Kim Hyun-joo

Quick Facts: Who was Kim Hyun-joo?

Subject:

Kim Hyun-joo

Known for:

South Korean actress known for roles in Glass Slippers, Toji, and Hellbound.

Born:

1977-04-24

Century / Era:

1977s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kim Hyun-joo (Korean: 김현주; born April 24, 1977) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her leading roles in the television dramas Glass Slippers (2002), Toji, the Land (2004), Twinkle Twinkle (2011), What Happens to My Family? (2014), I Have a Lover (2015), Watcher (2019), and Hellbound (2021–present). Kim Hyun-joo began modeling in teen magazines when she was in her third year of high school. In 1996, she made her entertainment debut when she starred in the music video for Kim Hyun-chul's "One's Lifetime".

Career & Major Achievements

Kim launched her acting career in 1997 in the television drama The Reason I Live (1997). Despite being inexperienced, she was cast in the leading role in the film If It Snows on Christmas (1998) with Park Yong-ha, followed by Calla (1999) with Song Seung-heon. After doing a few sitcoms, Kim built her resume further by playing supporting roles on television. In 1999, She gained her first major role when she appeared in the Jang Dong-gun show Springtime (also known as Youth), which received low ratings. But the popular Into the Sunlight later that year boosted Kim's career.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In early 2000, she appeared in episode 7 of Song Ji-na's omnibus drama Love Story, titled "Insomnia, Manual and Orange Juice". Kim then landed her first TV leading role in Virtue (Deok-yi), followed by more supporting roles in 2001 with Her House (headlined by Kim Nam-joo) and the historical drama Sangdo (based on Choi In-ho's novel about Joseon merchant Im Sang-ok). Kim achieved mainstream stardom in 2002, with her Cinderella-esque leading role in Glass Slippers, about two sisters who were separated as children and unknowingly encounter each other as adults. Also starring Kim Ji-ho, Han Jae-suk and So Ji-sub, the drama was a hit with ratings of over 30%, and Kim received acting and popularity awards at the SBS Drama Awards. Glass Slippers was also successful in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam and with Kim's new pan-Asian popularity, she starred opposite Taiwanese actor/singer Vanness Wu in the martial arts movie Star Runner (2003).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1977 (1977-04-24): Birth of Kim Hyun-joo — South Korean actress known for roles in Glass Slippers, Toji, and Hellbound.
2. 1996: 1996 Milestone — In 1996, she made her entertainment debut when she starred in the music video for Kim Hyun-chul's "One's Lifetime".
3. 1997: 1997 Milestone — Kim launched her acting career in 1997 in the television drama The Reason I Live (1997).
4. 1998: 1998 Milestone — Despite being inexperienced, she was cast in the leading role in the film If It Snows on Christmas (1998) with Park Yong-ha, followed by Calla (1999) with Song Seung-heon.
5. 1999: 1999 Milestone — In 1999, She gained her first major role when she appeared in the Jang Dong-gun show Springtime (also known as Youth), which received low ratings.
6. 2000: 2000 Milestone — In early 2000, she appeared in episode 7 of Song Ji-na's omnibus drama Love Story, titled "Insomnia, Manual and Orange Juice".
7. 2001: 2001 Milestone — Kim then landed her first TV leading role in Virtue (Deok-yi), followed by more supporting roles in 2001 with Her House (headlined by Kim Nam-joo) and the historical drama Sangdo (based on Choi In-ho's novel about Joseon merchant Im Sang-ok).
8. 2002: 2002 Milestone — She is best known for her leading roles in the television dramas Glass Slippers (2002), Toji, the Land (2004), Twinkle Twinkle (2011), What Happens to My Family?
9. 2003: 2003 Milestone — Glass Slippers was also successful in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam and with Kim's new pan-Asian popularity, she starred opposite Taiwanese actor/singer Vanness Wu in the martial arts movie Star Runner (2003).
10. 2014: 2014 Milestone — (2014), I Have a Lover (2015), Watcher (2019), and Hellbound (2021–present).

Notable Quotes by Kim Hyun-joo

“I literally fled to Bangladesh after a series of personal tragedies, but I was consoled by the smiles of children who are living in these dire conditions. The act of sharing has given me strength to live” (2010)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kim Hyun-joo

True or False: “Kim Hyun-joo's initial breakthrough into mainstream stardom occurred with the drama Glass Slippers.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): She achieved this major recognition in 2002 with her leading role in the highly successful television drama Glass Slippers.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Contemporary (Died in 1977) (1977): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• A Certain Ratio — Contemporary (Born in 1977) (1977): English post-punk band known for blending funk, disco, and Latin percussion.
• Abdel Halim Hafez — Contemporary (Died in 1977) (1977): Iconic Egyptian singer and actor, known as 'The Brown-Skinned Nightingale'.
• Ahmed Rushdi — Shared historical date (04-24 · Born) (1934): A legendary Pakistani playback singer, known as the 'Magician of Voice'.
• Alejo Carpentier — Shared historical date (04-24 · Died) (1980): Influential Cuban novelist, essayist, and musicologist of the Latin American Boom.
• Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani — Historical peer (Died in 1977) (1977): Emir of Qatar (1960–1972) whose reign oversaw the nation's oil boom and independence.
• Aki Hoshino — Historical peer (Born in 1977) (1977): Japanese bikini idol known for modeling, acting roles, and fashion collaborations.
• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Adolph Green — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): American lyricist and playwright known for his long-running, witty partnership with Betty Comden.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Died in 2004) (2004): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• 1977 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1977
• April 24 (04-24) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 24

Frequently Asked Questions about Kim Hyun-joo