South Korean actress Kim Go-eun recently won her first Best Leading Actress in Film award at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards for Exhuma.
Her performance in the popular drama has not only showcased her linguistic skills but also highlighted her intuitive acting abilities, drawing widespread praise from both fans and critics alike.
Kim Go-eun, born on July 2, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea, is a prominent figure in the South Korean entertainment industry. She won several Best New Actress awards in South Korea.
She debuted in the 2012 film A Muse, playing Eun-gyo, a 17-year-old secondary school student who had a forbidden love affair with a 70-year-old poet.
Early Life and Education
Kim Go-eun spent a significant part of her childhood in China, where her family moved when she was just four years old. She lived there for about ten years, her parents and older brother and lived in China for a decade because of her father’s job.
Upon returning to South Korea, Kim pursued her passion for acting by enrolling in the Korea National University of Arts. She graduated from the School of Drama, which laid a solid foundation for her acting career. Her time at the university honed her skills and prepared her for the competitive world of South Korean entertainment.
Breakthrough with “A Muse”
Kim Go-eun’s breakthrough came in 2012 with her debut in the film “A Muse” (also known as “Eungyo”). Directed by Jung Ji-woo, the film is based on Park Bum-shin’s novel of the same name. Kim played the role of Han Eun-gyo, a high school student who becomes the muse of a 70-year-old poet.
Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, earning her critical acclaim and several awards, including the Best New Actress award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, the Grand Bell Awards, and the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards.
Her portrayal of Eun-gyo was noted for its depth and maturity, especially impressive for a newcomer. Kim’s ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety and nuance set her apart from her peers, establishing her as a rising star in the industry.
Fans of Kim admire her youthful and fresh-faced appearance, calling it “girlish beauty”.
Some fans in China compare Kim’s career with Chinese actress Tang Wei, who also made her film debut in an R-rated movie and went on to win multiple prestigious South Korean film awards.