Kim Nam-joo (actress)

Early life

Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea. When she was two years old, her father's business failed, which resulted in the family moving to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, where Kim spent her childhood and adolescence. After graduating from high school, she enrolled as a Dance major at Suwon Women's College. When she was a sophomore, Kim joined the Miss Korea pageant, and the experience led her to quit school to pursue modeling in September 1992.

Career

Kim won fourth place in a talent search by broadcaster SBS in 1994, and quickly became a popular television star in her twenties. Her characters in the hit TV series City Men and Women (1996), Model (1997), The Boss (1999) and Her House (2001), made her the epitome of a sophisticated, urban career woman in 1990s Korea. But after Her House, Kim went into semi-retirement, only appearing in lucrative commercials, mostly for cosmetics and luxury goods. She married actor Kim Seung-woo in 2005, and for several years she lived as a full-time housewife and mother.

In 2007, she stretched some acting muscle opposite Sul Kyung-gu in Voice of a Murderer, about the tormenting and ultimately unsuccessful attempts of two parents to bring their kidnapped son back home. Based on the true story of a nine-year-old child found dead in 1991, the film faithfully follows the harrowing 44-day quest to find the missing boy.

Kim made a successful television comeback in Queen of Housewives (also known as My Wife is a Superwoman) in 2009. A comedy drama that depicts the life of housewives who devote their entire lives to their husbands' success, it became one of the most-watched shows during its run, topping Korea's TV ratings charts for three consecutive weeks. Her portrayal of a modern Korean housewife won Kim numerous accolades.

Kim reunited with Queen of Housewives writer Park Ji-eun in another workplace romantic dramedy, the 2010s Queen of Reversals. This time Kim played a strong and decisive character, a careerwoman, trying to balance work and married life. Her character Hwang Tae-hee experiences the many ups, downs, and reversals of work, family, and romance as she falls in and out of love and marriage. Ratings-wise Queen of Reversals was less successful than its predecessor, though Kim was awarded the highest award (Daesang or "Grand Prize") at MBC's year-end drama awards ceremony.

She also released her book that year, called Kim Nam-joo's House. The collection of essays and photographs is a candid discussion of her family life and home.

Kim then led the 2012 weekend family drama My Husband Got a Family (also known as You Who Rolled in Unexpectedly and Unexpected You), which took a comedic and serious approach to the trials and tribulations of a TV director dealing with her in-laws when her husband reunites with his biological parents. Kim and Park's third collaboration was a big hit with audiences, it was number one on the 2012 yearly TV ratings chart with average ratings of 33.1 percent and a ratings peak of 52.3 percent, and Kim won another Daesang at the KBS Drama Awards.

Kim returned to television after a six-year hiatus, starring in the romance thriller, Misty. The drama was both a ratings and critical success and Kim earned praise for her portrayal of a controversial character.

Kim returned to television after a six-year hiatus, starring in the revenge thriller, Wonderful World. and won the Best Acting Award, Actress at the MBC Drama Awards.

