Kim Woo-bin

Career

2009–2012: Beginnings

Kim wanted to pursue a modeling career since he was a high school student. He debuted as a runway model in 2009 at the age of 20 and began appearing in prêt-à-porter and Seoul Fashion Week collections.

As his modeling career progressed, he started doing commercial films and began studying acting, under the guidance of acting coach Moon Won-joo. Kim fell in love with acting, saying, "I found myself feeling the same thrill and enthusiasm that I felt the first time I came to walk on the runway".

Under the stage name Kim Woo-bin, he made his acting debut in 2011, starring in the mystery drama White Christmas and the low-rated cable sitcom Vampire Idol.

In 2012, he had a supporting role in the romantic comedy drama A Gentleman's Dignity, written by famed screenwriter Kim Eun-sook. Next came a two-episode guest appearance in drama adaptation of the popular manga To the Beautiful You.

2013: Rising popularity

Kim's breakout year came in 2013 with two hit dramas and one film. From late December to early 2013, he starred in the teen drama School 2013. He received his first acting award for the role at the 2nd APAN Star Awards under the category Best New Actor.

The same year, he was cast in Kim Eun-sook's teen drama The Heirs, which became popular domestically and internationally with a peak audience rating of 28.6% and 1 million hits on the Chinese streaming website iQiyi. Kim experienced a surge in popularity overseas. This led to increased advertising contracts and acting offers for the actor.

Kim then appeared in his first major film role in Friend: The Great Legacy, the blockbuster sequel to Kwak Kyung-taek's 2001 box office hit. He received positive reviews for his portrayal as a young gang member. The same year he became the host of cable music program M! Countdown from August 15, 2013, to February 13, 2014.

2014–2017: Success in film and hiatus

After his rise in popularity in 2013, Kim continued appearing in big screen projects. In January 2014, he was cast in the heist movie The Con Artists, in which he played a top safe-cracker alongside rising star Lee Hyun-woo. He then took on a comedic character in indie director Lee Byung-heon's sophomore effort Twenty in 2015*.*

Kim then appeared in an ad campaign for Calvin Klein Watches + Jewelry, making him the first East Asian model for the brand.

In 2015, Kim was cast in his first television leading role in the melodrama Uncontrollably Fond, written by screenwriter Lee Kyung-hee. The drama premiered on July 6, 2016.

He then starred in crime action film Master alongside Lee Byung-hun and Kang Dong-won. The movie premiered in December 2016 and became the 11th bestselling film for 2016 in South Korea.

In 2017, Kim was cast in crime caper film Wiretap by Choi Dong-hoon. The project has since been suspended to allow Kim to seek treatment for cancer.

2020–present: Return to screen

On March 11, 2020, AM Entertainment announced that Kim would be returning to the big screen in Choi Dong-hoon's upcoming sci-fi film Alienoid alongside Ryu Jun-yeol and Kim Tae-ri. The film premiered in July 2022 and Kim played the role of 'Guard', a person in charge of managing alien prisoners.

Also in 2022, Kim co-starred in acclaimed screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung's television series Our Blues, and in Netflix original series Black Knight.

Personal life

Marriage

Since May 2015, Kim has been in a relationship with model-actress Shin Min-a. In November 2025, Kim announced that he and Shin would be getting married in December. On December 20, 2025, their wedding took place at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.

Health

On May 24, 2017, Kim was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer. Kim's agency, Sidus HQ, said Kim had begun drug and radiation treatment and would halt all activities. On December 29, Kim announced, in a letter, that he had completed his treatment plan for the cancer. However, he was still exempted from military service.

Philanthropy

On March 8, 2022, Kim donated million to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfires that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and also spread to Samcheok, Gangwon. On Christmas Day, Kim sent gifts and sent a handwritten letter for about 200 children who are hospitalized in the children's ward of Seoul Asan Medical Center.

In January 2023, Kim donated million through the Seoul Asan Medical Center to support the treatment of poor patients, with a further million donation in January 2025. In March 2025, Kim donated million to the Korean Red Cross to help wildfire victims in the Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam regions. In December 2025, Kim and wife Shin Min-a donated ₩300 million through various organizations including the Hallym Burn Foundation, Seoul Asan Medical Center, and Good Friends, to support people in difficult circumstances and for medical treatments of low-income families.

