Biography of Jung So-min
Kim Yoon-jin, famous by her stage name Jung So-min, is a South Korean actress born on 16 March 1989. She appeared as a supporting character in her debut television series, ‘Bad Guys’, released in 2010, and soon rose to fame as an actress.
The famous K-dramas of Jun So-min are ‘Playful Kiss’ (2010), ‘My Father Is Strange’ (2017), ‘Because This Is My First Life’ (2017), ‘The Smile Has Left Your Eyes’ (2018), ‘Alchemy of Souls’ (2022), and ‘Love Next Door‘ (2024). She has also appeared in movies like ‘Twenty’ (2015), ‘Project Wolf Hunting’ (2022), and ‘Love Reset’ (2023).
Early Life and Education
She graduated as a dance major from the Korea National University of Arts.
Career
2010 – 2015
Jung So-min is a talented actress who was instantly recognised by the audience soon after her debut. Before her appearance in the 2010 drama ‘Bad Guy’, she starred in the 2009 short film ‘Worst Friend’. She played a supporting role in the movie ‘Bad Guy’ alongside Kim Nam-gil, Han Ga-in, Kim Jae-wook, and Oh Yeon-soo.
Her eye-catching portrayal of the role gave her the opportunity to act in the lead role in the drama ‘Playful Kiss’ (2010) alongside Kim Hyun-joong. Nonetheless, the drama, which was the South Korean adaptation of the manga ‘Itazura na Kiss’, was not very popular in Korea, but it gained recognition among the foreign audience.
In 2011, she took a break from the screen to focus on her studies. After completing her studies, she starred in the sitcom ‘Standby’ (2012). By the end of 2012, she performed alongside Sung Joon in the television series ‘Can We Get Married?’.
So-min switched her agency from Bloom Entertainment to SM Culture & Contents in 2013. Also that year, she starred in the drama special ‘Came to Me and Became a Star’ as Ha-jin.
She made a cameo appearance in the 2014 K-drama ‘Miss Korea’ as a gas station attendant. The same year, So-min starred in the KBS2 television series ‘Big Man’ as Kang Jin-ah alongside Kang Ji-hwan, Choi Daniel, and Lee Da-hee.
The next year, she was seen in the movies. In the movie ‘Twenty’ (2015), directed by Lee Byeong-heon, she starred alongside Kim Woo-bin, Kang Ha-neul, and Lee Jun-ho. Later, she appeared as Hye-jung in the film ‘Alice: Boy from Wonderland’ (2015). Furthermore, she starred opposite Kim Young-kwang in the drama ‘D-Day’.
2016 – 2020
In 2016, So-min appeared in the KBS Drama Special ‘The Red Teacher’. Thereafter, she played the lead character in the drama ‘The Sound of Your Heart’. The KBS2 drama revolves around the lives of Cho Seok (Lee Kwang-soo) and his girlfriend Aebong (Jung So-min). The show was released on 7 November 2016 on Naver and 9 December 2016 on KBS2.
She was seen in the 2017 KBS drama ‘My Father is Strange’ alongside Kim Yeong-cheol, Kim Hae-sook, Lee Yu-ri, Ryu Soo-young, and Lee Joon. Afterwards, she appeared in the drama ‘Because This Is My First Life’ opposite Lee Min-ki. She wrapped her 2017 by appearing in the movie ‘Daddy You, Daughter Me’. It was a fantasy comedy drama film directed by Kim Hyung-hyup that tells the story of a father (Yoon Je-moon) and his titular daughter who swap their bodies when met with an accident.
In 2018, she played cameo roles in ‘What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim‘, the show starring Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young, and also in the action thriller movie ‘Golden Slumber’ that featured Gang Dong-won, Kim Sung-kyun, Kim Eui-sung, Kim Dae-myung, and Han Hyo-joon. Afterwards, she starred opposite Seo In-guk in the tvN television series ‘The Smile Has Left Your Eyes’.
The next year, she starred in the movie ‘Homme Fatale‘ (2019) opposite Lee Jun-ho. Furthermore, she played guest roles in the dramas ‘Abyss’ and ‘Be Melodramatic.’.
In 2020, Jung So-min starred alongside Shin Ha-kyun, Tae In-ho, and Park Ye-jin in the KBS2 drama ‘Soul Mechanic’. The show directed by Yoo Hyun-ki tells the story of a passionate psychiatrist, Lee Shin-joon (Shin Ha-kyun), and his newly assigned patient, Han Woo-joon (Jung So-min). Han Woo-joon is a gifted singer who faces trouble while handling her anger issues.
In 2021 Soo-min made a special appearance in the romance fantasy drama ‘My Roommate Is a Gumiho’. The drama is co-directed by Nam Sung-woo and Park Joon Hwa, and it features Jang Ki-yong, Lee Hye-ri, and Kang Han-na in lead roles. The story revolves around the lives of Shin Woo-yeo (Jang Ji-yong), a 999-year-old Gumiho (a nine-tailed fox), and Lee Dam (Lee Hye-ri), a college student. The nine-tailed fox is on his journey to become a human. However, he gets into trouble when Lee Dam accidentally swallows his fox bead and becomes forced to accommodate her in his home.
