Kim Sun-a

Quick Facts: Who was Kim Sun-a?

Subject:

Kim Sun-a

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actress known for her role in My Lovely Sam Soon.

Born:

1973-10-01

Century / Era:

1973s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kim Sun-a (Korean: 김선아; born October 1, 1973) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her title role as Kim Sam-soon in the popular television series My Lovely Sam Soon (2005). Other notable series include City Hall (2009), Scent of a Woman (2011),The Lady in Dignity (2017), Should We Kiss First? (2018), Children of Nobody (2018) and Secret Boutique (2019). Kim Sun-a was born in Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea in 1973.

Career & Major Achievements

She is the eldest of three siblings, with a younger brother and sister. When Kim was in middle school, her family immigrated to Japan, and she spent much of her adolescence in Chōfu, Tokyo, where she learned to speak Japanese fluently. In 1993, Kim enrolled at Ball State University in Indiana, United States as a Piano major (she also became fluent in English). While in South Korea for summer vacation in 1996, Kim stood in for a friend in a modeling job, thus inadvertently making her entertainment debut. Despite her inexperience in show business, she left college and subsequently appeared in a Hanbul Cosmetics commercial with the slogan "I felt his scent on a strange woman," which jump-started her career.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

She then appeared in a music video by Kim Hyun-cheol, and in 1997 began getting cast in supporting roles on TV but did not emerge as a star. Kim would first become well known as a film actress, debuting in the big-budget box office failure Yesterday, but going on to play a lead role as a student teacher in the unexpected hit Wet Dreams. Initially Kim had considered a singing career and successfully auditioned to join Park Joon-hyung and Park Jin-young's project mixed-gender group "GOT6" in 1997 but left the following year to pursue acting. The group then became the five-piece boy band g.o.d. Kim's identity as an original member was only revealed by Park Joon-hyung and confirmed by Kim herself in 2015.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1973 (1973-10-01): Birth of Kim Sun-a — Acclaimed South Korean actress known for her role in My Lovely Sam Soon.
2. 1993: 1993 Milestone — In 1993, Kim enrolled at Ball State University in Indiana, United States as a Piano major (she also became fluent in English).
3. 1996: 1996 Milestone — While in South Korea for summer vacation in 1996, Kim stood in for a friend in a modeling job, thus inadvertently making her entertainment debut.
4. 1997: 1997 Milestone — She then appeared in a music video by Kim Hyun-cheol, and in 1997 began getting cast in supporting roles on TV but did not emerge as a star.
5. 2005: 2005 Milestone — She is best known for her title role as Kim Sam-soon in the popular television series My Lovely Sam Soon (2005).
6. 2009: 2009 Milestone — Other notable series include City Hall (2009), Scent of a Woman (2011),The Lady in Dignity (2017), Should We Kiss First?
7. 2015: 2015 Milestone — Kim's identity as an original member was only revealed by Park Joon-hyung and confirmed by Kim herself in 2015.
8. 2018: 2018 Milestone — (2018), Children of Nobody (2018) and Secret Boutique (2019).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kim Sun-a

True or False: “Kim Sun-a's initial career breakthrough came from a major film role rather than a commercial endorsement.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Her career was jump-started by appearing in a Hanbul Cosmetics commercial after modeling for a friend during a summer vacation.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. S. Neill — Contemporary (Died in 1973) (1973): Scottish progressive educator, founder of Summerhill, championing self-governance.
• Abebe Bikila — Contemporary (Died in 1973) (1973): Ethiopian Olympic marathon champion, known for his barefoot victories in Rome and Tokyo.
• AC/DC — Contemporary (Born in 1973) (1973): Iconic Australian hard rock band known for raw, high-energy 'rock and roll'.
• Abby Stein — Shared historical date (10-01 · Born) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr — Shared historical date (10-01 · Died) (692): Mecca-based leader of a caliphate opposing the Umayyads during the Second Fitna.
• Adrien Brody — Historical peer (Born in 1973) (1973): Acclaimed American actor known for intense, emotionally charged character portrayals.
• Aishwarya Rai — Historical peer (Born in 1973) (1973): Iconic Indian actress celebrated for beauty and versatile performances in Hindi and Tamil cinema.
• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Historical peer (Died in 2005) (2005): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances and masterful impersonation.
• Akira Yoshizawa — Historical peer (Died in 2005) (2005): Japanese origamist, credited with elevating origami from a mere craft to a recognized living art.
• Aage Bohr — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• 1973 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1973
• October 1 (10-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 1

Frequently Asked Questions about Kim Sun-a