Ambassadorship

In 2013, Kim was named honorary ambassador for his alma mater, Jeonju University. The same year, he was appointed the public relations ambassador of the 2013 Suwon Information Science Festival; and ambassador of the "Good Downloader Campaign" organized by the Korean Film Council and Film Federation Against Piracy.

In 2015, Kim was chosen as the promotional ambassador of CJ CGV's arthouse exhibition chain CGV Arthouse.

In April 2017, Kim was appointed as an honorary ambassador for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Kim is the second actor to take on this role and was set to take part in various activities to promote the event.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Web series

Television shows

Hosting and documentary

Music videos

Discography

Songs

Soundtrack appearances

Awards and nominations

Listicles

References

References

1. link
2. link. (February 15, 2013)
3. (February 14, 2013). "[KBS 2TV '학교 2013'이 낳은 예비 스타] 반항아 박흥수역 김우빈 "작품 끝나니 기분 좋은 꿈 같아"".
4. link. (April 4, 2013)
5. Park, Jin-hai. (August 12, 2013). "Crisscrossing runways and screens: Rising actor Kim Woo-bin has looks, style and sincerity.". [[The Korea Times]].
6. Lee, Ga-on. (March 22, 2011). "My Name Is: Kim Hyun-joong". 10Asia.
7. link. 10Asia. (March 21, 2012)
8. link. [[Maeil Business Newspaper]]. (December 29, 2011)
9. Hong, Grace Danbi. (June 29, 2012). "Kim Woo Bin Gets Beat Up on ''A Gentleman's Dignity''". enewsWorld.
10. Hong, Grace Danbi. (September 13, 2012). "Kim Woo Bin Shines as f(x) Sulli's First Love in ''To the Beautiful You''". enewsWorld.
11. (December 25, 2013). "Kim Woo-bin Enjoys Breakthrough Year in Hit Soaps, Movie".
12. Ho, Stewart. (October 29, 2012). "Lee Jong Seok, Kim Woo Bin, Park Se Young, 5dolls' Hyoyoung Cast as Main Students for ''School 5''".
13. An, So-hyoun. (July 16, 2013). "Kim Woo Bin Confirmed in Role for ''The Heirs''".
14. (March 14, 2013). "Hallyu booming again in China, bigger than ever".
15. Kim, Min-jin. (November 13, 2014). "Hallyu trio captivate Chinese hearts".
16. Kim, Yeon-ji. (December 24, 2013). "Model inherits rebellious role".
17. (December 21, 2013). "Kim Woo-bin Shapes up as Hot New Heartthrob".
18. Lee, Sun-min. (December 12, 2013). "Kim Woo-bin's star shines ever bright".
19. (October 26, 2013). "Kim Woo-bin Unfazed by Great Expectations for Sequel to ''Friend''".
20. (November 21, 2013). "Kim Woo-bin Shapes Up as Hot New Heartthrob".
21. Cha, Yo-rim. (August 13, 2013). "Kim Woo-bin to become new face of ''M Countdown''".
22. Hwang, Sun-un. (January 28, 2014). "Kim Woo-bin, Lee Hyun-woo to Star in New Film".
23. Conran, Pierce. (April 17, 2014). "KIM Woo-bin Joins TWENTY".
24. (April 4, 2015). "Kim Woo-bin Tries to Grow up Again in Buddy Movie".
25. Yoon, Sarah. (February 2, 2015). "Kim Woo-bin first East Asian model for Calvin Klein Watches".
26. Lim, Jeong-yeo. (August 20, 2015). "Kim Woo-bin and Suzy to costar in new drama".
