Kim Woo-bin

Kim Woo-bin
Kim Woo-bin at the 18th PiFan opening ceremony in Bucheon on July 17, 2014
Native name	김우빈
Born	Kim Hyun-joong (1989-07-16) July 16, 1989 Seoul, South Korea
Education	Jeonju University
Occupation	Actor, model
Years active	2009–present
Agent	SidusHQ
Height	188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Religion	Roman Catholic[1]
Korean name
Hangul	김우빈
Revised Romanization	Gim U-bin
McCune–Reischauer	Kim U-bin
Birth name
Hangul	김현중
Hanja	金賢中
Revised Romanization	Gim Hyeon-jung
McCune–Reischauer	Kim Hyŏn-chung

Kim Woo-bin (born July 16, 1989) is a South Korean actor and model.^[2]

Career

2009-2010: Modeling career

Kim Woo-Bin (Kim Hyun-Joong) initially wanted to pursue a modeling career, since he was a high school student. He debuted as a runway model in 2009 at the age of 20 and began appearing in prêt-à-porter and Seoul Fashion Week collections.^[3]

2011-2012: Acting debut

As his modeling career progressed, he started doing commercials which required basic acting skills. So Kim began studying acting to become a better model, under acting coach Moon Won-joo.^[4] But Kim fell in love with acting, saying, "In the course of doing so, I found myself feeling the same thrill and enthusiasm that I felt the first time I came to walk on the runway."^[2]

Under the stage name Kim Woo-bin, he made his acting debut in 2011, starring in mystery drama White Christmas and the low-rated cable sitcom Vampire Idol.^[5][6][7]

In 2012, he had a supporting role in the romantic comedy A Gentleman's Dignity, written by famed screenwriter Kim Eun-sook.^[8][9][10] Next came a two-episode guest appearance in manga adaptation To the Beautiful You.^[11]

2013: Rising popularity

2013 became Kim's breakout year.^[12] First, he joined the ensemble cast of up-and-coming actors in the teen drama School 2013.^[13][14]

This was followed by Kim Eun-sook's high-profile trendy drama The Heirs, in which he played the rebellious chaebol heir to a hotel and resorts chain who falls into an unrequited love.^[15][16][17] His popularity rose after The Heirs, which led to increased advertising contracts and acting offers.^[18][19][20]

Later that year, Kim appeared in his first major film role in Friend: The Great Legacy, the blockbuster sequel to Kwak Kyung-taek's 2001 box office hit.^[21] Calling his role of a rising Busan gangster as "the ultimate in rebel roles," Kim said he loved the original film so much that when he heard a sequel was being developed, he pursued getting cast without even reading the script, gaining 9 kilograms for his role.^{[22][23][24][25]}

He also became the host of cable music program M! Countdown from August 15, 2013 to February 13, 2014.^[26][27][28]

2014-present: International fame

After his rise in popularity in 2013, Kim continued appearing in big screen projects. In January 2014, he was cast in the heist movie The Con Artists, in which he played a top safe-cracker alongside rising star Lee Hyun Woo.^[29] He also set aside the rebellious persona he had become known for, and took on a more comedic character in indie director Lee Byung-heon's sophomore effort Twenty. Starring in the film with 2PM's Lee Junho and his previous co-star from The Heirs Kang Ha-neul, the film explored the lives and loves of a trio of friends who have just turned 20.^[30]

In 2015, Kim appeared in an ad campaign for Calvin Klein Watches + Jewelry, making him the first East Asian model for the brand.^[31] Samhwa Network has also confirmed Kim's first drama comeback in Carelessly Affectionate in 3 years since The Heirs, written by screenwriter Lee Kyung-hee who is famous for penning melodramas such as I'm Sorry, I Love You and The Innocent Man. Set to air in 2016, the upcoming drama also stars Miss A's Suzy in the female lead role.^[32] and joined Kang Dong-won for the master ^[33]

Personal life

Kim's best friend is Lee Jong-suk, whom he met during his modeling days. Their real-life friendship has led to various collaborations; they played estranged best friends in teen drama School 2013, and have filmed commercials and photo shoots together. Kim is also close friends with fellow model-turned-actors Kim Young-kwang, Lee Soo-hyuk, Hong Jong-hyun and Sung Joon, and has worked with them onscreen in White Christmas and Vampire Idol.^[34]

Kim met model Yoo Ji-ahn at a magazine photo shoot in 2011, and they began dating shortly after. He confirmed their relationship in September 2013, but the couple broke up in January 2014.^[35]

Kim's agency SidusHQ confirmed in July 2015 that he is currently dating actress Shin Min-a they reportedly met in February 2015 and they grew close after that and began dating in May 2015.^[36]

Filmography

Films

Television series

Web series

Music video

Variety shows

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Kim Woo-bin at SidusHQ
• Kim Woo-bin at HanCinema
• Kim Woo-bin at the Internet Movie Database