Kim Tae-Ri South Korean actress Date of Birth: 24.04.1990 Country: South Korea

1. Early Life and Education
2. The Discovery of Passion
3. Film Debut
4. International Breakthrough with "The Handmaiden"
5. Diverse Filmography
6. Television Career
7. Personal Life
8. Upcoming Projects

Early Life and Education

Kim Tae-ri was born in Seoul, South Korea, on April 4, 1990. As a child, she aspired to pursue art and enrolled in a design school. However, financial constraints and the demanding nature of the program led her to reconsider her career path. She subsequently entered Kyung Hee University to study journalism and broadcasting, envisioning a future as a news anchor.

The Discovery of Passion

During her freshman year at Kyung Hee University, Kim Tae-ri joined a theater club, where she found her true calling in acting. Despite initial resistance from her family, they came to support her after witnessing her performances. In 2011, she became a member of the theater company "Eiru," initially working as a sound and lighting technician before making her stage debut in 2012.

Film Debut

Kim Tae-ri made her cinematic debut in 2010 with a minor role in the short film "Citizen Zombie." Her breakout role came in 2015 when she portrayed the titular character in the drama "Moon Young." That same year, she appeared in several other films, including "Entangled," "Who Are You?" and "What's Up?", which helped her gain experience and establish her presence.

International Breakthrough with "The Handmaiden"

In 2016, Kim Tae-ri achieved international recognition with her performance in Park Chan-wook's erotic thriller "The Handmaiden," an adaptation of Sarah Waters' novel "Fingersmith." Cast after beating out 1,500 other candidates, she played the servant Sook-hee, earning numerous accolades, including Best New Actress. The film premiered at the 69th Cannes International Film Festival, introducing Kim's name to audiences worldwide.

Diverse Filmography

Following the success of "The Handmaiden," Kim Tae-ri continued to showcase her versatility in a wide range of films. She starred as student activist Yeon-hee in the historical drama "1987" (2017), and played the role of Hye-won in the slice-of-life film "Little Forest" (2018), based on a Japanese manga. She also ventured into the fantasy genre with the "Alienoid" franchise, playing Lee Ahn in the first (2022) and second (2024) installments.

Television Career

Kim Tae-ri expanded her reach into television, making her drama debut in 2018 as Go Ae-shin in "Mr. Sunshine." She went on to star in "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" (2022) and "The Evil Spirit" (2023).

Personal Life

Kim Tae-ri has maintained a private personal life. In interviews, she has expressed a desire for love but has never publicly confirmed being in a romantic relationship. She has been linked to actor Song Joong-ki, her co-star in the comedy "Space Sweepers" (2021), though these rumors remain unverified. Another rumored love interest is actor Nam Joo-hyuk, with whom she co-starred in several commercials and the drama "Twenty-Five Twenty-One." However, their relationship status remains subject to speculation.

Upcoming Projects

Currently, Kim Tae-ri is actively involved in both film and television projects. She is set to play the lead role in the upcoming drama "Jung Nyeon," an adaptation of a webtoon about a young woman pursuing an acting career in a traditional female theater troupe. The series is scheduled to premiere in 2024.