Kim Sung-min (actor)

Quick Facts: Who was Kim Sung-min (actor)?

Subject:

Kim Sung-min (actor)

Known for:

South Korean actor known for roles in dramas like Miss Mermaid and The Three Musketeers.

Born:

1973-02-14

Died:

2016-06-26

Century / Era:

1973s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kim Sung-min (Korean: 김성민, February 14, 1973 – June 26, 2016) was a South Korean actor. Kim made his acting debut in 1995, as a member of the theatre troupe Constellation (Korean: 성좌). In 2002, he rose to stardom in the hit television drama Miss Mermaid. Miss Mermaid screenwriter Im Sung-han cast him again in her next drama, Lotus Flower Fairy (also known as Heaven's Fate, 2004). But when Miss Mermaid was exported to Taiwan and the Philippines, foreign viewers had difficulty pronouncing his given name "Sung-taek," so to further build his Korean Wave profile, Kim adopted the stage name Kim Sung-min in 2005.

Career & Major Achievements

He then starred in leading roles in Single Again and Tears of Diamond. Comic supporting roles followed in Couple or Trouble (2006) where he played a selfish yet hapless husband to an heiress, and Family's Honor (2008) where he played a playboy twin brother who has an unlikely romance with a tomboyish policewoman. Then Kim surprised audiences by portraying a darker character, an adulterous husband in What's for Dinner? (2009), followed by his first period drama, The Reputable Family (2010). He also appeared in the popular variety-reality show Qualifications of Men, and during its run was selected as a guest by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds on their 2009 Far East Tour at Osan Air Base.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On December 4, 2010, Kim was arrested in a drug scandal which also implicated other celebrities. During police questioning, he admitted to habitually using methamphetamine and marijuana, and smuggling the former substance into Korea. On January 24, 2011, the Seoul High Court sentenced him to four years in prison; upon Kim's appeal, the jail term was reduced to 30 months suspended for four years, along with two years of probation, 120 hours of community service, 40 hours of substance abuse education, and a ₩904,500 fine. Kim was released from a prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province on March 25, 2011. Because of this, he was dropped from Qualifications of Men and went on a hiatus.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1973 (1973-02-14): Birth of Kim Sung-min (actor) — South Korean actor known for roles in dramas like Miss Mermaid and The Three Musketeers.
2. 1995: 1995 Milestone — Kim made his acting debut in 1995, as a member of the theatre troupe Constellation (Korean: 성좌).
3. 2002: 2002 Milestone — In 2002, he rose to stardom in the hit television drama Miss Mermaid.
4. 2004: 2004 Milestone — Miss Mermaid screenwriter Im Sung-han cast him again in her next drama, Lotus Flower Fairy (also known as Heaven's Fate, 2004).
5. 2005: 2005 Milestone — But when Miss Mermaid was exported to Taiwan and the Philippines, foreign viewers had difficulty pronouncing his given name "Sung-taek," so to further build his Korean Wave profile, Kim adopted the stage name Kim Sung-min in 2005.
6. 2006: 2006 Milestone — Comic supporting roles followed in Couple or Trouble (2006) where he played a selfish yet hapless husband to an heiress, and Family's Honor (2008) where he played a playboy twin brother who has an unlikely romance with a tomboyish policewoman.
7. 2009: 2009 Milestone — (2009), followed by his first period drama, The Reputable Family (2010).
8. 2010: 2010 Milestone — On December 4, 2010, Kim was arrested in a drug scandal which also implicated other celebrities.
9. 2011: 2011 Milestone — On January 24, 2011, the Seoul High Court sentenced him to four years in prison; upon Kim's appeal, the jail term was reduced to 30 months suspended for four years, along with two years of probation, 120 hours of community service, 40 hours of substance abuse education, and a ₩904,500 fine.
10. 2016 (2016-06-26): Passing & Historical Legacy — Kim Sung-min (actor) passed away on 2016-06-26, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kim Sung-min (actor)

True or False: “Kim Sung-min's initial stage name was not adopted until 2005 due to international pronunciation difficulties.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The article notes that foreign viewers had difficulty pronouncing his given name 'Sung-taek,' leading him to adopt the stage name Kim Sung-min in 2005.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Abdul Qadir Gilani — Shared historical date (02-14 · Died) (1166): Founding figure of the Qadiriyya Sufi order, renowned mystic and jurist.
• Alan Parker — Shared historical date (02-14 · Born) (1944): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• Ahmad Sirhindi — Shared historical date (06-26 · Born) (1564): Influential Naqshbandi Sufi scholar who championed Islamic orthodoxy in the Mughal era.
• Aimé Césaire — Shared historical date (06-26 · Born) (1913): Afro-Martinican poet, politician, and founder of the Négritude movement.
• 1973 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1973
• February 14 (02-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 14
• 2016 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2016
• June 26 (06-26) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 26

Frequently Asked Questions about Kim Sung-min (actor)