Kim Soo-hyun
A South Korean actor whose emotional depth and everyman charm turned him into a national superstar and a box-office guarantee.
Born 1988 (age 38)·South Korean actor·Birthday: February 16·Millennials
Biography
Kim Soo-hyun didn't just become a star; he became a cultural barometer in South Korea. After a quiet debut in 2007, his breakout came as an ambitious country boy in the 2011 music drama 'Dream High.' But it was his 2012 turn as a lovesick king in the historical fantasy 'Moon Embracing the Sun' that launched him into the stratosphere, making the drama a national event. He then proved his cinematic pull, headlining the record-breaking heist film 'The Thieves' and the quirky spy comedy 'Secretly, Greatly,' where he showcased a surprising physicality. After mandatory military service, his 2020 return in the psychological drama 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' cemented his status, tackling mental health with a nuanced performance that resonated globally. His career is a masterclass in selective projects, each role amplifying his reputation for authenticity and emotional precision.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kim was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kim Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Kim's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won five Baeksang Arts Awards, South Korea's most prestigious entertainment honors.
- Starred in 'Moon Embracing the Sun,' a drama that achieved peak ratings of over 42%, a phenomenon in Korean broadcasting.
- Headlined 'The Thieves,' which became the second highest-grossing Korean film of all time at its release.
- His leading role in 'Secretly, Greatly' involved extensive physical transformation and martial arts training for the part.
- His post-military drama 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' became an international hit on Netflix, broadening the reach of Korean content.
Did You Know?
He majored in Theatre and Film at Chung-Ang University, graduating with top honors.
He is known for his singing ability, having contributed OST songs to several of his own dramas.
He holds the record for the highest-paid actor per episode in Korean television history for his role in 'The Producers.'
Before his acting debut, he was a competitive speed skater in his youth.
“I don't think I'm particularly handsome or talented. I just try to be sincere in my work.”
