Kim Yoo-jung (Korean: 김유정) is one of South Korea’s most celebrated and beloved actresses, a performer who began her career at the age of four and has spent over two decades building one of the most decorated and wide-ranging bodies of work in Korean entertainment.
Affectionately nicknamed “Nation’s Little Sister” during her years as the country’s most in-demand child actress, she has since evolved into an acclaimed adult leading actress known as the “Sageuk Fairy” for her compelling performances in historical dramas.
Her breakthrough leading role in Love in the Moonlight (2016) transformed her into a household name across Asia, and her 2025 psychological thriller series Dear X, topping OTT charts in 108 countries, announced her arrival as a genuinely global star capable of carrying any genre with authority and depth.
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Kim Yoo-jung (김유정): History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Kim Yoo-jung (김유정) |
| Stage Name: | Nation's Little Sister; Sageuk Fairy |
| Born: | September 22, 1999 |
| Age: | 26 years old |
| Birthplace: | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality: | South Korean |
| Occupation: | Actress, Former Model, Former Music Show Host |
| Siblings: | Kim Yeon Jung (older sister, actress); one older brother |
| Net Worth: | Approximately $10–20 million |
Early Life
Kim Yoo-jung was born on September 22, 1999, in Seoul, South Korea, as the youngest of three siblings. Her older sister, Kim Yeon Jung, is also an actress, and her older brother rounds out the family.
At the remarkable age of just four years old, in 2003, she was discovered and signed as a model for a confectionery brand, Crown Confectionery, launching what would become one of the longest and most decorated careers in Korean entertainment history.
By the time she was in fifth grade (approximately age 11), she had already appeared in 13 TV dramas and 15 films, a staggering output that reflected both her extraordinary natural talent and the industry’s insatiable demand for her services.
In a charming early indicator of her future star power, at age five she won the Most Popular award in a contest she joined, despite not officially being one of the contestants.
She simply walked up and performed when her older sister Kim Yeon Jung was competing, and the audience voted her the winner anyway.
Education
Kim Yoo-jung attended and graduated from Goyang High School of Arts in January 2018.
In 2017, she deliberately deferred taking the national College Scholastic Ability Test, South Korea’s highly competitive university entrance examination, choosing instead to focus entirely on her acting career rather than pursuing a conventional academic path. Her decision was vindicated by the continued trajectory of her career in the years that followed.
Career
Child Acting Career (2003–2015)
Kim Yoo-jung’s child acting career was extraordinary by any measure. Her first major recognition came in 2008 when she won Best Child Actress for her performances in the action-adventure drama Iljimae and the historical drama Painter of the Wind. She delivered acclaimed performances in Dong Yi (2010), Flames of Desire (2010), and Grudge: The Revolt of Gumiho (2010), the latter representing her first major role where she wasn’t simply the child counterpart of an adult character. She rose to nationwide popularity in 2012 with the fantasy-period drama Moon Embracing the Sun, one of the highest-rated Korean dramas of that year, and appeared in May Queen (2012) and Angry Mom (2015). She also hosted the music show Inkigayo from November 2014 to April 2016, expanding her public profile beyond acting. From 2012 to 2016 she served as an advertising model for Domino’s Pizza, Smart School, and numerous other brands.
Adult Breakthrough: Love in the Moonlight (2016)
In August 2016, Kim Yoo-jung took on her first adult leading role in the KBS2 historical romance Love in the Moonlight, playing Hong Ra-on, a girl who disguises herself as a boy to become a royal servant and falls in love with the crown prince (Park Bo-gum). The drama was a cultural phenomenon, consistently achieving high ratings and making both leads into genuine superstars. Kim won the Excellence Award at the 30th KBS Drama Awards and the Most Popular Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for the role. In 2017, she was ranked 8th on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list, the youngest person to reach the Top 10 at age 17.
Continued Success (2017–2024)
Kim Yoo-jung’s filmography in her adult career reflects remarkable range: the romantic-comedy film Because I Love You (2017), the webtoon-based drama Clean with Passion for Now (2018), the romantic-comedy Backstreet Rookie (2020), the historical fantasy Lovers of the Red Sky (2021), the Netflix film The 8th Night (2021), the critically praised Netflix film 20th Century Girl (2022, as a teen girl in 1999), the stage production Shakespeare in Love (2023), the SBS fantasy-romance My Demon (2023–2024), and a special appearance in Netflix’s Chicken Nugget (2024). In 2018, she was diagnosed with a thyroid gland dysfunction, taking a brief break from acting before returning stronger than ever.
