Kim Tae-ri Age, Wiki, Boyfriend, Family, Career, Net Worth

Kim Tae-ri is a South Korean actress who turned a single audition into one of the most celebrated debuts in Korean cinema history, beating 1,500 candidates for her breakthrough role in Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden (2016). 

She was born on April 24, 1990 (36 years old), in Sangbong-dong, Jungnang District, Seoul, South Korea. 

She works mainly in Korean films and television, moving across period dramas, romantic sagas, horror, and sci-fi with a rare sense of ease.

Kim first gained international attention with The Handmaiden (2016), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. She then appeared in 1987: When the Day Comes (2017), Little Forest (2018), and the Netflix hit Space Sweepers (2021).

On television, she led Mr. Sunshine (2018), Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022), Revenant (2023), and Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024). She won the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best New Actress for The Handmaiden and later picked up three Baeksang Arts Awards for Best Actress. In 2024, Gallup Korea named her Television Actor of the Year.

Quick Facts of Kim Tae-ri

Full Name	Kim Tae-ri
Profession	Actress
Age	36 years old
Date of Birth	April 24, 1990
Nationality	South Korean
Zodiac/Sun Sign	Taurus
Birthplace	Sangbong-dong, Jungnang District, Seoul, South Korea
Current Address	Seoul, South Korea
Gender	Female

Kim Tae-ri Early Life and Education 

Kim Tae-ri was born in Sangbong-dong, Jungnang District, Seoul, South Korea. Her name carries a small spring memory of the neighbourhood.

Tae-ri lived with her grandmother for most of her childhood. She had a quiet, ordinary school life, enjoyed drawing, and later described herself as neither shy nor loud, only close to her small circle of friends.

Education

Kim Tae-ri first joined the design department of Youngshin Nursing Business High School because she loved art, but she soon realised it was not her path.

She then dreamed of becoming an announcer and enrolled at Kyung Hee University in 2008, majoring in Journalism and Communication. She graduated in 2012.

In her second year, she joined a college theatre club after watching a new-member play, and everything from performance prep to the applause pulled her toward acting for life.

School	Youngshin Nursing Business High School
Alma Mater	Kyung Hee University
Highest Qualification	Graduate (Journalism and Communication)

Kim Tae-ri Personal Life 

Kim Tae-ri is known for guarding her personal life like a well-locked drawer. She rarely speaks about her romantic life in public, and her agency has moved quickly to deny most dating rumours that surface online.

Relationship Status

Currently, Kim Tae-ri is single. She has never publicly confirmed a boyfriend, and her agency Management MMM has repeatedly declined to link her name with any partner.

Rumoured Boyfriends

Over the years, her name has been dragged into a few high-profile dating rumours, most of them tied to her co-stars.

In October 2022, she and Space Sweepers co-star Song Joong-ki were rumoured to have been spotted together on a date in Paris. Both agencies quickly denied the story. Management MMM called the dating rumours “completely false.”

In 2023, fans linked her with Twenty-Five Twenty-One co-star Nam Joo-hyuk after their on-screen chemistry, but neither actor confirmed anything and no agency statement backed the claims.

Parents

Kim Tae-ri has kept her parents completely away from the media. Their names, jobs, and personal details are yet to be updated.

Her mother initially wanted to name her Tae-jeong, hoping she would grow up to enter politics, but her father changed it to Tae-ri after seeing the pear blossoms in full bloom on the way to register her birth. The character “ri” (梨) means pear tree.

She has also spoken about being raised by her grandmother during her early childhood.

Siblings

Kim Tae-ri has one older brother. His name, profession, and other details have not been shared publicly and are yet to be updated.

Relationship Status	Single
Rumoured Boyfriends	Nam Joo-hyuk, Song Joong-ki
Parents	Yet to be updated
Siblings	One older brother

Kim Tae-ri Career

Kim Tae-ri’s career reads like a slow burn that turned into a wildfire. She spent years auditioning and getting rejected before one role changed everything.

Theatre and Short Film Beginnings (2012 to 2015)

After graduating in 2012, Kim spent a year with the Iru theatre troupe in Daehangno as part of the technical crew. She was later cast as the understudy for Kang Ae-shim in the 2012 stage production of Spoonface Steinberg.

She went on to appear in stage plays like Pansy and Ask for Love, and was double cast in the 2013 rerun of Spoonface Steinberg.

She filmed the short film Moon Young in 2013, which premiered at the Seoul Independent Film Festival in 2015. In 2014, she signed with J,WIDE-Company and worked on TV commercials.

Breakout with The Handmaiden (2016)

Kim Tae-ri made her feature film debut in The Handmaiden (2016), where she was picked from 1,500 candidates for the role of Sook-hee. She shared the screen with Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, and Cho Jin-woong, along with Kim Hae-sook and Moon So-ri.

