Kim Joo-yeon

Kim Joo-yeon (; born May 11, 1993) is a South Korean musical, stage and television actress. She is best known for her role in Netflix Original Series ''Move to Heaven'' (2021) and '' Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha'' (2021).

Early years

Kim Joo-yeon was born on May 11, 1993, in Jeju, South Korea as the youngest of three daughters. Kim grew up in Jeju, where she had limited exposure to theater or musical performances. However, her life took a different turn after she met art teacher Ko Seong-woo in the third grade of elementary school. Kim played the male role in her school's team for the national folk song competition, which won the grand prize, and this experience played a significant role in gradually changing her shy personality.

Kim developed an interest in music after becoming a fan of the indie band Jaurim, and she began taking singing lessons from a former professor of Seoul Institute of The Arts. Based on the teacher's recommendation, she enrolled at Anyang Arts High School, where she joined the school's musical club. Her first experience in acting was in the school's production of musical ''Beauty and The Beast''. After graduating from high school, Kim relocated to Seoul and enrolled in the Department of Theater and Film at Dongguk University.

Career

Debut and early careers

Kim’s career beginnings can be credited to her student-mentor relationship with producer Kim Soo-ro, who was her professor at Dongguk University. In the fall of 2015, Kim debuted as a theater actress with the role of Yoo Hwa-yi, the female lead in the play ''Taxi Driver'' by playwright Jang Jin. The 12th production of play 'Taxi Driver' in 2015 was a collaboration between Jang Jin and producer Kim Soo-ro as part of Kim Soo-ro’s Project. Kim then joined agency ''Double K Film and Theater'', founded by Kim Soo-ro and Kim Min-jong.

In 2016, Kim made her debut as a musical actress in the production of the musical "Interview". She was double-cast as Joan, an 18-year-old girl who suffered a mysterious accident, alongside the more senior actress Moon Jin-ah. The musical was produced by Kim Soo-ro, who served as the curator of Hyundai Card Understage. It was a thrilling musical production that uncovered a murder case from a decade ago, and the story switched between the past and present through interviews.

Also in 2016, Kim expanded her acting repertoire by joining the cast of the Korean creative musical "Peste", a production based on Albert Camus' novel '' The Plague (La Peste)''. The musical ran from August to October at the LG Arts Center, and Kim took on the challenging role of Jan by herself. "Peste" was a highly-anticipated production due to its composition by Seo Taiji and arrangement by Kim Seong-su, adding to its appeal and popularity among audiences.

Throughout 2017, Kim remained busy as an actress. Kim's talent as an actress was on full display when she reprised her role as Joan for a special performance of the musical "Interview" in Tokyo, Japan. She also caught the attention of theater audiences with her impressive portrayal of Natasha in the Korean adaptation of Maxim Gorky's classic play '' The Lower Depths'', which featured her unique twist and added tension to the role. Her beauty and skill on stage earned her the nickname 'Daehak-ro Kim Tae-hee'. Later that year, from June to October, Kim played the supporting role of Seon in an encore performance of the musical "The Great Catsby", which was adapted from a popular webtoon by Kang Do-ha. The musical's talented creative team, including dramaturge Oh Se-hyuk, director Byun Jeong-ju, music director Huh Su-hyun, and choreographer Kwon Young-im, helped make the production a success.

Kim's big break came in 2018 when she starred in the 20th production of the musical "Laundry", playing the role of Son Na-young. Premiered in 2005, the musical depicts the hardships of ordinary people through the story of bookstore clerk Son Na-young and Solongo, a Mongolian migrant worker. Later that year, Kim joined the principal cast of the musical ''Maybe Happy Ending'' as helperbot Claire for an encore performance in Japan. She was double-cast alongside actress Song Sang-eun from the Japanese premiere, and also starred opposite Yesung, Seven, and Seong-je, who were triple-cast as helperbot Oliver. Additionally, Kim Nam-ho and Ra-jun were double-cast as Oliver's former owner, James. The production was performed in Yokohama and Osaka in May.

