Kim Go-eun is a South Korean actress who turns raw, fearless performances into her signature.
She was born on July 2, 1991 (35 years old) in Seoul, South Korea.
She works mainly in Korean films and television and is counted among the finest character actresses of her generation.
Kim burst onto the scene with the film A Muse (2012), a bold debut that swept nearly every Best New Actress trophy that year. She then won hearts across Asia with the fantasy drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016), better known as Goblin.
Her range stretches from the tender romance of Yumi’s Cells (2021) to the gritty drama of Little Women (2022). For her spine-chilling turn as a young shaman in the occult hit Exhuma (2024), she won Best Actress at both the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Quick Facts of Kim Go-eun
| Full Name | Kim Go-eun |
| Profession | Actress |
| Age | 35 years old |
| Date of Birth | July 2, 1991 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Current Address | Seoul, South Korea |
| Gender | Female |
Kim Go-eun Early Life and Education
Kim Go-eun was born in Seoul, South Korea. When she was around three years old, her family moved to Beijing, China.
She spent about ten years growing up in China and became fluent in Mandarin. The family returned to South Korea when she was in her early teens.
As a child, she watched Chen Kaige’s film Together many times, and it sparked her dream of working in cinema. That passion later drew her towards theatre and acting.
Education
Kim attended Kaywon High School of the Arts in Seoul after returning to Korea.
She then joined the School of Drama at the Korea National University of Arts, where she studied acting. Her classmates included actors like Park So-dam and Ahn Eun-jin.
She completed her degree in theatre, and it was during her college years that she landed her debut film role.
| School | Kaywon High School of the Arts |
| Alma Mater | Korea National University of Arts |
| Highest Qualification | Graduate (Theatre) |
Kim Go-eun Personal Life
Kim Go-eun tends to keep her private life away from the spotlight and speaks about it rarely.
As of now, Kim Go-eun is unmarried and has not publicly confirmed any current relationship. So, her present relationship status is yet to be updated.
Boyfriend and Relationships
Kim Go-eun was in a confirmed relationship with veteran actor Shin Ha-kyun. Their agency announced the romance in August 2016.
The two grew close through a shared scuba diving club and belonged to the same agency at the time. Despite a 17-year age gap, they were widely supported by fans.
The couple parted ways in early 2017, with their agency citing busy schedules. They chose to remain on good terms as seniors and juniors in the industry.
Over the years, Kim was also linked in rumours with her Goblin co-star Gong Yoo and her The King: Eternal Monarch co-star Lee Min-ho. Both sets of rumours were denied or never confirmed.
Parents
Kim Go-eun grew up in a close middle-class family, and it was her father’s job that took them to China when she was very young.
Her parents are not public figures, but her father’s love of cinema played a big role in shaping her early interest in films.
Father
Her father is Kim In-gi. He was a film lover, and his passion for movies first drew Kim towards the idea of working in cinema before she turned to acting.
Mother
The name of her mother is yet to be updated, and further details about her are not publicly confirmed.
Siblings
Kim Go-eun has an elder brother. His name and other details are not public, so they are yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Ex-Boyfriend | Shin Ha-kyun |
| Parents | Father: Kim In-gi Mother: Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | One elder brother |
Kim Go-eun Career
Kim Go-eun built her name on the big screen first, choosing challenging characters before she became a household face on television. Her work now spans film, drama, and streaming.
Film Debut and Breakthrough (2012)
Kim made her feature film debut in A Muse (2012), also known as Eungyo. She played a 17-year-old girl who becomes the object of desire for two men.
She was chosen from around 300 hopefuls and shared the screen with Park Hae-il and Kim Mu-yeol. The role brought her a string of Best New Actress awards almost overnight.
After this success, she stepped back to finish her college degree before returning to acting.
Return and Diverse Film Roles (2014 to 2015)
In 2014, Kim returned with the thriller Monster, where she played a woman seeking revenge, opposite Lee Min-ki.
In 2015, she starred in the crime thriller Coin Locker Girl alongside Kim Hye-soo, a film that took her to the Cannes Film Festival. The same year she appeared in the period action film Memories of the Sword with her role model Jeon Do-yeon and Lee Byung-hun.
She also played a sharp prosecutor in The Advocate: A Missing Body opposite Lee Sun-kyun.
Television Debut and Stardom (2016 to 2017)
Kim made her small screen debut in the tvN series Cheese in the Trap (2016), acting with Park Hae-jin, Seo Kang-joon, Lee Sung-kyung, and Nam Joo-hyuk. She won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best New Actress in television.
The same year she appeared in the family film Canola with veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung.
Later in 2016, she took the lead in the fantasy hit Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, known as Goblin, alongside Gong Yoo, Lee Dong-wook, and Yoo In-na. The show became a cultural phenomenon and made her a pan Asian star.
New Film and Drama Ventures (2018 to 2020)
In 2018, Kim played a spirited country girl in Sunset in My Hometown, sharing the screen with Park Jung-min.
In 2019, she starred in the romantic film Tune in for Love opposite Jung Hae-in.
In 2020, she led the big-budget fantasy drama The King: Eternal Monarch with Lee Min-ho, Woo Do-hwan, and Kim Kyung-nam. The series drew huge attention despite a mixed critical response.
Leading Lady Across Screens (2021 to 2022)
From 2021 to 2022, Kim headlined the romantic comedy Yumi’s Cells, which blended live action with animation. She acted opposite Ahn Bo-hyun in the first season and Park Jin-young in the second.
In 2022, she starred in the acclaimed drama Little Women with Nam Ji-hyun, Park Ji-hoo, Wi Ha-joon, and Uhm Ki-joon.
The same year, she appeared in the musical film Hero as a Korean independence agent, acting with Jung Sung-hwa and Na Moon-hee.