The film premiered in competition at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and grossed over US$38 million worldwide.

She also made a brief cameo appearance as herself in the tvN series Entourage (2016).

Rise as a Film Star (2017 to 2018)

In 2017, she joined the ensemble political thriller 1987: When the Day Comes (2017) as Yeon-hee. The film starred Kim Yoon-seok, Ha Jung-woo, Yoo Hae-jin, Gang Dong-won, Sul Kyung-gu, Park Hee-soon, Lee Hee-joon, and Yeo Jin-goo.

In 2018, she led the drama film Little Forest (2018) as Song Hye-won, along with Ryu Jun-yeol, Jin Ki-joo, and Moon So-ri.

Small Screen Debut with Mr. Sunshine (2018)

Kim made her television debut in the period melodrama Mr. Sunshine (2018) as Go Ae-shin. The series starred Lee Byung-hun, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung, and Byun Yo-han.

The final episode of Mr. Sunshine reached 18.129 percent, making it the third highest rated series in Korean cable television history at the time.

She was later named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia in 2019 in the Entertainment and Sports category.

Space Sweepers and Global Reach (2021)

In 2021, Kim starred in the sci-fi blockbuster Space Sweepers (2021) as Captain Jang, alongside Song Joong-ki, Jin Seon-kyu, Yoo Hae-jin, and Kim Mu-yeol.

It debuted at No. 1 on Netflix in at least 16 countries and attracted more than 26 million household views within its first 28 days.

In August 2021, Kim signed with Management MMM.

Twenty-Five Twenty-One and Alienoid (2022)

In 2022, Kim returned to television with the coming-of-age drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022) as Na Hee-do. The series co-starred Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji-yeon (Bona), Choi Hyun-wook, and Lee Joo-myung.

The show became one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable history and won her the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actress in Television.

The same year, she led the sci-fi action film Alienoid (2022) as Lee Ahn, sharing the screen with Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Woo-bin, So Ji-sub, Yum Jung-ah, Jo Woo-jin, Lee Hanee, and Kim Hae-sook.

Revenant (2023)

In 2023, Kim starred in the SBS mystery horror series Revenant (2023) as Gu San-yeong. She was praised for her dual portrayal of the character and the malicious spirit within her.

She played opposite Oh Jung-se and Hong Kyung, with a supporting cast that included Kim Hae-sook, Park Ji-young, Kim Won-hae, Yang Hye-ji, Jin Seon-kyu, and Ye Soo-jung.

The series earned her the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 2023 SBS Drama Awards.

Alienoid: Return to the Future and Jeongnyeon (2024)

In January 2024, she reprised her role as Lee Ahn in Alienoid: Return to the Future (2024).

Later in 2024, she took the titular role in tvN’s historical musical drama Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024) as Yoon Jeong-nyeon. She co-starred with Shin Ye-eun, Ra Mi-ran, Jung Eun-chae, Kim Yoon-hye, Woo Da-vi, and Moon So-ri.

Her performance won her a second Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actress in Television and led Gallup Korea to rank her as Korea’s Television Actor of the Year in 2024.

Voice Acting Debut (2025)

In 2025, Kim made her voice acting debut in the animated science fiction romance film Lost in Starlight (2025) as Joo Nan-young, opposite Hong Kyung.

It was the first South Korean feature-length animated film to be released on Netflix.

Recent and Upcoming Work (2026)

In 2026, Kim joined the tvN variety programme Curtain Up, Class! as a regular cast member, alongside Choi Hyun-wook. This marks her first variety show since her debut.

She is also reportedly considering her return to television with Sister, I Am Queen in This Life, a webtoon-based drama.

Kim Tae-ri Awards and Achievements 

Kim Tae-ri has built one of the most decorated award records among Korean actresses of her generation. Since her debut, she has picked up major honours across film, television, and streaming work.

Her biggest recognitions include three Baeksang Arts Awards, a Blue Dragon Film Award, Grand Prizes (Daesang) at the SBS Drama Awards and APAN Star Awards, and government commendations from the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Her Major Wins

