Kim Hee-won

Kim Hee-won (born January 10, 1971) is a South Korean actor and director recognized for his versatile supporting roles in films and television series since 2007, as well as his transition to directing with the 2024 Disney+ series Light Shop, which earned him a nomination at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards.^[1][2][3] A graduate of the Seoul Institute of the Arts, Kim began his career in theater, performing in prominent musicals such as Seoul Line 1 and Jesus Christ Superstar before making his screen debut in the 2007 film Miracle on 1st Street.^[2] He has since become known for portraying complex characters like detectives and antagonists, appearing in over 50 projects across genres including action, thriller, and drama.^[2][4] Kim first gained widespread attention for his role in the 2010 action thriller The Man from Nowhere, directed by Lee Jeong-beom, which holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.^[1] His performance as a ruthless gangster in the 2017 crime film The Merciless earned him Best Supporting Actor awards at the 26th Buil Film Awards and the 4th Korean Film Producers Association Awards.^[2] He continued to build acclaim with roles in popular series such as You From Another Star (2013–2014) and Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014), and more recently in the 2023 Disney+ superhero series Moving and the films Project Silence and Unlocked.^[4][5] In 2021, he won another Best Supporting Actor award at the 41st Golden Cinematography Awards for his work in the thriller Pawn.^[2] Transitioning to directing, Kim helmed his feature debut with Light Shop in 2024, a supernatural mystery series that highlighted his storytelling prowess and led to his Baeksang nomination.^[3] As of 2025, he is set to direct the upcoming drama A Man's Man, an adaptation of the popular Naver Webtoon by Kim Tae-gung, produced by Studio N, while also starring in the anticipated series Gold Land slated for 2026 release on Disney+.^[3][6]

Early life and education

Early years

Kim Hee-won was born on January 10, 1971, in South Korea.^[7] Growing up during the 1970s and 1980s in a modest family environment, he experienced the rapid socioeconomic changes of post-war South Korea, though specific details about his parents and siblings remain private.^[8] His formative years took a pivotal turn in 1991 during the national college entrance exam, known as the Suneung. On the day of the test, Hee-won encountered a late-arriving female student who was unable to enter the exam site. Demonstrating his compassionate nature, he volunteered to give up his own spot so she could take the exam, forgoing the opportunity himself.^[7][9][10] After the incident, while riding the subway, he saw an ad for a theater troupe audition and decided to try out, an impulsive choice that unexpectedly ignited his passion for acting.^[10] This serendipitous event marked the beginning of his journey in the performing arts, leading him to pursue formal training at the Seoul Institute of the Arts shortly thereafter.^[2] As of 2025, Hee-won is 54 years old and reflects on these early experiences as foundational to his resilient approach to his career.^[4]

Training and entry into entertainment

After missing the national college entrance exam in 1991 by voluntarily giving up his seat to a late-arriving female test-taker, Kim Hee-won decided to pursue a career in the arts, marking a pivotal shift from his earlier academic path. This incident motivated him to explore acting as an alternative to traditional higher education.^[7][9][10] In 1997, at the age of 26, Kim enrolled in the Theater Department at Seoul Institute of the Arts, a prestigious institution known for training performers in stage arts. He entered as part of the class of 1997, reflecting a delayed but determined commitment to formal training in acting.^[11][12] Kim completed his studies at Seoul Institute of the Arts, graduating with a specialist degree in theater around 2001. The program's curriculum emphasized practical performance skills, foundational techniques in voice, movement, and character development, providing him with structured academic grounding after years of informal experience.^[13][14] During his time at the institute, Kim continued his prior involvement in theater, taking part in student-led stage productions and minor roles that allowed him to refine his craft under professional guidance. These experiences built on his early entry into stage acting in 1988, when he joined a theater troupe while still in high school, and helped him develop versatility in live performance.^[11][15] Following graduation, Kim's initial foray into broader entertainment opportunities involved supporting industry activities, such as assisting with auditions in the early 2000s, which exposed him to the mechanics of casting and production beyond stage work. This period bridged his theater background to wider professional prospects while he sustained himself through related roles in the arts.^[16]

