1. Overview
Kim Si-eun (김시은Kim Si-eunKorean) is a prominent South Korean actress and YouTuber who has also engaged in modeling. Born on October 29, 2000, in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, she debuted in the entertainment industry in 2016 through the variety show Boys & Girls on Tooniverse and made her acting debut in the same year with the JTBC drama Hello, My Twenties!. Throughout her career, Kim Si-eun has gained recognition for her lead roles in web series such as Crushes Reverse, Miss Independent Ji Eun 2, and Monchouchou Globalhouse. She is also widely known for her role as Yook-jo in the popular Netflix drama Love Alarm. Beyond her acting work, Kim Si-eun's commitment to social and environmental causes is notable, particularly through her role as an Honorary Ambassador for the 2019 Asia-Pacific Forest Conference, an initiative that emphasizes international cooperation in forestry and environmental awareness. Her acting portfolio spans various genres across television dramas, web series, and films, including notable appearances in School 2017, Homemade Love Story, Insider, and the film Good Morning, as well as a significant role in the second season of Squid Game as Kim Young-mi.
2. Early Life and Background
Kim Si-eun was born on October 29, 2000, in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She is the second of three children, with an older brother born in 1999 and a younger brother named Kim Ji-hoo, born in 2005. Her initial foray into the entertainment industry was in 2016, when she appeared as a cast member on the Tooniverse variety program Boys & Girls. In the same year, she officially began her acting career with a role in the JTBC television drama Hello, My Twenties!.
3. Education
Kim Si-eun's educational journey includes attending Gahyeon Elementary School from 2007 to 2013 and Gochang Middle School from 2013 to 2016. In 2016, she enrolled at Kaywon High School of Arts but subsequently withdrew. Demonstrating her commitment to her studies, she successfully passed the high school equivalency examination in 2018, obtaining her high school diploma.
4. Family
Kim Si-eun is the middle child in her family, with an older brother born in 1999, and a younger brother named Kim Ji-hoo, born in 2005.
5. Acting Career
Kim Si-eun has established a notable career in acting, participating in a variety of television dramas, web series, and films since her debut. Her roles have spanned different genres and character types, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
5.1. Debut
Kim Si-eun began her career in the entertainment industry in 2016. Her initial appearance was as a cast member on the Tooniverse variety show Boys & Girls. In the same year, she made her official acting debut in the JTBC television drama Hello, My Twenties!, marking the beginning of her professional acting journey.
5.2. Television Dramas
Kim Si-eun has appeared in numerous television dramas, taking on a range of roles.
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Hello, My Twenties! | Young Jin-myung | JTBC | 12 episodes |
| 2017 | School 2017 | Lee Min-jung | KBS2 | 16 episodes |
| 2018 | When Time Stopped | Si-eun | KBS W | |
| Bad Papa | Young Choi Sun-joo | MBC | Child role for Son Yeo-eun; 32 episodes | |
| Room No. 9 | Young Kim Hye-sun | TvN | Child role for Park Hyun-jung; 16 episodes | |
| Folklore | Seo-woo's friend | HBO Asia | Episode: "Mongdal"; 6 episodes | |
| 2019 | Mon ChouChou Global House | Moon So-ra | SBS | 12 episodes |
| 2020 | Nobody Knows | Choi Soo-jung | SBS | 16 episodes |
| Homemade Love Story | Cha Ba-reun | KBS2 | 50 episodes | |
| Drama Special | Young-yi | KBS2 | Episode: "Modern Girl"; one-act drama | |
| 2021 | Voice | Kwon Saet Byeol | TvN | Season 4; episodes 8-9, 11-12 |
| 2022 | Tomorrow | Ryu Cho-hui / Gop-dan | MBC | Episodes 14-16; 16 episodes |
| Insider | Park Ro-sa | JTBC | 16 episodes | |
| O'pening: Stock of High School | Kang Yoo-jung | TvN | One-act drama; season 5 | |
| 2024 | Dear Hyeri | Ju Hye-ri (Young) | ENA | Episode 5; 12 episodes |
| Family Matters | Kwon Min-jeong | Coupang Play | ||
| Squid Game Season 2 | Kim Young-mi (Participant 095) | Netflix |
5.3. Web Series
Kim Si-eun has taken on lead and supporting roles in several web series, which are gaining popularity for their accessible platforms.
| Year | Title | Role | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Crushes Reverse | Yoo So-mi | YouTube | 8 episodes |
| 2018 | A-Teen | Park Ye-ji | ||
| 2019 | Miss Independent Ji Eun 2 | Lee Ji-eun | Naver TV | 16 episodes |
| 2019 | Love Alarm | Yook-jo | Netflix | 8 episodes |
| 2021 | Love Alarm 2 | Yook-jo | Netflix | 6 episodes |
5.4. Film
Kim Si-eun's filmography includes the following productions:
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Good Morning | Hee-sun | Cha Bong-joo |
5.5. Other Appearances
Beyond her work in dramas and films, Kim Si-eun has also appeared in various other media, including variety shows, music videos, and commercials.
5.5.1. Variety Shows
| Year | Channel | Title | Role | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Tooniverse | Boys & Girls | Cast Member | 2016.02.23 - 2016.03.16 | |
| Cast Member | 2016.04.19 - 2016.06.21 | ||||
| 2017 | Stress Zero Zone Blow Away | Cast Member | 2017.01.05 - 2017.05.30 | ||
| 2018 | JTBC2 | You Fell For Me | Cast Member | 2018.05.03 - 2018.07.05 | |
| 2018 | YouTube | Vita Si-eun TV | Host | Web variety show | |
| 2019 | YouTube | Peach Entertainment | Host | Web variety show |
5.5.2. Music Videos
| Year | Artist | Song Title | Co-star |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Shin Seung-hun | "Polaroid" | |
| 2021 | Jung Seung-hwan | "Friend, That Long Time" | Jung Seung-hwan |
5.5.3. Commercials
| Year | Advertiser | Brand | Type | Co-star |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | GN Food | Goobne Chicken - Goobne Honey Melo with Kim Si-eun | Fast Food | |
| 2019 | Company Favor | Daily Skin - Secret of Our School's Best Goddess | Cosmetics | |
| 2021 | Google Play Unboxing Play | App store |
6. Ambassadorships
In 2019, Kim Si-eun was appointed as an Honorary Ambassador for the Asia-Pacific Forest Conference (APFC·APFW). This role highlights her contribution to promoting environmental awareness and the importance of sustainable forestry practices in the Asia-Pacific region.
7. Awards and Nominations
As of the information available, Kim Si-eun has not been listed with any specific awards or nominations for her professional achievements.