Kim You-jung

Quick Facts: Who was Kim You-jung?

Subject:

Kim You-jung

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actress known for historical roles and versatile performances.

Born:

1999-09-22

Century / Era:

1999s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kim You-jung (Korean: 김유정; born September 22, 1999) is a South Korean actress. She started out as a model for a confectionery brand at the age of four and after her acting debut in 2003, Kim became one of the most in-demand child actresses in South Korea leading her to be called "Nation's Little Sister". Kim had her first starring role in the historical romance Love in the Moonlight in 2016 which catapulted her to fame as a leading actress in television and film. She ranked 8th on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list in 2017, the youngest to be included in the Top 10 at the age of 17. Through her roles in several acclaimed historical television series in her teens, Kim has been referred to as "Sageuk Fairy" by media outlets.

Career & Major Achievements

Since then, she further received attention for her performances in the romantic-comedy Backstreet Rookie (2020), historical fantasy Lovers of the Red Sky (2021), teen romance film 20th Century Girl (2022), fantasy romance My Demon (2023–2024), and psychological thriller Dear X (2025). She gained the nicknames "Nation's First Love" following her performance in 20th Century Girl. Kim was born in Seongdong District, Seoul, South Korea on September 22, 1999 as the youngest of three siblings. Her older sister, Kim Yeon-jung, debuted as an actress in 2017. She attended Goyang High School of Arts and graduated in January 2018.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Kim deferred taking the national College Scholastic Ability Test in 2017, and instead decided to focus on her acting career. Kim debuted as a model for a confectionery brand at the age of four. After her acting debut when she was four, she quickly became one of the most in-demand child actresses in Korea. By the time she was a fifth grader, Kim had already appeared in 13 television dramas and 15 films. In 2008, she received her first acting award as Best Child Actress for action-adventure series Iljimae and historical drama Painter of the Wind.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1999 (1999-09-22): Birth of Kim You-jung — Acclaimed South Korean actress known for historical roles and versatile performances.
2. 2003: 2003 Milestone — She started out as a model for a confectionery brand at the age of four and after her acting debut in 2003, Kim became one of the most in-demand child actresses in South Korea leading her to be called "Nation's Little Sister".
3. 2008: 2008 Milestone — In 2008, she received her first acting award as Best Child Actress for action-adventure series Iljimae and historical drama Painter of the Wind.
4. 2016: 2016 Milestone — Kim had her first starring role in the historical romance Love in the Moonlight in 2016 which catapulted her to fame as a leading actress in television and film.
5. 2017: 2017 Milestone — She ranked 8th on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list in 2017, the youngest to be included in the Top 10 at the age of 17.
6. 2018: 2018 Milestone — She attended Goyang High School of Arts and graduated in January 2018.
7. 2020: 2020 Milestone — Since then, she further received attention for her performances in the romantic-comedy Backstreet Rookie (2020), historical fantasy Lovers of the Red Sky (2021), teen romance film 20th Century Girl (2022), fantasy romance My Demon (2023–2024), and psychological thriller Dear X (2025).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kim You-jung

True or False: “Kim You-jung was immediately recognized as a leading adult actress after her debut in 2016.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): She initially rose to fame as a child actress, achieving major recognition with roles like 'Love in the Moonlight' later in her career.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akhtar Hameed Khan — Contemporary (Died in 1999) (1999): Pioneering Pakistani social scientist and development practitioner.
• Akio Morita — Contemporary (Died in 1999) (1999): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• Alf Ramsey — Contemporary (Died in 1999) (1999): Legendary English footballer and manager, best known for the 1966 World Cup victory.
• Alexandre Yersin — Shared historical date (09-22 · Born) (1863): Pioneering Swiss-French physician and bacteriologist, renowned for plague and diphtheria research.
• Alice Hamilton — Shared historical date (09-22 · Died) (1970): Pioneering toxicologist and advocate for occupational health and safety.
• Ali Sayad Shirazi — Historical peer (Died in 1999) (1999): Key Iranian military commander during the Iran–Iraq War, assassinated in 1999.
• Amália Rodrigues — Historical peer (Died in 1999) (1999): The legendary Portuguese fado singer, known worldwide as the 'Queen of Fado'.
• 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.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• 1999 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1999
• September 22 (09-22) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 22

Frequently Asked Questions about Kim You-jung