- Kim Ok-bin
-
Kim Ok-bin Born 29 December 1986
Gwangyang, South KoreaOther names Kim Ok-vin Occupation Actress Years active 2005–present Korean name Hangul 김옥빈 Hanja 金玉彬 Revised Romanization Gim Ok-bin McCune–Reischauer Kim Ok-pin Kim Ok-bin (born 29 December 1986) is a South Korean actress. Kim made her debut in an online beauty contest in 2004, and began her acting career with a role in 2005 film Voice. Subsequent appearances include the television drama series Over the Rainbow and films such as Dasepo Naughty Girls and The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesan. Kim has received several award nominations, and won Best Actress at the 2009 Sitges Film Festival for her role in Thirst.
Contents
Early life
Originally from Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do,[1] Kim was born on 29 December 1986 and is the eldest of three siblings.[2] As a child she trained in martial arts,[1] and has attained third dan in Hapkido and second dan in Taekwondo; she also practices Muay Thai.[3] Prior to her career as an actress, Kim considered joining the police.[1]
Career
Early work: 2004–2008
Kim made her debut in an online beauty contest hosted by web portal Naver in 2004.[3] Despite having little prior acting experience, she was cast of one of the three leads in the 2005 film Voice,[4] a role which saw her nominated for "Best New Actress" at both the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards.[5][6]
Kim next starred as the lead actress in Hanoi Bride, a two-part SBS drama aired during the Chuseok holidays to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam war. Her performance as Vietnamese girl Lý Thị Vũ caught the attention of film director E J-yong, who subsequently cast her as the main character in his 2006 film Dasepo Naughty Girls, based on a popular webcomic. E commented that, "Not many young actresses would be mature enough to completely understand the heroine who has to support the family by selling herself as a prostitute... But Kim seemed like an actress who had the ability to understand the character."[2] Despite her initial reluctance due to the original comic having some explicit scenes, she ultimately took the part, having faith in the director because of his previous works.[7]
Kim auditioned for a part in the 2006 KBS drama series Hello, God, and after impressing director Ji Yeong-soo with her "intense determination", was handed a leading role as confidence trickster Seo Eun-hye. During filming she expressed self-doubts, saying, "I used to cry two or three times everyday when the shooting began because I felt that I was a rubbish actress", and with a tight schedule that allowed her less than two hours of sleep per day, was reported to have collapsed on set.[2] Later that year, she appeared in MBC drama Over the Rainbow as aspiring pop singer Jeong Hee-su, a part which required her to sing and master difficult breakdance moves. Series producer Han Hee complimented Kim, saying, "She is a bold actress. She’s very enthusiastic about her role with an almost perfectionist attitude."[3] However, she caused some concern when she admitted to only eating one meal per day while filming the drama.[8] In her next film, The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesan, Kim starred alongside Lee Jung-jae as a Joseon-era kisaeng. Kim said that she found it difficult performing a historical role, but was helped by consultations with director Yeo Gyoon-dong and studied traditional Korean dance for two months. The film opened in South Korea in December 2008.[9]
Speaking in 2006 of her own ambitions as an actress, Kim said, "I am not attracted to easy and simple roles... I only feel alive when I am challenged with difficult roles that push me to improve my acting skills".[2]
Successful breakthrough: 2008–present
In February 2008, Kim was announced as the female lead in Park Chan-wook's Thirst, in a part that required numerous adult scenes with co-star Song Kang-ho.[10] Kim felt that she learned much from working alongside Song, while Park commended her versatility in showing the different sides to her character.[11] Thirst topped the South Korean box office over its opening weekend with over one million admissions,[12] and was invited to the 2009 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Jury Prize.[13] Richard Corliss of Time praised Kim's performance in the film, saying, "it's the lovely Kim, just 22, who is the revelation here. She can play — no, she can be — a creature of mute docility, then searching ardor, then explosive eroticism, then murderous intent. She is Lady Chatterley and Lady Macbeth in one smoldering package".[14] The Hollywood Reporter's Maggie Lee was more critical, commenting, "[Kim's] high-pitched neurosis is sometimes grating, but for a relative newcomer, she keeps her continuous personality transformations in stride",[15] while Kyu Hyun Kim of OhmyNews said, "Kim is stunningly sexy in both wilted-housewife and full-blown femme fatale modes, and throws all of herself into the role", but also considered her "a bit too young and contemporary" for the role.[16] She was a co-recipient of the Best Actress award at the 42nd Sitges Film Festival (shared with Elena Anaya for Hierro),[17] and received further nominations at the 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards,[18] the 2010 Green Globe Film Awards,[19] and the 46th Baeksang Arts Awards.[20]