Kim's final work for the year was playing role Emily in "Disappear Into Thin Air" (2018), the Korean adaptation of "Disappearance", a play by Japanese playwright and directo
Keralino Sandorovich
The production was produced by Yeonwoo Stage.

Temple and other theater projects

In early 2019, Kim showcased her acting skills by playing Mary Warren in the Korean adaptation of Arthur Miller's play ''The Crucible'' (1953) at the Lee Haerang Theatre of Art Seoul. The production was produced by her agency, Double K Film and Theater. Kim also played the role of Chae Kyung in "Hot Summer" (2019), a production by Theater Ganda, where she was double-cast with Hong Ji-hee. The musical was performed at the Yes24 Stage 3 Hall from May 17 to June 30, 2019.

Later that year, Kim took on the lead role in the period musical "Create-ing 2nd Work: Nangrang Kisaeng", which was produced by Jeongdong Theater. The musical was based on the true story of Kang Hyang-ran (姜香蘭), the first short-haired kisaeng in Joseon. Kang enrolled at Hannam Kwonbeon at the age of 14, and due to her exceptional skills, she became one of the most popular kisaeng of her time. In an effort to attend school, Kang cut her hair short and disguised herself as a man in a suit, but her secret was soon discovered, leading to a scandal that was reported on the third page of the Dong-A Ilbo on June 22, 1922. Directed by Kang Yu-mi, the musical was performed at Jeongdong Theater from July 26 to August 18, 2019.

Kim's most critically acclaimed performance of the year was in the physical play "Temple" by Theater Ganda, where she played the role of Temple Grandin. The play's plot was based on the true story of Temple Grandin, a professor at Colorado State University who became a world-class zoologist despite being autistic. Kim was double-cast as Temple with actress Park Hee-jung, and landed the role thanks to a recommendation from assistant director Shim Sae-in, whom she had met while working on the play "Hot Summer". To prepare for the role, Kim conducted extensive research, reading "The Story of a Certain Autistic Man" written by Temple Grandin several times. She also drew inspiration from the acting of Cho Seung-woo in the movie ''Marathon'' and Kim Hyang-gi in ''Innocent Witness''. It was premiered at the Goyang Cultural Foundation in 2019.

Kim returned to Theater Ganda productions with the role Ann in Korean premiere of the musical ''Murderer'' (2019). The work was based on Georg Kaiser's play ''The Raft of Medusa.'' It was performed from September 20 to November 17 at Daehangno TOM 2.

The year 2020 was a busy one for Kim Joo-yeon. From January to March, Kim and Lee Ji-soo appeared as Julie, the eccentric and wacky weaver who swallowed a magnet, in composer Kim Dae-ri's notable musical "Julie & Paul" (2020). The musical was produced by Yeonwoo Stage. From March to April, Kim played the dual roles of Demian and Sinclair in the musical "Demian" (2020), which was based on the novel by Hermann Hesse. The work is a unique two-person musical play in which two actors take turns playing the roles without a fixed gender, employing the gender-blind casting concept where one male and one female actor play Sinclair or Demian. The actors also played other characters in the novel, including Cromer, Sinclair's father, Pistorius, and Mrs. Eva. From June to September, Kim and Lee Ah-jin alternated in the supporting role of Layla, the bold and clever character in the play '' Dear Elena'' (2020). Written in 1980 by Ljudmila Razumovskaya, the play poignantly reveals the inner conflict of humanity.

In October and November, Kim once again played the role of Temple Grandin in the movement play "Temple" for Welcome Daehakro-Welcome Theater 2020. Having appeared in the play since its premiere, she was praised for her excellent acting and even hailed as "Temple herself". Critics also noted that Kim had demonstrated significant growth as an actor, showcasing a dramatic change in her acting style compared to her previous works such as the musicals "Julie and Paul" and "Demian".''''

In December, Kim joined Dream Theater Company's representative repertoire play "Touch Your Love", written and directed by Jung Hyung-seok. The play, which premiered at Daehak-ro in the fall of 2013, tells the story of three characters - Dong-wook, Eun-ju, and Yoon-hee - who are living with the emotional wounds caused by love and people. In the 6th encore performance of the play, Kim and Lee Seo-kyung were double-cast as the female lead, Eun-ju, a character with a clear subjectivity and free-spirited personality.

