Jin Ki Joo

Who Is Jin Ki-joo?

Jin Ki-joo (Korean: 진기주; Romanized: Jin Giju) is a South Korean actress born on January 26, 1989, in Seoul, South Korea. She is one of the most compelling stories in Korean entertainment today.

Before she ever stood in front of a camera, she worked as an IT consultant at Samsung SDS. Then she became a broadcast journalist. Only after that did she step into acting.

Today, she is a celebrated lead actress. She has starred in major K-dramas across Netflix, Disney+, MBC, and KBS2. She has won multiple awards. Moreover, her 2026 Netflix drama Teach You a Lesson drew international attention and earned her widespread critical acclaim.

Early Life and Academic Background

Born in Seoul, Raised With Purpose

Jin Ki-joo was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. From an early age, she showed strong academic ability and a drive that set her apart.

She pursued her higher education at Chung-Ang University, one of South Korea’s most prestigious institutions. There, she earned a dual degree in Computer Engineering and Journalism & Broadcasting. This combination was rare. It reflected both her analytical mind and her creative instincts.

From the Classroom to the Corporate World

After graduating, Jin Ki-joo did not enter entertainment. Instead, she joined Samsung SDS, the IT services arm of Samsung Group, as an IT consultant. She worked there for approximately three years.

Subsequently, she moved into broadcast journalism. She joined G1 Broadcasting, a regional affiliate of the Seoul Broadcasting System, as a reporter. This hands-on experience in communication sharpened her presence and confidence on screen.

Therefore, by the time she entered acting, she already carried the discipline of a corporate professional and the storytelling instincts of a trained journalist.

Entry Into Entertainment: The Supermodel Contest (2014)

In 2014, Jin Ki-joo entered the 23rd Supermodel Contest, organized by SBS. She won the prestigious Olivia Lauren Prize.

After her win, the contest organizer introduced her to management companies for actors. She became the first actress signed to Basecamp Company.

This was the turning point. Her acting debut followed in 2015. And she never looked back.

Career Highlights: From Debut to International Stardom

Acting Debut: Second 20s and Splash Splash Love (2015)

Jin Ki-joo made her acting debut in tvN’s romantic comedy series Second 20s (2015), playing Park Seung-hyun. The same year, she appeared in the popular fantasy mini-series Splash Splash Love as Queen Soheon.

These early roles gave her a foundation. However, bigger things were coming.

Building Momentum: Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

In 2016, Jin Ki-joo appeared in the beloved historical fantasy drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, playing the role of Chae-ryung. The drama starred Lee Jun-ki and IU and became a massive hit across Asia.

This role exposed her to a wide international audience for the first time.

The Breakthrough Year: Misty, Come and Hug Me, and Little Forest (2018)

2018 was the year everything changed for Jin Ki-joo.

First, she appeared in the acclaimed crime-romance series Misty, playing Han Ji-won. Then, she starred in the critically praised film Little Forest alongside Kim Tae-ri and Ryu Jun-yeol, playing the role of Eun-sook.

Most importantly, she landed her first lead role in a television series — the emotionally powerful MBC drama Come and Hug Me. She played Han Jae-yi/Gil Nak-won opposite Jang Ki-yong.

The drama explored trauma, identity, and healing with remarkable depth. Jin Ki-joo’s performance earned her critical acclaim and a Best Couple Award at the MBC Drama Awards alongside Jang Ki-yong. Furthermore, she received nominations at the Buil Film Awards for Best New Actress.

The Secret Life of My Secretary (2019)

In 2019, Jin Ki-joo starred in the SBS romantic comedy The Secret Life of My Secretary alongside Kim Young-kwang. The drama was a commercial success and further cemented her status as a lead actress. She received an Excellence Award nomination at the SBS Drama Awards.

Homemade Love Story (2020)

In 2020, Jin Ki-joo starred in the MBC weekend drama Homemade Love Story alongside Lee Jang-woo and Jeong Bo-seok. The drama was a warm family saga that resonated deeply with viewers.

Her performance earned her a Best Couple Award at the MBC Drama Awards, shared with her co-stars Lee Jang-woo and Jeong Bo-seok.

Midnight (2021)

In 2021, Jin Ki-joo took on a dramatically different challenge. She starred in the thriller film Midnight alongside Wi Ha-joon, playing Kyung-mi — a deaf woman who becomes the target of a serial killer. This role showcased her range beyond romantic leads.

From Now On, Showtime! (2022)

In 2022, Jin Ki-joo starred in the MBC fantasy romance series From Now On, Showtime! alongside Park Hae-jin. She played a talented stage magician, bringing charm and charisma to the role.

The drama earned her a Best Couple Award nomination at the MBC Drama Awards.

My Perfect Stranger (2023)

In 2023, Jin Ki-joo starred in the KBS2 time-travel mystery drama My Perfect Stranger alongside Kim Dong-wook. She played Baek Yoon-young — a woman who travels back to the 1980s to prevent her grandmother’s murder.