In the show, So-min is seen as Seo-hwa, the first love of Shin Woo-yeo. She died after swallowing the fox bead that Shin Woo-yeo transferred into her body.
Later the same year, she appeared opposite Kim Ji-seok in the JTBC television series ‘Monthly Magazine Home’. She played the role of Na Young-won, the editor of the magazine ‘Monthly House’.
She played the role of a female assassin in the romantic fantasy drama ‘Alchemy of Souls’. The drama was aired by tvN on 18 June 2022. So-min starred opposite Lee Jae-wook as Mu-deok / Nak-su. She portrayed the role of a soul shifter who performs the alchemy of souls to transfer their souls to the body they wish.
Afterwards, she started in the action horror film ‘Project Wolf Hunting’. It marked her first movie after ‘Homme Fatale’ in 2019. ‘Project Wolf Hunting’ is a movie penned and directed by Kim Hong-seon. The story portrays the mission where the South Korean government tries to capture notorious criminals. The lead roles in the movie were performed by Seo In-guk, Jang Dong-yoon, Park Ho-san, Choi Gwi-hwa, Ko Chang-seok, Jang Young-nam, and Sung Dong-il. The film takes place on a ship, where the criminals are captured and taken from the Philippines to Busan, South Korea.
The next year, in 2023, she was seen in the movie ‘Love Reset’ alongside Kang Ha-neul which tells the story of a lawyer, No Jeong-yeol (Kang Ha-neul), and a film producer, Hong Na-ra (Jung So-min). A car accident 30 days before their wedding caused them to lose their memories.
She played the lead role in the 2024 romantic drama ‘Love Next Door‘ opposite Jung Hae-in. The drama was aired by tvN on 17 August 2024. The show penned by Shin Ha-eun was directed by Yoo Je-won. It revolves around the friendship and romantic relationship of two childhood friends.
Achievements
Jung So-min is a gifted actress. Her cute girlfriend roles and bold and strong roles like that of an assassin were warmly welcomed by her fans. She is a highly influential celebrity with 5.6 million followers on Instagram. She has received honourable awards such as the 44th Golden Cinematography Awards 2024 and Asia Model Awards 2011 to name a few.
Personal Life
Jung So-min has always kept her personal life from the spotlight. However, there have been rumours about her romantic relationships with other celebrities.
In 2017, Jung So-min was confirmed to be in a romantic relationship with actor Lee Joon. They starred together in the K-drama ‘My Father Is Strange’. The celebrities dated for three years, and later their agencies revealed the news of their breakup.
The other rumours about her romantic relationships were not confirmed officially.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Jung So-min is a popular South Korean actress. Her ability to portray versatile characters has always been recognised and critically acclaimed by her fans. Being a professional and successful actress in the South Korean entertainment industry, she lives a comfortable life. A majority of her income is generated from her acting career. Her approximate net worth is $5 million.
Awards
- 44th Golden Cinematography Awards 2024
Best Actress – ‘Love Reset’ - KBS Entertainment Awards 2016
Best Couple Award – Jung So-min (with Lee Kwang-soo in ‘The Sound of Your Heart’) - MBC Entertainment Awards 2012
Best Newcomer in a Comedy / Sitcom – ‘Standby’ - Asia Model Awards 2011
New Star Award - Korea Jewelry Awards 2010
Topaz Award - Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards 2010
Best New Actress for TV – ‘Bad Guy’
Interesting Facts about Jung So-min
- The KBS2 K-drama ‘The Sound of Your Heart’ did not rise to the expected popularity in South Korea. Nonetheless, the drama was warmly received by the Chinese K-drama audience. It received 100 million views and Jung So-min started to gain attention beyond the boundaries of South Korea.
- In 2017, Jun So-min sang the OST ‘Because You’re Here’ for the drama ‘Because This Is My First Life’.
- In 2018, Jung So-min sang the OST ‘Star’ with Seo In-guk for the drama ‘The Smile Has Left Your Eyes’.
- During her childhood, So-min dreamed of becoming a DJ. In 2018, she made her dream into a reality by hosting her radio show ‘Jung So-min’s Young Street’.
- In June 2017, So-min completed her contract with SM Culture & Contents and joined Jellyfish Entertainment.
- In August 2022, So-min signed her contract with TH Company.
- In 2023, Jung So-min switched her agency to Ieum Hashtag.
- Pisces is the zodiac sign of Jung So-min.
- Jung So-min has mono eyelids.
- So-min is a passionate dancer and attended ballet classes in her childhood.
- So-min started attending traditional dance due to her parents’ interest.
FAQs
- When does Jung So-min celebrated her birthday?
Jung So-min celebrates her birthday on 16 March 1989. - What is the Instagram ID of Jung So-min?
@somin_jj. - What is the age of Jung So-min?
As of 2025, Jung So-min is 35-years-old. - Which are the famous works of Jung So-min?
The famous works of Jung So-min are ‘Twenty’ (2015 movie), ‘Because This Is My First Life’ (2017), ‘The Smile Has Left Your Eyes’ (2018), ‘Alchemy of Souls’ (2022), ‘Love Reset’ (2023 movie) ‘Love Next Door’ (2024). - Is Jung So-min married?
No, Jung So-min is not married. - Is Jung So-min in a romantic relationship?
Despite the rumours, Jung- So-min is still single.
