Who is Kim Yoon-woo? A complete guide to the rising Gen-Z actor’s K-dramas

Kim Yoon-woo is barely recognisable in Netflix’s Gyeongseong Creature, but his performance certainly leaves a lasting impression. Set during the final days of Japanese colonial rule in Korea, the monster horror K-drama stars Park Seo-joon as Jang Tae-sang and Han So-hee as Yoon Chae-ok. Kim Yoon-woo plays Choi Yeong-gwan, a Joseon youth forced to join the Imperial Japanese Army.

Assigned to the infamous Ongseong Hospital, where gruesome experiments are conducted in secret, he runs into Tae-sang and Chae-ok. Indebted to Chae-ok and deeply conflicted by the horrors he is forced to witness, Yeong-gwan ultimately risks everything to help them escape with the captives. His final act of redemption—sacrificing his life so others can survive—stands as one of the show’s most devastating moments.

Though his screen time is limited, Kim Yoon-woo delivers an emotionally affecting performance that highlights the human cost of the hospital’s horrifying activities, making Choi Yeong-gwan one of the series’ most memorable supporting characters.

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While the Gen-Z actor had appeared in several projects before, My Dearest marked Kim Yoon-woo’s breakthrough K-drama. The acclaimed historical romance stars Namkoong Min as the enigmatic Lee Jang-hyun and Ahn Eun-jin as Yoo Gil-chae, a noblewoman whose fate is upended by the Qing invasion of Joseon. Widely regarded as one of the best K-dramas of 2023, the series earned praise for its sweeping love story, powerful performances and emotional storytelling.

In the drama, Kim Yoon-woo plays Ryang-eum, Jang-hyun’s loyal companion and the only person who truly understands his mysterious past. Fiercely devoted to his master, Ryang-eum is a complex character whose admiration, jealousy and longing tip steadily into obsession. Kim Yoon-woo’s layered portrayal of the troubled pansori singer quickly captured viewers’ attention, with many praising his ability to convey deep emotion through subtle expressions and quiet moments.

More than just a breakout role, My Dearest cemented Kim Yoon-woo as one of the most exciting young actors in Korean television. His performance as Ryang-eum remains one of the most unforgettable aspects of the K-drama, earning him the Best New Actor trophy at the 2023 MBC Drama Awards

Fans of the tvN crime K-drama Delightfully Deceitful may recognise Kim Yoon-woo as the actor who plays the younger version of Han Moo-young, the highly empathetic lawyer portrayed by Kim Dong-wook. The series follows the unlikely alliance between the calculating con artist Lee Ro-um, played by Chun Woo-hee, and Moo-young.

Appearing in only a handful of flashback sequences throughout the drama, Kim Yoon-woo has a limited opportunity to establish the backstory and motivations of the man Han Moo-young would grow up to be. Even so, he offers valuable insight into the character’s strong sense of justice, deep compassion and unwavering desire to help others. He brings sincerity and emotional depth to the role, making the younger Moo-young feel inseparable from the adult character.

In Mimicus, Kim Yoon-woo's debut K-drama, he stars as Ji Soo-bin, a popular idol trainee at Je Je Entertainment Agency, where his mother works as an executive. Set in the fictional Daehan Performing Arts High School, a school filled with aspiring idols, influencers and performers, the coming-of-age series explores the intense competition and pressure young talents face as they pursue their dreams in the entertainment industry.

On the surface, Soo-bin appears to have it all—talent, good looks and star quality. Beneath that polished image, however, he suffers from acute self-doubt and impostor syndrome, which only intensifies when he uncovers an unsettling secret about his own identity. At the same time, his seemingly enviable life fuels rumours that fellow student Han Yoo-sung (Yoo Young-jae) is deliberately copying him, sparking one of the drama’s central conflicts.

Mimicus provides an early glimpse of the young actor’s screen presence and charisma. For fans looking to deep dive into Kim Yoon-woo’s career, the youth drama remains an essential starting point.

With each new role, Kim Yoon-woo continues to prove why he is one of the most exciting actors of his generation. From breakthrough performances in My Dearest to standout appearances in Gyeongseong Creature and Doctor on the Edge, his growing filmography showcases remarkable range, charisma and emotional depth. If these K-dramas are any indication, Kim Yoon-woo's rise is only just beginning.

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