Only a handful of South Korean actresses have managed todo action well, butKim Ok-vinhas been one of the few that have come close to being one of the best in the genre. Native to the southern part of the peninsula, Kim has a background in martial arts, having been trained in it since she was a child, and has continued to be athletic throughout her adult years. She originally rose to prominence after appearing in an online beauty contest, and despite having no acting experience at the time, she was cast in a movie calledVoice. That marked the beginning of Kim’s acting career, as years later she is still active in the industry.
In the years following that initial casting, Kim impressed directors and audiences alike despite having no formal training in acting. She became known for taking on complicated roles during this period, and, in 2008, this reached its peak when she was cast inPark Chan-wook’sThirstopposite Song Kang-ho. Ever since then, Kim has continued to impress in television and movies ever since. These are the best of her filmography.
12Arthdal Chronicles
Premiered and distributed internationally through Netflix,Arthdal Chronicles, in theory, seems like it should be an incredible series based on its cast alone. Along with Kim, actors Song Joong-ki, Jang Dong-gun, and Kim Ji-won also appear in the series — all of whom who’ve had prolific acting careers so far. Set in a fantasy land, a kingdom called Arthdal is struggling with internal power conflicts, which is causing strife among everyday people living within the realm. The leader, Eun-geom (Song), wants to revive their reputation and lifestyle, which isn’t as easy as it seems initially.
11Daespo Naughty Girls
Daespo Naughty Girlsis one of the earlier roles from Kim Ok-vin as someone to keep an eye on in the future. The 2006 movie stars Kim as a character that’s merely known as the “Poor Girl.” She attends a high school in South Korea and carries a doll on her back she names Poverty, which is a reflection of her home life and the struggles her parents go through. Poor Girl has become a sex worker in her free time to make some money, but when she gets a new client that wants a girl to pretend to be their sister, Poor Girl finds solace with them. At the same time, she fantasizes about a rich male classmate.
10The Discloser
Released in 2017, the thriller filmThe Discloserstars Park Sang-kyun and Kim Ok-vin in the lead roles. They portray a general and a reporter trying to dig deeper into the military after having suspicion about what’s going on beneath the surface. As they realize there are layered levels of corruption going on in the military, that could completely change their paths, especially as it becomes more dangerous to keep digging. It would be director Hong Ki-seon’s last film before passing at age 59.
9The Blade and Petal
A historical romance drama, or withinthe saeguk genrein Korea,The Blade and the Petalstars Kim Ok-vin and Uhm Tae-woong. Set in the Goguryeo era of Korean history, which began in 37 BCE and ended in 668 AD, Kim portrays the princess of the kingdom who finds her world turned upside down after the assassination of her father and brother. Later, she falls in love with the illegitimate son of a general (Uhm), which complicates their positions in society even further due to his status. Political disorder is also on the way, as a power struggle is ensuing.
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8Over the Rainbow
A throwback to the period of dramas that came out in the mid-2000s,Over the Rainbowwas one of Kim’s earliest roles as a professional actress. The main characters of this series all have something major in common: they love dance. They find their paths intersecting by acts of fate; one of the characters ran away from her father in New Zealand and is following her dreams back in South Korea, which causes the events of the series to happen. When she meets a famous singer, sparks fly, and it looks like romance is on the horizon while she learns to follow her passion.
7The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesan
The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesancame out in Korean theaters in 2008, and marked the return of Lee Jung-jae, who had been taking a hiatus from acting at that point of his career. It is set in the distant past: the Joseon Dynasty, specifically in 1724. A man from a small village falls in love with a kisaeng, but finds himself down on his luck, especially when one of the biggest gangsters in the area becomes angered by him. Both an action and a comedy movie, this man is prepared to do whatever it takes to get the girl he loves back.
6Love to Hate You
Teo Yoo and Kim Ok-vinstar in the 2023 dramaLove to Hate You, which was released through Netflix. Kim portrays a lawyer who has a deep suspicion of men and their intentions, and when she gets a job at a top law firm as the only woman lawyer, that puts her on a crash collision with a famous drama star (Teo Yoo). He has the same problem, but with the opposite gender, leading to the two to clash when he thinks she’s another one of his fangirls stalking him. But as the series progresses, it proves that hate can turn to love most easily, and the strongest negative emotions might be an indicator of something else.
5The Front Line
Directed by director Jang Hoon, 2011’sThe Front Linetakes place in the Korean War, and was the official South Korean entry for the Oscars that year. Originally, in 1950, two of the characters are captured by the opposing army, and three years pass. The war continued on in 1953, and the hills dividing the North and South were chaotic. When a mole is suspected to be among the Southern army, one of the men who was kidnapped all those years ago comes back to the front line to try and uncover what’s really happening before more people are killed.
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4Children of a Lesser God
Released in 2018,Children of a Lesser Godsees Kim Ok-vin and Kang Ji-han as two detectives teaming up to solve a tough case. After a major tragedy happens at an organization, it leaves more questions than answers. This television series is a story about corruption, but it also shows that it takes a team to solve cases. While Kang’s character is guided by logic and facts, Kim’s character possesses a supernatural ability that aids their investigation.
The 2005 filmVoicewas Kim Ok-vin’s grand introduction to the entertainment industry, and it surely does not disappoint for those who are fans of horror. The film is the fourth installment in a series calledWhispering Corridors. Kim portrays a high schooler who is murdered in the very first scene. When a friend is able to hear her voice, the two try to figure out the circumstances of her death and who ended up killing her. When they realize who they thought killed her isn’t the right person, it becomes a race against time.
