Kim Nam-joo’s Career Life
Kim won 4th place in a talent search by broadcaster SBS in 1994, and quickly became a popular television star in her twenties. Her characters in the hit TV series City Men and Women (1996), Model (1997), The Boss (1999), and Her House (2001), made her the epitome of a sophisticated, urban career woman in 1990s Korea. But after Her House, Kim went into semi-retirement, only appearing in lucrative commercials, mostly for cosmetics and luxury goods. She married actor Kim Seung-woo in 2005, and for several years she lived as a full-time housewife and mother. In 2007, she stretched some acting muscle opposite Sol Kyung-gu in Voice of a Murderer, about the tormented and ultimately unsuccessful attempts of two parents to bring their kidnapped son back home. Based on the true story of a nine-year-old child found dead in 1991, the film faithfully follows the harrowing 44-day quest to find the missing boy. Kim made a successful television comeback in Queen of Housewives (also known as My Wife is a Superwoman) in 2009. A comedy drama that depicts the life of housewives who devote their entire lives to their husbands’ success, and it became one of the most-watched shows during its run, topping Korea’s TV ratings charts for three consecutive weeks. It also created new trends among married women in terms of confidence, fashion, and makeup. Kim’s character Chun Ji-ae was once the most popular girl in high school, and she’s determined to help her smart but clueless husband climb the corporate ladder, once she realizes that he is an under-performer at work. Chun meets her match, however, when she discovers that his boss is the husband of her high school frenemy. Her portrayal of a modern Korean housewife won Kim numerous accolades Kim reunited with Queen of Housewives writer Park Ji-eun in another workplace romantic dramedy, 2010’s Queen of Reversals. This time, Kim played a strong and decisive career woman trying to balance work and married life. Her character Hwang Tae-hee experiences the many ups, downs, and reversals of work, family, and romance as she falls in and out of love and marriage. Ratings-wise, Queen of Reversals was less successful than its predecessor, though Kim was awarded the highest award (Daesang or “Grand Prize”) at MBC’s year-end drama awards ceremony.
Kim Nam-joo’s TV shows and Dramas
TV Shows
Misty (JTBC, 2018) You Who Rolled In Unexpectedly (KBS, 2012) Queen of Reversals (MBC, 2010) Queen of Housewives (MBC, 2009) Her House (MBC, 2001) Crystal (SBS, 1999) The Boss (MBC, 1999) Winners (SBS, 1998) Steal My Heart (SBS, 1998) Model (SBS, 1997)
Movies
Voice of Murderer (2007) I Love You (2001)
Recognition
2018 54th Baeksang Arts Awards: Best Actress (Misty) 2012 KBS Drama Awards: Grand Prize (Daesang) (You Who Rolled In Unexpectedly) 2012 KBS Drama Awards: Best Couple Award with Yoo Joon Sang (You Who Rolled In Unexpectedly) 2012 20th Korean Culture Entertainment Awards: Drama Acting Daesang (You Who Rolled In Unexpectedly) 2012 Grimae Award: Best Actress Award (You Who Rolled In Unexpectedly) 2012 1st K-Drama Star Awards: Top Excellence Actress Award (You Who Rolled In Unexpectedly) 2012 5th Korea Drama Awards: Grand Prize (Daesang) (You Who Rolled In Unexpectedly) 2010 MBC Drama Awards: Daesang (Grand Prize) (Queen of Reversals) 2010 46th Baeksang Arts Awards: Best TV Actress Award (Queen of Housewives) 2009 MBC Drama Awards: Top Excellence Award – Actress (Queen of Housewives)
Kim Nam-joo’s Husband’s, Kim Seung-woo
Kim Seung-Woo married actress Kim Nam-Joo on May 5, 2005 at the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill Hotel Vista Hall, Gwangjang-dong Seoul. The couple has two children – older daughter born on November 2, 2005 & a son born on March 5, 2008.
