Kim Rae-won

Quick Facts: Who was Kim Rae-won?

Subject:

Kim Rae-won

Known for:

South Korean actor known for romantic comedies and intense dramatic roles.

Born:

1981-03-19

Century / Era:

1981s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kim Rae-won (Korean: 김래원; born March 19, 1981) is a South Korean actor. He first rose to fame with his appearances in the 2003 romantic comedy series Cats on the Roof. He is best known for the movies My Little Bride (2004), Sunflower (2006), The Prison (2017), as well as television series Love Story in Harvard (2004), Gourmet (2008), A Thousand Days' Promise (2011), Punch (2014–2015), The Doctors (2016), Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me (2018), and The First Responders (2022–2023). Kim Rae-won initially wanted to become a professional basketball player, but when an injured ankle tendon ended that childhood dream, he turned to acting and studied Theater and Film at Chung-Ang University. He made his acting debut in the 1997 teen drama Me, in the role of a newbie at the broadcasting club of his high school.

Career & Major Achievements

This was followed by another teen drama, School 2 (1999) and coming-of-age film Plum Blossom (2000). In 2002, Kim rose to fame after starring in the romance comedy drama My Love Patzzi. His popularity further increased in 2003, playing a law student slacker who cohabitates with a girl (Jeong Da-bin) in the popular romance series Cats on the Roof. He then played a carefree photographer who enters the life of an introverted girl in melodrama ...ing and starred in the romantic comedy film My Little Bride, in the role of a college graduate forced to marry a high school girl (Moon Geun-young). My Little Bride became a sleeper hit and was the second top-grossing Korean film of 2004.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Kim continued playing romantic heroes on television, in dramas such as Snowman (2003), Love Story in Harvard (2004), and Which Star Are You From (2006). But on the big screen, he focused on darker, more masculine fare. He played a lowlife-turned-cop in Mr. Socrates (2005), a former gangster attempting to turn over a new leaf in Sunflower (2006), and an antihero art restorer in Insadong Scandal (2009). In 2008, Kim played an elementary school teacher who falls for a Korean-Japanese jewelry designer (Mirai Yamamoto) in the Japanese film Flower Shadow (花影, Hanakage). Later that year, he starred as a genius aspiring chef in Gourmet, a hit series based on Huh Young-man's manhwa Sikgaek.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1981 (1981-03-19): Birth of Kim Rae-won — South Korean actor known for romantic comedies and intense dramatic roles.
2. 1997: 1997 Milestone — He made his acting debut in the 1997 teen drama Me, in the role of a newbie at the broadcasting club of his high school.
3. 1999: 1999 Milestone — This was followed by another teen drama, School 2 (1999) and coming-of-age film Plum Blossom (2000).
4. 2002: 2002 Milestone — In 2002, Kim rose to fame after starring in the romance comedy drama My Love Patzzi.
5. 2003: 2003 Milestone — He first rose to fame with his appearances in the 2003 romantic comedy series Cats on the Roof.
6. 2004: 2004 Milestone — He is best known for the movies My Little Bride (2004), Sunflower (2006), The Prison (2017), as well as television series Love Story in Harvard (2004), Gourmet (2008), A Thousand Days' Promise (2011), Punch (2014–2015), The Doctors (2016), Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me (2018), and The First Responders (2022–2023).
7. 2005: 2005 Milestone — Socrates (2005), a former gangster attempting to turn over a new leaf in Sunflower (2006), and an antihero art restorer in Insadong Scandal (2009).
8. 2008: 2008 Milestone — In 2008, Kim played an elementary school teacher who falls for a Korean-Japanese jewelry designer (Mirai Yamamoto) in the Japanese film Flower Shadow (花影, Hanakage).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kim Rae-won

True or False: “Kim Rae-won's initial dream career before acting was professional basketball player.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he initially wanted to be a professional basketball player, the text only mentions that an injured ankle tendon ended that childhood dream; it does not confirm this was his sole or definitive first dream.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abel Gance — Contemporary (Died in 1981) (1981): French cinematic pioneer, celebrated for his mastery of montage and epic filmmaking.
• Abigail Spencer — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): American actress, producer, and writer known for roles in soap operas and dramas.
• Adriana Lima — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): Iconic Brazilian model, celebrated for her long tenure as a Victoria's Secret Angel.
• Adalbert Gyrowetz — Shared historical date (03-19 · Died) (1850): Czech-Austrian composer known for symphonies and string quartets.
• Adolf Eichmann — Shared historical date (03-19 · Born) (1906): Nazi SS officer and key organizer of the Holocaust's logistics.
• Albert Cohen (novelist) — Historical peer (Died in 1981) (1981): Greek-born Swiss novelist who wrote in French, known for his memoirs and international work.
• Albert Speer — Historical peer (Died in 1981) (1981): German architect and Nazi official, known for monumental designs and wartime ministry.
• Alberto Sordi — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• Alija Izetbegović — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Bosnian politician, Islamic philosopher, and author who led Bosnia through its tumultuous independence.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Died in 2004) (2004): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• 1981 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1981
• March 19 (03-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 19

Frequently Asked Questions about Kim Rae-won