Filmography

Television series

Film

Variety show

Book

Awards and nominations

Listicles

References

References

1. Kim, Hyo-eun. (18 April 2012). "In with the old, out with the new". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
2. (18 April 2009). "Kim Nam-joo Still in Shape After 8-Year Hiatus".
3. (11 November 2006). "Pricey Spokespersons, Pricey Homes?". [[The Dong-A Ilbo]].
4. Kim, Hoo-ran. (10 September 2010). "A Pop Culture Wave Rolls On". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
5. (25 April 2005). "Kim Seung-woo, Kim Nam-ju to Tie the Knot in May". KBS Global.
6. Jeong, Hae-gun. (8 January 2007). "Stars of His Voice found roles with meaning". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
7. (18 January 2007). "Being Mom".
8. Han, Sang-hee. (10 March 2009). "New Types of Husbands to Sneak Onto TV Screen". [[The Korea Times]].
9. Kim, Lynn. (December 23, 2009). "Government names Kim Nam-joo top actor of 2009".
10. Lee, Hyo-won. (31 December 2009). "Ko Hyun-jung Wins Top Drama Award". [[The Korea Times]].
11. Han, Sang-hee. (3 January 2010). "2009 Drama Awards Wrap Up With No Surprises". [[The Korea Times]].
12. (22 June 2010). "Kim Nam-joo Wins Top Acting Award in China". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
13. Kim, Jessica. (21 June 2010). "Kim Nam-joo wins grand prize at award ceremony in China". 10Asia.
14. Han, Sang-hee. (12 October 2010). "Superwoman returns to voice working mom woes". [[The Korea Times]].
15. Lee, Seung-han. (21 October 2010). "PREVIEW: MBC TV series ''Queen of Reversal''". 10Asia.
16. Hong, Lucia. (31 December 2010). "Kim Nam-joo, Han Hyo-joo win grand prize at MBC Acting Awards". 10Asia.
17. link. [[The Korea Economic Daily]]. (27 October 2010)
18. Hong, Lucia. (3 January 2012). "Kim Nam-joo tapped as leading lady in new KBS TV series". 10Asia.
19. Oh, Jean. (22 February 2012). "Kim Nam-joo's new work promises to resonate with modern-day women". [[The Korea Herald]].
20. Lee, Hye-ji. (18 December 2012). "KBS Drama ''My Husband'' Wears Throne on 2012 TV Chart". 10Asia.
21. Lee, Tae-ho. (1 January 2013). "Big Winners of 2012 Announced at Drama Awards Ceremonies of Major Broadcasters". 10Asia.
22. (31 January 2018). "Romance thriller 'Misty,' enthralling story of success, unpretentious love".
23. (March 2, 2018). "'Misty' actress Kim Nam-joo explains how she shaped character".
24. (4 April 2018). "Kim Nam Joo's Successful Return with 'Misty'".
25. (9 April 2018). "Ratings Queen Kim Nam-joo strikes again with 'Misty'".
26. Park Seo-yeon. (May 30, 2023). link. [[MyDaily]]
27. link. (30 November 2009). [[Star News (South Korea). Star News]]
28. Park, So-yeon. (31 December 2009). "Ko Hyun-joung wins grand prize at MBC Acting Awards". 10Asia.
29. (13 November 2009). "Style Icon Awards shines 2009 with edginess". 10Asia.
30. (23 November 2009). "Government names Kim Nam-joo top actor of 2009". 10Asia.
31. Kim, Lynn. (29 March 2010). "Ko Hyun-jung, ''Haeundae'' win grand prize at PaekSang Arts Awards". 10Asia.
32. (17 June 2010). "Kim Nam-joo voted top ten Asian actors in China". 10Asia.
33. (21 June 2010). "Kim Nam-joo wins grand prize at award ceremony in China". 10Asia.
34. (4 October 2012). ""My Husband Got a Family" Dominates At Korea Drama Awards". [[KBS World]].
35. "The 20th Korea Culture Entertainment Grand Prize Winners List". Korea Culture Entertainment Awards.
36. 김, 하진. (1 January 2013). "김남주, KBS 드라마 첫 도전에 대상의 영예 '쾌거'".
37. link. (9 December 2012)
38. (14 December 2012). "[포토엔]이성민-김남주, 최우수 남녀 연기자상 수상 '2012 그리메상'". Newsen.
39. (4 May 2018). "Baeksang Arts Awards recognize 'Stranger,' '1987'".
40. (27 September 2018). "이병헌·손예진·아이유 APAN스타어워즈 노미네이트".
41. (29 October 2018). "Seoul Awards honor the year's best".
42. (23 October 2018). "Actress Kim Nam-joo to Receive Presidential Honor".
43. (14 January 2019). "Kim Nam-joo takes home award".
44. Kim Hye-young. (December 27, 2024). "'MBC 연기대상' 한석규→유연석 총출동! 영예의 대상 주인공은?". [[Naver]].
45. link. Ahn Byeong-gil. [[Sports Kyunghyang]]. [[Naver]]. (January 5, 2025)
46. link. starnewskorea. (January 5, 2025)
47. (February 28, 2013). "Forbes Korea's Top 'Power Celebrity 40' List 2013". [[Manila Bulletin]].