Rising Star Kim Jae-won: From 'The Tale of Mrs. Ok' to Netflix Fame

'You Know What?' Reporter Lee So-jung from TenAsia captures intriguing issues in the broadcasting world to stimulate the public's dopamine.

---

Actor Kim Jae-won is gaining attention alongside rising stars like Choo Young-woo from 'The Tale of Mrs. Ok' and Lee Chae-min, who is set to romance Yoona in 'The Tyrant's Chef.' Building on his proven star power from previous works, Kim is emerging as a promising figure in the industry with two upcoming Netflix projects.

Premiering in November last year, JTBC's 'The Tale of Mrs. Ok' is a survival scam drama featuring Ok Tae-young (played by Lim Ji-yeon), who has a fake name, status, and husband, and Chon Seung-hwi (played by Choo Young-woo), who risks his life to protect her. While initially perceived as a Lim Ji-yeon-led drama, attention gradually shifted to the entire cast, including Kim Jae-won, who played a supporting lead role.

Kim Jae-won, born in 2001, formed a love line with Yeon-woo in the series. Despite being five years younger than Yeon-woo, he seamlessly integrated his youthful charm into the drama, enhancing its overall quality alongside Lim Ji-yeon and Choo Young-woo. Previously, Kim showcased his presence in Netflix's 'Hierarchy,' where he clashed with Lee Chae-min over No Jeong-eui.

Kim Jae-won made his debut in 2022 with tvN's 'Our Blues,' leaving a strong impression as the younger version of Cha Seung-won's character. In 2023, he captured hearts as a straightforward younger man in a romance with Go Won-hee in 'King the Land.' Successfully leading love lines in three different projects, Kim has proven himself as a romance genre specialist.

Kim's upcoming projects include the drama 'Lady Dua,' starring top actors Lee Jun-hyuk and Shin Hye-sun. He is also confirmed to appear in the Netflix original 'Eun-jung and Sang-yeon,' led by Kim Go-eun.

In an interview with TenAsia shortly after wrapping up 'The Tale of Mrs. Ok' last September, Kim Jae-won showcased his unique charm. He shared, "I started working as a fashion model in middle school, which helped me adapt to social life early," revealing the secret behind his witty personality.

While some attribute his smooth acting career to his impressive background as Cha Seung-won's younger counterpart, Kim recalled, "I went through about 60 auditions. I became resilient after numerous rejections," shedding light on his hidden efforts.

Through his roles, Kim Jae-won has demonstrated his acting skills and potential, leaving a lasting impression with his candid and cheerful demeanor. His diverse appeal makes his future endeavors highly anticipated.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr