Kim Woo-bin

1.1. Childhood and Education

Kim Woo-bin was born Kim Hyun-joong on July 16, 1989, in Seoul, South Korea, as the eldest of two children in his family, which includes a younger sister who is three years his junior. From an early age, Kim developed a keen interest in the arts, engaging in hobbies such as calligraphy and painting. He attended art classes for six years, fostering his artistic inclinations. His mother, who worked as a 논술 (essay writing) teacher, significantly influenced his interest in fashion by personally making clothes for him.

During his elementary school years, Kim's initial dream was to become a biology professor at Seoul National University. He was an academically strong student, ranking among the top five in his class during middle school. After graduating from elementary school, he spent his middle and high school years in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. While in middle school, he began to aspire to become a model. He was conscious of how others perceived him, even styling his hair and dressing up to go to the local supermarket. His parents were supportive of his modeling aspirations, encouraging him to stay close to books and films.

In high school, Kim actively pursued his dream, corresponding with a modeling professor at Daekyung University from his first year. He participated in the Supermodel Camp hosted by Daekyung University in 2005. To prepare for his modeling career, he undertook rigorous physical training and posture correction. He made a significant effort to gain weight, increasing his body mass from 128 lb ^{(58 kg)} to 154 lb ^{(70 kg)} over three months by consuming large quantities of boiled eggs, chicken breast, and protein. Despite the limited opportunities to attend live fashion shows in Jeonju, he diligently studied show videos and magazines, and also took lessons in ballet and jazz dance. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the Department of Performing Arts and Entertainment at Jeonju University. During university breaks, he gained further experience by working as a fitting model.

1.2. Early Career Beginnings

Kim Woo-bin's official debut as a runway model took place on October 18, 2008, at the Seoul Fashion Week '09 S/S Kim Seo-ryong Homme Show. After moving to Seoul, he supported himself through various part-time jobs, including serving, to avoid relying on his parents while pursuing his modeling career. In March 2009, he began his extensive work as a magazine model, appearing in publications such as Maxim, Vogue Girl, Elle Girl, and Men's Health. He consistently participated in every season of Seoul Fashion Week from 2008 to 2013, even after making his acting debut. Designers like Kang Dong-jun praised his exceptional expressiveness as a model. His tall stature of 74 in ^{(188 cm)}, distinctive facial features, and imposing presence made him a highly sought-after model. Kim expressed his gratitude for his modeling career, stating that it allowed him to pursue acting and that he never wanted to give it up.

His initial foray into acting began in 2009 with his appearance in the music video for Sandara Park's song "Kiss". Kim initially started studying acting not with the intention of becoming an actor, but to improve his skills as a model, as he felt acting ability was necessary for commercial auditions. He was initially reluctant to attend acting classes provided by his agency, as his ultimate goal was to become a modeling professor. However, he developed a passion for acting after being inspired by the dedication of his acting coach, Moon Won-joo. Even after his initial modeling agency closed, Moon Won-joo continued to mentor him at his home. Kim later cited Moon Won-joo as his acting role model. He meticulously prepares for his roles by creating detailed character biographies and answering 100 questions about his characters, believing that acting should be as truthful as possible.

2.1. Modeling Career

Kim Woo-bin commenced his professional modeling career in 2008, making his runway debut at the Seoul Fashion Week '09 S/S Kim Seo-ryong Homme Show. He quickly became a fixture in the fashion world, participating in numerous prêt-à-porter and Seoul Fashion Week collections. His distinctive look and commanding presence on the runway led him to work with renowned designers, including Kang Dong-jun's D.GNAK collection, Kim Seo-ryong Homme, Jung Du-young's Vanhart di Albazar, and Song Hye-myung's Dominic's Way collection. Kang Dong-jun notably praised Kim Woo-bin for his exceptional expressive abilities as a model.

Beyond the runway, Kim was a prolific print model, appearing in major fashion magazines such as Maxim, Vogue Girl, Elle Girl, and Men's Health starting in March 2009. His success in the modeling industry also extended to international commercial endorsements; he became the first East Asian model for Calvin Klein Watches + Jewelry.

His notable fashion show appearances include:

• Lone Costume (2006)
• Seoul F/W (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
• Prêt-à-Porter S/S (2009, 2011)
• Seoul Collection S/S (2009, 2010, 2011)
• Maxim Fashion Show (2009)
• Prêt-à-Porter F/W (2011)
• Seoul Fashion Week D.GNAK by Kang D. (2011, 2012, 2013)
• Seoul Fashion Week Vanhart di Albazar (2012)
• Seoul Fashion Week Dominic's Way (2012, 2013)
• Seoul Fashion Week F/W 2013: Kim Seo-ryong Homme (2013)
• Guess Underwear Launching Show
• Lie Sang Bong
• Porsche
• Louis Quatorze show
• Loewe

2.2. Acting Debut and Early Roles

Kim Woo-bin initiated his acting career in 2011, transitioning from modeling to television. He secured his first acting role in the KBS drama White Christmas after an audition where he performed a powerful scene from the play Hot Sea. Despite a reduction in his character's screen time due to script changes, his portrayal of the rebellious high school student Kang Mi-reu, characterized by his distinctive red hair and intense performance, garnered attention.