Acting career

Debut and supporting roles

Kim Hee-won's screen debut came in 2007 with a minor role as Chief Kim in the comedy-drama film Miracle on 1st Street, directed by Yoon Je-kyoon, which marked his transition from stage acting to cinema after years in theater troupes.^[7] This opportunity arose through a recommendation from actor Im Chang-jung, allowing him to leverage his foundational theater skills in a professional film setting.^[7] In the following years, he took on supporting roles in several films, including a part in the 2009 crime thriller The Scam, where his portrayals began to establish him as a reliable actor for tough, gritty characters often involved in antagonistic or rugged scenarios.^[7] These early appearances highlighted his ability to bring intensity to secondary figures, though they were typically brief and overshadowed by lead performers. As a late bloomer entering screen acting in his mid-30s, despite his formal training at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, Kim Hee-won faced significant challenges, including repeated auditions and acceptance of small, uncredited roles that tested his persistence before he started gaining modest notice in the late 2000s.^[7] His path underscored the difficulties of breaking into film without youthful entry or established connections, relying instead on raw determination honed from his start in theater.^[7]

Breakthrough performances

Kim Hee-won's breakthrough in film came with his portrayal of the ruthless henchman Man-seok in the 2010 action thriller The Man from Nowhere, where he played the primary antagonist opposite Won Bin. His intense and menacing performance drew significant critical attention, marking a pivotal shift from minor bit parts to more substantial roles in major productions.^[7] Throughout the mid-2010s, Kim expanded his presence in the crime and drama genres with supporting roles that highlighted his versatility. In Inside Men (2015), he appeared as Kim Min-jae, a key figure in a sprawling corruption scandal, contributing to the film's ensemble dynamic and its status as one of South Korea's highest-grossing releases that year. Similarly, in Canola (2016), he took on the role of Suk-ho, a family member in a heartfelt rural drama, demonstrating his ability to convey emotional depth beyond antagonistic characters. These performances solidified his reputation for reliable, scene-stealing contributions in diverse narratives.^[7] A career highlight arrived in 2017 with The Merciless, in which Kim played Ko Byung-gab, a cunning prison gang member in this Cannes-invited crime drama directed by Byun Sung-hyun. His layered depiction of loyalty and betrayal earned widespread praise for its authenticity and nuance, leading to the Best Supporting Actor award at the 26th Buil Film Awards and nominations at other prestigious ceremonies, including the Blue Dragon Film Awards.^[7][17] These milestones from 2010 to 2019 transformed Kim from an under-the-radar actor into an essential supporting player in South Korean cinema, particularly in genre films exploring moral ambiguity and power dynamics. He continued with notable supporting roles in films like Project Silence (2023), Unlocked (2023), and Troll Factory (2024), with upcoming appearances in Hi-Five and Virus (both 2025). His consistent elevation to pivotal roles reflected growing industry trust in his capacity to enhance ensemble casts without overshadowing leads, paving the way for broader recognition in both film and television.^[7]

Television and variety expansion

Kim Hee-won's television debut came in 2008 with a supporting role as Manager Suh in the SBS drama Tazza, marking his entry into the medium after initial film appearances.^[18] His presence in television grew steadily, but it was his portrayal of Park Jong-shik, the stern yet principled chief of Team 3 in the 2014 tvN series Misaeng: Incomplete Life, that significantly expanded his visibility. As a key office worker navigating corporate hierarchies, the role showcased his ability to embody relatable authority figures in a critically acclaimed workplace drama that resonated with a broad audience.^[19] Building on this momentum, Kim Hee-won continued to take on substantial television parts that highlighted his dramatic range. In 2023, he appeared as Won Jong-muk, the dedicated chief of the Mujin Police Station's Violent Crimes Unit, in the JTBC series Behind Your Touch, where his performance added emotional layers to the supernatural comedy's investigative elements. That same year, he played Choi Il-hwan, a former special forces operative posing as a PE teacher to protect superpowered students, in the Disney+ web series Moving, further demonstrating his skill in intense, character-driven narratives.^[20] Kim Hee-won ventured into variety programming with House on Wheels, a tvN travel-reality show that premiered in 2020, where he appears as himself alongside hosts Sung Dong-il and rotating guests like Yeo Jin-goo and Im Si-wan. The series follows the cast building and traveling in a mobile home across scenic locations, allowing Kim to reveal a more relaxed, warm side through candid interactions and outdoor adventures. Ongoing through multiple seasons, including international editions, as of 2025 with season 5, Beyond the Ocean, the program has offered viewers a personal glimpse into his timid and affable off-screen persona, contrasting his frequent on-screen villainous roles.^[21][22][23]