2021 to present: screen roles and recent stage works

CFrom December 2020 to February 2021, Kim had the opportunity to fully perform the role of Jin Se-hee in the play "What's Your Macbeef?" written by Shin So-won. The play was based on "Richard McBeef" by Seung-Hui Cho, and Kim had previously participated in a full-length reading performance of the play on June 21, 2019, when it was selected for the 2019 Juda Creative Contest. The play is set in the theater class of an international high school on the city outskirts, where theater teacher Jeong Dong-woo and his three students - Jin Yoo, Lee Ji-soo, and Jin Se-hee - prepare for a performance with the recommendation of their homeroom teacher, Yoon Young-jun. Directed by Kim Ji-ho, "What's Your Macbeef?" premiered at the Dream Art Center Hall 3 in Seoul. Seo Hye-won and Yoo Yu-jin were triple-cast alongside Kim as Jin Se-hee, with the official premiere receiving critical acclaim.

In January 2021, it was announced that Kim had been cast as Yun Shim-deok, the first soprano in Joseon, in the play "Government Ferry" directed by Lee Ki-bum for the theater company Player Sang Sang, Steps. Set on the Tokujumaru government ferry from Japan to Busan, the play begins with the belief that Yun Shim-deok is still alive. Hong Seok-ju, who is hiding in a boat, saves Yun Shim-deok when she jumps into the sea while everyone is asleep, and they establish a relationship. The play portrays their conflicts in living different lives but also shows how they understand each other, share friendships, and draw each other's hopes. "Government Ferry" was performed at the Jayu Theater in Daehangno, Seoul.

Kim made her first television appearance in a minor role in the OCN drama series "Watcher" in 2019. In 2021, she had three credited television appearances, all in supporting roles. She played Jin Ha-young in the KBS2 drama '' Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol'' and a nurse in '' Youth of May'', both aired on network KBS2. Kim also had a cameo appearance as Han Geu-ra's mom in the Netflix Original Series ''Move to Heaven''. Kim's first major television role in a supporting cast was in the healing drama '' Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha'' (2021). In the show, she portrayed Ham Yung-kyung, a pregnant young mother who runs a mini-mart named after her daughter Bora. Kim acted opposite her "Temple" co-star Yoon Seok-hyun, who played her husband, Choi Geum-chul.

In the same year, Kim confirmed her appearance in her debut film "Jochiwon Commentary" produced by Blue Cucumber and directed by Choi Yang-hyun. The film is inspired by the story of Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, and incorporates Korean sentiment. The local dialect of Chungcheong Province is also added to maximize the tragedy.

Kim made a theater comeback as Emma in the musical "Vampire Arthur" (2021-2022) at the Black Theater, Chungmu Art Center, Seoul. The musical, set in 1930s London, portrays the growth and love between a vampire named Arthur and Emma, an illiterate poor girl. The show was directed by Kim Dong-yeon and ran from November 9, 2021, to February 6, 2022. In the recent replay of "Vampire Arthur" (2021-2022), a new creative team consisting of writer Park Hae-rim and music director Choi Hee-young joined as the screenwriter and music director, respectively.

"Vampire Arthur" was created by writer Seo Hwi-won and composer Kim De-ri and premiered in 2017 through the story writer's debut program 'Black and Blue Season 4'. The showcase was held on March 23-24, 2018, and the premiere was staged at the Black Theater, Chungmu Art Center, Seoul from November 30, 2018, to February 2, 2019, also directed by Kim Dong-yeon.

In March 2022, it was announced that Kim would be cast in the first work of ''The 9th Best Plays Festival'' in April 2022. The play is "The Nature of Forgetting" from British production Theater Re, which was praised for its movement full of the blessings of life when it premiered in London in 2017 under the direction of Guillaume Pigé and composer Alex Judd.

