Actress Kim Hye Yoon has opened up about the painful struggles she endured during seven years of obscurity before becoming one of Korea’s most respected stars, sharing stories of relentless auditions, harsh criticism, and even physical injury as she fought to build her career. Her candid reflections have sparked an outpouring of admiration and support from fans around the world.
Kim first stepped into the industry at just 17 years old, debuting as a child actress in the 2013 KBS2 drama Samsaengi. Over the next several years, she navigated a challenging period of small, unnamed background roles, taking minor parts without dialogue while balancing her studies. Her breakthrough came in 2018 with the hit JTBC series SKY Castle, where she secured the role of Kang Ye Seo, a fiercely driven top student with dreams of Seoul National University’s medical school. Selected from a field of 200 hopefuls, Kim captivated audiences with her powerful performance, earning the Best New Actress award at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards and solidifying her status as a rising star.
Following SKY Castle, Kim appeared in a wide range of projects, including MBC’s Extraordinary You, tvN’s Secret Royal Inspector & Joy, JTBC’s Snowdrop, and films such as Midnight, The Girl on a Bulldozer, and Ditto. Her fame skyrocketed even further with the massive success of tvN’s Lovely Runner in 2024, where her nuanced performance drew praise for emotional depth and versatility. The series gained global attention after streaming on Netflix, turning Kim and co-star Byeon Woo Seok into internationally recognized stars.
Despite the bright spotlight she enjoys today, Kim’s early years were anything but easy. Long before her breakthrough, she endured years of uncredited background roles, commuting by bus and subway while juggling acting work with her film studies at Konkuk University. Known as a diligent student, she never took a leave of absence and graduated on schedule as a scholarship student a decision she later attributed to anxiety about an uncertain future. Faced with repeated rejections and the fear that her dream might never materialize, she made it her goal to complete her education without delay.
A junior from her university recalled, “When people talked about the best acting senior, Kim Hye Yoon was always the first name mentioned. Everyone said, ‘Look at her eyes she’s destined for greatness.’” Her classmates admired her dedication both on set and in class.
Recently, a collection of photos from Kim’s younger years posted by tvN’s You Quiz on the Block stirred excitement online. Fans delighted in her bright eyes, clear smile, and familiar dimples proof that her charm was evident even as a child.
During her appearance on You Quiz on January 14, Kim shared more about her difficult early days. She revealed that over 100 auditions during her seven years of struggle often ended in rejection, sometimes accompanied by harsh critiques like, “Your pronunciation may be good, but you lack acting skill you’re still an amateur.” She admitted to crying on public transportation after tough days and enduring long waits on set, including 24-hour overnight standby shifts and cancellations after nine hours of waiting. She even recounted losing a fingernail to frostbite during one grueling shoot a vivid symbol of how far she came.
Looking back, Kim said she would tell her younger self: “You’re doing great.” She reflected that her struggles weren’t wasted they shaped her resilience and propelled her forward, helping her to grow not just as an actress, but as a person.
Kim Hye Yoon is currently appearing in the SBS drama No Tail to Tell, which premiered on January 16. The series, a whimsical fantasy romance, follows the unexpected journey of a reluctant fox spirit and an overly self‑confident soccer player. She is also set to appear in Good Partner 2 (SBS), and films including A Place to Kill and Land.
As she continues to take on diverse roles, fans and critics alike are eager to see what new impact this rising star will make a reminder that perseverance, even through the toughest years, can ultimately lead to extraordinary success.
Sources: Daum