Directing and other work

Directorial debut

Kim Hee-won's directorial debut came with the Disney+ original series Light Shop, a mystery horror thriller adapted from the webtoon of the same name by Kang Full, which premiered on December 4, 2024.^[24][25] The project was announced in early 2024, following his collaboration with Kang Full on the 2023 series Moving, where Hee-won had portrayed a supporting role that deepened his appreciation for the writer's narrative style.^[26] Preparation involved extensive script readings and conceptual discussions to blend the webtoon's fantastical elements with grounded emotional storytelling, marking Hee-won's shift from on-screen performer to creative overseer.^[27] Hee-won's motivations for directing stemmed from his two-decade acting career, which provided insights into character development and pacing but left him eager to exert fuller narrative control, particularly in the horror-thriller genre that allowed exploration of human desperation and redemption.^[24] In interviews, he highlighted the script's initial difficulty—its dense themes of lost souls seeking solace in a enigmatic light shop—but viewed it as an opportunity to channel his passion for stories that illuminate inner turmoil, drawing directly from his experiences witnessing directorial decisions on set.^[28] This debut represented a deliberate pivot, allowing him to apply his industry knowledge to helm a project that echoed the emotional depth he admired in Kang Full's work.^[27] Production faced challenges in casting, as Hee-won prioritized actors who could embody the series' blend of supernatural intrigue and psychological nuance, leading to selections like Ju Ji-hoon for the lead role of the shop owner due to their aligned artistic visions.^[24] He collaborated closely with performers from prior projects, such as those from Moving, to foster trust and efficiency on set, though decisions like casting Bae Seong-woo amid public controversy required careful justification based on the actor's fit for the character's complexity.^[29] Despite these hurdles, Hee-won noted that the shared perspectives among the cast minimized conflicts, enabling a focused shoot that wrapped in early 2024.^[24] In August 2025, Kim Hee-won was confirmed to direct the upcoming drama A Man's Man, an adaptation of the Naver Webtoon by Kim Tae-gung, produced by Studio N.^[30]

Theater contributions

Kim Hee-won initiated his professional theater career shortly after graduating from the Seoul Institute of the Arts, joining a theater troupe and performing minor ensemble roles in Seoul-based productions during the late 1990s.^[13] His early stage work often featured comedic elements with political undertones, allowing him to develop a distinctive style emphasizing physicality and improvisation to engage live audiences.^[31] Throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, Kim contributed to a variety of dramatic works, where he took on supporting roles that highlighted his versatile physical presence and adaptive performance skills.^[32] These experiences, spanning over 17 years in theater troupes, underscored his roots in live performance before transitioning to screen roles. Despite achieving prominence in film and television after his 2007 debut in Miracle on 1st Street, Kim has maintained a connection to the stage through sporadic returns, prioritizing artistic fulfillment over regular commitments amid his expanding screen career.

Filmography

Films

Kim Hee-won has often portrayed tough-guy characters, including gangsters, detectives, and antagonists, across his film roles.