The play was produced in Korea in 2019 by the Wooran Foundation for the Performing Arts and The Best Play, and its success led to all seats being sold out. In the recent 2022 replay, Kim played dual roles as the wife and daughter of the character portrayed by actor Kim Ji-cheol, who played a man suffering from early dementia and memory loss.

Kim's next projects were two overlapping works - the play "Helmet" and the creative musical "Sylvia Lives". In the fourth performance of "Helmet", Kim was double-cast in the gender-blind role of Helmet B alongside Jeong In-jeong. The play, written by Ji Yi-sun who also wrote the plays "Capone Trilogy" and "Bunker Trilogy", was directed by Kim Tae-hyung and performed at Hongik University Daehak-ro Art Center's Small Theater from May 17, 2022, to August 11, 2022.

Kim played Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) in the creative musical "Sylvia Lives" alongside Ju Da-on and Choi Tae-yi, who also played the role since the 2020 showcase. In preparation for her role, Kim familiarized herself with Sylvia's character by reading "The Diary of Sylvia Plath" and her poems. The musical was performed from July 12 to August 28, 2022, at Daehak-ro TOM 2 Building. Led by writer and director Jo Yoon-ji and composer Kim Seung-min, "Sylvia Lives" is a representative work of Performance Studio Production. The musical was selected by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, following successful runs at the Arko-Han Ye-jong Musical Academy in 2020 and the Yes24 Stage Showcase in 2021. The creative team also featured music director Lee Han-mil and choreographer Choi Seong-dae.

Kim next musical, premiering in September 2022 at Dream Art Center 2 in Daehak-ro, "L'art reste" is a musical production that tells the story of love life of (1916-2004), a Korean-Asian modern and contemporary artist. Kim joined the musical as the character of Byeon Dong-rim, who is a younger version of Kim Hyang-an and had a love affair with the poet Lee Sang. The musical alternates between the stories of Kim Hyang-an and her husband Kim Whan-ki, and flashbacks to her younger self as Byeon Dong-rim.

Kim Joo-yeon made a comeback to the stage in November 2022 with two plays, ''Clumsy People'' and ''Orphans''. Clumsy People," a representative work of Jang Jin, premiered at the Seoul Theater Festival in 1995 and returned to the stage after a decade. It's a reunion project between Kim Joo-yeon and Jang Jin following Kim's debut play ''Taxi Driver''. Kim, Choi Ha-yoon, and Park Ji-ye were triple-cast in the role of Yoo Hwa-yi, a character who is both talkative and reserved, but possesses a cheerful and lively charm.

In the play ''Orphans'', Kim was cast in the role of Philip, alongside Choi Soo-jin, Hyun Seok-jun, and Shin Joo-hyeop. The play, written by Lyle Kessler and premiered in Los Angeles in 1983, received rave reviews and sold-out shows after its Korean premiere in 2017 and encore in 2019. "Orphans" also won the Stagetalk Audience Choice Awards (SACA) in 2017 and 2019.

In March 2023, after wrapping up the aforementioned two plays, Kim was cast as Actress D in the third run of the Korean adaptation of the renowned Japanese modern play ''The Dressing Room (Gakuya)''. Written by Kunio Shimizu, the play features four actresses preparing for a production of Anton Chekhov's ''The Seagull''. However, as the play progresses, it becomes clear that things are not as simple as they seem. The play explores the themes of imperfect memory and the persistence of memory beyond death.

In April 2023, Hong Company announced that Kim Joo-yeon will reprise her role as Byeon Dong-rim in the revival of the musical "L'art reste," scheduled to premiere in June 2023.

Filmographies

Film

Television

Web series

Music video

Stage credits

Musical

Theater

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

Kim Joo-Yeon
at BigBoss Entertainment Official Website
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Kim Joo-Yeon at Daum Encyclopedia


Kim Joo-Yeon at PlayDB

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kim, Joo-yeon
Living people
1993 births
Anyang Arts High School alumni
Dongguk University alumni
People from Jeju Province
South Korean film actresses
South Korean musical theatre actresses
South Korean stage actresses
South Korean television actresses
21st-century South Korean actresses