In July 2011, he appeared in the KBS Drama Special titled Cupid Factory, taking on the significant role of rising composer Roy. Later that year, in December, he joined the cast of the MBN daily sitcom Vampire Idol, playing Gabry Laris, a naive vampire and bodyguard to a vampire prince, known for his exceptional hearing. However, the sitcom concluded earlier than planned due to low ratings.

In January 2012, Kim signed an exclusive contract with SidusHQ, a major entertainment agency. Around this time, he adopted the stage name Kim Woo-bin to avoid confusion with another celebrity who shared his birth name, Kim Hyun-joong. His father personally chose the Chinese characters for his new stage name, which is written as 金宇彬^Chinese (Jīn yǔbīn) in Chinese-speaking regions.

In April 2012, he was cast in the SBS romantic comedy drama A Gentleman's Dignity, where he played Kim Dong-hyub, a student with a crush on his teacher. His audition for the role involved a memorable exchange about his future aspirations. His performance, coupled with his unique fashion sense, earned him praise and the affectionate nickname "teacher-student couple" with his co-star, Kim Ha-neul. The same year, he made a cameo appearance in the final runway scene of the film Runway Cop in May and later had a special guest role as photographer John Kim in episodes 9 to 11 of the SBS drama To the Beautiful You in August.

2.3. Breakthrough and Rising Popularity

Kim Woo-bin's career saw a significant surge in 2013, marking his breakthrough year with pivotal roles in both television and film. In October 2012, he was cast as Park Heung-soo, a listless, rebellious student who had to give up his dream of being a soccer player due to injury, in the KBS drama School 2013. He secured this role after a highly competitive audition, which he he attended personally, wearing the school uniform from his previous drama, A Gentleman's Dignity. He prepared a self-introduction that began with the line, "God only gives trials to those who can overcome them," a quote that had greatly inspired him during difficult times. Kim chose to appear in School 2013 because he felt it realistically depicted the struggles of troubled youth and the harsh realities of the school system, believing it would be a meaningful project regardless of its commercial success or his personal popularity. He expressed his hope that the drama would positively influence young people facing similar challenges. To embody the character of Park Heung-soo, Kim intentionally slowed his movements and speech, aiming to fully convey the character's lethargy and emotional state. He cited the reconciliation scene with his co-star Lee Jong-suk as the most memorable part of the drama. The drama's director, Lee Min-hong, praised Kim Woo-bin for his quick learning and his ability to convey a sense of solitude and melancholy. Following the drama's conclusion, Kim and the cast donated their appearance fees from the special broadcast, School 2013 Special: Let's Go to School. For his performance, Kim was nominated for Best New Actor at the 49th Baeksang Arts Awards and the 6th Korea Drama Awards, and he won the Best New Actor award at the 2nd APAN Star Awards. He also narrated a two-part EBS documentary on school violence, leveraging his role to address a serious social issue.

In March 2013, Kim made his official big-screen debut in the film Friend: The Great Legacy, the sequel to the 2001 box office hit Friend. He was cast alongside Yoo Oh-seong and Joo Jin-mo as Choi Sung-hoon, the hidden son of the character Dong-su. Kim described his character as complex, capable of both affection and sudden, intense cruelty. To prepare for the role, he gained 20 lb ^{(9 kg)} and spent three months living with actors from Ulsan to master the local dialect, even practicing lines with pitch graphs. Director Kwak Kyung-taek praised Kim as a capable lead actor, highlighting his self-management, charisma, diligence, intelligence, and ability to blend his strengths into his performance. The film, released on November 14, 2013, quickly surpassed 1 million viewers in just three days, becoming the fastest R-rated film to reach this milestone, and ultimately drawing approximately 2.97 M viewers. While critics had mixed reviews for the film's overall structure, Kim Woo-bin's acting received widespread acclaim, with film critic Lee Dong-jin noting his performance as the most outstanding. He received the Popular Star Award at the 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards and the Hana Financial Group Star Award at the 51st Grand Bell Awards for his work in the film. He was also nominated for Best New Actor at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards, the 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards, and the 9th Max Movie Awards.

From August 15, 2013, to February 13, 2014, Kim served as the main host for Mnet's music program M! Countdown, stepping down to focus on his acting commitments.

In July 2013, Kim was cast as Choi Young-do, a high school heir to the Zeus Hotel, in the SBS drama The Heirs, a role that became a turning point in his acting career. Screenwriter Kim Eun-sook stated she wanted to work with Kim again after his strong performance in A Gentleman's Dignity. The drama, which premiered on October 9, 2013, earned Kim significant praise for his acting. He personally developed Choi Young-do's unique speech patterns and believed the character was fundamentally good, with rebellious actions stemming from complex emotions. Kim emphasized his commitment to portraying the character's gradual transformation with natural detail. After the drama concluded, he reflected on learning the importance of considering the staff and expressed his desire to choose roles based on their ability to resonate with viewers, without distinguishing between film and drama. For his role in The Heirs, Kim received the Popular Foreign Actor award at the China TV Drama Awards and the Top 10 Stars award at the 2013 SBS Drama Awards, where he also served as an MC.