27. (May 21, 2016). "Kim Woo-bin, Su-zy in Another Magnet for Soap Lovers".
28. Doo, Rumy. (December 20, 2016). "[Herald Interview] Kim Woo-bin and his scented characters".
29. Lee, Tae-hoon. (December 24, 2016). "Actor Kim Woo-bin Says Good Roles Come to Those Who Wait".
30. Hicap, Jonathan. (February 3, 2017). "'Master' continues to rake it in".
31. (July 10, 2017). "Film Project on Hold as Kim Woo-bin Treated for Cancer".
32. Kim, Ji-hye. (March 11, 2020). "김우빈, 병마 이기고 4년 만에 컴백…'외계인' 촬영 임박".
33. Jo. Eun-ae. link. (March 12, 2020)
34. Song Seung-hyun. (July 19, 2022). "[Herald Interview] Kim Woo-bin recalls day he returned to set after recovering from cancer". [[The Korea Herald]].
35. Han Hae-sun. link. [[Star News (South Korea). Star News]]. (January 17, 2022)
36. (July 23, 2015). "Shin Min-a Dates Kim Woo-bin". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
37. Jin, Min-ji. (July 23, 2015). "Shin Min-a, Kim Woo-bin are dating".
38. link. [[Sports Dong-a]]. Jeon. Hyo-jin. (November 20, 2025)
39. link. Star News. Heo. Ji-hyung. (December 20, 2025)
40. Chang, Dong-woo. (May 24, 2017). "Actor Kim Woo-bin diagnosed with rare cancer, starts treatment".
41. Jung. Byung-geun. link. (December 29, 2017)
42. Hong, You-kyoung. (January 27, 2018). "Kim Woo-bin relieved from service". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
43. Kim Na-young. (March 8, 2022). "김우빈 기부, 경북 울진·강원 삼척 산불 피해 돕기 위해 1억 쾌척". MK Sports.
44. Jang Jin-ri. (December 26, 2022). "김우빈, 산타 됐다…어린이 병동에 크리스마스 선물+손편지". SpoTV News.
45. Hwang So-young. (January 4, 2023). "김우빈, 신년부터 선행 행보 취약계층 위해 치료비 1억 기부". [[JTBC]].
46. link. [[Hankyung]]. Kim. Bong-gu. (January 1, 2025)
47. link. MK Sports. Kim. Seung-hye. (April 1, 2025)
48. link. [[Maeil Business Newspaper]]. Kim. Mi-ji. (December 20, 2025)
49. Kim, Jin-bang. (September 5, 2013). "탤런트 김우빈 전주대 명예홍보대사 위촉". [[Yonhap News Agency]].
50. Shin, Soo-ji. (September 13, 2013). "8인의 영화배우 모인 '굿 다운로더 캠페인'…안성기부터 고아성까지". [[Hankook Ilbo]].
51. (September 3, 2015). "KIM Woo-bin Joins CGV ARTHOUSE's New Promotion Campaign".
52. (April 14, 2017). "Kim Woo-bin to Promote Pyeongchang Olympics".
53. Hong, Dam-young. (April 13, 2017). "Kim Woo-bin named ambassador for 2018 Winter Olympics". [[The Korea Herald]].
54. Kim. Eun-ae. link. (March 21, 2015)
55. Kang, Jung-yeon. (July 12, 2013). "Kim Woo-bin Gained 9kg for "Friend" Sequel".
56. Conran, Pierce. (February 5, 2014). "KIM Woo-bin and LEE Hyun-woo Become The Con Artists".
57. Conran, Pierce. (February 23, 2015). "MASTER Lures LEE Byung-hun, GANG Dong-won, KIM Woo-bin".
58. Noh Gyu-min. (September 7, 2021). "[공식] 김우빈, 칸 수상작 '그렇게 아버지가 된다' 배리어프리버전 내레이션". TenAsia.
59. Kim Na-ra. (May 3, 2022). "류준열X김우빈→김태리X소지섭 '외계+인' 1부, 올여름 개봉 확정 [공식]". [[MyDaily]].
60. Conran, Pierce. (April 6, 2017). "LEE Jung-jae and KIM Woo-bin Listen to CHOI Dong-hoon's WIRETAP".
61. Lee. Ha-neul. (October 26, 2023). link. Ten Asia
