Kim Shin-rok (; born March 24, 1981) is a South Korean actress. She gained recognition for her supporting roles in 2021 television series Beyond Evil, Hellbound, One Ordinary Day, and Reborn Rich.
Early life and education Kim Shin-rok was born on March 24, 1981 in Gokseong County, South Jeolla Province. The second of four daughters, her father named her "Shin-rok" (), meaning "new green," a term that refers to the fresh green color of new leaves emerging in early spring or summer. Her father, a former actor, sparked her interest in acting by taking her to a local theater and encouraging her to "look at the person, not the acting." Despite this interest, she majored in geography at Seoul National University, though she did join the university's theater club.
Career
Beginning After graduating, Kim worked various internships. A friend saw an audition notice for the play, which had won that year's Spring Literary Contest. She landed the lead role after auditioning, and made her debut in the 2004 play Survival Calendar as leading role.
The director of the play advised her to formally study theater, leading her to enroll in graduate school. She earned a Master of Arts in Theater and Film from Hanyang University and later a Bachelor of Arts in acting from the Korean Academy of Arts and Sciences. During this period, she recalled, "Every day was a grind, juggling theater and school... I was consumed by a vague, reckless desire to 'I could do it if you just let me!' and it was painful. I was mired in feelings of unhappiness and misfortune."
Breaktrough roles Kim considers her role in the 2018-2019 play The Critic a breakthrough. Originally written for two men, the production featured two women in the lead roles, which she felt pushed her limits as an actress and helped her gain recognition. Her role in the 2020 tvN drama The Cursed was another turning point, as it provided her with the opportunity to actively pursue a career in visual media. This role led to her casting in the series Hellbound, which she credits for her international recognition.
Personal life Kim Shin-rok married actor Park Kyung-chan in 2016. She has described him as her greatest supporter and ally.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2005 Rules of Dating Teacher 1 2008 Dimmer Da-eun 2018 Burning Shin-rok 2024 Uprising Beom-dong 2025 Project Y Ga-yeong 2026 Colony Choi Hyun-hee
Television Year Title Role Notes 2020 The Cursed Seok-hee 2021 Beyond Evil Oh Ji-hwa 2021–2024 Hellbound Park Jeong-ja Season 1–2 Season 1; Season2; 2021 One Ordinary Day Ahn Tae-hee 2022 If You Wish Upon Me Hye-jin Cameo Reborn Rich Jin Hwa-young 2023 Moving Yeo Woon-gyu Shadow Detective Yeon Yeon-hyeon Season 2 The Kidnapping Day Seo Hye-eun 2023–2024 Sweet Home Chief Ji Season 2–3 2024 Queen of Tears Hyeon-suk Cameo (episode 12–13) 2025Undercover High SchoolSeo Myung-ju Tastefully Yours Jin Myeong-sook 2026 Fifties Professionals Kang Young-ae
Theater
+Theater play performanceYearTitleRoleTheaterDateEnglishKorean2004 Survival Calendar Hyehwadong 1-beonji Theater 2005 November 10, 2005 to November 27, 2005 Come&Go Club Bread 2006 It was probably late summer Hyehwa-dong 1 small theatre The Lovers Sarah Hyehwa-dong 1 Small Theater Fedra 페드라 Arts Center Free Small Theatre 2007 RIAU Gwangju Culture and Arts Center Small Theater Hamlet of the East Oriental Odeon Theatre, Beijing, China March 7 to 30 Tree Story Later Performing Arts Center2009Jang Seok-jo's PeopleYeonwoo Small Theater (Daehangno) May 13, 2009 to June 14, 2009Republic of