The drama earned strong reviews. It rated 8.1 on MovieDB and was praised for its intricate plot and the chemistry between its leads.

Uncle Samsik (2024)

In 2024, Jin Ki-joo had the honor of starring alongside legendary film veteran Song Kang-ho — the Oscar-winning star of Parasite — in his very first K-drama: Disney+’s Uncle Samsik. She played Joo Yeo-jin in the 1960s-set political drama across 16 episodes.

This was a significant career milestone. Working alongside Song Kang-ho was a marker of how far she had come.

Land of Happiness (2024)

Also in 2024, Jin Ki-joo appeared in the Korean film Land of Happiness as Cho Soon-jung.

Undercover High School (2025) and a Top Award

In early 2025, Jin Ki-joo starred in the MBC action-mystery drama Undercover High School alongside Seo Kang-joon. She played Oh Su-a/Oh Bong-ja — a dedicated history teacher who becomes entangled in a National Intelligence Service operation.

The drama was a commercial and critical hit. At the 2025 MBC Drama Awards, Jin Ki-joo won the Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries for her performance. This was one of the biggest individual awards of her career to date.

Teach You a Lesson (Netflix, 2026): A Career-Defining Role

In 2026, Jin Ki-joo delivered what many consider her most electrifying performance yet. She starred as Im Han-rim in Netflix’s action school drama Teach You a Lesson (Korean: 참교육), premiering on June 5, 2026.

The 10-episode series also stars Kim Moo-yeol and Lee Sung-min. It follows a team tackling bullying and corruption within South Korea’s education system, covering physical violence, cybercrime, stalking, and scamming.

Reviewers praised Jin Ki-joo for bringing genuine emotional depth to Im Han-rim. “She has a backstory with real pain in it,” one reviewer noted. “That is not a one-dimensional character. That is someone with genuine emotional stakes and Jin Ki-joo plays every single layer of her beautifully.” The drama rated 9.0 on MyDramaList.

Her unusual career path — Samsung SDS, journalist, actress — drew renewed international attention, with media outlets spotlighting her story after the drama’s premiere.

Sleeping Doctor (KBS2, 2026–2027): The Next Chapter

On April 15, 2026, it was announced that Jin Ki-joo would star in the KBS2 romantic comedy drama Sleeping Doctor. She plays Hong Kyeong, the director of Healer Mental Health Clinic — a skilled psychiatrist carrying deep emotional trauma who cannot heal her own wounds.

The drama is directed by Lee Hyun-kyung and written by Baek Eun-kyung. It is set to air on KBS2 later in 2026 and marks Jin Ki-joo’s third major lead role in a single year — a testament to the extraordinary demand for her talent.

Awards and Recognition

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result
2014	SBS Supermodel Contest	Olivia Lauren Prize	—	Won
2018	MBC Drama Awards	Best Couple Award	Come and Hug Me	Won
2018	Buil Film Awards	Best New Actress	—	Nominated
2019	SBS Drama Awards	Excellence Award, Actress	The Secret Life of My Secretary	Nominated
2020	MBC Drama Awards	Best Couple Award	Homemade Love Story	Won
2022	MBC Drama Awards	Best Couple Award	From Now On, Showtime!	Nominated
2025	MBC Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actress	Undercover High School	Won

Complete Filmography

Television Series

Year	Title	Role	Network
2015	Second 20s	Park Seung-hyun	tvN
2015	Splash Splash Love	Queen Soheon	KBS2
2016	Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo	Chae-ryung	MBC
2016	One More Happy Ending	—	MBC
2018	Misty	Han Ji-won	tvN
2018	Come and Hug Me	Han Jae-yi / Gil Nak-won	MBC
2019	The Secret Life of My Secretary	—	SBS
2020	Homemade Love Story	—	MBC
2022	From Now On, Showtime!	—	MBC
2022	Shooting Stars	Kim Jin-kyung	tvN (cameo)
2023	My Perfect Stranger	Baek Yoon-young	KBS2
2024	Uncle Samsik	Joo Yeo-jin	Disney+
2025	Undercover High School	Oh Su-a / Oh Bong-ja	MBC
2026	Teach You a Lesson	Im Han-rim	Netflix
2026–	Sleeping Doctor	Hong Kyeong	KBS2

Films

Year	Title	Role
2018	Little Forest	Eun-sook
2021	Midnight	Kyung-mi
2024	Land of Happiness	Cho Soon-jung
2025	Splash Splash Love: The Movie	Queen Sohyeon

Personal Life

A Private Public Figure

Jin Ki-joo keeps her personal life largely private. She has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships.

Physical Profile and Agency

She stands at 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) and is represented by Basecamp Company, of which she was the first actress ever signed. Her Korean name is written in Hangul as 진기주 and in Revised Romanization as Jin Giju.

Zodiac Sign

Jin Ki-joo was born on January 26, which makes her an Aquarius — a sign associated with intelligence, independence, and originality. All three traits feel fitting for an actress who built a career entirely on her own terms.