Yunjin Kim

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Yunjin Kim

Role / Field:

South Korean-American actress known for roles in Lost and Shiri.

Born:

1973-11-07

Century / Era:

1973s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Yunjin Kim (Korean: 김윤진; born November 7, 1973) is a South Korean-American actress. She is best known for her role as North Korean spy Bang-Hee in the South Korean film Shiri (1999) and Sun-Hwa Kwon on the American television series Lost (2004–2010). Her other notable works include Seven Days (2007), Harmony (2010), and Ode to My Father (2014). Kim was born in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea. She emigrated to the United States with her family in 1983–1984.

Career & Major Achievements

They lived in Staten Island, New York. She joined the middle school drama club in the 7th grade and performed in the musical My Fair Lady. Kim attended high school at the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan, graduating in 1989. From there, she went on to study drama at the London Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA), and later earned her BFA degree in drama at Boston University. She is also a trained dancer and martial arts fighter.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After graduation, Kim played several minor parts on MTV, in soap opera-style dramas on ABC, and on the off-Broadway stage. In 1996, Kim decided to return to Korea, where she starred in Splendid Holiday (1997). She was then cast in the TV drama Wedding Dress. Her breakthrough debut came in the 1999 film Shiri, South Korea's first blockbuster film. Shiri became the highest-grossing film in South Korean history at the time.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1973 (1973-11-07): Birth of Yunjin Kim — South Korean-American actress known for roles in Lost and Shiri.
2. 1983: 1983 Milestone — She emigrated to the United States with her family in 1983–1984.
3. 1989: 1989 Milestone — LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan, graduating in 1989.
4. 1996: 1996 Milestone — In 1996, Kim decided to return to Korea, where she starred in Splendid Holiday (1997).
5. 1999: 1999 Milestone — She is best known for her role as North Korean spy Bang-Hee in the South Korean film Shiri (1999) and Sun-Hwa Kwon on the American television series Lost (2004–2010).
6. 2007: 2007 Milestone — Her other notable works include Seven Days (2007), Harmony (2010), and Ode to My Father (2014).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Yunjin Kim

True or False: “Yunjin Kim's breakthrough role was in the American television series Lost.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Her breakthrough debut came from the 1999 South Korean film Shiri.

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'.
• Albert Camus — Shared historical date (11-07 · Born) (1913): Philosopher and writer known for Absurdism, The Stranger, and The Plague.
• Alexander Dubček — Shared historical date (11-07 · Died) (1992): Slovak statesman known for leading the Prague Spring and advocating 'Socialism with a human face'.
• 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.
• Akhtar Hameed Khan — Historical peer (Died in 1999) (1999): Pioneering Pakistani social scientist and development practitioner.
• Akio Morita — Historical peer (Died in 1999) (1999): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Died in 2004) (2004): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• 1973 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1973
• November 7 (11-07) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 7

Frequently Asked Questions about Yunjin Kim