Television series

Web series and variety shows

Kim Hee-won has expanded his presence in digital media through web series on platforms like Disney+, where he has taken on roles that blend action, mentorship, and camaraderie. In the 2023 superhero drama Moving, he played Choi Il-hwan, a former Special Forces operative and high school physical education teacher who protects and guides a group of superpowered students while concealing his own past. The series, which premiered on Disney+, highlighted his ability to portray a reliable mentor figure in a high-stakes narrative involving family secrets and superhuman abilities. Similarly, in the 2023 action-comedy Han River Police, also on Disney+, Kim portrayed Lee Cheon-seok, a laid-back yet competent patrol officer on the Han River who partners with a more intense colleague to tackle bizarre crimes and rescues along Seoul's waterfront. His performance emphasized unscripted banter and physical humor, distinguishing the web format's concise, episodic structure from traditional broadcasts.^[35] In variety programming, Kim has been a mainstay on tvN's House on Wheels since its 2020 debut, serving as a regular cast member across multiple seasons, including the original run (2020), Season 2 (2021), Season 3 (2021), Season 4 (2022), and the 2025 international spin-off House on Wheels: Beyond the Ocean. In this travel-reality show, he joins hosts like Sung Dong-il to construct and inhabit a mobile home while exploring scenic locations in Korea and abroad, such as Hokkaido in the latest edition with new co-star Jang Na-ra.^[22] The format allows for unscripted interactions, cooking challenges, and lighthearted adventures that showcase his affable, resourceful persona in contrast to his dramatic roles.^[36]

Awards and nominations

Film accolades

Kim Hee-won's breakthrough in film came with notable recognition for his supporting role as a prison boss in the 2017 crime thriller The Merciless, which marked a pivotal point in his cinematic career by highlighting his ability to portray complex antagonists.^[37] This performance garnered multiple honors from prominent Korean film award bodies, underscoring his rising prominence in the industry. The Grand Bell Awards, established in 1962 by the Ministry of Culture and Information, are Korea's longest-running film honors and are often regarded as the domestic equivalent of the Academy Awards due to their emphasis on artistic and technical excellence across Korean cinema.^[38] In 2017, Kim won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 26th Buil Film Awards for The Merciless, a ceremony known for celebrating innovative and critically acclaimed Korean films since its inception in 1999.^[37] He also received the Best Supporting Actor honor at the 4th Korean Film Producers Association Awards for the same role, an accolade presented by the association to recognize contributions to film production and performance.^[39] That year, he earned nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the 54th Grand Bell Awards and the 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards, the latter being one of South Korea's most prestigious ceremonies, founded in 1963 and renowned for honoring both commercial and artistic achievements in film.^[40][41] The following year, in 2018, Kim was nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Film) at the 54th Baeksang Arts Awards for The Merciless, a multidisciplinary event since 1965 that spans film, television, and theater to celebrate excellence in Korean arts.^[42] He also received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 23rd Chunsa Film Art Awards for the same role. Kim's portrayal of a ruthless debt collector in the 2020 drama Pawn further solidified his reputation, earning him the Best Supporting Actor award at the 41st Golden Cinematography Awards in 2021, an honor that recognizes outstanding cinematographic and performative elements in Korean films.^[2] In 2022, he earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 58th Grand Bell Awards for his role in Perhaps Love.

Television and other honors

Kim Hee-won received recognition for his television performances early in his dramatic career, particularly for his supporting roles that showcased his versatility in portraying complex characters. In 2015, he won the Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries award at the MBC Drama Awards for his role as the intimidating yet paternal gangster Ahn Dong-chil in the series Angry Mom, marking his first major television accolade after appearing in 11 dramas.^[43] The following year, Kim earned the Scene Stealer Award at the 2nd Scene Stealer Festival, honoring his standout performance as the pragmatic office worker Oh Sang-sik in the workplace drama Misaeng: Incomplete Life, which highlighted his ability to elevate ensemble casts.^[44] In addition to acting honors, Kim transitioned to directing with the 2024 Disney+ series Light Shop, earning a nomination for Best Director in the television category at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards in 2025, though the award went to another nominee.^[45] No specific honors for his variety show appearances, such as House on Wheels, or theater work were recorded by late 2025.