Kim You Jung

Kim You Jung began her entertainment career at just four years old, appearing in advertisements before becoming one of South Korea's most recognizable child actresses.

She earned the nickname "Nation's Little Sister" because of her popularity as a child actress and her appearances in numerous successful Korean dramas.

She is also known as the "Sageuk Fairy" because of her extensive experience portraying characters in historical Korean dramas.

Kim You Jung is the youngest of three siblings. Her older sister, Kim Yeon Jung, also pursued an acting career and made her debut in 2017.

She attended Goyang High School of Arts and graduated in 2018, choosing to focus on acting rather than immediately attending university.

As a child, she loved participating in school activities, including talent shows and field trips, despite maintaining a busy filming schedule.

She is an enthusiastic fishing hobbyist and has revealed that she enjoys traveling several hours offshore to catch large fish such as yellowtail amberjack and bluefin tuna.

During an appearance on Ask Us Anything, she surprised the cast by revealing that one of the largest fish she had caught measured approximately 120 to 130 centimeters.

She enjoys painting with oils and acrylics and has attended art workshops where she creates paintings inspired by music, emotions, and her imagination.

Before becoming interested in painting, she studied photography and enjoyed capturing images as a creative outlet outside acting.

She has explained that painting helps her connect with her emotions and approach acting with a fresh perspective.

Kim You Jung enjoys collecting vintage vinyl records and listening to Korean music from the 1980s and 1990s.

Some of her favorite Korean singers include Park Hye Kyung, Park Ki Young, and Yangpa, whose music was particularly popular during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

While preparing for 20th Century Girl, she was already familiar with retro music and culture because of her interest in vintage records.

She has said that if she faced the same romantic dilemma as her character Na Bo Ra in 20th Century Girl, she would prioritize friendship over romance.

During her childhood, she dreamed of trying different careers and once considered becoming a handball player after watching a movie.

She has spoken about enjoying action scenes and martial arts training, explaining that she was fascinated by stunt performers while filming historical dramas as a child.

She became comfortable performing wire-action scenes at a young age and overcame her fear of water after participating in underwater filming.

In a childhood interview, she revealed that she admired actor Song Joong Ki and hoped to meet him at an awards ceremony.

She played the younger version of Han Hyo Joo's character in Dong Yi (2010), one of the historical dramas that helped establish her early popularity.

In Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), she portrayed young Heo Yeon Woo, a role that brought her widespread recognition alongside fellow young actors Yeo Jin Goo and Kim So Hyun.

She portrayed Hong Ra On in Love in the Moonlight (2016), a young woman who disguises herself as a man and unexpectedly becomes involved with a crown prince.

Her performance in Love in the Moonlight helped establish her as a leading actress and contributed to the drama's popularity both domestically and internationally.

She portrayed Hong Chun Gi, a talented female painter, in Lovers of the Red Sky (2021). Her real-life interest in painting gave her a personal connection to the character.

In My Demon (2023), she played Do Do Hee, a wealthy businesswoman who enters a contract marriage with a demon portrayed by Song Kang.

Kim You Jung has explained that she chooses acting projects based not only on the script but also on her confidence in the director and the people involved in production.

During a 2025 interview, she shared that traveling, spending time outdoors, and relaxing at home helped her recharge after filming Dear X.

She has said that vivid dreams can make her feel fearless, particularly dreams in which she flies or defeats villains.

In an August 2026 vlog, she revealed that some of her favorite ways to relax include cleaning, organizing her home, watching documentaries, and simply zoning out.

In the same vlog, she shared that she enjoys sushi, nurungji, and dolsot bibimbap, likes listening to Coldplay and jazz, and prefers natural colors such as green, brown, and beige.