Dear X and Global Breakthrough (2025)
In November 2025, Kim Yoo-jung starred in the TVING original psychological thriller series Dear X, playing Baek A-jin, a sociopath who conceals her cruel nature behind a beautiful exterior. It was the most dramatic transformation of her career to date. The series topped OTT charts in 108 countries and The Korea Times called her performance “chilling” and career-defining. The same year, she was honored with the inaugural Busan International Actors Award at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, a new prize specifically created to honor extraordinary contributions to Korean cinema.
Awards & Nominations (Selected)
- Best Child Actress, Iljimae & Painter of the Wind (2008)
- KBS Drama Awards, Excellence Award, Love in the Moonlight (2016)
- Baeksang Arts Awards, Most Popular Actress, Love in the Moonlight (2016)
- Forbes Korea Power Celebrity, #8 (2017), youngest Top 10 honoree at age 17
- SBS Drama Awards, Excellence & Top Excellence Awards, Backstreet Rookie (2020)
- SBS Drama Awards, Top Excellence Award & Best Couple, Lovers of the Red Sky (2021)
- Asia Artist Awards, Best Artist – Actor, Dear X (2025)
- Inaugural Busan International Actors Award (2025)
Social Media
Kim Yoo-jung maintains an official presence managed by Awesome ENT.
She has a significant Instagram following and is one of South Korea’s most-followed actresses across social media platforms. She engages with fans through official channels and social media content tied to her projects.
- Instagram: @you_r_love
Personal Life
Kim Yoo-jung maintains a private personal life and has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships.
She is known for her genuine warmth toward fans, her philanthropic work (including charity campaigns for children’s education and welfare), and her commitment to taking on challenging and transformative roles.
Her older sister Kim Yeon Jung is also an actress. Her health challenge with thyroid dysfunction in 2018 was handled with transparency, helping to destigmatize health discussions among Korean celebrities and their fans.
Net Worth
Kim Yoo-jung’s estimated net worth is between $10 million and $20 million, accumulated through over two decades of acting work, major brand endorsements (including Domino’s Pizza, Smart School, and multiple luxury brands), film fees, drama appearance fees, and hosting income.
Her global profile significantly expanded earning potential following Dear X‘s 108-country OTT success in 2025.
Filmography (Selected)
| Moon Embracing the Sun | 2012 | TV, childhood role |
| Love in the Moonlight | 2016 | TV, Hong Ra-on (lead) |
| Clean with Passion for Now | 2018 | TV, lead |
| Backstreet Rookie | 2020 | TV, lead |
| Lovers of the Red Sky | 2021 | TV, lead |
| The 8th Night | 2021 | Netflix Film |
| 20th Century Girl | 2022 | Netflix Film, lead |
| My Demon | 2023–2024 | TV, lead |
| Dear X | 2025 | TVING, Baek A-jin (led global charts) |
FAQs
Who is Kim Yoo-jung?
Kim Yoo-jung is a South Korean actress who began acting at age four in 2003. Known as “Nation’s Little Sister” and “Sageuk Fairy,” she is celebrated for Love in the Moonlight, 20th Century Girl, My Demon, and Dear X.
How old is Kim Yoo-jung?
She was born on September 22, 1999, making her 25 years old as of 2025.
What is Kim Yoo-jung’s most famous drama?
Love in the Moonlight (2016) marked her adult breakthrough. Dear X (2025) topped OTT charts in 108 countries and is her most critically transformative role.
Did Kim Yoo-jung win the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity award?
Yes. In 2017, she was ranked 8th on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list, the youngest person to reach the Top 10 at age 17.
Conclusion
Kim Yoo-jung’s career is one of Korean entertainment’s most remarkable and complete stories.
She began performing at four, became a national phenomenon as a child, successfully navigated the notoriously difficult transition from child star to adult lead, and then at 25 delivered the most transformative performance of her career in Dear X, topping charts in 108 countries and announcing herself to a truly global audience.
For an actress who has never known a time when she wasn’t performing, Kim Yoo-jung has demonstrated that longevity in entertainment is not about playing it safe, it’s about being fearless enough to keep evolving. The “Nation’s Little Sister” has grown into the nation’s finest actress. And she’s just 25.
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