# Kim Yoon-woo
**Kim Yoon-woo** (김윤우) is a South Korean actor born in 2000 who broke out with the role of the Joseon-era singer Ryang-eum in the MBC drama *[My Dearest](https://www.edgepedia.org/my-dearest)* (2023), winning the Best New Actor award at the 2023 MBC Drama Awards.[1](https://cine21.com/db/person/info/?person_id=123935) • [2](https://asianwiki.com/index.php?redirect=no&title=Kim_Yoon-Woo_%282000%29) He made his acting debut in 2021 with the Netflix film *[Sweet & Sour](https://www.edgepedia.org/sweet-and-sour-film)* and has since appeared in dramas including *Mimicus* (2022), *Delightfully Deceitful* (2023), *Gyeongseong Creature* (2023), *BEGINS ≠ YOUTH* (2024), and *[Doctor on the Edge](https://www.edgepedia.org/doctor-on-the-edge)* (2026).[3](https://dramalist.net/people/600/Kim-Yoon-Woo)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2000, South Korea; male[1](https://cine21.com/db/person/info/?person_id=123935) |
| Debut | 2021, Netflix film *Sweet & Sour*, as a team member[3](https://dramalist.net/people/600/Kim-Yoon-Woo) • [4](https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/kim-yoon-woo-2?context.unit=HE) |
| Breakout role | Ryang-eum, Joseon's finest singer, in MBC's *My Dearest* (2023), a main role across both parts[3](https://dramalist.net/people/600/Kim-Yoon-Woo) • [5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29) |
| Award | Best New Actor for *My Dearest* at the 2023 MBC Drama Awards, December 30, 2023[2](https://asianwiki.com/index.php?redirect=no&title=Kim_Yoon-Woo_%282000%29) |
| Recent work | Yong Ju-cheon, a beloved Han-medicine doctor, in ENA's *Doctor on the Edge* (2026)[6](https://v.daum.net/v/5Gr3vqyOJ7) |
| Agency | Signed an exclusive contract with the entertainment company WNY in 2026[6](https://v.daum.net/v/5Gr3vqyOJ7) |
## Early roles
Kim debuted in 2021 with a small part in the Netflix film *Sweet & Sour*, credited as a team member.[3](https://dramalist.net/people/600/Kim-Yoon-Woo) • [4](https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/kim-yoon-woo-2?context.unit=HE) His first substantial role came in the 2022 playlist web drama *Mimicus*, where he played [Ji Soo](https://www.edgepedia.org/ji-soo)-bin, a trainee at a major entertainment agency whose glamorous exterior conceals inner wounds; the character drew public attention to him.[5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29) In 2023 he played the teenage version of Han Moo-young, the character played as an adult by [Kim Dong-wook](https://www.edgepedia.org/kim-dong-wook), in tvN's *Delightfully Deceitful*.[5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29)
## My Dearest and the Ryang-eum role
In the second half of 2023, Kim played Ryang-eum, Joseon's greatest singer, in the MBC drama *My Dearest*.[5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29) He was cast through an audition, and director Kim Sung-yong later told him, "the Ryang-eum I had been looking for walked to me on his own feet."[5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29) To prepare, he trained in horseback riding, archery, singing, the [Manchu language](https://www.edgepedia.org/manchu-language), and action performance.[5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29) The role required him to portray a man in love whose feelings are blocked by circumstance, moving through longing, resentment, and anger, and his detailed rendering of the character's emotional shifts drew favorable reviews.[5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29) At the 2023 MBC Drama Awards, held December 30, 2023, he won Best New Actor for the role.[2](https://asianwiki.com/index.php?redirect=no&title=Kim_Yoon-Woo_%282000%29)
In December 2023 he also appeared in the Netflix series *Gyeongseong Creature* as Choi Young-gwan; despite the brief appearance he was noted as a scene stealer.[5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29) • [2](https://asianwiki.com/index.php?redirect=no&title=Kim_Yoon-Woo_%282000%29) His first fan meeting, *First Christmas LOVE*, was held on December 23, 2023 at the Asakusa Han Theater in Tokyo.[5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29)
## Later work
In 2024 he played Park Ha-ru in the 12-episode series *BEGINS ≠ YOUTH*.[4](https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/kim-yoon-woo-2?context.unit=HE) In June 2026 he took his first leading-adjacent romance role as Yong Ju-cheon in the ENA drama *Doctor on the Edge*, a warm-hearted doctor of Korean medicine beloved by the residents of Pyeongdong Island, described as "the idol of Pyeongdong"; the role demonstrated a wider acting range than his previous work.[5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29)
In 2026 Kim signed an exclusive contract with the comprehensive entertainment company WNY, which described him as "an actor with a delicate emotional line and chameleon-like charm" and pledged full support for his work across varied projects.[6](https://v.daum.net/v/5Gr3vqyOJ7) The agency and Korean media have framed his career trajectory as moving fluidly between period dramas and youth stories, marking him as a rising actor.[6](https://v.daum.net/v/5Gr3vqyOJ7) In September 2026 he released a new set of profile photographs through WNY, ranging from intense black-shirt and suit looks to softer denim shots.[7](https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0117_202609211015148060)
## Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | *Sweet & Sour* | Team member | Netflix film[4](https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/kim-yoon-woo-2?context.unit=HE) |
| 2022 | *Mimicus* | Ji Soo-bin | Naver TV web drama, 16 episodes[4](https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/kim-yoon-woo-2?context.unit=HE) |
| 2023 | *Delightfully Deceitful* | Han Moo-young (teen) | tvN[5](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29) |
| 2023 | *My Dearest* (Parts 1 and 2) | Ryang-eum | MBC, 21 episodes[4](https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/kim-yoon-woo-2?context.unit=HE) |
| 2023 | *Gyeongseong Creature* | Choi Young-gwan | Netflix, 2 episodes[4](https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/kim-yoon-woo-2?context.unit=HE) |
| 2024 | *BEGINS ≠ YOUTH* | Park Ha-ru | 12 episodes[4](https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/kim-yoon-woo-2?context.unit=HE) |
| 2026 | *Doctor on the Edge* | Yong Ju-cheon | ENA[6](https://v.daum.net/v/5Gr3vqyOJ7) |
## References
1. [김윤우 (Kim Yoonwoo), Cine21 person database](https://cine21.com/db/person/info/?person_id=123935)
2. [Kim Yoon-Woo (2000), AsianWiki](https://asianwiki.com/index.php?redirect=no&title=Kim_Yoon-Woo_%282000%29)
3. [Kim Yoon-Woo (김윤우), DramaList](https://dramalist.net/people/600/Kim-Yoon-Woo)
4. [Kim Yoon-woo, Plex filmography](https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/kim-yoon-woo-2?context.unit=HE)
5. [김윤우(배우), Namu wiki](https://d.namu.moe/w/%EA%B9%80%EC%9C%A4%EC%9A%B0%28%EB%B0%B0%EC%9A%B0%29)
6. ['닥터 섬보이' 김윤우, WNY와 전속계약 체결, Daum news](https://v.daum.net/v/5Gr3vqyOJ7)
7. [김윤우, 깊어진 눈빛…새 프로필서 반전 매력, YTN](https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0117_202609211015148060)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of East and Southeast Asia › South Korean actors, 2000s onward › Surnames Ki to K*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license