Kim Hye-yoon, famously known as Lovely Runner’s radiant and softhearted Im Sol, is at the peak of her K-drama stardom. ‘Nation’s Little Sister’, who always dreamt of becoming an actor, is a talented film studies major who dedicatedly pursued acting since her college days. Looks like she’s finally living her teenage dream, having starred in over 50 television/ film productions and many more to follow. As Lovely Runner finally comes to an end after a glorious run, let’s celebrate the journey of Im Sol aka Kim Hye-yoon and explore ten interesting facts about the star you probably didn’t know.
The 27-year-old might be a ‘rising’ star for many of you, however, she has delivered back-to-back K-drama hits many aren’t aware of. Did you know Kim Hye-yoon’s filmography also includes cameos in record-breaking shows like True Beauty, Goblin, Record of Youth, Snowdrop and more? Discover more such facts and get an up-close and personal account of the actor in our fact-check list below.
10 interesting facts about Lovely Runner actress Kim Hye-yoon
1. Kim Hye-yoon debuted at the age of 17 with Samsaengi
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Kim might be an up-and-coming star for many of you. However, she has been in showbiz for over a decade. She made her debut in 2013 with Samsaenge, playing the teenage version of a supporting character. In the following year, she bagged another supporting part in the crime thriller Bad Guys co-starring Kim Sang-joong. It’s pertinent to note that she was simultaneously pursuing her film studies at this time, and made only cameo appearances in shows to add to her acting portfolio.
2. Excellent at academics, the actor has graduated from Korea’s leading university
Kim Hye-yoon always dreamt of becoming an actor and strived hard to get trained at the best university. In 2015, she was admitted to one of Korea’s top universities, Konkuk University, and that was also with a full scholarship. She’s a film studies major, whose work has been showcased at various student film festivals. Her most memorable role during this period was as a supporting character in the 2017 action-thriller Memoir of a Murderer.
Bonus fact: Hongkongers, did you know Kim even starred in the 2015 Hong Kong action thriller Helios? She was seen as the younger sister of the character portrayed by Choi Si-won of the K-pop band Super Junior.
3. She got her first K-drama lead role in Extraordinary You alongside Rowoon
After a series of supporting roles, Kim Hye-yoon rose to the top and got her first show as a lead with MBC’s Extraordinary You. Based on the webtoon July Found by Chance, the series stars Kim as a student who discovers she’s the central character of a comic book and her life is literally drawn from its pages. It also starred former K-pop group SF9 member Rowoon, Lee Jae-wook and Lee Na-eun in pivotal parts.
Moreover, Kim is best known for her roles in Sky Castle, Snowdrop, The Girl on a Bulldozer, and the most recent, Lovely Runner.
4. Lovely Runner drama was created with Kim Hye-yoon in mind
There would’ve been no Lovely Runner drama without Kim Hye-yoon, revealed the show’s producer Yoon Jongho. According to Pinkvilla, Jongho said that the show’s writer always had Kim in mind while scripting Im Sol’s character. And if she said no to it, the show would never be made. We’re glad that things panned out, and the world got to witness this masterpiece of a show.
5. She has featured in many K-pop music videos
Dramas aside, Kim has even featured in multiple music videos of K-pop idols. Her first appearance was in the 2017 MV of Water Dept. by 9 and the Numbers. Her other music video appearances include Bigman’s DAY BY DAY, Kim Na-young’s Not Anyone Else, Jay Park, Golden, pH-1’s Afternoon, and Zia, Huh Gak’s Drunken Night.
6. The Girl on a Bulldozer is her first feature film as a lead actress
Kim Hye-yoon got her first lead role in a feature film with indie drama The Girl on a Bulldozer. It debuted at the Busan International Film Festival in 2021, months before its theatrical release in April 2022. She was cast as a tough 19-year-old Goo Hye-young, who stands up for her brother when the actions of her troublesome father threaten to jeopardise their family. The film witnessed remarkable commercial success and critical appreciation.
7. Kim Hye-yoon is an emotional and loyal Scorpio
Born on November 10, 1996, Kim is a Scorpio. The big sister of the Water sign crew, Scorpios are powerful personalities with an air of mystery around them which makes them all the more interesting. They’re known for their intensity in all things they do and given the dedication and conviction with which Kim channels each character, we’re convinced she’s a true-blue Scorpion.
8. Kim Hye-yoon shares a close bond with Lovely Runner co-star Byeon Woo-seok
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Watching the incredible on-screen chemistry between Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok, media and netizens have flooded the internet with rumours of a real-life romance. The rumours further spread with the duo’s BTS footage from the drama, as well as their playful banter during interviews and show appearances.
However, Kim quashed all the rumours by stating she’s just a “fellow actor to Byeon Woo-seok, observing his rise to fame.” In a conversation with a news outlet (via SBS), she revealed that the duo first met while filming a web drama titled Secret Crushes. However, they didn’t get many opportunities to interact back then.
It was on the sets of Lovely Runner that the two first started talking. Kim said that this time around, they bonded quickly as they knew each other from before. Byeon Woo-seok was ‘friendly and approachable’ that they easily became close, the actress said.
9. She went through a struggling period before landing her first breakout role
There’s no free lunch in the world, and everyone endures hardships and failures on their journey. Before landing her breakout role in Sky Castle, Kim was cast in a string of minor roles which made her nervous and impatient about her growth.
Appearing on SBS’s Night of Real Entertainment (via Soompi) the star said that at one point she was very unclear and felt “like my dream was really far away.” She became jealous of seeing people her age do great on TV and even questioned her own potential. However, over time she learnt that everyone’s luck is different. There’s a different timing for each person and one must focus on going down their own path rather than becoming impatient.
10. Kim has won many notable awards in her career
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With great performances, come great rewards (and awards). While Kim has won many Best Actress and Rising Star titles in her career, her most significant moment was winning the Best New Actress accolade at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards, South Korea’s Oscars equivalent.
Her other accolades include the Blue Dragon Film Award, the New York Asian Film Festival Award, the Korean Film Producers Association Awards as well as MBC Drama Awards.
How many of these facts about Kim Hye-yoon did you know?
(Hero and feature image credit: hye_yoon1110/ Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is Kim Hye-yoon married?
No, Kim Hye-yoon is single.
- What dramas did Kim Hye-yoon star in?
Some of the most popular dramas starring Kim Hye-yoon include Lovely Runner, Sky Castle and Snowdrop.
- Which was Kim Hye-yoon’s first drama?
She made her K-drama debut at the age of 17 with Samsaengi.
- Which is the best Kim Hye-yoon web series to watch?
Lovely Runner is the best and most popular K-drama series of Kim Hye-yoon.
- How many episodes does Kim Hye-yoon’s Lovely Runner have?
Lovely Runner has a total of 16 episodes. It aired on tvN from April 8, 2024, to May 28, 2024.
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Written by
Kriti Nayyar
Senior Digital Writer, Wellness, Culture, Astrology, Tech
Kriti is a stay-at-home dog mama, whose knack for telling interesting stories keeps her erstwhile monotonous life sane. A literature & journalism degree holder, you'll find her binging on Agatha Christie novels while critiquing the everyday state of affairs. On Kriti's seldom social outings, she's seen devouring coffee sangria with appetizing bread on the side.