Kim was reunited with director E J-yong for Actresses, a low-budget film in which she and five other leading Korean actresses portray themselves at a special Vogue magazine shoot. Like her co-stars, Kim agreed to take part with no guarantee and shared writing credits. The film opened on 10 December 2009.[21][22]
Criticism incident
Kim faced criticism after appearing on a TV show and saying, "I don’t like men who use discount cards at fancy restaurants", with some calling her doinjangnyeo, a term referring to women who rely on rich parents or boyfriends rather than their own income. The incident had a negative impact on her popularity, though she later stated that her comments were taken out of context.[3]
Filmography
Year Title Medium Role Notes 2005 Voice Film Yeong-eon 2005 Hanoi Bride Television Lý Thị Vũ 2006 Hello, God Television Seo Eun-hye 2006 Arang Film Cameo appearance. 2006 Over the Rainbow Television Jeong Hee-su Also sang "Start" on the soundtrack. 2006 Dasepo Naughty Girls Film Poor Girl 2007 War of Money Television Soo-young Appeared only in the four bonus episodes. 2008 The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesan Film Seol-ji 2009 Thirst Film Tae-joo 2009 Actresses Film Herself Also co-writer. Music videos
- "A Cold Heart" — Lee Seung-chul (2004)
- "Tomorrow" — Hwanhee (2006)
- "위태로운 이야기" ("Dangerous Love") — Lena Park (2006)
- "물끄러미" ("Absentmindedly") — Zi-A (2007)
Awards and nominations
Year Group Award Film/Series Result Notes Ref. 2005 Blue Dragon Film Awards Best New Actress Voice Nominated [5] 2006 Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actress Voice Nominated [6] 2006 MBC Drama Awards PD Award n/a Won [23] 2009 Sitges Film Festival Best Actress Thirst Won Shared with Elena Anaya for Hierro. [17] 2009 Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Actress Thirst Nominated [18] 2010 Green Globe Film Awards Best International Actress Thirst Nominated [19] 2010 Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actress Thirst Nominated [20] References
- ^ a b c Lee, Hyo-won (29 November 2009). "Kim Ok-vin Hopes to Conquer Screen". The Korea Times. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/12/141_56339.html. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
- ^ a b c d Shin Hae-in (9 February 2006). "[UP AND COMING TALENTS (8)] Kim Ok-bin: 'greedy' actress". Hancinema; originally published by The Korea Herald. Retrieved on 23 January 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Speaking Her Mind". The Dong-A Ilbo (5 August 2006). Retrieved on 23 January 2008.
- ^ "Close your ears!". The Malay Mail. Retrieved on 23 January 2008.
- ^ a b "26th Blue Dragon Awards Winners". Twitch (30 November 2005). Retrieved on January 22, 2008.
- ^ a b "42nd Baeksang Awards Nominations [+Winners]". Twitch (14 April 2006). Retrieved on January 22, 2008.
- ^ Kim Tae-jong (6 August 2006). "Popular Internet Comic Is Made Into Film". Empas; originally published by The Korea Times. Retrieved on 24 January 2008.
- ^ Bae Ji-sook (25 October 2006). "Excessive Diet Leads to Anorexia". Empas; originally published by The Korea Times. Retrieved on 26 January 2008.
- ^ Yi Ch’ang-ho (20 November 2008). "LEE Jung-jae fights over KIM Ok-vin". Korean Film Council. Retrieved on 20 November 2009.
- ^ "Park Chan-wook Chooses Heroine for Vampire Movie". Digital Chosunilbo (13 February 2008). Retrieved on 21 November 2008.
- ^ "Actress Kim Ok-bin Speaks Out About Starring in 'Thirst'". Digital Chosunilbo (4 April 2009). Retrieved on 21 November 2009.
- ^ Noh, Jean (5 May 2009). "Thirst tops Korean box office over holiday weekend". ScreenDaily.com. Retrieved on 21 November 2009.
- ^ "'Thirst' Gets Jury Prize in Cannes". The Korea Times (25 May 2009). Retrieved on 21 November 2009.
- ^ Corliss, Richard. "Thirst: Why Vampires Beat Zombies". Time. Retrieved on 21 November 2009.
- ^ Lee, Maggie (15 May 2009). "Thirst -- Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 21 November 2009.
- ^ Kyu Hyun Kim (3 August 2009). "Unquenchable 'Thirst'". OhmyNews. Retrieved on 21 November 2009.
- ^ a b Lee Hyo-won (12 October 2009). "Kim Ok-vin Named Best Actress at Sitges Film Fest". The Korea Times. Retrieved on 20 November 2009.
- ^ a b Park Soo-mee (13 November 2009). "Blue Dragon nominates 'Thirst,' 'President'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 20 November 2009.
- ^ a b Hong, Lucia; Kim, Jessica (13 March 2010). "Korean films, stars nominated for U.S. Green Globe Awards". 10asia. http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010031211464981914. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
- ^ a b Hicap, Jonathan H. (28 March 2010). "‘Queen Seon Deok,’ ‘Haeundae’ top Baeksang awards". Maila Bulletin. http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/249978/queen-seon-duk-haeundae-top-baeksang-awards. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
- ^ "Six Actresses Get Together for Film". KBS Global (18 November 2009). Retrieved on 21 November 2009.
- ^ Lee Hyo-won (17 November 2009). "Actresses to Present Off-Screen Personas Onscreen". The Korea Times. Retrieved on 21 November 2009.
- ^ "2006 MBC 연기대상에 '주몽' 송일국". hankooki.com (31 December 2006). Retrieved on 22 January 2008. (Korean)
External links
- Kim Ok-bin at the Internet Movie Database
- Kim Ok-bin at the Korean Movie Database
- Kim Ok-bin at HanCinema
Categories:- 1986 births
- South Korean film actors
- South Korean television actors
- South Korean female models
- People from Jeollanam-do
- Living people
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