – Television My Liberation Notes iMBC Awards 2025 Best Actress Queen of Tears KBS Drama Awards 2016 Best Couple Award Kim Ji-won Descendants of the Sun 2024 Best Couple Award Kim Ji-won Queen of Tears Popularity Award, Actress Kim Ji-won Top Excellence Award, Actress Queen of Tears Korea First Brand Awards 2025 Best Actress (Vietnam) SBS Drama Awards 2013 New Star Award The Heirs

State and cultural honors + Name of country or organization, year given, and name of honor Country or Organization Year Honor Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards 2025 Prime Minister's Commendation

Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Forbes 2025 Korea Power Celebrity 40 23rd Gallup Korea 2024 Gallup Korea's Favorite Television ActorIn the survey, Kim Ji-won tied with Namkoong Min, each receiving 2.9% of the votes. 2024 Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year 3rd 2025 3rd