Kim Ok-bin

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This is a Korean name; the family name is Kim.
Kim Ok-bin

Born December 29, 1986 (1986-12-29) (age 21)
Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Other name(s) Kim Ok-vin
Occupation Actress and model
Years active 2005—present
Korean name
Hangul 김옥빈
Hanja 金玉彬
Revised Romanization Kim Okpin
McCune-Reischauer Gim Ok-bin

Kim Ok-bin (born December 29, 1986) is a South Korean actress and model.

Contents

[edit] Career

The eldest of three siblings,[1] Kim made her debut in an online beauty contest hosted by web portal Naver in 2004.[2] Despite having little prior acting experience, she was cast of one of the three leads in the 2005 film Voice,[3] a role which saw her nominated for "Best New Actress" at both the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards.[4][5]

Kim next starred as the lead actress in Hanoi Bride, a two-part SBS drama aired during the Chuseok holidays to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam war. Her performance as Vietnamese girl Lý Thị Vũ caught the attention of film director E J Yong, who subsequently cast her as the main character in his 2006 film Dasepo Naughty Girls, based on a popular webcomic. E commented that, "Not many young actresses would be mature enough to completely understand the heroine who has to support the family by selling herself as a prostitute... But Kim seemed like an actress who had the ability to understand the character."[1] Despite her initial reluctance due to the original comic having some explicit scenes, she ultimately took the part, having faith in the director because of his previous works.[6]

Kim auditioned for a part in the 2006 KBS drama series Hello, God, and after impressing director Ji Yeong-soo with her "intense determination", was handed a leading role as confidence trickster Seo Eun-hye. While filming the series, Kim struggled with self-doubts over her own ability, and with a tight schedule only allowing her two hours of sleep per day, was reported to have collapsed on set.[1] Later that year, she appeared in MBC drama Over the Rainbow as aspiring pop singer Jeong Hee-su, a part which required her to sing and master difficult breakdance moves. Series producer Han Hee complimented Kim, saying, "She is a bold actress. She’s very enthusiastic about her role with an almost perfectionist attitude."[2] However, she caused some concern when she admitted to only eating one meal per day while filming the drama.[7]

In 2008, Kim will appear alongside Lee Jung-jae in the film Disturbance In Her Barroom, a Joseon-era tale in which she plays a kisaeng.[8] In February 2008, she was announced as the female lead in Park Chan-wook's latest film, Thirst (aka Evil Live),[9] which is scheduled to begin filming in April.[10]

Speaking of her own ambitions as an actress, Kim has said, "I am not attracted to easy and simple roles... I only feel alive when I am challenged with difficult roles that push me to improve my acting skills".[1]

[edit] In the media

Kim faced criticism after appearing on a TV show and saying, "I don’t like men who use discount cards at fancy restaurants", with some calling her doinjangnyeo, a term referring to women who rely on rich parents or boyfriends rather than their own income. The incident had a negative impact on her popularity, though she later stated that her comments were taken out of context.[2]

[edit] Martial arts

A keen martial artist, Kim has attained third dan in Hapgido, and second dan in Taekwondo. She also practices Muay Thai.[2]

[edit] Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Voice Yeong-eon
Hanoi Bride (TV) Lý Thị Vũ
2006 Hello, God (TV) Seo Eun-hye
Arang Cameo appearance.
Over the Rainbow (TV) Jeong Hee-su Also sang "Start" on the soundtrack.
Dasepo Naughty Girls Poor Girl
Racing Unreleased.
2007 War of Money (TV) Soo-young Appeared only in the four bonus episodes.
2008 Disturbance in Her Barroom Seol-ji In pre-production; due for release in 2008.
Thirst Tae-joo In production.

[edit] Music videos

  • "A Cold Heart" — Lee Seung-chul (2004)
  • "위태로운 이야기" ("Dangerous Love") — Lena Park (2006)
  • "물끄러미" ("Absentmindedly") — Zi-A (2007)

[edit] Awards and nominations

Year Group Award Film/Series Result Ref.
2005 Blue Dragon Film Awards Best New Actress Voice Nominated [4]
2006 Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actress Voice Nominated [5]
MBC Drama Awards PD Award Won [11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Shin Hae-in, "[UP AND COMING TALENTS (8)] Kim Ok-bin: 'greedy' actress", The Korea Herald, February 9, 2006. A free copy of this article can be read at HanCinema. Retrieved on January 23, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d "Speaking Her Mind", The Dong-A Ilbo, August 5, 2006. Retrieved on January 23, 2008.
  3. ^ "Close your ears!", The Malay Mail. Retrieved on January 23, 2008.
  4. ^ a b "26th Blue Dragon Awards Winners", Twitch, November 30, 2005. Retrieved on January 22, 2008.
  5. ^ a b "42nd Baeksang Awards Nominations [+Winners]", Twitch, April 14, 2006. Retrieved on January 22, 2008.
  6. ^ Kim Tae-jong, "Popular Internet Comic Is Made Into Film", The Korea Times, August 6, 2006. A free copy of this article can be read at Empas. Retrieved on January 24, 2008.
  7. ^ Bae Ji-sook, "Excessive Diet Leads to Anorexia", The Korea Times, October 25, 2006. A free copy of this article can be read at Empas. Retrieved on January 26, 2008.
  8. ^ Disturbance in Her Barroom, AFM. Retrieved on January 26, 2008.
  9. ^ "Director Park Chanwook Chooses Heroine for Steamy Vampire", Arirang, February 12, 2008. Retrieved on February 20, 2008.
  10. ^ "Song Kang-ho in Evil Live is vampire pastor?", HanCinema, April 3, 2008. Retrieved on April 18, 2008.
  11. ^ "2006 MBC 연기대상에 '주몽' 송일국", hankooki.com, December 31, 2006. Retrieved on January 22, 2008. (Korean)

[edit] External links


Persondata
NAME Kim Ok-bin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Kim Ok-vin (alt spelling); 김옥빈 (hangul)
SHORT DESCRIPTION South Korean actress and model
DATE OF BIRTH December 29, 1986
PLACE OF BIRTH Jeollanam-do, South Korea
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH