Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1973-11-07
- Born Place: Seoul, South Korea
Also Known As:
Kim Yoon-jin, Kim Yun-jin, کیم یونجین, یون جین کیم
Yunjin Kim
Yunjin Kim (김윤진; born November 7, 1973 in Seoul) is a South Korean–American actress celebrated for her commanding presence both in Korea and Hollywood. At age 10, she emigrated with her family to the U.S., settling in Staten Island, New York, where she developed a passion for performance—joining her middle-school drama club, attending NYC’s prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, training at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and earning a BFA in Drama from Boston University. Kim’s big break came in 1999 as a North Korean spy in Shiri, South Korea’s first blockbuster film, followed by roles in Seven Days, Harmony, and Ode to My Father, earning top acting awards including Blue Dragon and Grand Bell honors. Her international fame soared when she starred as Sun-Hwa Kwon on ABC’s Lost (2004–2010), making history as one of the first Asian-American leads on mainstream TV and winning a SAG ensemble award. After Lost, Kim led in ABC’s drama Mistresses and returned to South Korea for series like Ms. Ma, Nemesis and Netflix’s Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area, where she portrayed Seon Woo-jin in 2022. In recent years, she’s also appeared in XO, Kitty and the film Dog Days (2024), while continuing to act across East and West. Fluent in Korean and English, with background in dance and martial arts, Kim is known for her versatility and depth. Married since 2010 to Park Jeong‑hyeok, she balances a dynamic career spanning renowned Korean cinema and international television.
