Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kim Woo-bin
How Kim Woo-bin built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Kim Woo-bin (born Kim Hyun-joong) is a South Korean actor and model. Starting as a runway model, he debuted as an actor in White Christmas, later gaining recognition in A Gentleman's Dignity and achieving breakthrough success with School 2013 and The Heirs. He starred in successful films like Twenty and Master, and took on his first lead role in Uncontrollably Fond. In 2017, he took a hiatus due to being diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, returning to acting in 2022 with Our Blues.
2009: Runway Debut
In 2009, Kim Woo-bin debuted as a runway model at the age of 20 and started appearing in prêt-à-porter and Seoul Fashion Week collections.
2011: Acting Debut
In 2011, Kim Woo-bin made his acting debut in the mystery drama "White Christmas" and the cable sitcom "Vampire Idol".
2012: Gaining Attention in Acting
In 2012, Kim Woo-bin gained attention for his roles in "A Gentleman's Dignity."
2012: Supporting Role in A Gentleman's Dignity
In 2012, Kim Woo-bin played a supporting role in the romantic comedy drama "A Gentleman's Dignity" and guest appeared in "To the Beautiful You".
August 15, 2013: M! Countdown Hosting Debut
On August 15, 2013, Kim Woo-bin started hosting the cable music program "M! Countdown".
2013: Breakthrough Roles in Hit Dramas
In 2013, Kim Woo-bin had his breakthrough with "School 2013" and "The Heirs".
2013: Honorary Ambassador Appointments
In 2013, Kim Woo-bin was named honorary ambassador for Jeonju University, and the public relations ambassador for the 2013 Suwon Information Science Festival and the "Good Downloader Campaign".
January 2014: Cast in The Con Artists
In January 2014, Kim Woo-bin was cast in the heist movie "The Con Artists", playing a top safe-cracker.
February 13, 2014: End of M! Countdown Hosting
On February 13, 2014, Kim Woo-bin finished hosting the cable music program "M! Countdown".
2015: Starring in Box Office Hit Film Twenty
In 2015, Kim Woo-bin starred in the box office hit film "Twenty".
2015: Comedic Role in Twenty
In 2015, Kim Woo-bin took on a comedic character in the movie "Twenty".
2015: Cast in Uncontrollably Fond
In 2015, Kim Woo-bin was cast in the melodrama "Uncontrollably Fond", marking his first leading television role.
2015: Promotional Ambassador of CGV Arthouse
In 2015, Kim Woo-bin was chosen as the promotional ambassador of CJ CGV's arthouse exhibition chain CGV Arthouse.
July 6, 2016: Premiere of Uncontrollably Fond
On July 6, 2016, the drama "Uncontrollably Fond", starring Kim Woo-bin, premiered.
December 2016: Premiere of Master
In December 2016, the crime action film "Master", starring Kim Woo-bin, premiered and became the 11th bestselling film for 2016 in South Korea.
2016: Leading Role in Uncontrollably Fond and Starred in Master
In 2016, Kim Woo-bin took on his first leading role on television in "Uncontrollably Fond" and starred in the box office hit film "Master".
April 2017: Honorary Ambassador for 2018 Winter Olympics
In April 2017, Kim Woo-bin was appointed as an honorary ambassador for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
May 2017: Hiatus Due to Cancer Diagnosis
In May 2017, Kim Woo-bin's agency announced that he would be taking a hiatus from acting after being diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer.
2017: Cast in Wiretap
In 2017, Kim Woo-bin was cast in the crime caper film "Wiretap"; however, the project was suspended to allow him to seek treatment for cancer.
2018: Honorary Ambassador for 2018 Winter Olympics
In 2018, Kim Woo-bin served as honorary ambassador for the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
March 11, 2020: Return to Big Screen with Alienoid
On March 11, 2020, it was announced that Kim Woo-bin would be returning to the big screen in the sci-fi film "Alienoid".
March 8, 2022: Donation to Wildfire Relief
On March 8, 2022, Kim Woo-bin donated ₩100 million to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help victims of wildfires in Uljin and Samcheok.
July 2022: Premiere of Alienoid
In July 2022, Kim Woo-bin starred in "Alienoid", playing the role of 'Guard'.
2022: Return to Screen in Our Blues
In 2022, Kim Woo-bin returned to the screen with the television series "Our Blues".
January 2023: Donation to Asan Medical Center
In January 2023, Kim Woo-bin donated ₩100 million to Asan Medical Center in Seoul to support the treatment of poor patients.
January 2025: Further Donation to Asan Medical Center
In January 2025, Kim Woo-bin donated a further ₩100 million to Asan Medical Center in Seoul to support the treatment of poor patients.
March 2025: Donation to Wildfire Victims
In March 2025, Kim Woo-bin donated ₩50 million to the Korean Red Cross to help wildfire victims in the Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam regions.
Mentioned in this timeline
Christmas is an annual festival celebrated on December th commemorating...
Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia comprised of...
Blues is a music genre originating from African-Americans in the...
South Korea officially the Republic of Korea occupies the southern...
Music is a cultural universal involving the arrangement of sound...
Cancer is a collective term for diseases characterized by abnormal...
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