62. Kim. Na-yeon. link. (July 26, 2023). [[Star News (South Korea). Star News]]
63. Kim. Myeong-eun. link. (August 9, 2012)
64. Park, Se-yeon. (April 4, 2012). "김우빈, '신사의 품격' 캐스팅‥스승 김하늘과 밀당(?)". [[Maeil Business Newspaper]].
65. Kang, Jung-yeon. (September 11, 2013). "Kim Woo-bin to Turn Elegant in "Inherits"".
66. Lee Min-ji. (October 7, 2021). "노희경作 '우리들의 블루스' 이병헌 신민아 차승원 이정은 한지민 김우빈 엄정화 출연확정(공식)". Newsen.
67. Moon Ji-yeon. (January 12, 2022). "[공식] 김우빈X'마스터' 조의석 감독, 눈부신 재회..'택배기사' 제작 확정". [[Sports Chosun]].
68. Kang. Da-yoon. link. (June 14, 2023). [[MyDaily]]
69. Lee Gyu-lee. (June 14, 2023). "Kim Woo-bin and Suzy to reunite in Kim Eun-sook's new series". [[The Korea Times]].
70. Kim, Min-jin. (October 21, 2014). "Poster revealed for Kim Woo-bin's new drama 'Love Cell'". [[Kpop Herald]].
71. link. Hwang. So-young. [[JTBC]]. (September 25, 2023)
72. Kim, Jessica. (January 27, 2014). "Kim Woo-bin May Quit Mnet "M! CountDown" Host Position".
73. Chung, Esther. (December 19, 2019). "Kim Woo-bin joins 'Humanimal'".
74. Park, Se-yeon. (February 23, 2012). "김우빈, 알고보니 산다라박 'Kiss' 뮤비로 연기자 데뷔". [[Maeil Business Newspaper]].
75. Hong, Grace Danbi. (June 25, 2013). "Kim Woo Bin to Appear in 2EYES' Drama MV of ''Don't Mess With Me''".
76. Lee, Ji-hae. (July 21, 2016). "Kim Woo-bin sings soundtrack for "Uncontrollably Fond"". [[The Korea Herald]].
77. Shin. Na-ra. link. (November 16, 2013)
78. Kim, Da-nok. (November 13, 2014). "2014 'APAN STAR AWARDS' 15일 개최".
79. Hwang, Hyo-yi. (September 6, 2022). "'강태오-박은빈'·'손석구-김지원'·'이준호-이세영' 베스트커플상은?". [[Sports Kyunghyang]].
80. Choi, Bo-young. (January 16, 2013). "김우빈, 뉴스타상 수상 "더 좋은 배우 되겠습니다"". [[Hankook Ilbo]].
81. Kim, Na-young. (January 18, 2014). "아시아 모델 시상식 김우빈, 특별상 수상…"초심 잃지 않겠다"".
82. Lee. Seung-rok. link. (April 4, 2013)
83. Kim. Sook-hyung. link. (November 27, 2014)
84. Kim, June. (December 18, 2014). "35th Blue Dragon Awards Names THE ATTORNEY Best Film". Korean Film Biz Zone.
85. Conran, Pierce. (July 21, 2014). "Stars Line Up for PiFan Opening Ceremony". Korean Film Biz Zone.
86. (December 19, 2013). "''Heirs'' stars receive awards in China". [[The Korea Times]].
87. Conran, Pierce. (November 24, 2014). "ROARING CURRENTS Tops 51st Daejong Film Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone.
88. Park, Sae-jin. (October 14, 2016). "South Korean advertisers pick Seolhyun and Kim Woo-bin as best models".
89. Kim, Mi-hwa. (September 23, 2013). "2013KDA, 신인상 후보..이유 있는 아이돌 강풍".
90. Kim, Young-jin. (October 2, 2014). "SBS, 드라마부터 OST까지..2014KDA서 강세".
91. (June 18, 2015). "Kim Myung-min and Son Hyun-joo, TOP actors". [[Nate (web portal).
92. Shin, So-won. (July 18, 2013). "[20s 초이스] 올해 최고의 ★는 누구? 후보 '쟁쟁'".
93. Lee, Cory. (January 2, 2014). "Lee Bo-young Grabs 1st Top Prize at the 2013 SBS Drama Awards". 10Asia.
94. (December 31, 2025). "K-브랜드지수 올해의 배우 부문, 1위는 ‘박보검’".
95. link. (February 23, 2015). [[JoongAng Ilbo]]