K-Drama Star Kim Go-Eun’s Beauty Evolution Through The Years
Our favorite fresh-faced unnie is the epitome of unconventional, natural beauty!
While there was already much buzz surrounding Kim Go-eun after her riveting performance in the 2012 film A Muse, her popularity skyrocketed further when fantasy drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (aka Goblin) became a cultural phenomenon in South Korea. Many were quick to react to her unique looks and monolid eyes; fans were pleased to see that she was setting new beauty standards in Korea while critics thought her too plain-faced.
She’s one of the few Korean celebrities who, save for a brief period of considering a double-eyelid surgery, isn’t at all keen on going under the knife, having expressed her fear of needles. Coupled with her superior acting chops, her natural beauty has certainly taken her places! From the silver screen to the small screen, from CFs to luxe brand beauty campaigns, there’s no shortage of Kim Go-eun visuals!
Take a trip back in time by swiping through our gallery to see how her looks have evolved throughout the years!
Kim Go-eun Evolution
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Pre-Debut
Still in high school and already Ji Eun-tak in the making! If there was one role Go-eun was born to play, it’s definitely that one. (But we have awhile to go before we get there; we hope you stick around!)
Photo Credit: Channel Korea
A Muse (2012)
At 21 years old, she had zero professional acting experience, but her look and her skill stood out from that of 300 other hopefuls—for a provocative film that would require much on her part, no less. Director Jung Ji-woo himself told The Korea Herald that he wasn’t looking for someone with a conventionally pretty face, but rather one who was unaware of her own beauty.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Monster (2014)
Go-eun’s unique look gives her the gravitas to take on the character Bok-soon, a young woman with a developmental disability that is consumed by rage due to the death of her sister. She sports a fuss-free bob and full bangs this time, a style well-suited to Bok-soon’s simple, no-frills lifestyle.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Memories of the Sword (2015)
For her first martial arts romance film, Go-eun plays Hong-ee/Seol-hee, the daughter of a Goryeo era swordsman who is training to be a sword master herself. She sports longer locks befitting of the time period here, often worn up in a messy bun or ponytail, and tied back with a cloth ribbon.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Coin Locker Girl (2015)
This early into her career, it’s evident that the sky’s the limit for Go-eun. In this film, she portrays Il-young, a woman who was abandoned in a coin locker as a baby. She is later sold to a loan shark lackey by a corrupt detective as payment for his debt. Go-eun wears her hair even shorter here—messy and unkempt, just like Il-young’s circumstances.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
The Advocate: A Missing Body (2015)
She goes back to the shaggy bob-and-bangs combo for this law-firm centric film, where she plays passionate rookie prosecutor Jin Sun-min. Styled to match her profession, she either wears her hair loose or up in a short, neat ponytail. Her make-up is, of course, natural and workplace-appropriate to match.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Canola (2016)
In this film, Go-eun plays Hye-ji, a young woman who is reunited with her grandmother (portrayed by Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung) after 12 years of being separated. She sports short hair parted to the side, befitting the life of a teenager—Go-eun’s youthful looks really fit these type of roles!—whose tough life was shaped by big city petty crimes.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Cheese in the Trap (2016)
Go-eun’s crossover to the small screen has her playing Hong Seol, a hard-working college student who is set on figuring out her sunbae Yoo Jung’s (Park Hae-jin) true motives. She makes a splash with her long auburn tresses and wispy bangs—a style we hadn’t seen from her until now!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
A lot of us were introduced to Go-eun as the plucky Ji Eun-tak, a high school girl who is a “missing soul” as well as the great Goblin’s bride. She sports a shoulder-length cut with soft layers and a side part for most of the show, and goes for shorter layers with a center part to portray the character in her older years.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Off-duty casual (2018)
Still a stunner au naturel!
Photo Credit: @ggonekim
Sunset in my Hometown (2018)
Back to portraying a countryside girl, Go-eun’s character Sun-mi keep things neat and simple by tying her short hair back in a ponytail. Flashbacks to her youth show her sporting shoulder-length tresses with soft layers and side bangs.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Tune in For Love (2019)
A part-time worker at a bakery who eventually becomes a book publisher, we see Go-eun’s character transition from sporting long, wash-and-wear type dark tresses to sophisticated layers in a lighter brown.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Marie Claire Korea (2019)
We begin to see bolder, more glam looks from Go-eun as she embraces her role as a Chanel ambassador. The sophisticated low bun with a strong side part suits her features perfectly. Oh, and major plus points for the bejeweled hair accessory in this shoot!
Photo Credit: Marie Claire Korea/@ggonekim
Out and about (2019)
We’re loving how this fuss-free layered look and darker hair color complement her fair skin!
Photo Credit: @ggonekim
The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)
(1/2) Strong-willed characters really are the Go-eun staple! In this fantasy romance drama, she plays Jeong Tae-eul, a ranking police officer in the Violent Crimes Squad of the National Police Agency. She wears her dark hair long and loose.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
The King: Eternal Monarch
(2/2) Go-eun also plays Luna, a criminal hailing from an alternate world. Luna wears her hair in a short light brown bob with sharp layers. Talk about duality!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Marie Claire Korea (2020)
This shoot is definitely one of Go-eun’s most stunning to date. Her dark hair is parted to the side and pulled back from her face by a large bow. We’re loving her make-up here, too! From the lined lids to the rosy lip, from the lightly drawn brows to the drunk blush, we’re here for it.
Photo Credit: Marie Claire Korea/@ggonekim
Untact (2020)
Together with Kim Joo-hun, Go-eun stars in Untact, a film about lovers who are temporarily separated by the stay-at-home orders during the height of the pandemic. We see her with shoulder length hair in a half up-do, curtain bangs framing her forehead. In some scenes, she wears it in a messy bun to keep it away from her face as she goes about her day-to-day.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Vogue Korea (2020)
This bold, edgy hairstyle is everything! Go-eun is rocking a sleek, straight, one-length cut with super short blunt bangs. We’re loving her rose pink lip here, too.
Photo Credit: Vogue Korea/@ggonekim
Mind Bridge Photo Shoot (2021)
The blunt bangs have grown out and her hair has taken on a tousled, naturally wavy texture for this casual fashion shoot.
Photo Credit: Mind Bridge/@ggonekim
Harper's Bazaar Korea (2021)
Go-eun looks every bit the cool girl rocking this chin-length flip!
Photo Credit: Harper's Bazaar Korea/@ggonekim
W Korea (2021)
It’s back to long hair for now with the help of some extensions. We love how her bangs have been styled for this, and we’re loving the crimson lip—a rarity for Go-eun—even more!
Photo Credit: W Korea/@ggonekim
Yumi's Cells (2021)
Have you tuned into Yumi’s Cells yet? Her now iconic short blunt bob and bangs is such a scene-stealer look for her office working girl character. She often wears it loose, but pulls it into a half-updo from time to time.
Photo Credit: @ggonekim
Elle Korea (2021)
Just Go-eun looking cute with blunt bangs for a Yumi's Cells promotional shoot with Elle Magazine
Photo Credit: Elle Korea/@ggonekim
Lead photos via Hancinema and @ggonekim
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