Metro.Style Most Beautiful Korean Actresses: Kim Ji-Won And Her Career Highlights

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Kim Ji-won's career could have gone one of two ways; she could've been a singer with dreams of becoming a K-Pop superstar, or a stage actress given her musical background. Convinced singing was the way to go for her, it was in her late teens that acting crossed her mind and she thought, "Why not?" Lo and behold, the art form proved to be her true passion, and she had zero regrets about making the switch!

Photo Credit: J.Estina

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Still just in high school when she was first set forth to make it in show business, she began by auditioning for commercials, bit roles, and even extras in music videos. It would take about three to four years before a 20-year-old Kim Ji-won would catch the attention of TV execs and get cast in K-Dramas and film. Since her first major TV project in 2011 ("What's Up"), not a single year has gone by without work for this actress.

Photo Credit: @salt_ent

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Her official acting debut came in 2008 with "Mrs. Saigon," but it was her first three TV roles that really got her career moving forward. For Kim Ji-won's new fans who wish to see her rise to fame, they shouldn't miss 2011's "High Kick: Revenge of the Short-Legged" (her first sitcom), "What's Up" (her first musical drama), and "Romantic Heaven" (her first film). Each required a different set of skills from the actress and proved to be great stepping stones for a future as a top actress.

Photo Credit: @salt_ent

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By 2013, five years after she embarked on her journey as an actress, she began starring alongside the industry's leading names. Her break into mainstream media came that year, thanks to her award-winning performance in "The Heirs," for which she won the New Star Award at the 21st SBS Drama Awards." That K-Drama, which starred Lee Min-ho and Park Shin-hye, helped solidify Kim Ji-won's potential as a big-ticket name. And in less than a year, she was signed by her first agency, King Kong by Starship.

Photo Credit: J.Estina

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She would appear in four more K-Dramas before being cast in internationally loved series "Descendants of the Sun," the title that the actress attributes to her fame outside of Korea. Her role as an army surgeon in the hit series instantly turned her into a household name and piqued the curiosity of K-Drama lovers, old and new. Her K-Dramas that followed were just as well-received among fans and critics. "Fight for My Way" and "Arthdal Chronicles" have collectively given Kim Ji-won a steady stream of successes. Even more impressively, her performances in "Descendants of the Sun" and "Fight for My Way" both garnered her multiple Best Actress awards.

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And in Korea, with rising popularity comes bigger and better endorsement deals. It didn't take long for Kim Ji-won to be picked up by beauty and fashion brands, as well as pose for magazines and make it to invitation-only events after her big break. She's so far worked with Dr. G, Basic House, J. Estina, Lonsdale, Shin Ramyun, and posed for Korean magazines Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Vogue Girl.

Photo Credit: Dr. G

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As for her personal life, Kim Ji-won isn't dating anyone just yet (though she's constantly linked to her "Fight for my Way" leading man Park Seo-joon!). She's kept her social media presence quiet and private, only sharing bits and pieces of behind-the-scenes photos from filming, official promo photos, and the occasional selfies. Even with 5.5 million followers, she's mostly kept intimate details of her life to herself.

Photo Credit: Basic House

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Kim Ji-won's latest career move came just this February when she signed with a new agency, SALT Entertainment. We're hoping that the change brings more projects her way, and that we see her in more K-Dramas. It's been confirmed that she and Ji Chang-wook will be starring together in the 12-episode series "City Couple's Way of Love," a romantic drama set to premiere soon. "Arthdal Chronicles" has also been confirmed to return for a second season, although that's dependent on how things will go with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo Credit: Lonsdale