From fashion runways to Netflix leads: the rapid ascent of Kim Jae-won
In short: In just a few years, South Korean talent Kim Jae-won has transitioned from a fashion model to a versatile leading man. His journey through diverse roles—from high school students to detectives—highlights the intense pace of modern stardom in the competitive South Korean entertainment industry.
Born in Seoul on February 9, 2001, Kim Jae-won began his professional journey not on screen, but on the fashion runway. He made his debut as a model in 2018, building a foundation in visual performance before pivoting to acting. His formal training includes studying at the School of Performing Arts Seoul within the Department of Theatre & Film, followed by further studies at Chung-Ang University in the Performance Film Creation department.
In 2021, Kim started acting in the Kristel Fulgar-directed Filipino-Korean web series Love From Home. He quickly gained momentum, appearing in the series Romanced and securing a notable role in the 2022 tvN drama Our Blues. In that production, he portrayed a young Cha Seung-won, a performance that earned him significant viewer adoration and established his presence in the television industry.
His versatility became evident as he moved from portraying a beloved high school student in the EBS drama Fall For You to playing Shin Chang-hoon, a former homicide detective, in the 2023 tvN series Stealer: The Treasure Keeper. This range allowed him to secure his first lead role in the 2024 Netflix original series Hierarchy, where he played Kim Ri-an alongside co-stars Roh Jeong-eui and Lee Chae-min.
Looking ahead, Kim's schedule remains packed with high-profile projects. He is set to appear in the 2025 Netflix original The Art of Sarah and the sageuk drama The Tale of Lady Ok. Notably, he has been confirmed for the third season of Yumi's Cells in 2026, where he will play Shin Soon-rok, the love interest of Kim Yumi. He is also slated to host Music Bank starting February 27, 2026.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Kim Jae-won (actor, born 2001)
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