Korea 2030 - Who Will Save Korea's 20s?Yeonwoo Small Theater (Daehangno) July 8, 2009 to July 19, 20092010Where Did Today's Book Disappear?Yoo-jungMimaji Art Center Green Theater February 23, 2010 to May 9, 2010 Cape outing Geumcheon Art Factory/ Tongui-dong security hotel Hamlet Machine-Prototype Cafe Entresite Tell the child Daehak-ro Arts Theater 3Spring Writer Winter Stage - Second GroupActress, Birth of a MasterpieceArko Arts Theater Small Theater December 11, 2010 to December 14, 20102011Jang Seok-jo's PeopleNaju-daek, Sangju-daekDaehangno Arts Theater Grand Theater March 17, 2011 to March 27, 20112012You ForeverArko Arts Theater Small Theater July 4, 2012 to July 15, 2012Ro Pung-chan's Wandering TroupeYang Jung-soonYeonwoo Small Theater (Daehangno) October 11, 2012 to November 4, 2012 Distorted Seoul Station 284 Cafe Variation NY Live Arts2013Mom DisappearedL Studio May 9, 2013 to May 18, 2013 The King and I Doosan Art Center Space111 July 4, 2013 to August 3, 2013 2014 A Serious Banquet NY Theater Workshop This is How I Don't Know How to Dance NY TBG Theatre Just Duet, Hello From Vulsa Hongdae Post Theatre Just Duet, The Passagio Hongdae Post Theatre October 28, 2014 - October 31, 20142015The Story of IkainoSoon-aeHyehwadong 1-beonji Theater Lab February 11, 2015 to February 15, 20152016A Winter's TaleAristocrat, etc.National Theater of Korea Daloreum Theater January 10, 2016 to January 24, 2016PurgatoryWomanYe Green Theater April 22, 2016 to May 15, 2016 The PowerMyeongdong Theater October 26, 2016 to November 13, 20162017Hanminjok Diaspora Festival - Songs of the Dragons Flying to HeavenKoreanBaekseonghui Jangminho Theater June 1, 2017 to June 11, 20172017 Yoon Young-sun Festival - PartyDaehangno Seondol Theater August 31, 2017 to September 10, 2017Working HolidayDoosan Art Center Space111 November 7, 2017 to November 26, 2017 2018Nine GirlsDongyang Arts Theater Hall 2 March 22, 2018 to April 8, 2018CriticScarpaDoosan Art Center Space111 August 17, 2018 to September 1, 20182019Doosan Humanities Theater 2019 Apartment - There Is a Lot of Shit in NokcheonDoosan Art Center Space111 May 14, 2019 to June 8, 2019CriticScarpaDaehangno Arts Theater Small Theater June 27, 2019 to July 7, 2019The Happiness of a WalkerSamilro Changgo TheaterNovember 8, 2019 to November 17, 20192020Fearless - The High School MacbethDrunk Girl CarolineSejong Center S TheaterJanuary 9, 2020 to January 19, 2020 Play Series 8 - Mouthpiece Libby Yes24 Art One Hall 2 July 11, 2020 to September 6, 2020 Out of LoveRonaDaehangno Seondol TheaterJanuary 22, 2021 to January 31, 20212022 Mouthpiece Libby Yes24 Art One Hall 2 November 12, 2021 to January 30, 2022 Repairing the LivingNarrator, etc. Lee Hae-rang Arts Theater July 26, 2022 to September 4, 2022 2024 National Jeongdong Theater January 20, 2024 to March 10, 2024 2025Prima FacieTessaChungmu Art Center Black Small Theater August 27, 2025 to November 2, 2025
Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2022 Best Supporting Actress Hellbound 2025 Excellence Acting Award, Actress Undercover High SchoolTastefully Yours Baeksang Arts Awards 2020 Best Actress – Theater Nokcheon Has Fields of Sh*t 2022 Best Supporting Actress – Television Hellbound 2023 Reborn Rich 2026 Best Acting – Theater Prima Facie Blue Dragon Series Awards 2022 Best Supporting Actress Hellbound Director's Cut Awards 2022 Best New Actress Interpark 2023 Best Actress in a Play MBC Drama Awards 2025 Best Supporting Actress Undercover High School
References
External links Official website