In 2014, Kim Woo-bin embarked on an Asian fan meeting tour, visiting Seoul, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, and Bangkok. Tickets for his Taipei fan meeting sold out within five minutes, and an additional show also sold out in the same timeframe. Similarly, tickets for his Bangkok fan meeting caused a server crash due to high demand, with 2,500 tickets selling out in nine minutes.

On January 27, 2014, it was announced that Kim was cast as Lee Ji-hyuk, a versatile safe-cracker skilled in forgery and planning, in the film The Con Artists. The film, directed by Kim Hong-sun (who won the Best New Director award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for The Traffickers), was filmed from March to August 2014 and premiered on December 24, 2014. Director Kim Hong-sun stated that he envisioned no one else but Kim Woo-bin for the role of Ji-hyuk, having been impressed by his performance in School 2013 and a preview of Friend: The Great Legacy. Kim decided to join the project due to its intriguing script and the opportunity to work with talented actors. He aimed to immerse himself in the character by avoiding similar films and spent time imagining Ji-hyuk's daily life, even writing a detailed biography for the character. Critics generally praised Kim Woo-bin's acting in the film, with Cine21 noting his ability to carry the film while showcasing his star power. He was nominated for Best Actor at the 10th Max Movie Awards and Most Popular Actor at the 51st Baeksang Arts Awards for this role.

In April 2014, Kim was cast as Cha Chi-ho, a jobless young man with uncontrollable urges towards women, in director Lee Byung-heon's commercial film debut, Twenty. Kim stated that he chose the role after reading the script and immediately feeling a strong desire to be part of the project. Filming took place from July to November 2014, and the movie was released on March 25, 2015. Director Lee Byung-heon, who had observed Kim since School 2013, cast him to utilize his inherent lightness and playfulness, despite his previous serious roles. Kim prepared for the role by devising over ten variations for a single line of dialogue and found the character's bright and solitary aspects relatable. He hoped the film would encourage viewers to be fearless and embrace new experiences. Twenty attracted approximately 3 M viewers and received positive reviews for Kim Woo-bin's comedic performance. For his role, he received the Popularity Award at the Korean Film Actors' Guild Awards. In July 2014, he was also honored with the Fantasia Award at the 18th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, an award chosen directly by the citizens of Bucheon for the most anticipated actor at the opening ceremony. In September 2014, he was cast as the "Dating God" in the web drama Love Cells, appearing in specific episodes that premiered on Naver TV in November.

2.4. Hiatus and Return

In August 2015, Kim Woo-bin was cast as top star Shin Joon-young alongside Bae Suzy in the KBS drama Uncontrollably Fond, written by Lee Kyung-hee. At the drama's press conference on July 4, 2016, Kim revealed that he was drawn to the project after hearing that writer Lee Kyung-hee had mentioned him for a new work, and because he was a long-time admirer of her previous dramas. He decided to join after reading the synopsis and being particularly moved by the ending of the 20-episode series.

In December 2015, Kim was announced as part of the cast for Master, the next film by director Jo Ui-seok of Cold Eyes fame. He played Park Jang-goon, the brilliant strategist for Chairman Jin's One Network. Filming began on April 23, 2016. The movie premiered in December 2016 and became the 11th bestselling film in South Korea for 2016. In 2017, Kim was cast in the crime caper film Wiretap by Choi Dong-hoon, but the project was suspended due to his health.

On May 24, 2017, Kim's agency, SidusHQ, announced that he had been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer. He immediately began drug and radiation treatment and halted all his activities. On December 29, Kim shared in a letter that he had completed his treatment plan for the cancer. Despite his recovery, he was exempted from military service. His first public appearance after his hiatus was at the 40th Blue Dragon Film Awards on November 21, 2019.

In December 2019, Kim's contract with SidusHQ concluded. In February 2020, he signed an exclusive contract with AM Entertainment, signaling his return to the entertainment industry. He officially resumed work in April 2020. On March 11, 2020, AM Entertainment announced that Kim would be making his big-screen comeback in Choi Dong-hoon's science fiction film Alienoid, starring alongside Ryu Jun-yeol and Kim Tae-ri. The film premiered in July 2022, with Kim playing 'Guard', a character responsible for managing alien prisoners.

In 2022, Kim also co-starred in acclaimed screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung's television series Our Blues, marking his return to television. In 2023, he starred in the Netflix original series Black Knight, portraying 5-8, a legendary delivery driver. He is also set to appear in Alienoid: Return to the Future in 2024, reprising his role as Guard. Additionally, he is cast in the 2024 Netflix film Officer Black Belt as Lee Jung-do and the 2024 web series All The Love You Wish For as Genie, reuniting with co-star Suzy and screenwriter Kim Eun-sook.

3.1. Film

3.2. Television Series

3.3. Web Series

3.4. Television Shows

3.5. Music Videos

4.1. Soundtrack Appearances