• Blue Dragon Film Awards (2016): Won Best New Actress for The Handmaiden (2016).
• Buil Film Awards (2016): Won Best New Actress for The Handmaiden (2016).
• Busan Film Critics Awards (2016): Won Best New Actress for The Handmaiden (2016).
• Cine21 Film Awards (2016): Won Best New Actress for The Handmaiden (2016).
• Women in Film Korea Festival (2016): Won Best New Actress for The Handmaiden (2016).
• Asian Film Awards (2017): Won Best Newcomer for The Handmaiden (2016).
• Asia Artist Awards (2017): Won Best Entertainer.
• KOFRA Film Awards (2017): Won Best New Actress for The Handmaiden (2016).
• Marie Claire Film Festival (2017): Won Best Newcomer for The Handmaiden (2016).
• Director’s Cut Awards (2018): Won Best Actress for Little Forest (2018).
• APAN Star Awards (2018): Won Best New Actress for Mr. Sunshine (2018).
• Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards (2018): Won Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation.
• Baeksang Arts Awards (2022): Won Best Actress in Television for Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022). She also won Most Popular Actress at the same ceremony.
• Brand of the Year Awards (2022): Won Best Actress.
• Korea Advertisers Contest KAA Awards (2022): Won Advertiser’s Model Award.
• SBS Drama Awards (2023): Won Grand Prize (Daesang) for Revenant (2023).
• APAN Star Awards (2024): Won Grand Prize (Daesang) for Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024).
• Korea Broadcasting Awards (2024): Won Best Actress for Revenant (2023).
• K-Culture Trend Forum (2024): Won MVP of the Year in the Drama category for Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024).
• Baeksang Arts Awards (2025): Won Best Actress in Television for Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024).
• Korea First Brand Awards (2025): Won Best Actress (Drama) for Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024).
• Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards (2025): Won Prime Minister’s Commendation.

Her Key Nominations

• Baeksang Arts Awards (2017): Nominated for Best New Actress in Film for The Handmaiden (2016).
• Baeksang Arts Awards (2018): Nominated for Best Actress in Film for Little Forest (2018).
• Baeksang Arts Awards (2019): Nominated for Best Actress in Television for Mr. Sunshine (2018).
• Blue Dragon Film Awards (2018): Nominated for Best Actress for Little Forest (2018).
• Buil Film Awards (2018): Nominated for Best Actress for Little Forest (2018).
• Grand Bell Awards (2018): Nominated for Best Actress for 1987: When the Day Comes (2017).
• Chunsa Film Art Awards (2018): Nominated for Best Actress for 1987: When the Day Comes (2017).
• Huading Awards (2023): Nominated for Best Global Teleplay Leading Actress for Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022).
• Seoul International Drama Awards (2024): Nominated for Outstanding Korean Actress for Revenant (2023).

Other Recognitions

• Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2018 and 2019): Featured in the Entertainment and Sports category.
• Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40: Ranked 23rd in 2019 and 28th in 2023.
• Gallup Korea Television Actor of the Year: Ranked 2nd in 2018, 18th in 2023, and 1st in 2024.
• Cine21 Actress to Watch Out For: Ranked 1st in the 2020 list and 2nd in the 2022 list.

Kim Tae-ri Controversies

Kim Tae-ri has mostly kept away from major personal controversies, but a few professional and public incidents have been linked to her name over the years.

Kim Tae-ri Net Worth 

Kim Tae-ri’s net worth is not officially declared, so most numbers online are estimates. She is known to be selective with her projects, but her income has grown through drama fees, film salaries, and premium brand endorsements.

Recent estimates put her net worth at around $9 million (approx. ₹75 crore or ₩12.6 billion).

Her salary is estimated at around $1 million (approx. ₹8.4 crore or ₩1.4 billion) per major project, though her exact per-project fee has not been publicly disclosed.

She earns steadily from long-term brand deals, including her role as brand ambassador for Prada, Prada Beauty, and O Hui. She has also had past deals with Kenzo, Tiffany & Co., Itmichaa, POLHAM, ILOOM, and J.estina.

Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.)	$9 million (approx. ₹75 crore)
Salary (Approx.)	Around $1 million (approx. ₹8.4 crore) per project

Kim Tae-ri Height, Weight and Physical Stats

Height	In centimetres: 166 cm In meters: 1.66 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 5 inches
Weight	In kg: 46 kg In lbs: 101 lbs
Body Measurements	32-24-34
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Black

Kim Tae-ri Social media 

Instagram

@kimtaeri_official

Interesting Facts about Kim Tae-ri

• She trained in pansori, dance, and dialect for three years before officially taking on her role in Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024).
• She is known to have aquaphobia (fear of water), which she pushed through while filming the water scenes in Jeongnyeon.
• To prepare for her role in Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022), she trained in fencing for five to six months before filming began.
• For Alienoid (2022), she attended action school and trained in gymnastics, martial arts, and shooting.
• She learned Japanese for her debut role in The Handmaiden (2016), where her character had to switch between Korean and Japanese dialogue.
• She is a self-confessed BTS fan, with Spring Day being her favourite song.
• She is a big animal lover and owns two cats, and has said that her ideal type would be someone funny who also loves animals.
• Before her acting career took off, she worked several part-time jobs, including at KFC, a cafe, a convenience store, a newspaper company, and a multiplex cinema.

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