Career Peak with Exhuma (2024)
In 2024, Kim reached a career high with the occult thriller Exhuma. She played a young shaman alongside Choi Min-sik, Yoo Hae-jin, and Lee Do-hyun.
The film became the highest-grossing Korean release of the year, crossing 11 million admissions. Her intense ritual scenes earned wide praise and top acting honours.
She also joined the “Ten Million Club”, reserved for actors whose films sell over ten million tickets.
Recent Work (2024 to 2025)
In October 2024, Kim Go-eun starred as Jae-hee in the film Love in the Big City, adapted from the bestselling novel, opposite Noh Sang-hyun.
In 2025, she led two Netflix originals. She reunited with Park Ji-hyun in the coming-of-age series You and Everything Else, released in September, and then paired with Jeon Do-yeon in the mystery thriller The Price of Confession in December.
In April 2026, Kim returned as Kim Yumi in Yumi’s Cells 3, the final season of the hit romance series, with Kim Jae-won joining as her new love interest, Shin Soon-rok.
Upcoming Projects
Kim Go-eun has reportedly been offered to lead the upcoming romance drama Soul, a working title, opposite actor Kang Dong-won.
The project is said to bring together director Kim Won-seok, known for When Life Gives You Tangerines, and Queen of Tears writer Park Ji-eun. As of now, the casting is at the discussion stage, so further details are yet to be updated.
Kim Go-eun Awards and Achievements
Kim Go-eun has earned major recognition across film, television, and streaming work. Her debut film A Muse brought her a wave of newcomer awards, and later titles like Yumi’s Cells, Exhuma, and Love in the Big City won her leading actress honours.
Her Major Wins
- Blue Dragon Film Awards (2012): Won Best New Actress for A Muse (2012).
- Grand Bell Awards (2012): Won Best New Actress for A Muse (2012).
- Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (2015): Won the Fantasia Award for Coin Locker Girl (2015).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2016): Won Best New Actress in Television for Cheese in the Trap (2016).
- Blue Dragon Series Awards (2022): Won Best Leading Actress for Yumi’s Cells.
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2024): Won Best Actress in Film for Exhuma (2024).
- Blue Dragon Film Awards (2024): Won Best Actress for Exhuma (2024).
- Buil Film Awards (2025): Won Best Actress for Love in the Big City (2024).
- Chunsa Film Art Awards (2025): Won Best Acting in OTT for The Price of Confession (2025).
Her Key Nominations
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2013): Nominated for Best New Actress in Film for A Muse (2012).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2017): Nominated for Best Actress in Television for Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.
- Asian Film Awards (2025): Nominated for Best Actress for Exhuma (2024).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2025): Nominated for Best Actress in Film for Love in the Big City (2024).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2026): Nominated for Best Actress in Television for You and Everything Else (2025).
Kim Go-eun Controversies
Kim Go-eun has largely stayed away from major personal scandals. A few issues linked to her name are mostly tied to her projects and the buzz around them.
Bold debut role in A Muse (2012): Her very first film centred on an elderly poet’s desire for a teenage girl and featured mature scenes. As a newcomer, Kim faced heavy media attention and debate over the film’s sensitive theme, though her performance drew strong praise.
The King: Eternal Monarch reception (2020): The big-budget drama was heavily promoted but received a mixed response. Some viewers criticised the storyline and questioned the on-screen chemistry between Kim and Lee Min-ho, even as the show retained a loyal global fanbase.
Kim Go-eun Net Worth
Kim Go-eun’s net worth has not been officially declared, so figures reported online are estimates and vary widely between sources.
Her net worth is estimated at around $5 million to $18 million (approx. ₹42 crore to ₹153 crore), reflecting her film, drama, and endorsement income.
Reports suggest she has earned an estimated $30,000 to $50,000 per episode (approx. ₹25 lakh to ₹42 lakh) for popular dramas, though exact fees are not confirmed.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $5 million to $18 million (approx. ₹42 crore to ₹153 crore) |
| Salary (Approx.) | $30,000 to $50,000 (approx. ₹25 lakh to ₹42 lakh) per episode |
Kim Go-eun Height, Weight and Physical Stats
| Height | In centimetres: 167 cm In meters: 1.67 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 6 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 55 kg In lbs: 121 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 32-24-34 |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Kim Go-eun Social media
 @ggonekim |
Interesting Facts about Kim Go-eun
- For the film Sunset in My Hometown, she gained around 8 kg and learned a regional dialect to fit her role.
- She is a keen scuba diver, and it was through a diving club that she grew close to actor Shin Ha-kyun.
- She has lent her voice to soundtracks for her own dramas, including the track “Attraction” for Cheese in the Trap.
- In 2019, she was named a Chanel ambassador for South Korea, despite generally limiting her commercial appearances.
- She is known for regular charity work, donating funds for wildfire relief, flood relief, and children’s hospital support over the years.
FAQs
How old is Kim Go-eun?
She is 35 years old. She was born on July 2, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea.
What is Kim Go-eun famous for?
She is known for the drama Goblin (2016), Little Women (2022), and the record-breaking film Exhuma (2024).
Who is Kim Go-eun’s boyfriend?
She is currently single. She previously dated actor Shin Ha-kyun from 2016 to 2017.
What is Kim Go-eun’s education?
She studied at Kaywon High School of the Arts and graduated in theatre from the Korea National University of Arts.
What awards has Kim Go-eun won?
She won Best Actress at the 2024 Baeksang Arts Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards for Exhuma, among many others.
How tall is Kim Go-eun?
She is about 167 cm, which is roughly 5 feet 6 inches.
Is Kim Go-eun in Yumi’s Cells 3?
Yes. She is confirmed to return as Kim Yumi in Yumi’s Cells 3, which was released in April 2026.
